Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve across NSW

Not keen to travel into the city and camp out for hours for a chance to see the fireworks? Here are the alternatives in Sydney and further afield this New Year’s Eve.

It’s New Year’s Eve, a time when people celebrate good times and vibes with fireworks lighting up the sky.

While Sydney’s spectacular show is something Australia prides itself on, not everyone is keen to camp out along Darling Harbour for hours in order to see colourful explosions for 20 minutes.

So, if you’d rather not navigate the nightmare of Sydney’s public transport on New Year’s Eve but still want to see some vivid pyrotechnics in person, we’ve got some suggestions elsewhere in the city and further afield for you.

Western Sydney

A few suburbs across western Sydney will be holding their own New Year’s Eve celebrations, complete with fireworks.

Penrith Panthers will be hosting their yearly NYE fireworks. Picture: Angelo Velardo

In Penrith, residents can ring in the new year at the Panthers club. There’s a promise of live music, yummy food trucks, carnival rides and games, and even a disco for the kids. Fireworks are set to go off at 9pm and midnight.

Similar festivities await residents in Parramatta, where the local council is hosting celebrations at Parramatta Park between 5pm until 9.30pm.

Southwest Sydney

In Campbelltown, locals can head to Koshigaya Park for non-stop entertainment from 7pm until midnight. Make sure to bring some picnic rugs and chairs to kick back and relax.

And Liverpool residents needn’t worry: your council will be celebrating the end of 2024 as well at the Warwick Farm Racecourse. From 5pm til 10pm, with the fireworks set for 9pm, residents can enjoy live music, food and even market stalls.

Central Coast

Residents can join the celebrations at either The Entrance’s Memorial Park or Gosford’s Leagues Club Park. Both run between 6pm to 9pm, with live music, food and activities for the kids to enjoy.

Illawarra

Plenty of fireworks to be seen in Wollongong and Kiama. Picture: Northern Star Archive

Those down in Wollongong can expect 9pm fireworks at the city’s Summer Carnival at Lang Park, with rides, entertainment and food awaiting residents.

Kiama Harbour is set to display dazzling colours, with plenty of acoustic entertainment, food stalls along Terralong’s Eat Street and Shoalhaven’s Sweet Street.

Northern beaches

On the northern beaches, there are several family-friendly sites for the community to enjoy.

There will be fireworks at both 9pm and midnight at Dee Why Beach, Frenchs Forest, Manly Cove and Bayview.

A popular attraction for partygoers is The Newport, which will be open long into the night, where patrons can enjoy a live DJ and front-row seats to the Bayview fireworks display.

Mid-North Coast

Anyone living in the Port Macquarie area is encouraged to head down to the Hastings River near Buller St early for a good spot to enjoy the 9pm and midnight fireworks.

Over in Coffs Harbour, fireworks are set to light up the sky at 9.30pm along the Jetty Foreshores.

Hunter

Residents in Lake Macquarie are spoiled for choice for firework locations. Photo: Supplied

While the Lake Macquarie Council isn’t hosting any fireworks, it has suggested a few places people can go, such as Wangi Wangi RSL Club, 8 at Trinity in Morisset Park and The Esplanade at Speers Point. Some of these places will have either 9pm or midnight shows.

After a five-year hiatus, fireworks will light up the skies of Newcastle’s Quayside once again. One show will be at 6pm and the other will ring in the new year at midnight.

Central West

The Adventure Playground in Bathurst will be holding celebrations from 6pm to 9pm, with live music, a best dressed competition and residents encouraged to bring their own picnic.

Northern Rivers

Up in the tippy top of NSW, the local council at Tweed Heads will be hosting a family fireworks display at 9pm at Jack Evans Boat Harbour before the main event three hours later.

Past fireworks at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, Tweed Heads.

Over in Lismore, you can expect to see fireworks at the Tropical Fruits NYE Festival at the Lismore Showgrounds. For families though, head over to the Alstonville Showgrounds at 8pm.

Riverina

Ring in the new year on a picnic blanket from 6.30pm at Wagga Wagga’s family-friendly event in Apex Park, Lake Albert.

Soak up that atmosphere while digging into some hot dogs, roast beef, acai and Dippin’ Dots.

Orana

Dubbo will be holding a twilight market to accompany their NYE fireworks, with face painting, showbags and a jumping castle for kids to go crazy over. And for the adults, there’s live entertainment, market and food stalls to enjoy.

Far West

In Broken Hill, residents and families can enjoy a range of carnival rides and food stalls sweet and savoury over in Sturt Park from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. And of course, catch the 9.15pm fireworks lighting up the night sky.