If you are looking for a 2017 resolution as impressive as Sydney Harbour fireworks, pledge to volunteer for the City Of Sydney’s Sydney New Year’s Eve charity partner, Habitat For Humanity Australia.
Habitat For Humanity Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that has supported more than 6.8 million people by creating safe & decent housing in Australia & overseas. The organisation has also furnished inner city social housing units.
“Earlier this year, Habitat For Humanity Australia worked with community volunteers & corporate supporters to provide new furniture for 10 inner city social housing units” Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said.
“This kind of practical assistance helps some of the most vulnerable people in our community build a stable & secure home – the basis for positive life change”
“I encourage everyone who feels inspired by the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks to make their New Year’s resolution a pledge to volunteer their time & help people who are less fortunate”
Habitat For Humanity Australia offers volunteering opportunities across the country to help disadvantaged Australians find their feet. Its Global Village initiative bands volunteers together to build a home for families in need overseas.
“Habitat offers a practical way for Australian volunteers to travel & build alongside families in desperate need to build a home” said Martin Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Habitat For Humanity Australia.
“The charity has built, rehabilitated & repaired almost 1 million homes, inspired by the positive change adequate housing provides for people living in poverty”
“It is a direct & powerful way to see the impact a home has on families & we are hoping more Australians will make the resolution to volunteer & help those less fortunate in the new year” Mr Thomas said.
Glebe resident, Svetlana Zhukova, this year travelled to the outskirts of Phnom Penh in Cambodia with Habitat For Humanity Australia on a week-long expedition.
“This experience gave me an incredible sense of accomplishment – I know the brick walls we laid will protect this family & will help them build a better life” said Ms Zhukova.
The hand-up – rather than a handout – approach, allows people struggling with housing issues to focus on health & education rather than mere survival, building better lives & stronger communities.
“Our group of 8 came from such different walks of life from across Australia but we became 1 amazing team that shared long days, sweat, tired laughter & cold coconuts – and built a house in 5 short days” Ms Zhukova said.
1 lucky Australian will win the opportunity to participate in a Global Village program thanks to Habitat For Humanity Australia’s Building Hope 2016 competition. The winner, announced on December the 18th, will journey to Asia, Africa or the Pacific to help build a better future for the less fortunate.
The competition is a part of Habitat’s free photography exhibition Home, displayed at Customs House in the lead up to New Year’s Eve. The exhibition showcases images of global citizens who have been given a hand-up by Habitat For Humanity Australia. For details on volunteering with Habitat For Humanity Australia, see: habitat.org.au/volunteer-overseas/.
The Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks will be live streamed on Facebook for the 1st time this year giving millions more viewers around the world a chance to see the spectacular display in real time.
The 2016 Midnight Fireworks will reach a potential global audience of more than 10 million Facebook followers, further strengthening Sydney’s position as the New Year’s Eve capital of the world.
The City of Sydney has brought together broadcast partner, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) & peak tourism bodies, Tourism Australia & Destination New South Wales to live stream the world’s most famous firework show.
Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, welcomed the opportunity to further promote Sydney as a world-class global city & tourism destination.
“Sydney New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest annual celebrations in the world, attracting 1 million spectators along the Sydney Harbour foreshore & reaching an estimated televised global audience of 1 billion”
“By making the most of digital technology available this year, we can put the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks shows in the palm of people’s hands around the world – right as it happens”
“The City is thrilled to be working in partnership to showcase our beautiful city. I look forward to sharing this night with Sydneysiders around the harbour, people across the country & Aussie expats around the world who can experience Sydney New Year’s Eve live with us”
New South Wales (NSW) Minister For Trade, Tourism & Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said the live stream will see the famous harbour broadcast to a huge global audience.
“Sydney is at it’s best on New Year’s Eve & live streaming our incredible fireworks across the world will showcase the very best of this amazing city to potential visitors everywhere” Mr Ayres said.
Richard Finlayson, Director Of Television, ABC Television (TV), revealed that, for the 1st time, audiences can watch the ABC TV broadcast in high definition & on ABC iview. Both the 9pm Family Fireworks & Midnight Fireworks will be streamed live on the ABC Facebook page.
