The official boating exclusion zone map for Sydney New Year’s Eve (NYE) 2024 has revealed an extra pyrotechnic pontoon set will appear west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the 1st time ever while the Smoking Ceremony will have a slightly different route this year.
The boating exclusion zone map was released between mid-September & early October.
The extra western pyrotechnic pontoon set will not be precisely in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge but more in front of the Bridge’s southern half. It will be in front of Blues Point, north-west of Dawes Point & south-west of Luna Park.
Sydney NYE2023 – ‘Life‘ Midnight Fireworks on the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s eastern side with the set of 4 pontoons in front. Photograph: Morris McLennan/City Of Sydney
It is unknown whether the western pontoon set will appear during Calling Country but it’s guaranteed to appear during the Midnight Fireworks. Its size is also unknown. Usually during the Midnight Fireworks, the eastern set consists of 4 pontoons spread out but all we can be sure is that the upcoming Midnight Fireworks will feature a minimum 1 pontoon in the west in addition to the eastern set. However, it is possible the eastern set will be reduced in size to allow for the creation of the western set. The size of the eastern set cannot be confirmed as yet. However, it can be confidently said at least 2 pontoons will remain on the eastern side.
Nevertheless, the next Midnight Fireworks looks set to be the most spectacular pyrotechnic display viewed from the western side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge since the Closing Night Harbour Spectacular of The Games Of The XXVIIth Olympiad: Sydney 2000.
The boating exclusion zone map also reveals the Smoking Ceremony, held from 7:30pm on board the Indigenous vessels, Tribal Warrior, Mari Nawi & Wirawi, will begin at Barangaroo’s ferry wharves before heading north past it’s Reserve, east past the Walsh Bay wharves, around Dawes Point before completing a lap of Circular Quay before heading to its centre, arriving & finishing there at around 8:30pm.
Smoking Ceremony conducted onboard Tribal Warrior during the Welcome To Country of Sydney NYE2017 – Wonder Photograph: City Of Sydney
This is a slightly different route than last edition. Previously, it began at Towns Place Wharf at the western end of Walsh Bay (this wharf is closed for maintenance this year) & it also went out to near Fort Denison before turning around to re-enter Circular Quay.
Sydney NYE2024 begins at 7:30pm on 31 December 2024.
The past, present & future are going to be well represented at this year’s Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race with the oldest yacht ever to have entered going to participate in the race for the 1st time, a yacht being skippered by a member of the same family for 3 generations for the 1st time & record female participation in The Great Race South.
With 5 yachts pulling out since entries closed including the Japanese double-handed entry, reducing the double-handed race to 22 yachts, as well as the iconic James Bond-themed Moneypenny yacht which finished 5th on line honours last edition, a fleet of 107 yachts are now currently going to take the start on the 26th of December, with, unusually, nearly than half the fleet 40 feet (12.19 metres) and under in length.
The furthest to travel to Sydney this year is Cocody, a French yacht with a predominantly French crew including several who race in The Lonely One (La Solitaire). Sailing all the way from France, for their debut at the Sydney-Hobart, Cocody‘s owner, Richard Fromentin, says one of their major objectives is this race with the aim of winning their division.
They may be the furthest to travel in space but the furthest to travel in time is the yacht, Katwinchar. It was built in 1904 – 120 years ago & is the oldest yacht to enter the race ever. Michael Spies will co-skipper her, having entered The Great Race South 45 times already, including the 1999 edition, where he co-skippered Nokia to line honours victory & the 2003 edition, where he co-skippered First National to International Measurement System-handicap victory.
In another sort of time travel, Love & War, a 51-year-old classic Sparkman & Stephens timber yacht which is 1 of 3 & the 2nd of those 3 to have won the Tattersall Cup 3 times, will be skippered by Phillip Kurts for the 1st time, having participated in 7 Sydney-Hobart‘s already – all on Love & War – his 1st race being in 2009 when he was 18. His Dad and the yacht’s owner, Simon Kurts, is unable to participate in 2024, having previously been skipper. Before his Dad became skipper, his grandfather, Peter, designed Love & War with offshore racing in mind & Peter and Simon represented Australia at the United Kingdom’s Admiral’s Cup in 1975. Thus, this sudden handover in skippering at the 2024 edition has now given the Kurts family the honour of being the 1st family to sail the race in 3 generations & on the same yacht as skippers.
Phillip Kurts on board Love & War at Berth 38 in the Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia (CYCA) ‘A’ Marina. Photograph: Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race
The honour is a notable award on what will be the 50th anniversary of Love & War‘s 1st Tattersall Cup’s victory in 1974, the other 2 victories being in 1978 & 2006. The 1st 2 victories skippered by Peter while the most recent victory was co-skippered by Simon. In 2021, they won their division, though finishing 3rd for the Tattersall Cup. Known for excelling in tough conditions, Love & War has put the 2024 race weather forecast well in its skipper’s mind already:
We’re absolutely capable of [winning the race]. The tougher the race is, the better we’ll go.
