WhatsApp is rolling out a festive package of new features just in time for New Year’s Eve, giving users creative ways to celebrate and stay connected as 2026 arrives. The updates are designed to work through the holiday period and make chats, calls, and Status updates more expressive and visually engaging for everyone.
One of the headline additions is a dedicated 2026 sticker pack. This set of themed stickers lets you send New Year greetings straight in personal messages or group chats, adding a colourful and celebratory touch to your conversations. The stickers reflect holiday motifs and offer an easy way to share festive vibes without typing a message.
Video calls on WhatsApp are getting a fun boost too. During a video call, you can tap the effects icon to activate on-screen animations like fireworks, confetti, and star effects. These visuals can make virtual celebrations feel more lively, especially when you are counting down or sharing live moments with distant friends and family.
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Reactions are getting an upgrade as well. Animated confetti reactions come back for the holiday season, bringing extra flavour when you tap the confetti emoji in response to a message. It’s a playful way to highlight highlights or add cheer to a message without writing anything.
For the first time in WhatsApp’s history, you can also use animated stickers in Status posts. The app includes a special New Year layout that pairs animated stickers with your pictures or videos, allowing you to broadcast celebratory messages that are more dynamic than ever before.
WhatsApp hasn’t stopped at visuals either. It is also pointing users toward existing group chat tools that are helpful for planning meetups or parties. Features like creating and pinning events, using polls to decide party details, and sharing live location can help keep everyone on the same page as you ring in 2026 together.
These limited-time updates are already live, so if you plan to use WhatsApp to connect with people across time zones this holiday, take a moment to explore the festive stickers, call effects, animated reactions, and animated Status options now.