South Australians celebrate a New Year’s Eve without Covid restrictions

From a sea of blue at Adelaide Oval to sunburnt noses at Glenelg Beach, South Australians are getting ready to celebrate our biggest New Year’s Eve since 2019 in a vast array of styles.

The cast of Hairspray the Musical at Festival Plaza ahead of the official opening on New Year’s Eve. Picture: Morgan Sette

From a sea of blue at Adelaide Oval to sunburnt noses at Glenelg Beach, South Australians are getting ready to celebrate our biggest New Year’s Eve since 2019 in a vast array of styles.

For the first time in three years the celebration will be free of Covid restrictions, allowing tens of thousands of people to welcome in 2023 in near perfect conditions.

The city was bustling in the lead up to the events, as temperatures soared and crowds

Bendigo father Ash Sim with son Noah, 3, at Glenelg. Picture Dean Martin

poured in to town via trains, trams and buses, all of which were operating for free after 5pm.

The Adelaide Railway Station was a hive of activity, with people pouring through the turnstiles to make their way to the cricket, the Festival Theatre or Rymill park.

At 9.30pm and midnight the sky will light up with fireworks at Rymill Park where 8000 people are attending the Light Up event.

The event has a festival-like atmosphere with thousands of people soaking in the atmosphere on picnic blankets while they waited to count in the new year.

There are bubbles, games, live music, acrobats, characters on stilts, festive shows and food trucks.

Children enjoying the Light Up event at Rymill Park. Picture: Ben Clark

Selin and Gokhan Cildir, of Campbelltown, are attending with their two-year-old son, Sarper, to see the fireworks for the first time.

“This year is quite special, after years of restrictions. I think tonight will be fun,” Mrs Cildir said.

Kristine and Simon Cook were celebrating with close friends after moving back to Adelaide from Melbourne.

“It’s the first time we’ve come to do something in the city. We’ll stay for the 9.30pm fireworks and then head back because we’ve got a group of kids,” Mrs Cook said.

The Wattle Park couple hope to do more travelling in 2023, with a trip to Europe already planned for April.

Leah and Daniel Maggs were excited about their five-year-old daughter, Eva, starting primary school in 2023.

Daniel and Leah Maggs with their five-year-old daughter Eva at Rymill Park. Picture: Ben Clark

“We hope for a better year, Eva is going to big school which is exciting,” Mrs Maggs, of Lightsview, said.

About 40,000 people are estimated to be at the Adelaide Strikers game in their traditional NYE blockbuster at Adelaide Oval, with The Temper Trap, fireworks and a lighting show to follow.

Cousins Niamh Salter, 15, Lili Satler, 16, and Elizabeth Salter, 17, are among thousands at enjoying the BBL at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Ben Clark

The crowd was treated to a high-scoring, high-energy affair, with Melbourne’s Marcus Stoinis top scoring for the opposition with a powerful 74. A streaker also briefly interrupted play before being removed.

Holly Goddard travelled from Stirling with her husband and their five children for their annual NYE tradition, with the kids sporting blue face paint and sparkles.

“We’re huge cricket fans, we’ve got memberships and have watched all their matches here so far,” Mrs Goddard said.

“Hopefully, they win tonight … I feel like they’re going to.”

Leesa Angove, 49, drove from Murray Bridge to take her father Wallace McBride, 76, to his first BBL game and have a “fun night out”.

“I usually watch it on TV,” Mr McBride said. “It’s a great way to end the year.”

Wallace McBride, 76, is enjoying his first BBL game with his daughter Leesa Angove, 49. Picture: Ben Clark

Echunga mum Amanda Bridge said her children had spent three years collecting their blue head pieces for the celebrations.

“It’s very exciting to be able to spend New Year’s Eve at the cricket, we love it,” she said.

“We’re looking forward to the fireworks, there’s lots of entertainment for the kids, it’s great.

Mrs Bridge hoped for good health in the new year with “no Covid”.

More than 60,000 people are anticipated to attend family-friendly events and fireworks at Glenelg and Brighton, signifying a return to pre-Covid numbers.

A group of mates get ready to bring in the new year on Brighton Beach. Picture: Dean Martin

Temperatures reached a maximum of 32.2C in the city today, making the coastal celebrations popular among families.

At midnight, the temperature is still forecast to be a balmy 19C at Glenelg.

Others are choosing to bring in the new year at the Broadway hit musical Hairspray, officially opening at the Adelaide Festival Centre’s Festival Theatre tonight.

Adelaide’s own John Frost is a producer of the feel-good show, with music to be performed by Shane Jacobson, Todd McKenney and Rhonda Burchmore.

Originally published as South Australians celebrate a New Year’s Eve without Covid restrictions