Sydney has put on its most stunning drone show to date during Australia Day In Sydney which was held over a week ago as the day featured 2 tributes to the victims & responders of the Bondi Beach massacre & Jewish genocide terrorism as well as their families.
Drone shows made their debut at the Australia Day LIVE Concert with 2 sequences featuring throughout the Concert.
Both drone shows were accompanied by the New South Wales (NSW) Public Schools Choir (at the top left of the Sydney Opera House’s Monumental Steps) & the Australian Pops Orchestra (on stage).
The latter drone show was the most stunning, set to Apii Ayatku Muruu (We Sing As 1 Country) & Yolngu (The1 People), which was performed by the Yidaki Orchestra (who made their debut at the WulgulOra Morning Ceremony about 13.5 hours prior) & Rrawun Maymuru, it featured a traditional display of images of anchored seaweed, flowing water & a starry sky featuring the Southern Cross whilst, in what could be a world 1st, illuminated jellyfish were hung off 3 drones & flown around Circular Quay, providing a haunting 3-dimensional view of life underwater, akin to the Deep Sea Dreaming segment of the Opening Ceremony of The Games Of The XXVIIth Olympiad: Sydney 2000. This sequence was accompanied by Indigenous artwork on the stage, a teal light show (Sydney By Sail yachts’ hulls were also blue while towards the segment’s end, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay spotlights & NSW Public Schools Choir/ticketed spectators’ wristbands changed to blue) as well as a repeat of the Dawn Reflection on the Sydney Opera House sails.
Australia Day LIVE Concert‘s underwater-themed drone show with hanging jellyfish & formations in the shape of flowing water reflecting a starry sky featuring the Southern Cross. Photograph: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
This latter sequence was preceded by a drone show about 45 minutes earlier of a giant 145-metre-long eel, which snaked its way around Circular Quay, enabling all spectators to see it from all angles, something rare for traditional drone shows:
The movement of the eel, which was created with 240 drones, was set to Yothu Yindi hits, Djapana (Sunset Dreaming) & Treaty, which were performed by the Yidaki Orchestra, Rrawun Maymuru, Aunty Delmae Barton, Cianna Walker & Olivia Coe Fox, all accompanied by the Doonooch Dancers.
The Sydney Opera House featured a projection of the Australian Aboriginal Flag while a multi-coloured light show illuminated Circular Quay, though it was predominantly in the colours of red & yellow. Pyrotechnics & flame throwers featured throughout from the Sydney Opera House (pyro only), a barge and pontoons in Circular Quay, Sydney By Sail yachts (flares only) & the stage (flame throwers only), the latter having images of red Indigenous dot animated art, fire, red ochred rock or molten lava, the colour red & what looked like golden-orange plasma screened too.
With these drone shows, it without a doubt makes the Australia Day LIVE Concert home to the most creative drone shows in Australia & probably 1 of the most creative in the world.
The drones were launched from Campbells’ Cove while the Yidaki Orchestra‘s 4 members, sharing their songlines, represented the 4 winds of the Australian continent. The members were William Barton (east), Jamie Goldsmith (south), Jayden Boundry (west) & William Hewitt (north). They performed Apii Ayatku Muruu (We Sing As 1 Country) also at the WulgulOra Morning Ceremony.
The Yidaki Orchestra, representing the 4 winds, makes its debut at the WulgulOra Morning Ceremony at Barangaroo Reserve at 7:47am, January 26, 2026 with members, William Barton (top/east), Jamie Goldsmith (right/south), Jayden Boundry (bottom/west) & William Hewitt (left/north). Photograph: National Indigenous Television
Bondi Beach Terror Tributes
Australia Day In Sydney featured 2 tributes to the victims, responders & their families of the Bondi Beach massacre & Jewish genocide terrorism.
LIVE Concert
The Australian Jewish music festival group, SHIR, performing at the Australia Day LIVE Concert with Sarhit Michael singing the opening lines of Od Yavo Halom Aleinu (Peace Will Yet Come Upon Us). Photograph: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The LIVE Concert tribute saw a sing-along, led by Sarhit Michael, Ilan Kidron & other members of the Jewish music festival group, SHIR, of the song Od Yavo Halom Aleinu (Peace Will Yet Come Upon Us). Translations from Hebrew to English were provided on the screens at the event but not for the broadcast, which was a significant oversight by broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge & vessels were illuminated blue while the NSW Public Schools Choir/ticketed spectators’ wristbands were teal coloured. The tall ship, James Craig & the general Circular Quay light show remained white throughout. The stage featured wavy blue animations followed by glittering shining beams of spotlights.
The Australian Jewish music festival group, SHIR, performing Od Yavo Halom Aleinu(Peace Will Yet Come Upon Us) at the Australia Day LIVE Concert with Sarhit Michael (2nd from right) & Ilan Kidron (left). Photograph: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Sydney Opera House’s western sails with a projection of the Bondi Pavilion menorah & floral tribute on it. Photograph: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Sydney Opera House’s western sails with a projection of the Bondi Pavilion floral tribute on it. Photograph: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Jewish music festival group, SHIR, performs Od Yavo Halom Aleinu (Peace Will Yet Come Upon Us) at the Australia Day LIVE Concert. Photograph: Toby Zerna/Destination NSW
Accompanied by projections on the Sydney Opera House’s western sails of images of the menorah and floral tribute placed outside the Bondi Pavilion as well as the lifeguard coastal tribute & mass swim out tribute on & off Bondi Beach, the song then transitioned into I Am Australian, which Olivia Coe Fox & Cody Simpson joined in with a special appearance by the song’s original main singer & guitarist, Bruce Woodley.