Phillip Kurts, ‘Love & War‘ skipper
In response is Sebastian Bohm with his TP52, Smuggler, who is also trying to win the Tattersall Cup:
We don’t mind when it gets windy. We’ve got quite a good crew that can handle it well. That sets us apart from the other boats.
Sebastian Bohm, ‘Smuggler’ owner & skipper
Sebastian Bohm onboard Smuggler in Berth 54 of the CYCA ‘A’ Marina Photograph: Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race
He is trying to improve on his & Smuggler‘s 11th placing in the Tattersall Cup last year after solid results on other yachts of the same name. If the trend continues, he should improve on last year.
Then there is Peter Bremner on his Farr 277, Unicoin. It launched in late 1992 as an IMS Farr 40 One-Off called Assassin, which co-won the Tattersall Cup with Bremner aboard that same year (as winners came from two separate rating rules that edition). Assassin last raced from Sydney to Hobart in 1995, finishing 5th that year, following an 11th place in 1994.
Peter Bremner at the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race Media Launch Photograph: Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race
Nowadays, the Tattersall Cup goes to the winner of the International Rating Certificate handicap category so, when he bought the yacht & renamed it to the sponsored name, Unicoin, in February this year, Bremner told its new Sailing Master for The Great Race South, Andrew Buckland, who also was aboard in 1992, “We’re not getting any younger so let’s do it now”. Buckland has since been fully converting it to that standard, including a new deck and layout, new carbon fibre mast & a dark grey paint job. With a month to go until the race start, Bremner is hoping she will be as good as in 1992:
We’re confident that we’ve put together a program that can be competitive given the right conditions.
Peter Bremner, ‘Unicoin’ owner & skipper
With modernisation to Unicoin, a bright future for Sebastain Bohm and Smuggler & a new generation skippering Love & War, they weren’t the only things moving into the future at the upcoming Sydney-Hobart. Female participation has risen again for the 2024 edition with 6 more yacht skippers & owners, adding to the 10 last edition. 1 of those female sailors is Wendy Tuck, who will co-skipper Gizmo with Meg Niblett as 1 of 3 all-female double-handed teams. Last year, Tuck sailed aboard Disko Trooper_Contender Sailcloth, which finished 22nd for the Tattersall Cup & is also returning to race in 2024.
(Left to right) Wendy Tuck & Meg Niblett on board Gizmo in the CYCA ‘Pond’ Photograph: Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race
It’s a lovely boat. It feels solid. It feels comfortable in the breeze. This boat feels like it’s going to get to Hobart & it’s going to get to Hobart fast.
Wendy Tuck, ‘Gizmo’ co-skipper
Heading further into the future, lastly, it has been confirmed Wild Thing 100, owned by Grant Wharington, will race in the 2025 edition, which is the event’s 80th anniversary. For preparation, in February next year, Wild Thing 100 will have an updated full-size rig installed. For the upcoming 2024 edition, the 100-foot (30.48 metre) yacht is still carrying its mast from when it was 80 feet (24.38 metres) long.
Originally a Botin 80 called Beau Geste, Grant sailed it in the Sydney-Hobart as Stefan Racing, finishing, for line honours, 4th in 2021 & 6th in 2022. Last year, it was extended to 100 feet & renamed Wild Thing 100, having been delivered straight to Sydney from the Gold Coast with a few finishing touches still to be completed upon arrival before the Sydney-Hobart, which, after just over 2 days and 5 hours of racing under Grant Wharington’s skippering, it finished 6th. Grant himself won Line Honours in 2003 on board Skandia. As with any maxi, Wild Thing 100 is, therefore, one of the favourites to take line honours.
The other 2 favourites, to take line honours are last year’s line honours winner, Christian Beck’s LawConnect, a Juan K 100 Custom maxi yacht & the current line honours race record holder, Master Lock Comanche, the latter having also won line honours 3 other times with different owners & sponsored names. LawConnect also won line honours in 2016 as Perpetual LOYAL, though with a different owner at the time, after which it was bought by Beck & renamed InfoTrack to achieve a 24th place in 2017. It was claimed the yacht was too old & too heavy but LawConnect has confounded her critics, including Beck, by gaining a 4th place in 2018 before a hat-trick of 2nd places from 2019. It was renamed to its current name during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was such a painful lead up to come 2nd 3 times. To win was unbelievable.
Christian Beck, ‘LawConnect’ owner
Beck then finally won last edition, after being behind AndooComanche nearly the whole way, in a nail-biting finish along a fickle-breezed Derwent in the morning of the 28th of December – the 2nd closest ever on record, eventually beating Andoo Comanche by 51 seconds at the finish line. The yacht’s Sailing Master is Tony Mutter, who has held the title since 2021.