“The ABC is delighted to be partnering with the City Of Sydney to bring the fantastic Sydney New Year’s Eve event to Australians all over the country. We hope audiences will enjoy counting down the biggest night of the year with us wherever they are” Mr Finlayson said.
Tourism Australia Managing Director, John O’Sullivan, said this was unprecedented exposure for the City of Sydney’s Sydney New Year’s Eve event.
“This has the potential to put Sydney on the map like never before & provide millions of people around the world with front row seats at the planet’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“It’s an opportunity for us to leverage a unique tourism promotion on a truly global scale”
Sydney New Year’s Eve generates more than AUD$130 million annually for the NSW economy & new research shows Sydney’s world-class events are a major drawcard for overseas visitors.
According to leading research analysts, Stollznow, half those attending the Sydney New Year’s Eve 2015 – ‘City Of Colour’ event had travelled from the United States Of America, China, the United Kingdom, Germany & other parts of Europe.
The statistics showed more than 46% of the spectators around Sydney Harbour had travelled from overseas specifically to attend the event, staying in Sydney for an average of 7.4 nights.
In addition, almost 90% of visitors in Sydney during New Year’s Eve said they came specifically for Sydney New Year’s Eve & had attended it several times in the past.
Audiences can watch the live stream of the Welcome To Country, the 9pm Family Fireworks & the Midnight Fireworks on sydneynewyearseve.com – the 1-stop shop for planning your night on the harbour, at home or across the globe.
Join hosts Ella Hooper & Jeremy Fernandez as they countdown the biggest night of the year with the ‘New Year’s Eve (NYE) 2016’ spectacular event broadcast available this year for the 1st time in brilliant high definition on Australian Broadcasting Coporation Television (ABC TV) & ABC iview with the fireworks also streamed live on ABC TV Facebook.
Presented from outside the Sydney Opera House & inside the Lord Mayor’s Party at Bennelong Point on Sydney Harbour, the pair will take us through an evening jam-packed full of unmissable entertainment from comedy, music, the Family Fireworks at 9pm & culminating in the world-famous Midnight Fireworks.
The evening events will commence with a Welcome To Country. Then under the direction of Play School’s Jemima & Little Lunch’s Debra-Jo, Giggle & Hoot’s Jimmy Giggle & his sidekick Hoot will attempt to put on the ‘Best Show Ever’ for our younger viewers. What could possibly go wrong with this team at the helm?! They are joined by ABC ME’s Tim Matthews & Grace Koh live from Sydney Harbour as well as some very special guests including Justine Clarke, The Wiggles, Dan Sultan & the Bananas In Pyjamas.
At 9pm, the winner of ABC ME’s Design Your Own Firework competition, 10 year old Georgia from Perth, will pull a giant lever that will set the Sydney sky alight with the Family Fireworks display featuring her own unique firework design.
Then, live from the Lord Mayor’s Party, Ella & Jeremy will take us through to midnight with an extravaganza of entertainment including the comedy panel show The 2016 Pub Quiz, hosted by Lawrence Mooney & featuring panellists and special guests including Rhys Nicholson, Denise Scott, Miranda Tapsell, Peter Helliar, Anne Edmonds & Tom Tilley who will look back at the year that was. This will be interspersed with specials from David Stratton, The Katering Show’s Kates & Sammy J who will share their cultural, comic & candid perspectives on the year.
We’ll give you front row seats to the best musical event in the country when we cross live to The Falls Festival in Lorne, Victoria throughout the evening to bring you the best of its bill including Bernard Fanning, Violent Soho, Broods, Catfish and The Bottlemen & Alison Wonderland. In the climatic lead-up to the midnight pyrotechnics, The Hoodoo Gurus will perform live. It’s guaranteed to provide the best countdown soundtrack to celebrations everywhere.
