Wondering what to do on New Years Day in Sydney? Not only are there several New Year’s Day events to get across but Sydney’s biggest attractions are also popping open to help you start 2025 right. It is, after all, the busiest season in Sydney for both locals and tourists so you’ve got plenty to pick from if you want to get off the couch and soak up the city’s irrepressible energy.
The City of Sydney just hosted its biggest NYE fireworks display to date, the majority of Sydney is sleeping in after a big night out, and you’re wondering if the supermarket is open (hint: it is). But you’d be remiss if you just holed yourself up at home. Head on out to any of the following events and attractions to set the right intentions for the new year.
Where to spend New Year’s Day in Sydney
Field Day
One of Sydney’s signature music festivals has been running for as long as locals can remember. The Domain springs to life at the top of each year with Fuzzy’s premier all-day dance-a-thon, this year headlined by UK’s Chase & Status with other highlights including Pendulum, RL Grime, Meduza, JYOTY, Joy (Anonymous) and Bella Backe.
The demo skews towards the younger crowd, with hyperpop and happy hardcore taking a bigger presence as the current trending styles of EDM amongst Gen Z. If that sounds right up your alley, the last round of tickets are still on sale so get in quick.
Where: The Domain, Sydney
When: 12pm – 11pm
Price: $197
Join everyone else in Sydney at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
You’ll typically find anyone who doesn’t want to start the year at Field Day over at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel. The mega-venue’s annual New Year’s Day party has become one of Sydney’s favourite past times in recent years and they’re back for more in 2025.
Kicking off the new year in style, the venue’s wrangled a lineup of Sydney’s best DJs including Club Sol, Alex Hayes, Groove City, Lo99, Miskin Brothers and more. Tickets for the massive beachside party also come with two hours of canapes and a free-flowing drinks package so you’ve got everything sorted in one hit.
Where: 10 Marine Parade, Watsons Bay NSW 2030
When: 1pm – 10pm
Price: $128
Toast to a perfect Sydney day at Manly Pavilion
Party on the pier as Manly Pavilion kicks off 2025 with its popular New Year’s Day party. A DJ set from Lazywax headlines the day with 70s synths and retro EDM, supported by sets throughout the from the likes of Dingo and Silly Lily. And while those beats bang, the ocean backdrop serves quintessential Sydney all day from 2pm to late.
Where: West Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095
When: 2pm – late
Price: $65
Dance all night at the Lost Paradise After Party
Multi-day New Year’s Eve festival Lost Paradise doesn’t just end when the Glenworth Valley site winds down for another year. There’s also an annual after party back in Sydney for those who want to kick on or join the fun. Taking over The Ivy on January 1, the official Lost Paradise afters keeps the fun spinning with sets from Sammy Virji, SG Lewis and Lost Paradise DJs.
Where: The Ivy; 330 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
When: 6pm – 3am
Price: From $61
Have a relaxed lunch at North Bondi Fish
Not every New Year’s Day event in Sydney is intent on squeezing you of every ounce of energy. If you want to spend a relaxing day with seafood by the beach, North Bondi Fish are hosting their annual Day After sessions.
DJs will be spinning all day from 12pm while there’s a four-course set menu for $120 per person, featuring all North Bondi Fish’s staples including river trout rillettes on toast, grilled seafood skewers and blue swimmer crab & king prawn tarts. Fork out a bit extra and you’ll get oysters, caviar and a whole grilled Eastern Rock lobster to share.
Where: 120 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi NSW 2026
When: 12pm – 9pm
Price: $120 per person
Welcome to year on a rooftop at Joji
One of Sydney’s best openings in 2024 has been Joji, coming from the team behind Nour and AALIA. Chef Paul Farag’s whip-smart menu of Japanese comfort food with a twist coupled with excellent cocktails and a relaxed atmosphere has proved a winning formula. So if you’re looking for one of Sydney’s best rooftop bars come January 1, this is a smart choice.
Joji will be hosting a New Year’s Day rooftop party with live DJ sets (expect saxophones as well) and a special canape menu curated by Farag.
Where: 388 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
When: 5pm – late
Price: $160
Visit the pygmy hippos and koalas of Taronga Zoo
If you’re looking for something to do with kids on New Year’s Day, you might as well join just about every other family in Sydney and start your year at the world’s most picturesque zoo. Like Sydney’s other star attractions, Taronga Zoo is open for business on New Year’s Day.
There are no special events planned, just business as usual so make sure you’re booking in some close wildlife encounters (Taronga’s own pygmy hippo will be there). But be realistic: it’ll be busy. We suggest showing up as early as you can when gates open at 9:30am.
Address: Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088
Contact: (02) 9969 2777
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday (9:30am – 5pm)
Catch marine life at SEA Life Aquarium
SEA Life Aquarium is one of Sydney’s many family-friendly attractions opening doors for New Year’s Day. Much like Taronga Zoo, it’s business as usual for the Darling Harbour attraction. Take the kids along to see the sharks, dugongs, penguins, stingrays and more as you move through the cave-like set-up. Plus, there’ll be a few restaurants open at King Street Wharf nearby so grab some al fresco lunch after to welcome in a very relaxed 2025.
Address: 1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000
Contact: (02) 9333 9200
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm
Head to Sydney’s best museums
Perhaps you want to start the new year off by gleaming a bit of inspiration from the best museums Sydney has to offer? All the major ones around the city remain open for New Year’s Day, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney Museum, the Art Gallery of NSW and the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Here are the current major exhibitions for each:
- Sydney Museum: Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru
- Art Gallery of NSW: Magritte | Cao Fei: My City is Yours | Angelica Mesiti: The Rites of When
- Museum of Contemporary Art: Primavera 2024 | Julie Mehretu: A Transcore of the Radical
- Australian National Maritime Museum: Ocean Photographer of the Year
Spend the day on Sydney’s best beaches
And the award for the most obvious thing to do in New Year’s Day goes to…
Sydney’s best beaches shoulder the majority of both locals and visitors when it comes to the top of the year. While in Japan they celebrate the first temple visit of the year, Sydney’s idea of a spiritual pick-me-up is welcoming the next 12 months with a dip in the ocean.
The first swim of the year is always going to feel like a special occasion for Sydneysiders, so make the most of it at our best beaches. Shark Beach just reopened after three years so Nielsen Park will be packed. You’ll also find massive crowds at Sydney’s most famous beaches including Manly Beach, Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach.
Expecting privacy at any beach in Sydney is unrealistic. Even Sydney’s most hidden beaches will be packed with people enjoying their first swim of the year. Your best bet is to show up early and stake your spot of sand.
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