Your guide to parties and events in Melbourne on New Year’s Eve
MELBOURNE is set to turn into the party city as we say goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017. We’ve got your guide to New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day shindigs.
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MELBOURNE is set to turn into the party city as we say goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017.
As well as the traditional fireworks in the CBD, there are a number of huge parties planned to see out the old year and welcome the new one.
With round the clock free public transport on NYE, there’s no reason not to watch the fireworks in the city and then dance the night away.
However, during the past decade, Melburnians have started a tradition of celebrating the New Year on January 1, with day parties planned around the city.
No matter which you prefer, here is a Herald Sun guide to the top New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day shindigs.
Read more: Melbourne New Year’s Eve 2017: How we celebrated
GLAM NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTIES
TOGETHER AT CIRCA NYE
Co founders Nick Russian and Darren Male have been running the popular party for five years now.
This year they have expanding the party to the Circa restaurant, which was featured in the Herald Sun’s Delicious 100.
So if you don’t like the doof doof music, you can dine at the restaurant instead. The Real Housewives Of Melbourne stars Susie McLean and Pettifleur Berenger got a sneak peak of the big night on the roof top before the big night. For more details go to www.togetherevents.com.au.
UNDER THE STARS AT GREENFIELDS NYE
The Boozy Brunch crew, who have been running huge lunches the past couple of years, are taking over new venue Greenfields overlooking Albert Park lake on NYE.
The Under The Stars event — which is supported by the stars of The Bachelorette — will be catered by Tommy Collins and the Atlantic Group. DJs include Mark John, Lana and Paul Muller.
For tickets go to www.boozybrunch.com.au
RIVA NYE and NYD
St Kilda venue Riva, with its huge beachfront real estate, has been popular for parties both on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
On NYE, top DJ Tigerlily is the big name act, and guests are encouraged to wear white. On NYD, Riva is has at least 13 DJs lined up.
For tickets go to Moshtix www.moshtix.com.au.
ST KILDA SEABATHS — NYD
This venue right in front of the iconic St Kilda beach has long been popular for NYD celebrations.
This year ’80s dance star Adeva will join disco diva Inaya Day as the entertainment.
If the weather is perfect, there is no better place to celebrate New Year’s Day. Tickets via www.eventbrite.com.au.
THE EMERSON ROOFTOP — NYD
It seems the holiday destination of choice for many Melburnians this year was Mykonos in Greece, so The Emerson thought “let’s bring that party vibe to Melbourne”.
The Prahran venue will host a Mykonos themed roof top party, with International DJ Dan Slater the star guests.
For tickets go to www.theemerson.com.au.
FAMILY FRIENDLY
Early Eve at Yarra Park
Cost: Free
Time: 6.00pm — 10.00pm
Location: Yarra Park (next to the MCG), bounded by Punt Road Oval, Brunton Ave and Wellington Parade
Right next to the MCG, Yarra Park will be the site of the City of Melbourne’s early New Year’s Eve celebration for families.
With a feature screening of Disney’s Zootopia, live music and fireworks at 9.30pm, there will be fun for the whole family.
nye.melbourne.vic.gov.au/earlyevening
Early Eve at Footscray Park
Cost: Free
Time: 6.30pm — 10.30pm
Location: Footscray Park, Ballarat Road, Footscray
The Maribyrnong City Council have put together a jam-packed evening for families looking to watch the 9.30pm fireworks display from outside of the city.
Families are encouraged to bring along picnic supplies to the alcohol-free event and enjoy the entertainment.
Comedian Tegan Higginbotham is Master of Ceremonies for a live music line-up headlined by ARIA Hall of Famers Mental as Anything.
BEST PLACES TO SEE FIREWORKS
Melbourne CBD Live Sites
Cost: Free
Time: 9pm — 1am
Locations: Treasury Gardens, Flagstaff Gardens, Docklands and Kings Domain
nye.melbourne.vic.gov.au/midnight
Get front row seats to Melbourne’s fireworks at one of four live sites across the CBD, presented by the City of Melbourne.