(Left to right) Master Lock Comanche co-skippers, Matt Allen and James Mayo & LawConnect owner and skipper, Christian Beck, standing in front of the George Adams Tattersall Cup, a Rolex timepiece & the John H. Illingworth Challenge Cup – Credit: Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia | Andrea Francolini
This year, Master Lock Comanche, will be co-skippered by Matt Allen & James Mayo. Combined, they have won 5 Tattersall Cups with Allen winning 4 of them & Mayo also winning Line Honours in the same edition onboard Sovereign in 1987. Until now, Allen has kept clear of yachts that were favourites for line honours in The Great Race South. Despite Comanche‘s rich history, it is actually the newest of the maxis at a decade old & is nicknamed the Aircraft Carrier because of its wide girth. With 3 different owners or charterers in its lifetime with 6 race entries to date, breaking the race record in its 3rd race, it is a reliable yacht to win on.
It’s such an iconic boat (Comanche). It’s such an iconic race. To give it another run is just a terrific feeling.
Matt Allen, ‘Master Lock Comanche’ Co-Skipper
The 2024 Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race will begin at 1pm on Thursday the 26th of December (Boxing Day) from Sydney Harbour. The Sydney Race Village, outside the CYCA, opens on Sunday the 1st of December & closes on the night of Boxing Day. The Classic Yacht Regatta will be held on Sydney Harbour between 1:55pm on Friday the 13th of December to sometime after 3:30pm on Sunday the 15th of December. The Hobart Race Village, at Constitution Dock, opens at 12pm on Friday the 27th of December & closes on the night of the 1st of January 2025. The main race can finish as early as 10:15pm on Friday the 27th of December with the last yacht finishing as last as the 6th of January 2025.
Sydney’s heritage-listed & State Parliament-protected theme park, Luna Park, has been officially listed as a Sydney New Year’s Eve vantage point for the 1st time. It is a paid ticketed 18 years old & above vantage point.
The listing was made on Thursday the 12th of September.
On New Year’s Eve, Luna Park will be hosting Harbour Party, which costed a minimum AUD$199 per ticket in September’s initial ticket release, though the price has since risen to AUD$299 for the final ticket release. The most expensive ticket was AUD$799, however, these are now sold out. Remaining tickets on sale are now AUD$549 or less.
This vantage point, with a capacity of 6,420, has disc jockeys (DJs) with artists including “The Netherlands’ most striking DJ duo”, Mr Belt and Wezol, Brooke Evers, Carolina Gasolina, Casual Connection, Discovery (A Daft Punk Tribute), Helena Ellis & Sydney NYE2022 Midnight Fireworks Soundtrack Artist, Stace Cadet.
Luna Park has always been open on New Year’s Eve since 1995, even when it was closed to the public all year round between 1996 & 2004, so being a vantage point is nothing new. What is new is it being officially listed. Whilst Sydney NYE has been held since 1976, Luna Park has only had a good view of the fireworks since 1990, when the Sydney Harbour Bridge was introduced to the display. The theme park was closed at the time and didn’t reopen until 1995.
Harbour Party is not an official Sydney NYE event though. However, the light show on the Ferris Wheel has been synchronised to the fireworks soundtracks since NYE2018, making that part of the night & park an official part of Sydney NYE.
First opening in 1935, Luna Park is one of 2 amusement parks in the world protected by legislation. The other amusement park is Tivoli Gardens in Denmark. Luna Park has been protected by legislation since 1990 & last reopened for all-year round operations in 2004 and is still operating today.
On Saturday the 14th of December, a barbeque will be held at the Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race‘s Sydney Race Village for that weekend’s Classic Yacht Regatta.
Sailors from the Classic Yacht Regatta will be in attendance.
The Classic Yacht Regatta Barbeque will be held at 5:30pm & last 3.5 hours but the actual barbeque will only be operating from 6:30pm for 2 hours. Tickets for the Classic Yacht Regatta Barbeque cost AUD$45 per person (cost of beverages not included and must be purchased separately) & are available here until Monday the 9th of December. Refunds are available up to Saturday the 7th of December though.
The Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race‘s Classic Yacht Regatta begins at 1:55pm on Friday the 13th of December & concludes on Sunday the 15th of December after the Prizegiving Ceremony, which is held at approximately 3:30pm.
Also, at the Long Lunch on Saturday the 21st of December, past and present Race crews will now be in attendance & the Family Day on Boxing Day (Thursday the 26th of December) will now begin at 12:30pm and include Channel 9’s live broadcast of the main race start from Sydney Harbour. Both events are held at the Sydney Race Village.