Run Down Highlights (exact times subject to change):
7:30pm: The Yearly with Charlie Pickering
8:35pm: New Year’s Eve 2016 commences
8:38pm: Welcome To Country
8:41pm: ABC Children’s NYE commences
9pm: Family Fireworks
9:16pm: Jeremy & Ella take us through until midnight with entertainment including The Pub Quiz, live crosses to The Falls Festival in Lorne & much more
11:44pm: Live cross to the Lord Mayor’s Party for The Hoodoo Gurus performance
What’s your #my2016moment? Send us a video, photo or a few sentences about your 2016 highlight & you might see yourself on TV during ABC’s New Year’s Eve 2016 broadcast. Share your video or photo on ABC TV’s Facebook page or upload it to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #my2016moment
Media Release: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
With less than 3 days until the media launch, more details have been revealed about this year’s Sydney New Year’s Eve (Sydney NYE).
Firstly, the newly-released boating map confirms no pyrotechnics will be fired between 9:08pm & Midnight again. As stated in the most recent Sydney NYE media release, the event guides have also been released.
The event guides reveal the following:
No indication at all of a theme. It does say Celebrate Summer In Sydney in a location where a theme would be mentioned but this looks more likely to be a tourism slogan than a theme. If this isn’t a theme, which is likely, this is very likely to be the 1st Sydney NYE since the mid-1990’s to not have a theme.
‘Lighting’ will feature during & after the 9pm Family Fireworks. This is possibly similar to last year’s lighting display on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which was a row of lights along the roadway.
There is no Bridge Effect (which was likely to happen).
There is no YouTube Live Stream this year.
This is no smartphone application this year.
The last 2 dot points we hope we are wrong about but it looks very likely now given the event guide does not mention them.
Also, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has begun advertising their broadcast of the event (including television commercials!) as well as publishing their official webpage of the broadcast!
The ABC NYE broadcast webpage reveals the following:
The broadcast will, in fact, start at 8:35pm AEDT
Sydney New Year’s Eve will be broadcast on Facebook for the very 1st time!
There is no confirmation yet whether geoblocking for all Internet broadcast mediums will be lifted for the Sydney NYE broadcast. The ABC does lift geoblocking for various events so given the international appeal of Sydney NYE, it is possible the ABC will drop the geoblock for the night so international audiences can watch Sydney NYE via the Internet.
Remember to watch Sydney NYE on television in high definition (HD) in Australia, make sure you got an MPEG-4 compliant set-top box & re-scan it to pick up the new HD channel of ABC! The new channel begun last Monday with ABC News 24 reverting to standard definition.
In the end, it is starting to become clear that Sydney NYE is taking a different approach with less focus on dramatic creative theming and keeping it as ‘just fireworks’. They also seem to be focusing more on the domestic market rather than the international market. This would be the biggest shift in the event since Ric Birch & his Spectak Productions team produced the event for the 1st time in 1996.
Heading towards the 12th of December, it’s probably worthy advice to not get too excited about this year’s Sydney NYE & that anything special will be revealed at the media launch. Everything is probably already revealed & the event is probably intentionally dropping it’s standards in everything but fireworks.
Sydney used to be on a higher creative level than any other city around the world. This year, it looks likely to drop to the standards of London and Dubai & blend in with other community NYE celebrations around the world. The golden era of Sydney NYE is looking likely to be over but the fireworks will still be spectacular. Maybe Monday’s media launch will prove this as all incorrect?
Hopefully, they could at least bring back the ‘Smiley Face’ Sydney Harbour Bridge Effect on an annual basis…
For the 1st time, American & British sign language will be projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons to welcome international visitors this Sydney New Year’s Eve (Sydney NYE).
The City Of Sydney introduced the ‘Welcome To Sydney’ Auslan sign language projections in 2013, which will now feature alongside their international counterparts.
Research by leading analysts Stollznow revealed more than 46% of those who attended last year’s Sydney New Year’s Eve had travelled from overseas specifically to attend the event.
“We’re committed to being a city that is inclusive and accessible for visitors from all around the world & we want to ensure more people than ever can enjoy the celebrations” Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said.
“The introduction of British & American sign language projections allows deaf communities from around the globe to further enjoy the celebrations with Sydney”
Gerard O’Dwyer was the 2015 Don’t DisMYability Ambassador & enjoyed last year’s Sydney New Year’s Eve at the Cahill Expressway vantage point. Catching the train to Martin Place, he & his family were pleased with the support available across the city.
