Everything you need to know about Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks
Heading to the 2024 Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks? Here’s what to expect: a map of the best vantage spots, how to get there and get home, what the weather is doing, plus this year’s theme.
NSW
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One million people will gather under a sky lit by more than nine tonnes of fireworks on New Year’s Eve in Sydney as the harbour city prepares to host its biggest ever celebration.
The dazzling display will be set off from 264 firing points, including on the western side of the bridge for the first time.
The family from Foti International Fireworks, who have put more than 4500 hours into preparing for the spectacular, promise “innovative new technology” to turn fireworks into shapes like fish, sharks, and the word “Sydney” that will fall from the city’s bridge in a waterfall effect.
Artificial intelligence will also take centre stage, generating images to project onto the Harbour Bridge pylons including a shape-shifting being who “embodies the spirit of the ocean.”
And for the first time ever – a phrase adored by firework mastermind Fortunato Foti – four drone-powered aerial pyrotechnic platforms will hover between the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, launching 600 pyrotechnic effects.
“We are always looking at ways we can evolve our show and believe this will be one of the most innovative New Year’s Eve fireworks displays in the world,” Foti said.
Even the shortest of spectators will be immersed in the show. In yet another first, carefully placed speakers mean every vantage point will be perfectly synched with the fireworks display, meaning even those who can’t see the fireworks will at least be able to hear the music that goes along with them.
City of Sydney estimates more than one million people will watch the show in person, including 1000 boats on the water.
To ensure a great spot, spectators are advised to plan well ahead. Many of Sydney’s popular vantage points will reach capacity well before nightfall.
The Royal Botanical Gardens and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair reached capacity before the gates even opened in 2023, while The Opera House and Circular Quay are expected to fill up just after midday.
Many vantage points do not allow re-entry if you leave the venue. Those lining up for the long haul are recommended to bring plenty of activities to keep entertained, including board games, books and podcasts.
Acting Tourism Minister Jenny Aitchison said Sydney was “the best place in the world to ring in the New Year.”
“Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks are world famous, attracting huge numbers at more than 50 locations around the harbour,” she said.
American Lauriebeth Byrom said she was excited to experience Sydney’s famous fireworks, as it was a tradition watching them at her home in Texas.
“I am going to party with friends and see some fireworks,” she said.
The show, which has the theme “Forward with Heart” will begin with the Calling to Country fireworks at 9pm, before the main event at midnight.
PREPARE FOR RAIN
Punters planning to flock to vantage points across the harbour city on New Year’s Eve for a glimpse of Sydney’s world-renowned fireworks display should pack a brolly and a poncho alongside the bottle of bubbly and party hats.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s weather report for Sydney’s biggest party of the year forecasts showers throughout the day with partly cloudy conditions.
Partygoers should also expect temperatures to reach tops of 27C as they stake their claim for prized real estate at their chosen Sydney Harbour vantage points.
Conditions will be even hotter in the city’s western suburbs, with a muggy 29C and overcast skies on New Year’s Eve in Penrith and Parramatta.
Meanwhile, the first day of 2025 is also expected to be overcast with the chance of showers in the east and a thunderstorm in the city’s west with tops of 33C in Blacktown.
The rest of the week is also expected to see scattered showers and overcast conditions.
A Bureau of Meteorology spokeswoman said the threat of thunderstorms blanketing the city could also put a dampener on celebrations.
“Showers and thunderstorms are possible during the afternoon and evening,” the spokeswoman told The Sunday Telegraph.
“If storms eventuate, they are unlikely to be severe, but may produce heavy bursts of rain”.
by GEORGE AL-AKIKI
BIG CROWDS AND LONG QUEUES
Sydneysiders have been urged to get to their fireworks vantage points early, as more than a million people are expected to flood into the city for “the best show on Earth.”
Although public transport services will operate on a 46-hour continuous schedule for new year’s festivities, diversions and road closures are expected to impede those attending the fireworks display.
There will be no direct transport to Circular Quay from mid-afternoon on Tuesday, with trains, light-rail and bus services at the station ceasing from 2pm.
Traditional new year’s routes through Wynyard, Central and Martin Place have been replaced by Metro services, with Barangaroo the best available option into the city for those on the south side of the harbour until 5pm, when the station will halt services until after 11.45pm.
For those on the north side, services through Milsons Point will halt from 6pm on New Year’s Eve, with passengers encouraged to use Victoria Cross station.
Although construction along the Warringah Freeway will halt to allow for extra travel, major roads will begin to close from mid-afternoon on December 31 in the CBD, North Sydney and around the harbour.
The Harbour Bridge will close for road traffic and the Cahill Expressway will close from 6am on New Year’s Eve, before opening again from 5.30am on January 1.
Transport for NSW coordinator general Howard Collins advised those attending the celebrations to “get to their destination early” and be patient.
“It’s important to understand that we want to walk you into the city and walk you out again,” he said.
Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longlan said the Circular Quay and north shore precincts would be “very busy” and to expect “long queues” for the trip home.
“It is always a challenge getting that many people home during that compressed period after midnight,” he said.
by JACK CRAWLEY
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