The Sydney Race Village is open between the 1st & 26th December inclusive outside the Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia (CYCA) on the Club’s hardstand on the shores of Rushcutters Bay on Sydney Harbour. It will be exclusive to ticketholders during ticketed events while it will be completely closed to the general public on Sunday the 22nd of December between 5pm & 10pm, when it is open to only the Race crews & the CYCA members.
The Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race begins at 1pm on Boxing Day on Sydney Harbour.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge’s western lower arch, hangars & catwalk will be used for fireworks for the 1st time ever this New Year’s Eve (NYE), according to the official & updated Sydney NYE website.
The Sydney NYE website was updated to its 2024 edition on Thursday the 5th of September.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge’s western upper arch has been used in the past to fire pyrotechnics. However, as the fireworks were fired directly above the Bridge, unless you were looking closely, you couldn’t tell whether the fireworks were fired from the western or eastern side of the upper arch. The use of the western upper arch was done only when Syd Howard Fireworks was the main pyrotechnic company for the Bridge.
They tended but not always put the shells that were fired the highest on the western upper arch. Sometimes, it may have been to make more room along the eastern upper arch. This was done from Sydney NYE1990-1998 & technology has changed significantly since then, particularly in computing technology, possibly making space considerations less of worry from the turn of the Millennium thus no longer needing the western upper arch.
The use of the western lower arch, hangars & catwalk for fireworks will, for the 1st time since the early 1990’s, allow spectators on the western side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to view the Bridge fireworks just like spectators on what is known as the ‘show side’ of the Bridge – the eastern side of the Bridge. The light show will still be only on the eastern side of the Bridge however.
The use of the western most lane on the roadway for fireworks is unlikely as the fireworks would look the same just when fired from the eastern most lane. It is for this reason, though applied to the upper arch, that we don’t think the western upper arch will be used once again – unless capacity limitations on the eastern upper arch necessitate the return of the western upper arch. The iconic waterfall effect is also likely to still be done from the eastern catwalk, again for the same reason.
This will be the most the Sydney Harbour Bridge has been used for fireworks since it was 1st used for pyrotechnics during the Royal Australian Navy 75th Anniversary Review Fireworks in October 1986. On that occasion, the eastern walkway & catwalk was used – the walkway for a set piece (pyrotechnic sign, which said ‘NSW Salutes The Royal Australian Navy’) & the catwalk for the debut of the iconic golden waterfall off the Bridge.
The only part of the Bridge not used for fireworks currently is the pylons. These were last used in 2013 during the International Fleet Review Spectacular for flame effects while it was last used for stationary pyrotechnics during the Midnight Fireworks of Sydney NYE2006 – A Diamond Night In Emerald City & moving ground pyrotechnics during the Midnight Fireworks of Sydney NYE2002 – The World’s Celebration In Union. It is understood heritage concerns prevent pyrotechnics from being used on the pylons often, especially ground pyro that breaks, after damage occurred during the Closing Night Harbour Spectacular of The Games Of The XXVIIth Olympiad: Sydney 2000. The only other time the pylons have been used for fireworks was during Sydney NYE1996 – Mask A Sydney Face. The pylons are overdue for another appearance but they are not expected to make an appearance for Sydney NYE2024.
In regard to the official website, whose design is quite modern this year, it will be updated even more in the lead up to the event with additional vantage points, location details, road closures & transport information.
Celebrating one of the biggest New Year’s Eve spectacles in the world takes planning so it’s important to us to ensure we enhance that visitor experience from the outset.
Pivotal to the visitor experience is making it as easy as possible to find out all the information they need to plan ahead for the big night.
I encourage everyone looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve to make arrangements in advance & explore our site for details about all the fantastic experiences Sydney has to offer.
Monica Barone, City Of Sydney Chief Executive Officer
The Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race has announced its calendar of events for its Sydney Race Village outside the Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia (CYCA) with 3 new events but also, the cancellation of the Commodore’s Beer & Prawn Night.
The Sydney Race Village opens on Sunday the 1st of December, but the 1st event isn’t for another 4 days. On Thursday the 5th of December, the Sydney Race Village will welcome back Team Australia from the Youth & Women’s America’s Cup at the Team Australia Welcome Back Reception. You can meet the team & hear about their experience at the events, held in Europe, in a panel discussion. The event begins at 6:30pm & last 3 hours. There will also be finger food & a cash bar operating. You will need a free ticket for this event, which can be got from here. Refunds are available up to the 28th of November.
Quiet Little Drink Image: Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race
On Friday the 13th of December is the Quiet Little Drink, which is what the name suggests. This event is a 55-year-old tradition of the Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race & will make its debut at the Sydney Race Village this edition. It will celebrate competitors of the upcoming race entering their 10th (females only) 25th, 40th & 50th editions as well as debutants from the CYCA’s Youth Sailing Academy, which the event will also raise funds for. The event begins at 6pm & last 4 hours. There will also be nibbles & a drink on arrival. You will need a ticket for this event, which can be bought for AUD$30 from here. A portion of the AUD$30 will be donated to the CYCA Youth Sailing Academy’s programs. Refunds are available up to the 8th of December.
