Melbourne’s biggest ever fireworks display to start 2023 with a bang
Fireworks will be launched from a record number of Melbourne skyscrapers on New Year’s Eve as part of a $3.9m midnight show.
Victoria
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Melbourne’s biggest ever fireworks extravaganza will be launched from a record number of skyscraper rooftops to welcome 2023 with a bang.
Fireworks and laser displays will fire off from the top of 30 city buildings – up from 22 in 2019 – as part of the bumper $3.9 million New Year’s Eve festivities across the CBD.
The “turbocharged” midnight show will be set to an eight-minute soundtrack by Melbourne DJ Mike Katz.
Four celebration zones have been confirmed – at Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens and Kings Domain.
The free-entry zones will open from early evening and then have 9.30pm localised fireworks displays as well as family-friendly entertainment including DJs, live music, dance workshops and light shows.
About half a million people are expected in the city for the revelry.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said there was no place like Melbourne for New Year.
“Melbourne is a special place every day, but at New Year’s Eve, the best of our city is on display,” Cr Capp said.
“We know Melburnians have missed the chance to celebrate together and that’s why we will deliver the biggest fireworks display ever – welcoming in the New Year like never before.”
The council is keen to avoid a repeat of the fireworks fizzer of 2021 which was labelled an “embarrassment” when smaller displays were held instead of rooftop shows.
Also in the city on the night will be the Aussie Pops Orchestra’s New Year’s Eve Gala at Arts Centre Melbourne starring Marina Prior, as well as the third night of the Falls Festival at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
Both the New Year’s festivities and the Christmas Festival are being financed by the $200 million Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund – a partnership between the council and the state government.
Industry Support and Recovery Minister Ben Carroll described the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations as “iconic”.
“We’re backing them to be bigger than ever this year, boosting the economy and creating a spectacle for thousands of Victorians to enjoy,” Mr Carroll said.
City Activation lead councillor Roshena Campbell said more than 400,000 revellers flocked to the city before the pandemic.
“We expect to beat that in 2022 with half a million visitors expected to fill our city,” Cr Campbell said.
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