Fact Sheet – Sydney New Year’s Eve 2019 On The Night

  • The spontaneous energy of Sydney and its people inspires the event artwork. Sydney New Year’s Eve is vibrant, raw and energetic. The spirit of the city is shown in the bright, colourful, flexible and optimistic artwork by globally awarded, Sydney studio Garbett Design.
  • From 5pm to 9.15pm, the Lord Mayor’s Picnic is a circus themed, invitation only event at the Royal Botanic Garden for 1,000 children with additional needs and their support persons and families to celebrate New Year’s Eve and view the family fireworks.
  • Around 7pm a Port Authority of NSW fire tug blasts tonnes of water into the skies,with the spray creating a striking image against the setting sun until 7.30pm.
  • At 7.30pm a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony starts on the harbour with Tribal Warrior Association vessels Tribal Warrior and Mari Nawi. An Elder from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council welcomes spectators around Sydney Harbour.
  • There are air displays at 8pm above Sydney harbour with one aircraft.
  • The Calling Country segment starts at 9.08pm and features a live performance on the ABC stage at the Sydney Opera House northern forecourt.A story created by creative consultant Rhoda Roberts unfolds, with animated video imagery projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge north and south pylons, in full to the east and in smaller format to the west.
  • Video projections by Artists in Motion brightens the eastern faces of the north and south pylons on the Sydney Harbour Bridge from sunset and throughout the night.
  • The pylons are also a source of information on the night, with projected community service announcements encouraging goodwill and practical safety.
  • Lighting effects by lighting designer Ziggy Ziegler feature on the Sydney Harbour Bridge from sunset throughout the night.
  • At 9pm the family fireworks starts for an 8-minute bonanza of colour and light.
  • A feature of the 9pm display is the winning entry from the ABC’s Design Your Own Firework competition, chosen in mid-August. This year’s winner is Patrick from South Australia, aged 9.
  • This year the 9pm family fireworks are synchronised to a music track created by local DJ/Producer Dan Murphy that features international hits from the last 12 months for all ages.
  • Following the 9pm family fireworks, the captivating Harbour of Light Parade takes place. Vessels adorned in colour changing light glide across Sydney Harbour.
  • The midnight fireworks last for a magical 12 minutes.
  • This year the midnight fireworks is synchronised to a music track created by local DJ/Producer Dan Murphy that features all Australian artists.
  • A live broadcast of the event begins at 8.35pm, available on ABC and iview.
  • ABC Radio broadcasts a live audio description of the 9pm family fireworks, Calling Country, Harbour of Light Parade and the midnight fireworks. Tune in through your local ABC Radio station, via free-to-air TV channel 25, via the ABC Listen app, on the ABC website or through 2RPH.
  • Sydney New Year’s Eve radio broadcaster KIIS 1065 broadcasts the exclusive soundtrack at 9pm and midnight.

For more information and updates, see sydneynewyearseve.com.

Fact Sheet: City Of Sydney