The Commodore’s Beer & Prawn Night was to be held on Monday the 16th of December but that has since been cancelled.
Women In Sailing Cocktail Party Photograph: Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race
The Women In Sailing Cocktail Party, to be held on the 18th of December, has been announced to feature professional ocean racer Stacey Jackson & local navigator Clare Costanzo in a panel discussion with other female sailors. It will begin at 6pm & last 5 hours. 2 drink vouchers will be provided on arrival. A cash bar will also be operating & food specials will be sold. You will need a ticket for this event, which can be bought for AUD$21 from here. Refunds are available up to the 11th of December.
Women In Sailing Cocktail Party Panel Discussion Photograph: Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race
On the 21st of December, a new Long Lunch will also be held at 12pm lasting 4.5 hours. There will be canapes on arrival, followed by a 3-course lunch. Beverages are also provided throughout the Long Lunch. You will need a ticket for this event. Tickets cost AUD$100 for CYCA members & AUD$120 for non-members. They can be bought from here. Refunds are available up to the 14th of December.
Lastly, from 2pm on the main day, the 26th of December (Boxing Day), will be Family Day at the Sydney Race Village with the big screen showing highlights of Channel 9’s live broadcast of the main race start followed by a live stream of the online Yacht Tracker.
The Sydney Race Village is open between the 1st & 26th December inclusive outside the CYCA on the shores of Rushcutters Bay on Sydney Harbour. It will be exclusive to ticketholders during ticketed events while it will be completely closed to the general public on Sunday the 22nd of December between 5pm & 10pm, when it is open to only the racing crews & the CYCA members.
The Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race begins at 1pm on the 26th of December on Sydney Harbour.
Sydney New Year’s Eve (NYE) will continue to not have official themes & instead pursue a new visual identity for at least the next 3 editions from NYE2025 inclusive.
The City of Sydney is undertaking a 2-stage process to determine the successful visual identity.
The 1st stage is an expression of interest (EOI), which is open to any creative agency/consultancy.
The 2nd stage will see the City Of Sydney select the best EOIs, no lower than the top 3, who will also be paid a fee of AUD$3000 (excluding Goods & Services Tax (GST)) by the City Of Sydney to improve on their EOIs & deliver their final full creative concept proposals along with requested financial quotes to them in a presentation.
The City of Sydney is requesting the creative concept proposal:
provide a clear, consistent image/idea of Sydney NYE that is original & instantly recognisable
acts as a graphic unifier for the event over time, providing consistency across the event from year to year
clearly positions Sydney as a cultural & creative city
showcases & promotes both Sydney & the City of Sydney
excites & engages all stakeholders – audiences, businesses, sponsors & partners – to participate in Sydney NYE &
leverages the event’s unique & attributable strengths creatively, avoiding predictability.
The new visual identity should align with the event’s philosophy, which is that the event “is a bold, colourful & exciting celebration that marks the end of 1 year & the beginning of another, filled with hope & opportunity”.
It will provide a consistent visual “narrative” across decorations & marketing including online content, physical signage & communications.
For interested parties, it should be pointed out that Sydney & the City Of Sydney are 2 different things, though both are combined. ‘Sydney’ refers to the significant urban area of the Sydney basin, from the Pacific Ocean in the east to Katoomba in the west & Campbelltown and the Royal National Park in the south to the Hawkesbury River in the north. The ‘City Of Sydney’ refers to the local government area immediately south of the Sydney Harbour Bridge down to the industrial area of Beaconsfield as well east to Moore Park and west to the University Of Sydney.
‘Sydney’ (red) & the ‘City Of Sydney’ (blue) Image: Australian Bureau Of Statistics (edited by Sydney Spectaculars)
Renumeration Dispute
The EOI was to initially close on Friday the 26th of July 2024 but just over a week after the EOI opened on the 1st of July, the City Of Sydney announced they will “pause” the EOI after complaints from designers regarding renumeration of the successful applicant.
The City Of Sydney was originally going to sign a AUD$70,000 (excluding GST) contract with the successful applicant to design the visual identity. That amount was likely for just the 1st of the 3 editions. The previous contract was valued at an average $73,333.3 per edition with $120,000 paid for the 1st edition when most of the work over 3 years was done. After consulting with the Australian Graphic Design Association, when the EOI reopened on Tuesday the 12th of November, it was announced the successful applicant would now sign a AUD$100,000 (excluding GST) contract to design the visual identity. It is likely this amount is still for the 1st edition only. However, it is notably AUD$20,000 less in value still from NYE2019.
