- City of Sydney has unveiled plans for the 2025 New Year’s Eve fireworks, music and lights spectacular.
- The projections and pyrotechnics will revolve around native flora and fauna.
- This year’s fireworks will cover the largest area yet, featuring more launch sites on the western side of the bridge.
In just 27 days, nine tonnes of fireworks will ignite from the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, six CBD buildings and eight platforms on the harbour. We attended the City of Sydney’s official preview to learn all about this year’s program, the featured artists and the themes on display.
A tribute to native plants and wildlife
This year’s fireworks will revolve around Australia’s iconic flora and fauna. Among the 25,000 pyrotechnics will be Sydney-exclusive shots that form cockatoos, koalas, bottle brush, waratah and other native plants and animals.
One of the most eagerly awaited sights will be the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons, lit up and brought to life with stunning projections of endemic wildlife at both the 9 pm and midnight displays.
These custom projections were created by the artists at VANDAL, who combined plant DNA with artificial intelligence to produce unique designs. By feeding the AI the genetic sequences of native plants, they generated entirely original plant growth patterns shaped by each species’ unique DNA. The aim is to show nature reclaiming the city, growing, moving and blooming across the skyline.
The midnight fireworks display will be accompanied by more than 5000 moving spotlight beams and LED effects, moving in sync with the soundtrack by Jono Ma, from the band Jagwar Ma.
READ MORE: Here are 42 of the best viewpoints for the Sydney New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Fireworks will “cover the largest area yet”
For spectators west of the display, it’s good news. The fireworks will span the largest area yet, with additional launch sites on the western side of the Harbour Bridge and another city centre rooftop, ensuring that more Sydneysiders and visitors can get a spectacular view.
Melanie C will headline ABC’s New Year’s Eve Concert
The ABC will broadcast live from the Sydney Opera House’s Northern Broadwalk, overlooking the Sydney Harbour. They’ll also be hosting their annual New Year’s Eve concert, headlined by iconic ex-Spice Girl Melanie C. Aussie favourites Matt Corby, Casey Donovan, The Cat Empire, Peach PRC, Marcia Hines, Don West, Jem Cassar-Daley and Ayesha Madon will also perform live from 9:10pm onwards.
General public tickets to the concert will go on sale at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, December 8, for $60 per person, excluding the booking fee. You can find out more here.
The official program
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Here’s what’s in store for New Year’s Eve:
1. Smoking Ceremony at 7:30pm
The evening will start with a traditional smoking ceremony, carried out by three Tribal Warrior vessels named Tribal Warrior, Mari Nawi and Wirawi. The ships will sail around key points on the harbour, signalling the beginning of the show.
2. Calling Country at 8:45pm
Proud Wiradjuri/Gadigal woman Aunty Joan Bell will offer a Welcome to Country on behalf of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. Her welcome will be projected onto the pylons of the Harbour Bridge.
3. First Fireworks Display at 9pm
The first fireworks display will bring themes of creation and connection to life as part of the Calling Country show. Accompanying the eight-minute display will be a custom soundtrack created by Yuin/Thunggutti rapper Nooky and producer Tasker. The pylons will light up with projections by Jerrinja /Djirringanj Yuin artist Aaron Kennedy and Bundjalung artist Shal.
4. Sydney Harbour Bridge turns blue at 10pm
This year, Beyond Blue is the official charity partner for the NYE program, supporting Australians to improve and maintain their mental health. The Harbour Bridge and harbour will therefore be illuminated in blue tones to honour the work and message of the charity. Beyond Blue representatives and volunteers will also be at Pirrama Park, providing tips about setting and sticking to a daily mental health practice in 2026.
5. Fireworks, soundtrack and lights at midnight
At midnight, the 25,000 individual pyrotechnics will illuminate the sky, Jono Ma’s high sonic midnight soundtrack will play, and the vibrant pylon projections will showcase Sydney’s stunning native plants.
Tips from Program Manager, Stephen Gilby
If it’s your first time in Sydney for New Year’s Eve, you’re in for one of the most spectacular (and iconic) displays in the world. We spoke with NYE Program Manager Stephen Gilby, to get his expert advice for making the most of the evening.
1. Do your homework beforehand
Stephen’s first tip? It’s all about planning. He recommended checking the Sydney New Year’s Eve official site to find out all the important details about the site you’re planning to head to:
“Some sites are free, but there are a few that aren’t. Some sites allow alcohol, others don’t, and some sites have more accessibility features than others. So it’s a great way to find out where the best place for you to go is.”
2. Get there early
Gilby reminds visitors that many of the sites get “declared full very early in the day, so it is worth being prepared- you might have a bit of a wait, so bring water, bring a hat, bring sunscreen and bring all the things you need to get you through the day.” The website will also give live updates, confirming if viewing spots are at capacity.
3. Turn up together, or risk missing out
Over a million people flock to Sydney Harbour to see the fireworks, so it’s important that you stick together with friends and family, especially if you have younger ones. Gilby encourages visitors to arrive together with the group they want to watch the fireworks with:
“Get there together with the group you want to be with. If you don’t all arrive together, then the chances are some of your party may not be able to join you when the site becomes full.”
4. His favourite viewing spots? Observatory Hill and Fleet Steps
Although Gilby travels all around the harbour on New Year’s Eve, he shouts out Observatory Hill and the Fleet Steps in the Royal Botanic Garden as two of his favourite spots. The Royal Botanic Gardens is officially sold out; however, Observatory Hill is a free vantage point, with no ticket required. Holding up to 4500 people, there are toilets and drinking water stations available; however, alcohol is prohibited.
(Cover Image: City of Sydney/ Keith McInnes)
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