“It was quite easy getting the train into the city & walking to the Cahill Expressway. On the walk to the event, there were people offering directions which was very helpful” Gerard said.
“I had the time of my life – the crowd seemed happy & the fireworks were spectacular. I enjoyed the celebrations so much, I would love to attend again”
“Leading up to the night, Mum & I went online to get details on the best way to get into the city on New Year’s Eve. The information was very helpful”
“My advice to anyone heading into the city would be to leave plenty of time to get there & be prepared for large crowds”
As a Don’t DisMYability Ambassador, Gerard promoted equal treatment & equal opportunities for people with disabilities.
“I ask everyone this New Year’s Eve to be kind, show each other respect & treat everyone equally”
Sydney New Year’s Eve 2016 offers 8 designated accessible viewing areas for people with disabilities to enjoy the festivities with family & friends. The areas cater for those with sensory, neurological, psychological, cognitive & learning disabilities. The designated accessible viewing areas have been organised in collaboration with the Department Of Premier And Cabinet & other government agencies.
Pirrama Park in Pyrmont provides a less-congested, family-friendly vantage point on the harbourside. With an accessible spinner in the playground, children with & without disabilities can play & enjoy the Park’s facilities. It also provides accessible toilets, access ramps where required & a designated drop-off zone on Darling Island Road.
Pirrama Park Photograph: Sydney New Year’s Eve
Other designated accessible viewing areas include Ballarat Park, Barangaroo Reserve, Cahill Expressway, Goat Island, Mary Booth Reserve, Mrs Macquaries Point & the Sydney Opera House. Bookings are essential.
The audio description broadcast will again offer people with blindness or low vision the chance to experience the spectacular Sydney NYE fireworks with the rest of the world. Listeners will hear a high quality live audio description of the Welcome To Country, 9pm Family Fireworks, Harbour Of Light Parade & the Midnight Fireworks.
Leading up to the night, event guides will be distributed across the city centre at train stations, information centres, libraries & service centres. Event guides are available in large print, Braille and audio format & are available in Chinese, Spanish, Korean, German & Japanese. Download or request event guides from sydneynewyearseve.com/event-guide
Sydney For All provides accessible tourist information including things to do & options for getting around. Head to sydneyforall.com for more information.
Those staying at home can enjoy the celebrations through the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)’s broadcast of the event which offers live closed captions through its television & online services. 2DayFM broadcasts the soundtracks for the 9pm Family Fireworks & the Midnight Fireworks through their radio station 104.1FM.
There will be major road closures &special event clearways in the city centre, on the harbour foreshore, North Sydney & lower north shore. To help plan your route on the night, you can use an interactive map that also features public transport information: sydneynewyearseve.com/road-closures/.
Sydney will be filled with the sound of festive music as some of our best choirs entertain families, shoppers & passers-by each night in the lead up to Christmas Day.
Renowned choirs including the Australian Girls Choir, The Cafe Of The Gate Of Salvation, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir & the Sydney Philharmonia Choir, will perform in Martin Place every night & in Pitt Street Mall throughout December.
Australian Girls Choir Photograph: City Of Sydney
The City’s annual Christmas At Sydney Town Hall concert on the 20th of December guarantees a memorable night for the whole family. Concert goers will enjoy carol singing, festive music & readings as well as the magnificent Grand Organ in the stunning Centennial Hall. Book tickets for Christmas At Sydney Town Hall at cityrecitalhall.com
“The City works closely with retailers to make sure the Christmas shopping experience in Sydney is as festive & fun as possible” Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said.
