Blockbuster events program to attract big crowds to Melbourne
A packed schedule of concerts and events, including a blockbuster New Year’s Eve fireworks show, aims to attract massive crowds to Melbourne in spring and summer. See the full list.
Victoria
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Melbourne’s New Year’s Eve fireworks will be the biggest yet after the council pledged a “turbocharged” celebration in the inner city.
With Melbourne set to shine this spring and summer thanks to a blockbuster calendar of events covering sport, culture, entertainment and business, Lord Mayor Sally Capp said a record $3.9m would be spent on the New Year’s festivities.
She promised there would be no repeat of the disappointing fireworks display of 2021.
“The team is working out, does that mean more rooftops, or is it more fireworks on existing rooftops?” she said.
“We are planning more things down towards Docklands in terms of fireworks. The light and laser shows from the Firelight Festival were very popular, and that focus on spreading it around the city is important.”
Last year’s show was branded an “embarrassment” and “a kick in the guts” after the rooftop fireworks were cancelled and smaller displays held instead.
Victorian business groups said the show was a fizzer, and compared poorly to Sydney’s spectacular display on the harbour. However, the Lord Mayor said the 2022 event would be much different.
“I think you can just expect a turbocharged New Year’s Eve,” she said.
“The settings will be right to really celebrate, because we’ll have got through this winter without any lockdowns, without any mandates.”
Victorian Chamber of Commerce boss Paul Guerra said: “The New Year’s Eve fireworks must return in full to complete that package of events that Melbourne has.
“And let’s announce it now so that people can plan what their New Year’s Eve is going to look like this year.”
Victorian Tourism Industry Council chief executive Felicia Mariani said New Year’s Eve celebrations were such an enormous part of the state’s visitor experience.
“Seeing our fireworks display shift back to full throttle this year will mean that Melbourne can prepare to welcome back record numbers of visitors to enjoy this magical experience,” she said.
“Our visitor economy businesses in the Melbourne region have faced some challenging times over the past two years. Major events like New Year’s Eve are the critical drawcards the destination needs to really supercharge our revitalisation.”
In further evidence life is getting back to normal, the AFL finals series is set to be the most compelling for years.
Melbourne and Sydney will slug it out at the MCG on Friday in the second qualifying final, while Geelong and Collingwood meet on Saturday at the ‘G for the first qualifying final.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the spring events calendar showed “Victoria is back”.
Mr Andrews said this year’s Grand Prix had been a big success, and shows like Moulin Rouge and Hamilton were popular.
“Billy Joel is a sellout, and half the tickets are from people that are not from Melbourne, so we know there are lots of hotel rooms in that, lots of meals, lots of jobs,” he said.
The AFL season culminates on September 24 when the grand final returns to the MCG for the first time in three years, while the new AFLW season is up and running.
The Department of Transport has added 19 metropolitan trains for the Melbourne-Sydney qualifying final on Friday, and 22 for the Geelong-Collingwood blockbuster on Saturday, along with additional route 70 and 75 trams and increased V/Line services into the city.
Planning is also under way for extra services for the Royal Melbourne Show, Spring Racing Carnival and the men’s T20 World Cup.
“It’s exciting to see so many events returning to Melbourne,” Transport Minister Ben Carroll told the Herald Sun.
Racing kicks off at the Melbourne Spring Carnival on September 3 with two Group 2 races at Moonee Valley, then the Caulfield Cup on October 15, the Cox Plate on October 22 and the Melbourne Cup on November 1.
Cricket fans will have a feast when the MCG hosts T20 World Cup matches starting on October 23.
T20 World Cup chief executive Michelle Enright says the MCG is likely to host three sellouts during the tournament, with the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash, Australia-England and the final to be hosted at the sporting mecca.
Live theatre fans can see top shows such as Hamilton until December 18, Hairspray until October 14, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child until November 27, and 9 To 5 The Musical until September 11.
Top Aussie and Broadway theatre producer Rodney Rigby has feel-good musical Come From Away, which opens at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre on September 1.
“We’ve just had a bitterly cold winter, spring is here, and it’s time to get out, celebrate and enjoy our city,” he said.
Rhonda Burchmore, who’s in Hairspray, said it was hard to explain the joy of hearing live audiences laugh, cheer and dance in the aisles again.
“I haven’t had this much fun on stage and seen such a reaction to a show in a theatre since I opened the original Mamma Mia more than 20 years ago,” she said.
Also performing in Hairspray, Todd McKenney and Rob Mills are pumped.
“Spring is in the air, audiences are back in their seats and Melbourne is alive with the sound of musicals,” said McKenney. “Woo-hoo!”
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