Revelers planning to watch Sydney’s world-famous New Year’s Eve fireworks display have been urged to find their spot early as more than a million people are tipped to attend.
More than nine tonnes of fireworks will light up the Sydney sky from 264 firing points across Sydney Harbor for this year’s highly anticipated event themed ‘Forward with Heart’.
The first fireworks will be launched during the children’s fireworks session, now renamed the Calling Country show, at 9pm before the main event at midnight.
Those who want to see the fireworks in person without spending a fortune can find a spot at 35 free waterfront viewing platforms.
But there will be huge competition for free viewing spots, with the City of Sydney estimating more than a million people will flock to the harbour.
Attendees have also been urged to bring an umbrella or poncho as the Bureau of Meteorology expects “heavy bursts of rain” to affect the celebrations.
Rain is also expected earlier in the day, leading to muggy conditions as the mercury is expected to rise to 27C in the city and 29C in the western suburbs.
While public transport will continue to operate throughout the day, authorities have warned attendees to expect “long lines” for their journey home.
Party-goers hoping to watch this year’s New Year’s Eve fireworks in Sydney have been urged to find their vantage point in advance (pictured, revelers during last year’s event)
More than a million people are expected to flock to the city to see more than nine tons of fireworks in person (pictured, last year’s event).
This year’s exhibition is expected to surpass previous shows with the use of new technology to create increasingly impressive images.
Foti International Fireworks, behind Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks since 1997, said they have put in more than 4,500 hours of preparation this year.
The family business promised fireworks that will take shapes like fish and sharks, while others that will fall from the bridge like a waterfall will spell “Sydney.”
Attendees can also expect artificial intelligence and four drone-powered pyrotechnic platforms to help create the stunning images seen around the world.
“We are always looking for ways to evolve our show and we believe it will be one of the most innovative New Year’s Eve fireworks shows in the world,” Fortunato Foti told the Daily Telegraph.
The most popular viewing points for the show – the Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs Macquaries Point and the Sydney Opera House – are expected to fill up well before nightfall.
Its close view of the Harbor Bridge led to the popular Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquaries Chair quickly reaching capacity before the gates opened last year.
Attendees have been warned to bring their own entertainment during the long wait, as many vantage points, even the quietest ones, do not allow re-entry after exiting.
This year’s performance promised AI projections and drone-powered platforms to enhance the visual spectacle (pictured, last year’s event).
NSW Police have warned revelers not to start 2025 “on the back of a police truck” with a massive police operation planned across the state (pictured last year’s revelers)
The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting a “slight chance of rain in the afternoon and evening” for New Year’s Eve in Sydney.
There is also a chance that the rain could be followed by a storm, but it will most likely fall over the western suburbs.
Transport coordinator for New South Wales Howard Collins said attendees should “arrive at their destination early” and patiently hold their place.
“It’s important to understand that we want to get them into the city and get them out again,” he said.
Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longlan added that transport to and from areas around the Harbor Bridge was likely to be “very busy”.
NSW Police Operation New Year’s Eve 2024 Commander Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna urged partygoers to be safe this year.
The operation will see large numbers of uniformed and plainclothes officers patrol New Year’s Eve events across the state.
“We want everyone to enjoy their New Year’s Eve celebrations in a safe and responsible manner,” said Auxiliary Commission McKenna.
‘People planning to come to the city to enjoy free vantage points are urged to arrive early so as not to miss anything. If a location fills up, do not attend and find an alternative location.
‘The police will not tolerate dangerous, criminal or anti-social behaviour.
“We ask people to drink responsibly, know their limit and avoid starting the year 2025 in the back of a police truck.”