SPOILER ALERT!: The below article contains details of the soundtracks, fireworks & Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projections of Sydney New Year’s Eve (NYE) 2025!
All times are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).
More firing locations will feature on the western face of the Sydney Harbour Bridge during Sydney NYE2025 after last year’s major expansion of the Bridge’s pyrotechnics, just as North Sydney Council makes Blues Point, a prime viewing spot for those new pyrotechnics, a paid ticketed vantage point after being declined a New South Wales (NSW) Government subsidy.
This is despite North Sydney becoming more popular than Circular Quay for the 1st time ever last year.
The NSW Government doesn’t subsidy other local government vantage points including the City Of Sydney’s.
Photograph: Morris McLennan/City Of Sydney
Back in July, North Sydney Councillors had varying reasons for supporting re-introducing paid ticketing to Blues Point or alternatively, at least asking for an NSW Government subsidy instead. The originator of the idea to ask the NSW Government for a subsidy while arguing against paid ticketing of Blues Point said:
300,000 dollars or a million dollars is less than a rounding error for the State Government. Uh, that is, it is a big impact for this Council & I think that, uh, they, they wax lyrical, uh, in, uh, tourism publications, about the, the benefits of, of New Year’s Eve & I think that that should be reflected in their contributions to Councils.
Angus Hoy, North Sydney ‘Greens’ Councillor
Arguing in favour of both a subsidy request & in the event of its refusal by the NSW Government, paid ticketing of Blues Point, Councillor Christopher Holding erroneously thought the NSW Government organises the event:
It’s a party that the State Government puts on & we, uh, in our area, are, have the, the blessing of having a great viewpoint for it but unfortunately, we don’t get any costs for our side of, um, supporting the, the crowd management & uh, & all those other aspects that come with, uh, the New Year’s Eve fireworks so I think this is a really balanced, uh, educated way of looking at it.
Christopher Holding, North Sydney ‘The Real Independents’ Councillor
This is not true (the State Government putting on Sydney NYE). The City Of Sydney organises the event with the NSW Government playing a supporting logistical role. The NSW Government did fully take the reins of Sydney NYE2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic though.
A final reason for them supporting both was provided by the Mayor, Zoë Baker. She referred to a “really precarious financial position”, a likely reference to the cost blowout to AUD$122 million on the redevelopment of the North Sydney Olympic Pool, which hosted aquatics at the IIIrd British Empire Games: Sydney 1938. The Council, which had its election in September 2024, in response, had applied to the Independent Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) in February for a special rate variation consisting of an increase by 87.05% over 2 years, which was declined in May. In a last desperate measure, at the July Council meeting, they made the decision to write to the NSW Government asking for a subsidy for North Sydney’s NYE vantage points & if it was declined, Blues Point would become paid ticketed:
As Mr MacDonald (Public Forum speaker) said, well let’s push aside what IPART did. Well we can’t. I would love to but we’ve got to be a financially sustainable Council & so unfortunately, this is one of those unpleasant things that we have got to do & so I do support, I do support the motion.
Shannon Welch, North Sydney ‘Labor’ Councillor
I share your principle on this & have & um, for, for, for every year that I have been on this Council, I have always voted, um, to keep public open space free & access free but unfortunately, we, as a Council & a governing body, have inherited, um, a really precarious financial position that has not been relieved by our seeking a special rate variation & so it is with exceptionally heavy heart, um, that I find myself supporting the motion for 1 year only.
Zoë Baker, North Sydney Mayor
On the 24th of November at 10am, the subsidy request was declined by the NSW Government. Therefore, 8000 tickets for Blues Point went on sale at the last possible moment for North Sydney Council. They went on sale for AUD$50 (+booking fees) at the moment their subsidy request was declined.