The EOI will now close on Friday the 13th of December 2024. The best EOIs will be notified on Friday the 10th of January 2025 with Stage 2 presentations being held the next month on Wednesday the 5th of February.
Visual identities were introduced from NYE2019, replacing the iconic themes that occurred since the turn of the Millennium. Since NYE2019, the visual identity from Garbett Design has been the official visual identity of Sydney NYE.
Sydney NYE2019-2024 Visual Identity Visual Identity: City Of Sydney/Garbett Design
Garbett Design’s contract with the City Of Sydney was extended by a year due to the New South Wales Government managing the NYE2020 edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The contract expired after NYE2022 but the City Of Sydney kept using their visual identity for another 2 editions likely due to the Big Creative Ideas initiative heavily influencing the potential future of the event.
The Big Creative Ideas initiative begun in September last year and finished in January this year & was held to find new creative ideas, especially environmentally sustainable ones, for the City Of Sydney’s events including Sydney NYE. The news of the continuation of visual identities for Sydney NYE leads us to the conclusion that the idea of returning to official themes has not been taken up by the City Of Sydney. Sydney Spectaculars has been allocating unofficial themes to those editions from NYE2019 inclusive except NYE2021 when an official theme did come back for that edition only.
The successful designer for the Sydney NYE2025-2027 visual identity will sign the contract on Friday the 28th of February 2025 & the new visual identity will be unveiled no earlier than Friday the 16th of May later that year.
Sydney New Year’s Eve is objectively the best fireworks display in the world, illuminating our Harbour with stunning pyrotechnics to herald in the new year.
With half a billion people watching, this is an opportunity for a designer to have their work displayed on an international stage & I encourage everyone with an exciting creative concept to apply.
We’re looking for branding that will connect with audiences of all ages & backgrounds, locally, nationally & internationally with a message of inclusion, celebration & safety.
Clover Moore AO, City Of Sydney Lord Mayor
OPINION: It is ironic that the visual identity criteria again asks to avoid predictability whilst also providing consistency. This was also the case in the NYE2019 EOI. The continuation of visual identities instead of themes will see Sydney NYE still be rather predictable as has been the case since NYE2019 with a focus on a bigger and larger Midnight Fireworks with a new unique soundtrack each year. Calling Country will still be the most creative segment of the event with it having the same creative level as the iconic NYE1999-NYE2018 themed editions of the event.
Red poppies adorned the Sydney Opera House at sunrise & after 8pm on the 11th of November to mark Remembrance Day.
At sunrise, a special surprise was held at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, hosted by the New South Wales (NSW) Veterans Minister, David Harris. The Returned Services League NSW President Mick Bainbridge recited the Ode before the Last Post rang out to remind everyone of Remembrance Day’s importance.
Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the armistice signing hat brought an end to fighting in the 1st World War, which ceased hostilities 106 years ago. Over 416,000 Australians enlisted for service during the Great War, out of a population of only 4 million. Many more defence personnel have participated in peacekeeping operations & fought in conflicts since. For over 100 years, red poppies have been used as a symbol of community respect & recognition.
Poppies have been projected onto the Sydney Opera House for Remembrance Day annually since 2014 while the sunrise service has been an addition since the COVID-19 pandemic.
This Remembrance Day is an opportunity to reflect on those who bravely laid down their own lives to defend our country & preserve our way of life.
It is important to acknowledge those who continue to serve in our defence, at home and abroad. There is no higher public service than offering your own life to protect your country.
It is also crucial to recognise those who have lost a parent, child or family member in the defence of our country.
Australia’s free & democratic society is built upon the shoulders of these brave service personnel we are commemorating today.
Lest we forget.
Chris Minns, NSW Premier
Today we remember those who have given their lives and served their country in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions & we also acknowledge the support of their families.
We wear poppies on Remembrance Day to serve as a reminder for people here & around the world, to take a moment & pause and remember our service men and women.
We owe them an immeasurable debt of gratitude for helping to make Australia the prosperous & free country it is today.
David Harris, NSW Veterans Minister
This Remembrance Day, we not only honour & remember all those who have died or suffered for Australia’s cause in all wars and conflicts, we also continue to reflect on the ongoing impact of military service on our veterans & their families.
Following the conclusion of the Royal Commission into Defence & Veteran Suicide, ex-service organisations now face 122 critical recommendations & RSL NSW will advocate for the implementation of these recommendations to support veterans across Australia.
We must turn remembrance into action, ensuring every veteran across all generations feels supported, heard & valued.
The western sails of the Sydney Opera House were illuminated in gold on the evening of Tuesday the 5th of November in recognition of Diwali.