“These performances by some of Australia’s most-loved choirs will create a wonderful atmosphere & bring extra festive cheer to shoppers and visitors during the Christmas season”
A choir singing carols in Pitt Street Mall as part of ‘Sydney Christmas’ Photograph: City Of Sydney
Pitt Street Mall Choir Program:
Northern Beaches Chorus – 1st of December, 6pm–8pm Australian Girls Choir – 1st of December, 6pm–8pm Northern Beaches Chorus – 3rd of December, 6pm–7pm Australian Girls Choir – 4th of December, 6pm–7pm Australian Girls Choir – 8th of December, 6pm–8pm Northern Beaches Chorus – 8th of December, 6pm–8pm Endeavour Harmony Chorus – 10th of December, 6pm–7pm Australian Girls Choir – 11th of December, 6pm–7pm The Cafe Of The Gate Of Salvation – 15th of December, 6pm–8pm Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir – 15th of December, 6pm–8pm Sydney Philharmonia Choir – 17th of December, 6pm–7pm Endeavour Harmony Chorus – 18th of December, 6pm–7pm Salvation Army Band – 19th of December, 10am–12pm Salvation Army Band – 20th of December, 10am–12pm Salvation Army Band – 21st of December, 10am–12pm Salvation Army Band – 22nd of December, 10am–12pm Northern Beaches Chorus – 22nd of December, 6pm–8pm Australian Girls Choir – 22nd of December, 6pm–8pm Salvation Army Band – 23rd of December, 10am–12pm Salvation Army Band – 24th of December, 10am–12pm
Martin Place Choir Program:
Soulfood – 1st of December, 6pm–8pm Australian Youth Choir – 2nd of December, 6pm–8pm Northern Beaches Choir – 3rd of December, 7pm–8pm Australian Girls’ Choir – 4th of December, 7pm–8pm Leichhardt Espresso Chorus – 5th of December, 6pm–8pm HoneyBees – 6th of December, 6pm–8pm Sista! Quartet – 7th of December, 6pm–8pm Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir – 8th of December, 6pm–8pm Endeavour Harmony Chorus – 9th of December, 6pm–8pm Endeavour Harmony Chorus – 10th of December, 7pm–8pm Australian Girls Choir – 11th of December, 7pm–8pm Circular Keys Chorus – 12th of December, 6pm–8pm Sydney Philharmonia Choir – 13th of December, 6pm–8pm Circular Keys Chorus – 14th of December, 6pm–8pm Northern Beaches Choir – 15th of December, 6pm–8pm Circular Keys Chorus – 16th of December, 6pm–8pm Sydney Philharmonia Choir – 17th of December, 7pm to 8pm Endeavour Harmony Chorus –18th of December, 7pm–8pm Sydney Philharmonia Choir – 19th of December, 6pm–8pm With One Voice Sydney – 20th of December, 6pm–8pm Leichhardt Espresso Chorus – 21st of December, 6pm–8pm Salvation Army Band – 22nd of December, 7pm–9pm Salvation Army Band – 23rd of December, 7pm–9pm Salvation Army Band – 24th of December, 7pm–9pm
2 free city concerts will kick off the City Of Sydney’s exciting Christmas program tomorrow (Saturday) with kids’ entertainers, illuminations, carols, choirs & an interactive Christmas tree and light show.
The simultaneous concerts in Martin Place & Hyde Park feature a host of stars including Megan Washington, Taylor Henderson, Justine Clarke, the Moorambilla Voices Choir, Casey Donovan, Jimmy Giggle, SplashDance & the Australian Girls Choir.
Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said Christmas in Sydney is a special time & encouraged everyone to check out the City’s events over the next 4 weeks.
“We welcome thousands of people from across Sydney to the city and it’s villages for the festive season with so much on offer for everyone to enjoy” the Lord Mayor said.
“Sydney’s Christmas is unique & we want all Sydneysiders to take pride in it. We have sunshine in the city, warmth & long evenings making it the perfect time to enjoy the city with your family & friends.”
“I hope everyone will embrace the joy of our Sydney Christmas”
Lord Mayor Of Sydney, Clover Moore, next to the LEGO Christmas Sleigh with Casey Donovan, Splashdance, Guide Dog NSW/ACT representatives & guide dogs! Photograph: City Of Sydney
Sydney Christmas 2016 highlights:
Martin Place Christmas Concert & Tree Lighting – Saturday the 26th of November, 6:30pm–8:30pm AEDT
The renowned City Christmas Concert will be hosted by Samantha Armytage and Mark Ferguson & packed with entertainment the whole family will enjoy. The free, 2 hour concert features the Australian Record Industry Association Award-winning Megan Washington, Taylor Henderson, Casey Donovan, Justine Clarke, Moorambilla VoicesChoir & Bananas In Pyjamas.