Ticketholders can access Blues Point from 11am on NYE until 12:30am in the new year, with gates closing at 9pm on NYE & the price comes with food trucks, a 4-hour live music set at 2pm by The Steff Domazet Duo and from 6pm until the Midnight Fireworks, disc jockeys, Shanie D and James Alexandr.
The Blues Point vantage point is Hidden Disability Sunflower program-recognised.
Blues Point offers 1 of the best vantage points anywhere on the Harbour.
North Sydney Council is introducing cost-recovery ticketing to ensure that residents won’t have to foot the bill to cover the costs of visitors attending New Year’s Eve celebrations & to ensure that it’s an enjoyable night for both residents and visitors.
Zoë Baker, North Sydney Mayor
Meanwhile, in other firework news, there will be 2 extra drones during the fireworks, bringing it to a record total of 6 pyrotechnic drones.
Also, there will 6 city buildings for pyrotechnics in 2025, after a decrease to just 3 city buildings last year. City buildings are only used during the Midnight Fireworks currently. This will be the most city buildings used for pyrotechnics in 13 years.
Most ticketed vantage points are already sold out.
Native Flora & Fauna
In total, there will be a total of 9 tonnes of fireworks this Sydney NYE including 25,000 individual pyrotechnics, which will include “made-for-Sydney” aerial shells that will “shape shift” & that are shaped into native fauna and flora species including Cockatoos, Koalas, Bottlebrush & Waratah.
Image: Sydney NYE
The Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projections will feature the above native flora as well as reimaginations of native plants through the combination of artificial intelligence & the actual sequencing of the plants’ deoxyribonucleic acid in a collaboration between the Royal Botanic Gardens & Sydney NYE2025 Pylon Projection Designers, VANDAL, using the Genomics For Australian Plants database. The overall narrative for the pylon projections this year tells the story of the deep connection between land & Sydney with nature reclaiming Sydney, capturing the spirit of rewilding, told in 3 parts: Ground Dwellers, Sky Seekers & Bloomers.
Ground Dwellers sees fungi & ferns such as the Ruby Bonnet, Ghost Fungus, Coral Lichen & Bird’s Nest Fern glowing & growing across solid stone. Sky Seekers sees Sydney’s own Red Gum, Scribbly Gum & Cabbage Tree Palm stretching skyward, joined by the Golden Wattle & Blueberry Ash. Lastly, Bloomers sees Gymea Lilies, Christmas Bells, Fringe Lilies & the Waratah bursting into bloom.
Video: Sydney NYE
This year, we imagined what it would feel like if the city gave way to nature.
Our streets, footpaths & foreshore are already teeming with extraordinary plant life but it’s so often overlooked.
The projections imagine these species reclaiming the built environment, climbing up the granite pylons & taking over the Harbour Bridge with movement, colour and life.
It’s a rewilding of Sydney in the most joyful, celebratory sense.
Chris Scott, VANDAL Creative Director
This isn’t just a creative flourish. It’s nature helping to shape its own representation. We’re combining art, science & technology to let the plants speak in their own visual language.
Alice Robinson, VANDAL Producer
The Calling Country Fireworks projections will also feature native fauna (see below).
Light Show
This year’s light show will feature 5,000 moving spotlight beams & light-emitting diode effects.
Midnight Fireworks Soundtrack
Jono Ma, a founding member of local psychedelic electronic rock dance band, Jagwar Ma, will be the official artist of the Sydney NYE2025 Midnight Fireworks soundtrack, beginning a 3-year contract with the City Of Sydney so expect his work to appear in the following 2 editions as well!
Jagwar Ma‘s song, Come Save Me, featured in the Sydney NYE2014 – Inspire Midnight Fireworks soundtrack so he is no stranger to appearing in the big party!
Also returning for a 2nd year straight on vocals is Josie Mann.
For 2025, Jono Ma has also joined forces with American soul gospel family group, Annie & The Caldwells, who just happened to be in Sydney when Jono needed such voices.