Also known as Deepavali, Diwali is of great significance to the Hindu, Sikh, Jain & Buddhist communities, celebrating the victory of light over darkness, good over evil & knowledge over ignorance. It is a time spent with family & friends, praying for health, knowledge & peace. Participants wear colourful clothes, exchange gifts and sweets & decorate their homes.
The golden illumination of the Sydney Opera House’s western sails represented the spiritual darkness’s lifting & life’s renewal.
That same night, across Circular Quay at the Museum Of Contemporary Art, the New South Wales (NSW) Government hosted their annual Diwali celebration, which brought the state’s multicultural leaders together.
Wherever you go in NSW you can find the positive impact in our lives made by the Indian diaspora.
The ideals of knowledge over ignorance, good over evil & light over darkness are messages that everyone can embrace.
By sharing in this celebration, we can all join together, foster greater understanding & keep our communities strong.
The New South Wales (NSW) Government has announced Central Station will be specially illuminated in Technicolour for 9-time BRIT Awards-winning rock band, Coldplay‘s Music Of The Spheres tour between sunset (7:28pm-7:31pm) on the 6th of November & sunrise (5:46am-5:50am) on the 11th of November. Music Of The Spheres tour concerts, held at Stadium Australia, begin at 8:30pm (or 8:45pm according to Stadium Australia) except on the 8th of November when there is no concert nor Central Station illuminations currently scheduled.
The Grand Concourse will also be covered with Music Of The Spheres-themed decorations.
From 3:21pm each concert day, the Express Trains Full Of Stars will run from Central to Olympic Park, with stops at Redfern & Strathfield, until 10:08pm. It is free for concertgoers (on presentation of their concert ticket which is valid from 4am concert day until 4am the next day) otherwise a AUD$3.65 Opal Card fare applies.
With the band’s permission, each Express Train Full Of Stars will have 8 Coldplay tracks played over the train’s public address system. These will be played over the course of the 20–26-minute train trip:
Remember, to take into account 15 minutes to walk from Sydney Olympic Park Railway Station to your entry gate at Stadium Australia. Using this, you can find an Express Trains Full Of Stars timetable for Sunday the 10th of November for all the trains from Central up until 7:50pm (as the concert is scheduled for 8:30pm (or 8:45pm according to Stadium Australia)) below:
Central Platform
Central Departure Time
Sydney Olympic Park Arrival Time
Train Duration
4
3:21pm
3:43pm
22 minutes
7
3:31pm
3:53pm
22 minutes
5
3:50pm
4:13pm
23 minutes
6
4:12pm
4:33pm
21 minutes
4
4:20pm
4:43pm
23 minutes
7
4:27pm
4:49pm
22 minutes
5
4:32pm
4:54pm
22 minutes
6
4:37pm
5:01pm
24 minutes
4
4:51pm
5:12pm
21 minutes
7
4:58pm
5:19pm
21 minutes
5
5:01pm
5:24pm
23 minutes
6
5:07pm
5:30pm
23 minutes
4
5:21pm
5:42pm
21 minutes
7
5:29pm
5:49pm
20 minutes
5
5:31pm
5:55pm
24 minutes
6
5:38pm
6pm
22 minutes
4
5:43pm
6:07pm
24 minutes
7
5:56pm
6:18pm
22 minutes
5
6:04pm
6:25pm
21 minutes
6
6:13pm
6:35pm
22 minutes
4
6:21pm
6:41pm
20 minutes
7
6:31pm
6:51pm
20 minutes
5
6:34pm
6:55pm
21 minutes
6
6:40pm
7:01pm
21 minutes
4
6:51pm
7:12pm
21 minutes
7
6:58pm
7:19pm
21 minutes
5
7:05pm
7:25pm
20 minutes
6
7:10pm
7:32pm
22 minutes
4
7:20pm
7:41pm
21 minutes
7
7:28pm
7:48pm
20 minutes
5
7:31pm
7:54pm
23 minutes
6
7:38pm
8:02pm
24 minutes
4
7:50pm
8:11pm
21 minutes
This timetable is of Sunday the 10th of November 2024.
The above platforms will also be playing hit Coldplay songs prior to boarding.
The Express Trains Full Of Stars also operates in the reverse direction from Sydney Olympic Park to Central from 3:45pm until 1:15am but does not stop at both Redfern & Strathfield before 10:30pm.
The Express Trains Full Of Stars is not operating on the regular Lidcombe-Olympic Park shuttle rail service, the North Shore line north of Central & on express rail services from/to Parramatta, Blacktown, Liverpool, Schofields, Campbelltown, Penrith, Macarthur & Emu Plains from/to Olympic Park.
These trains are a part of more than 142 extra trains being scheduled for each day of the Music Of The Spheres tour, along with more than 162 extra buses per concert day, combining to more than 310 extra public transport services on the network per concert day. Public transport is the best way to get to the Music Of The Spheres tour concert.