With celebrations at Treasury Gardens, Flagstaff Gardens, Docklands and Kings Domain, there are plenty of options on offer.
Public transport will run all night and each site has food outlets, live music and a special multimedia countdown to ring in 2017.
GROWN UPS ONLY
Federation Square Bloc Party
Cost: Free
Time: 8pm — late
Location: Federation Square
Melbourne’s rich and diverse arts scene will be centre stage at Federation Square as Multicultural Arts Victoria promises a fun, dynamic night to conclude 2016.
When the clock gets close to midnight, Melbourne’s own Quarter Street will get families on their feet for a rendition of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk.
fedsquare.com/events/new-years-eve-2016
New Year’s Eve Concert series
Cost: $100 — $160
Time: 8pm — 10.20pm
Location: 100 St. Kilda Rd, Melbourne
In a Melbourne tradition, The Australian Pops Orchestra presents the 2016 New Year’s Eve concert series at Hamer Hall.
The night is set to feature conductor John Foreman, Denis Walter and, together for the first time since the eighties, Marina Prior and Silvie Paladino.
Whether it is the prelude to a big night or an early celebration of the New Year, Hamer Hall is the place to be for classical music lovers.
www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
Fireworks from the Melbourne Star
Cost: $15.30 — $32.40
Time: 9.30pm, 12am
Location: 101 Waterfront Way, Docklands
Finish the year on a high by watching the fireworks from a private cabin on Melbourne’s biggest observational wheel.
The Melbourne Star is taking bookings to catch the 9.30pm fireworks display and the midnight celebration, offering a unique view of the spectacle.
General admission ticketholders won’t be guaranteed to see the fireworks though, so make sure you book ahead to secure a cabin when the show begins.
www.melbournestar.com/nye-fireworks/
Welcome to 2017 by Welcome to Thornbury (18+)
Cost: $84.59 — $100.27
Location: 520 High St, Northcote
Time: 7pm — 1am
Almost every restaurant around the city is offering something special on New Year’s Eve but suave bar Welcome to Thornbury may be the best bang for your buck.
Each ticket gives punters free reign over all tap beer and house wine until midnight and $20 worth of food vouchers.
With food trucks and alcohol aplenty, this little spot just outside of the city should be an excellent site for the adults to catch the fireworks.
Crown’s LOVE New Year’s Eve (18+)
Cost: $60
Time: 9pm — 5am
Location: 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
Level 3 at Crown Casino is set to be party central on New Year’s Eve, bringing in 2017 with Will Sparks and U.S. rapper Chingy (appearing in his only Melbourne show).
Over 40 DJs have been enlisted to play throughout the night across three nightclubs, ensuring there’s something for everyone looking to farewell the year in style.
www.level3atcrown.com.au/specialevents/nye
Beyond the Valley (18+)
Cost: $195.62
Location: 155 Burnt Store Rd, Lardner
Time: 1pm — 3am
Although it kicked off on Wednesday, Lardner Park music festival Beyond the Valley offers special one day passes for anyone looking to go on December 31st.
Although latecomers will miss the Grammy nominated Chance the Rapper (headlining on Friday), they’ll arrive in time to catch Dune Rats, Jarryd James, SAFIA and more playing throughout the day.
Sticky Fingers will do the honours at midnight, playing one of their last shows before going on an indefinite hiatus.
New Years Party House at the Corner Hotel (18+)
Cost: $49.26 — $59.76
Location: 57 Swan St, Richmond
Time: 8pm — 3am
Fresh from renovations, the Corner Hotel opens its doors on New Year’s Eve for a big night of Australian music.
Local boys Northeast Party House are taking over the venue and have enlisted some friends mark the occasion: City Calm Down, Bleeding Knees Club and The Pretty Littles are on the bill, which includes DJs playing on the rooftop through the night.
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