Santa & the Lord Mayor will arrive on a cycle-drawn sleigh to light Sydney’s tallest Christmas tree & the Concert will finish with a fireworks spectacular.
Visitors can text a message to 0487 939 627 (048 SYD XMAS) & it will appear on the Christmas Tree’s branches for everyone to see. The Tree will also feature a nightly sound & light show from 8:30pm–9:15pm AEDT that includes an orchestral Christmas score, moving coloured lights & sky beams.
Santa stockings jam-packed with goodies will be on sale for AUD$5 with all proceeds going to the City’s charity partner, Guide Dogs New South Wales (NSW)/Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
Christmas On The Green– Saturday the 26th of November, 6:30pm–8:30pm AEDT
The free family concert in Hyde Park, hosted by Jimmy Giggle, will include performances by Justine Clarke, the Australian Girls Choir, SplashDance & Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom.
The concert will also offer craft activities, a sausage sizzle, gelato & a Santa stocking filled with Christmas goodies.
Santa & the Lord Mayor will stop by for a visit before a fireworks finale.
Boulevard Of Light –nightly from the 26th of November until Christmas Day
Transforming the walkway along Pitt Street Mall is an overhead canopy of 62,000 twinkling lights. More than 40 Christmas trees will add to the festive wonderland atmosphere.
BVLGARI Christmas Lights – nightly from the 26th of November to the 28th of December
BVLGARI will help set Christmas aglow with a jewelled light installation throughout the Martin Place area.
Created from thousands of individual light-emitting diode lights, the festive decorations feature the Roman jeweller’s most iconic shapes including coiling Serpentis as the centrepieces.
LEGO Christmas Sleigh – 26th of November to 23rd of December
Visitors jump into the life-sized LEGO® Christmas Sleigh for the ultimate Christmas selfie. Created by a LEGO® certified professional, aka The Brickman, the Sleigh is made up of more than 10,000 LEGO® bricks, measures more than 5 cubic metres & is sure to be a hit with LEGO® fans.
Next to the Martin Place Christmas Tree, the Sleigh will be open for photo opportunities on various dates throughout the festive season.
Village Christmas Concerts – 3rd, 4th, 10th & 11th of December, 6:30pm–8:30pm AEDT
Sydney’s villages will be full of Christmas cheer thanks to carol sing-alongs, a kids disco & guest appearances by favourite performers including Jimmy Giggle, Justine Clarke, SplashDance, Alex Papps & local bands.
The free concerts will also feature elves, kids craft workshops, performances by Brown Sugar, Gang Of Brothers & Caravana Sun, Guide Dog puppies, a visit from Santa & a glittering fireworks display.
The free family concerts will take place at Rushcutters Bay (3rd of December), Rosebery (4th of December), Alexandria (10th of December) & Surry Hills (11th of December).
Illuminations – nightly from the 26th of November to Christmas Day
Sydney Town Hall & buildings around the city centre in places including King, Pitt, Market, Castlereagh & Park Streets, will be illuminated with festive colours from dusk until late every night until Christmas.
The façade of St Mary’s Cathedral will be the stage for a free sound & light show. The theme for the 2016 projections is Joy To The World & will feature an animation of The Nutcracker & a pictorial journey of Christmas decorations throughout the ages.
Carols & Choirs – nightly from the 26th of November to Christmas Eve
The sounds of Christmas will ring across the city with choirs performing every night up until Christmas.
Street choirs singing carols will perform every night at the Martin Place Christmas Tree from the 26th of November to Christmas Eve. In Pitt Street Mall, choirs will entertain shoppers every Thursday evening in December.
The annual Christmas At Town Hall concert on the 20th of December will feature a mix of choirs & the Royal Australian Navy Band. Tickets are available at sydneychristmas.com.au.
Guide Dog Graduation – 6th of December, 11am-3pm AEDT
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT will host a Guide Dogs Christmas Presentation Day in Martin Place. Passers-by can see live guide dog training demonstrations, experience a puppy pre-school & get their photo taken with a guide dog puppy.
