‘Best show we’ve ever done’: the staggering figures and family behind Sydney’s New Year’s Eve show

Only days away from the end of the year, the final touches on Australia’s biggest fireworks show are being prepared.

The staggering numbers behind Australia’s biggest New Year’s Eve fireworks display is sure to blow the minds of the millions projected to tune for this year’s event.

A team of 60 people from Foti Fireworks International is in the process of putting the final touches on Sydney’s New Year’s Eve show on Sunday night.

It’s taken 12 days to organise more than 8.5 tonnes of fireworks, 18 shipping containers worth of equipment and 25km of wiring connecting 184 separate firing locations across Sydney for the 9pm and midnight shows in what is expected to be the biggest New Year’s yet.

The City of Sydney estimates $6.2m will be spent on the fireworks display and more than 425 million will watch the show live and from around the world.

Who is behind the enormous preparation needed to build and run such an event? A small family of pyrotechnicians.

Seventh-generation pyrotechnician Fortunato Foti, who works alongside his family members, is in his 27th year working on the Sydney New Year’s Eve show.

Fortunato Foti addresses media as final preparations are being made to the fireworks for the NYE Sydney Harbour Fireworks display. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Mr Foti said his family has been in the business of making fireworks since 1793, with his three kids, nieces, nephews, brothers and cousins all playing a part in preparations for this year’s show.

The incredible scale and meticulous detail involved in the event have been the product of years of experience and finetuning, according to Mr Foti.

“We started working on Sydney New Year’s Eve back in 1997, and we quickly learnt what works best for a show of this size and scale,” he said.

“We’ve reached a point where each year we walk away thinking ‘that was the best show we’ve ever done’ – and really, that just spurs us on to do even better the following year.”

The fireworks display will cost about $6.2m for the City of Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Without giving too much away, Mr Foti said the incredible colour scheme featuring throughout the show will include bright white, peach, lime, silver, gold, violet, yellow, burnt orange, pink and blue coloured fireworks.

To add to the spectacle, the entire production will be tuned and in harmony with the accompanying musical component of the show.

“We design the show to flow with the mood of the music, in essence aiming to make the fireworks appear like they’re dancing to the music,” Mr Foti said.

“We’ve meticulously planned the 9pm and midnight fireworks to perfectly synchronise with each show’s specially created soundtrack.”

Jonathon Tyler handles one of the thousands of fireworks set to fire from a barge on the harbour. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

This year’s event will include over 8.5 tonnes of fireworks. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

The 9pm show will run for about eight minutes, set to a soundtrack produced by Nooky and Aria Award winner and Grammy nominee, 18YOMAN, a hip-hop sound including First Nation’s audio.

The midnight show will extend over 12 minutes and will be timed to a three-part soundtrack created by The Sweats.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the crowds turning out to watch this year’s show would be amazed by the pyrotechnic effects used by the hard-working Foti International team.

“While everyone is enjoying the festive season, the crew behind NYE is busy loading barges, buildings and the Harbour Bridge with thousands of fireworks and pyrotechnics,” Ms Moore said.

“They are working tirelessly for a night to remember with their incredible and innovative fireworks displays.”

Those wishing to attend the event are encouraged to visit sydneynewyearseve.com to plan their night ahead, and for those wishing to watch from home, you can tune in to the ABC TV broadcast from 8.30pm.