Fans getting dropped off & picked up by car are urged to factor in extra travel time & choose a location away from the immediate vicinity of Stadium Australia as delays are expected while road closures are in place within Olympic Park.
Pass-outs for the concert are also not being issued. There are no live concert broadcasts immediately outside Stadium Australia & to ensure safety and security, people are strongly discouraged from congregating in Sydney Olympic Park until 11pm, November the 10th.
Official stadium-external merchandise stands open at 12pm each concert day while stocks last along with Stadium Australia’s box office, the latter of which will be open to assist existing Ticketek-purchased ticket holders only at 1:30pm. There are stadium-internal merchandise stalls too from 5pm whilst stocks last. All products are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. These shops do not accept cash.
Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres tour is at Stadium Australia, Sydney Olympic Park from 6-10 November 2024 at 6pm with support acts, Shone (6pm), Emmanuel Kelly (6:30pm) & Ayra Starr (7:15pm), building up the atmosphere until 8:30pm (or 8:45pm according to Stadium Australia). Gates open at 5pm. Tickets are sold out.
This is the 3rd illumination of a Sydney building for a musical artist but the 1st for a band. The Sydney Opera House was illuminated purple in 2016 for Prince, who was, at the time, performing in the venue’s concert hall for 1 night only, just weeks before his tragic passing. Earlier this year, in February, Central Station & Sydney’s stadiums were illuminated in a Lavender Haze for Taylor Swift.
Did you know Coldplay has never performed at the Sydney Opera House? Due to their popularity, they would have to do a 16-day residency at the Opera House for 1 Stadium Australia concert’s worth to happen so for 4 Stadium Australia concerts that would be a residency of just over 2 months! Michael Bublé performed at the Opera House for the season finale of Australian Idol in 2009 & managed to appear in what turned out to be one of the best pyrotechnic displays ever staged on Sydney Harbour (to give an idea of what Coldplay could bring to the House… or Harbour for that matter!):
As the illumination is not on the Sydney Opera House or Harbour Bridge & the fact musical concerts have no existing special flagship Sydney Spectacular status yet (unlike fireworks displays, light shows, projection mapping shows, air shows, military salutes, rugby league matches & sailing races), Coldplay‘s Music Of The Spheres tour will not be considered as an Extraordinary Sydney Spectacular. In any case, the Stadium Australia concert record attendance is currently held by Adele’s LIVE 2016 tour at 98,364 people per concert. That record would need to be equalled or broken first.
Coldplay‘s songs, Paradise & Hymn For The Weekend (featuring Beyonce) have featured in the Midnight Fireworks of Sydney New Year’s Eve 2012 & 2016 respectively, the latter featuring in the iconic golden waterfall sequence.
Sydney Spectaculars will keep an eye on future concert tours from any artist at Stadium Australia to see if they meet the requirement for a Central Railway Station illumination & if Coldplay returns for another tour, whether the Technicolour illumination will be upgraded to include Sydney’s stadiums and possibly, the Sydney Opera House!
Coldplay truly brings a crowd & we’re expecting a big turn-out at Sydney Olympic Park with massive crowd levels expected in the stadium.
We’ll have hundreds of extra bus & rail services working to get you to Coldplay with the cost of transport already included in your ticket.
Coldplay‘s given Sydney Trains permission to play some of our favourites including Clocks.
It will be busy so make the most of Olympic Park’s bars, food trucks, restaurants & a sky full of stars before & after the gig to avoid those big initial queues.
Jo Haylen, NSW Transport Minister
Tickets for an event like Coldplay go on sale more than a year in advance & similarly our planning for it has been a long time in the making, to ensure we provide the best possible service.
We’ve done the work so you can leave the car at home & catch 1 of the myriad public transport options to Accor Stadium – even better if you do so nice and early & enjoy the bars, food trucks and restaurants in the stadium precinct.
Hundreds of extra trains and buses will run to Olympic Park & the cost of travel is already included in your concert ticket. All you need to do is show your Coldplay concert ticket to transport staff when boarding services.
Likewise, our fleet of Sydney Olympic Park Major Event Buses will run on all 9 routes frequently from mid-afternoon each concert day & also after the show to get you home.
We expect there will be some heavy peak hour traffic across the network on the Wednesday & Thursday evenings for the 2 mid-week shows, if you do choose to drive, please plan your trip & leave home early.
Parking usually sells out in advance, so it is essential that you pre-book online to secure a space & think about car-pooling.
Allow plenty of extra travel time as there will be heavy traffic & local road closures in the precinct, especially after the gig.
It may well be more convenient to park at 1 of our train station commuter car parks & head to Olympic Park from there by train, at no extra cost.
Howard Collins, Transport For NSW Coordinator-General
Sydney Spectaculars 
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