Woolloomooloo Christmas Block Party– 3rd of December, 11am–6pm AEDT
The all ages, all free community event at Woolloomooloo Playground on Dowling & Pring Streets features disc jockeys, live music, graffiti demonstrations, dance workshops, basketball, table tennis & more.
The Block Party will be a celebration of Christmas & urban culture with a focus on connecting youth & families with local community service providers within a creative & supportive environment.
Carols In The Park – 10th of December, 5pm-9pm AEDT
Green Square will host its own Christmas event at Joynton Park, Zetland. There will be live music, market stalls, food, activities for the kids, a jumping castle, face painting, Christmas crafts & fireworks.
Shopping – throughout the festive season
As well as the big brand outlets in the city, local village retailers & boutiques each offer their own style & treasures. Shoppers can also take part in the Best Shop Window Competition by tagging their favourite village window #SydXmasWindow on Instagram for a chance to win a AUD$2,000 shopping voucher.
With less than 2 months to go, the Sydney New Year’s Eve 2016 coin, produced in partnership by the City Of Sydney & the Royal Australian Mint, has gone on sale while more details have emerged about this year’s event.
Each year, the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks spectacular thrills millions of people around the world as they await the arrival of their own new year. This 2017 $1 Coloured Fine Silver Frosted Uncirculated Coin is every bit as magnificent as the fireworks that light up Sydney Harbour. Have it with you when the clock strikes midnight on the 31st of December & keep it as a fond reminder of that magical moment.
With a mintage of 5000, this 1/2 an ounce 99.9% silver coin with a diameter of 35.89mm is a fantastic souvenir to keep of this year’s event.
Reverse Side Of The 2017 $1 Coloured Fine Silver Frosted Uncirculated Sydney New Year’s Eve 2016 Coin. Image: Royal Australian Mint.Obverse Side Of The 2017 $1 Coloured Fine Silver Frosted Uncirculated Sydney New Year’s Eve 2016 Coin. Image: Royal Australian Mint.Packaging Front Of The 2017 $1 Coloured Fine Silver Frosted Uncirculated Sydney New Year’s Eve 2016 Coin. Image: Royal Australian Mint.Packaging Back Of The 2017 $1 Coloured Fine Silver Frosted Uncirculated Sydney New Year’s Eve 2016 Coin. Image: Royal Australian Mint.
With the Royal Australian Mint coin not revealing much new regarding a theme, it adds to speculation we made in early September that there will be no theme this year – potentially breaking a tradition since the late 1990’s.
The place on the Sydney New Year’s Eve website – the ‘About’/’Welcome’ page – where we found confirmation of last year’s theme, ‘City Of Colour’, had it’s message changed recently but the new message did not confirm or indicate a theme – it was still very generic. The page has since reverted back to it’s original message but with some small changes.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)’s broadcast has been confirmed to be a 4 hour broadcast again with live closed captions available.
Recently, it was confirmed the full broadcast will be in high definition (HD) for the first time since the late 2000’s. This is a result of the ABC’s transition of HD from ABC News 24 to ABC on the 6th of December. In recent years, only the 9pm Family & Midnight Fireworks were simulcast on ABC News 24 in HD.
To watch Sydney New Year’s Eve 2016 in HD, you will need a MPEG-4 compatible television.
Regarding content of the broadcast, whilst we were hoping for a little more improvement in the broadcast, it is looking likely to be a ‘duplication’ of last year’s broadcast, after this small teaser of details was released recently:
Our annual, live broadcast from the Sydney Opera House celebrating the New Year and the our spectacular fireworks. Hosted by ABC personalities and incorporating bespoke segments from ABC shows, including Childrens’ TV, The Pub Quiz, a wrap up of the year’s event and crosses from around the country including music from the Falls Music Festivals.
The audio description of the event will also be done by the ABC. You can listen to it this year via the ABC Radio app or the ABC Extra digital radio station. It will describe the Welcome To Country, 9pm Family Fireworks, Harbour Of Light Parade & Midnight Fireworks. In previous years, this has been done by 2RPH.
Also, Auslan interpretations will again be a feature of the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projections with the words ‘Welcome To SydNYE’ being communicated via Auslan on both the eastern & western pylons.