Also appearing in the soundtrack is Maanyung on vocals and clap sticks, Matteo Zingales on strings, brass and percussion, Jonti Danilewitz on vocals and synthesisers & Jackson Mico Milas on strings.
It was recorded at Sonar Music, Space Mountain Studios Sydney & EMS4 London.
Video: Sydney NYE
Video: Sydney NYE
Inspired by the acid house texture legacy of his late mentor Andrew Weatherall, Jono Ma’s composition is “designed to let go, turn up & welcome the new year with sound that’s alive, unapologetic & unforgettable” in a “high-energy tribute” to Sydney, which “channels the city’s pulse”, “bombastic, turbocharged & deeply personal”, “dynamic & joyful”, “imagined as a direct conversation with Sydney”.
The soundtrack was initially conceived as an “ethereal” piece.
Calling Country
The Calling Country Live Performance at 8:57pm will see the world premiere of Yuin/Thunggutti rapper, Nooky & Gumbaynggirr Bundjalung woman, Jem Cassar-Daley’s new song Silver Lining.
At 9pm, the Calling Country Fireworks will have themes of creation, life connections, memory, renewal, strength & pride celebrating harmony and resilience with the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projections reminding everyone that Country, from the stars to the water, “ties us together & that all living things are part of our story” with their inclusion of depictions of native flora (including waratahs) and “glowing” fauna, life symbols, spears, boomerangs, tears, spirits & the moon, all designed by Jerrinja/Djirringanj Yuin artist, Aaron Kennedy & Bundjalung/Yugambeh artist, Shal (Shaun Daniel Allen) in the colours of pink, green, yellow & blue. Each depiction reflects the enduring presence of Country & the beauty that rises from loss.
Their depictions were animated by VANDAL‘s Jeremy Mansford.
The 3-song fireworks soundtrack by Nooky & produced by Caleb Tasker begins with a Djiranganj welcome song performed by Warren Foster. It is followed by a Dharrawal–Dhurga song composed by renowned cultural teachers, Cecil McLeod and Richard Scott Moore that speaks to the wild dog and his 2 names, Mirrigan and Warrigal. The final song is a Djiranganj song from Wallaga Lake, telling of fishing with the woven handline & abalone hook, carrying the rhythm of sustenance & tradition. The soundtrack is of a 600-kilometre journey, beginning in the Bega Valley heading north to Sydney’s outskirts before returning.
Cecil McLeod has been in the soundtracks for Sydney New Year’s Eve 2010 – Make Your Mark‘s Acknowledgment Of Country, Vivid Sydney 2016: Light – Lighting Of The Sails: Songlines & co-conducted a Welcome To Country at Australia Day LIVE 2016.
Video: Sydney NYE
Sydney Opera House Northern Broadwalk Concert
The concert line-up was revealed:
- Melanie C
- Matt Corby
- The Cat Empire
- Peach PRC
- Marcia Hines
- Casey Donovan
- Don West
- Ayesha Madon
Plus, more to be announced!
All ticketholders have to be 18 years or older to attend.
Tune in to ABC Radio Sydney Breakfast from Friday the 5th of December for your chance to win 1 of 15 double pass to the concert! When you hear the cue to call, call 1300 222 702 & correctly perform the on-air task asked by the presenter to win. You can only enter once & must be 18 years old or over to enter. The competition closes on Friday the 12th of December.
General tickets to the Concert go up for ballot at 9am on Monday the 8th of December. They cost AUD$60 (+booking fee) but all proceeds go to RizeUp, who support families affected by domestic violence. Only 4 tickets can be bought per person.
Remember, if you miss out on a ticket, you can still listen to the concert down by the Harbour on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Local Radio Sydney, which will be synchronised to the Sydney Harbour Bridge light show.
The concert begins at 9:10pm & concludes at 12:20am on television and 12:45am in person.
