WhatsApp’s 2026 Refresh: Fireworks, Stickers, and Better Party Planning

With 2026 just 2 days away, WhatsApp is pushing its final update. It's more than a patch. It’s a full festive facelift. Since New Year’s Eve is the busiest day for the app—handling billions of pings—Meta is leaning into the chaos with new tools.

For the first time, WhatsApp is letting you use animated stickers in Status updates. You aren’t stuck with boring, static images anymore. There is a new "Happy New Year 2026" pack in the tray. It’s built on the Lottie framework. That means the animations look smooth but won't eat your data or storage.

If you're posting a Status, check out the dedicated 2026 layout. It lets you layer fireworks or countdown clocks over your videos. It makes your holiday updates look better than a simple caption.

Ringing in the year with family on a call? There are new real-time AR effects. Just tap the effects icon during a video call to trigger:

The confetti reaction is back for chats, too. If you react with the party popper or clinking glasses emoji, your whole screen briefly explodes. It's a nice touch.

Planning a party in a group chat is usually a nightmare. To fix that, WhatsApp polished its Events and Polls tools. You can now create an "Event," collect RSVPs, and pin it to the top. This way, the address doesn't get lost in a sea of "Happy New Year" messages.

They are also pushing Live Location sharing. It’s a safety feature as much as a planning one—helping friends find the house and letting you know they made it home after the ball drops.