This year’s major announcements will be held on the 12th of December (media launch), the 29th of December (fireworks barges preparation) & on NYE itself. Some other announcements may be made between the 12th & 29th of December so keep an eye out on here for news as it appears!
But as we approach the 12th of December, the main question remains – themed or not to be themed?
Sydney’s villages will soon be full of Christmas cheer thanks to carol sing-alongs, a kids disco, local bands & guest appearances by favourite performers including Jimmy Giggle, Justine Clarke, SplashDance & Alex Papps.
The free concerts in early December will also feature elves, kids craft workshops, performances by Brown Sugar, Gang Of Brothers & Caravana Sun, Guide Dog puppies, a visit from Santa & a glittering fireworks display.
‘Jimmy Giggle’ Photograph: City Of Sydney
Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said the village concerts were a great opportunity for families and friends to get together & enjoy a Christmas picnic and night of carols.
“Our village Christmas celebrations bring the community together to enjoy a great line-up of live entertainment from local performers, kids’ workshopsb & a special visit from Santa” the Lord Mayor said.
“I encourage everyone to come along, spend time with friends and family & share in the Christmas spirit of peace & goodwill.”
Alexandria, Sydney – Saturday the 7th of December 2013: City Of Sydney Christmas Concert, Alexandria Park (Photo by Jamie Williams/City Of Sydney)
A sausage sizzle, ice cream & coffee will be available at the concerts. Santa stockings jam-packed with goodies will be on offer for AUD$5 with proceeds going to the City’s Christmas charity partner Guide Dogs New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory.
There will also be an opportunity to meet Gulliver, the world’s largest guide dog & to play with some Guide Dog puppies.
Guide dog in a park with Christmas present decorations Photograph: City Of Sydney
Rushcutters Bay, Saturday the 3rd of December – Reg Bartley Oval, 6:30pm–8:30pm AEDT Hosted by Jimmy Giggle & featuring kids’ entertainment by Justine Clarke and SplashDance & soul, reggae and dance music from Caravana Sun.
Rosebery, Sunday the 4th of December – Turruwul Park, 6:30pm–8:30pm AEDT Hosted by Jimmy Giggle & featuring kids’ entertainment by Justine Clarke and SplashDance & soul music by Brown Sugar.
Alexandria, Saturday the 10th of December – Alexandria Park, 6:30pm–8:30pm AEDT Hosted by Play School’s Alex Papps & featuring SplashDance and disc jockey Kate Monroe spinning Santa’s Kiddo Disco along with a performance by Gang Of Brothers.
Surry Hills, Sunday the 11th of December – Prince Alfred Park, 6:30pm–8:30pm AEDT Hosted by Play School’s Alex Papps with SplashDance and Santa’s Kiddo Disco for the kids & upbeat funk and rock from Gang Of Brothers.
A Roads & Maritime Services spokesperson today announced the ballot is now open for Sydney residents to apply for tickets to celebrate the start of the new year from one of Sydney’s most spectacular vantage points – the Cahill Expressway above Circular Quay.
New Year’s Eve is 47 days away & all New South Wales residents are invited to try to win the opportunity to see Sydney’s world renowned fireworks display from one of the best vantages in the city.
“You can enter the online draw to win 1 of 6000 passes to watch either the 9pm Family or Midnight Fireworks displays” the Roads & Maritime Services spokesperson said.
“Roads and Maritime Services started holding the incredibly popular event in 2000 & has received thousands of entries into the ballot every year since”
“The lucky winners will get the privilege to enjoy the fun & family-friendly atmosphere with pre-fireworks entertainment & a vantage point view to the world-famous fireworks display”
Apply for a ticket online now at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/NYE with entries closing at 11:59pm AEDT on Wednesday the 30th of November.
“Enter the ballot & have the chance to win a priceless memory of New Year’s Eve in Sydney with your family & friends” the spokesperson said.
Winners will be announced on Wednesday the 7th of December & notified by e-mail.
The Cahill Expressway is a specially designated family area & entry is by ticket only. Entries are restricted to 1 entry per household.
Sydney Spectaculars 
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