Beyond Blue Moment
I am happy to welcome Beyond Blue as our official charity partner of 2025 Sydney New Year’s Eve
Clover Moore, City Of Sydney Lord Mayor
At 10pm, Sydney Harbour including its Bridge will light up blue to honour
the work and message of hope from the official charity partner, Beyond Blue.
At the Pirrama Park vantage point from 2pm, Beyond Blue representatives will be running activities & providing tips about setting and sticking to a daily mental health practice in 2026.
Through the collaboration with the City Of Sydney, Beyond Blue is encouraging people to prioritise self-care & consider small, regular and meaningful actions that will benefit their mental health in ways that last beyond NYE.
That could be committing to volunteering, catching up with a friend for coffee on a regular basis, going for a walk each morning, starting that hobby you’ve been keen to try or if it’s needed, booking an appointment with a mental health professional.
This partnership allows us to talk to Australia about mental health at an important moment & encourage people to take action to look after their mental health in the coming year.
Lighting up the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge blue will be a powerful reminder that no matter who you are or where you are, Beyond Blue is there for you if you need support.
Georgie Harman, Beyond Blue Chief Executive Officer
Welcome To Country
The Welcome To Country is being conducted by proud Wiradjuri/Gadigal woman Aunty Joan Bell, on behalf of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. It was filmed by We Are Warriors & Johnathon Karalis at the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Broadcasts
Image: ABC
The television/Internet broadcast will once again by co-hosted by Charlie Pickering and Zan Rowe & will feature a 60th birthday tribute to Australian preschool learning television program, Play School, featuring some classic songs, iconic hosts & special guests that have graced the show. The concert portion is simulcast on ABC Local Radio.
The executive producer of the ABC broadcasts is Nikita Agzarian.
For the 1st time ever, the Midnight Fireworks soundtrack will be simulcast on KIIS 106.5 & ABC Local Radio nationwide!
ABC’s 2025 New Year’s Eve broadcast will be truly memorable & lots of fun. It’s a joy to collaborate with City Of Sydney & share this celebration with audiences across Australia and around the globe.
Kath Earle, ABC’s Arts, Music & Events Head
Other News
In other news, there is also a new designated accessible viewing area for the 9pm Calling Country Fireworks only. It is Circular Quay’s Wharf 3. It is a unique vantage point in that attendees have to meet at Redfern Railway Station at 7:30pm & travel together by train to Circular Quay. This is because Circular Quay Railway Station is closed to the public from 3pm. You also have to bring your own chairs to this viewing area. You can register for that viewing area here.
Also, this year’s edition took 18 months to plan – that’s since July 2024! 3 months longer than last year’s edition & the longest to plan since the Millennium, which took 4 years – a record unlikely ever to be beaten again!
City Of Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, extended an open invitation for everyone to come & celebrate:
Sydney’s New Year’s Eve is like nowhere else. This year will be another spectacular showcase of our brilliant harbour city to people enjoying the celebrations in person & the millions of people watching around the world.
Sydney New Year’s Eve is about celebrating our incredible city & our creative and inclusive community. It is time to reflect on the year that has passed & look forward with hope to the year ahead.
The 9pm Calling Country fireworks will remind us how Country unites us all & we’re proud to have some of Sydney’s most talented Aboriginal artists bringing their culture to life with 8 minutes of animated projection content, fireworks & a bespoke soundtrack.
Front row seats to the greatest New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world are free at City Of Sydney vantage points. It’s great to see so many agencies & councils across the foreshore offering free viewing access so we can continue to make our fireworks accessible to everyone.
I want us all to begin the year on a high note & I can’t wait to welcome 2026 alongside Sydneysiders and the visitors who’ve chosen to spend New Year’s Eve in our city.
Clover Moore, City Of Sydney Lord Mayor
This announcement was made on December 4.
Sydney New Year’s Eve 2025 begins on Wednesday the 31st of December 2025 at 7:30pm AEDT.
Sydney Spectaculars 
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