Sydney Opera House’s western sails with a projection of the coastal beach lifeguard tribute on it. Photograph: Australian Broadcasting CorporationSydney Opera House’s western sails with a projection of the mass swim out tribute off Bondi Beach with the tall ship, James Craig & a blue illuminated Sydney Harbour Bridge and vessels to the centre-left. Photograph: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Bruce Woodley (front with guitar), Cody Simpson (front, 3rd from left), Olivia Coe Fox (front, 2nd from left) & Australian Jewish music festival group, SHIR (front & rear), perform I Am Australian. Photograph: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The stage then featured images of the Australian National Flag, of which colours the Sydney Harbour Bridge & vessels then changed into as the NSW Public Schools Choir/ticketed spectators’ wristbands turned white.
The tribute concluded with fireworks from a barge & pontoons in Circular Quay including a ground firework representation of a love heart.
From a barge, ground pyrotechnics fired in order to form a love heart over Circular Quay. Photograph: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Just like with the drone shows, both songs were accompanied by the NSWPublic Schools Choir & the Australian Pops Orchestra.
Ferrython Fun Race
Representatives from more than 30 organisations that showed the best of Australian resilience & mateship during & after the Bondi Beach massacre & Jewish genocide terrorism took pride of place on the 4 competing ferries including:
Surf Life Saving NSW
Waverley Council
NSW Health
Lifeline
Australian Red Cross
Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network
NSW Reconstruction Authority
Multicultural NSW
Jewish Care
Jewish House
Hatzolah Sydney
Rabbinical Council
Legal Aid NSW
‘Ferrython Fun Race’ Start Photograph: Destination NSW
Also, there was Australian Defence Force representatives from all 3 branches & their cadets. This was in addition to the already-announced Defence Department members being onboard.
Australia Day is about celebrating what makes us unique, our Australian spirit & shared values as well as the strength, diversity & generosity of our people.
The New South Wales Government is proud to recognise the organisations & people, across frontline & support roles alike, who have shown the best of Australian humanity during 1 of the city’s darkest times, through one of Australia Day’s most beloved events.
Acknowledging these special people is a small but meaningful gesture that I’m sure will resonate deeply with many across our community.
The Ferrython embodies the best of community spirit, bringing together families, friends & visitors in celebration of our national day.
All times are Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)
The new Sydney Fish Market‘s roof will illuminate green & gold tonight from sunset (8:17pm) until sunrise (6:10am) on Australia Day. It will not be illuminated after sunset on Australia Day.
The new Market’s roof comes with a programmable light display so whilst this is the 1st special illumination, it certainly won’t be the last & the wait until the next one shouldn’t be long.
The Market will also host in their new Civic Plaza a Welcome To Country by Uncle Lloyd Webber at 11:45am on the 26th followed by a yidaki performance by Ralph Hatzi. Then, at 12pm, there will be face painting for children, live music, roving performers & oyster shucking demonstrations until 5pm.
The live music & roving performers will also be held today, the 25th, at the same time but finishing at 3pm instead.
The new Sydney Fish Market, which opened its doors for the 1st time on the 19th, is on the shores of Sydney Harbour’s Blackwattle Bay at 1 Bridge Rd, Glebe. To get there, you can catch the light rail from Central or Dulwich Hill to Wentworth Park (400 metre walk) or a bus from Parramatta or Bondi Junction to Harris Street (550 metre walk). There is also a dedicated taxi & ride share drop-off & pick-up area outside as well as basement car parking, which, due to it being a special event long weekend, is expected to have a flat cashless $15 fee (definitely 5pm-10pm) except for mobility permit holders (1st 2 hours only), taxis & emergency services. There is NO FERRY access.
Expanded Mega Kidz Zone back in Harbourfest With Fun In The Sun & New Lego Zone
After initially reporting it was excluded, an expanded Mega Kidz Zone is back as being included in Harbourfest between 11am & 3pm. Held in the Overseas Passenger Terminal south to the Museum Of Contemporary Art, this is mainly an interactive arcade for kids in the Arrivals Hall featuring the Wipe Out Challenge, ninja-inflatable obstacle course, classic arcade games & a new Lego Zone. Outside, there will be roaming street performers & in the Undercroft Food Court, there will also be wheelchair basketball & a disc jockey.
Mega Kidz Zone Photograph: Australia Day In Sydney/Salty Dingo
On the lawn in front of the Museum Of Contemporary Art is Fun In The Sun – included in the Mega Kidz Zone for the 1st time ever after being held as a separate event since 2023.
Hosted by Surf Life Saving New South Wales (NSW) volunteer surf life savers, Fun In The Sun teaches kids how to stay safe in the water with games, colouring-in & free sunscreen. An important activation especially as Australia Day In Sydney is already affected by a shark attack within Sydney Harbour killing a 12-year-old boy (see below).
‘Fun In The Sun’ Photograph: ‘Australia Day In Sydney’
Look, you know, we really look forward to Australia Day like all the community does & how iconic to have Australia’s most iconic organisation – the red & yellow Surf Life Saving – there celebrating Australia Day & we’ve done that year-on-year in, in here with the activation so, you know, we’re going to be over at Circular Quay with all our lifesavers. The red & yellow flags will be flying over there. We’re inviting people to come over onto the grass. Come & talk to a lifesaver. Free sunscreen will be handed out & obviously, you know, we will be talking all about lifesaving & water safety this summer.
Lifesavers are really looking forward to it. We love the appreciation & support of everyone but importantly, it’s just a great platform for us to promote water safety here along the, uh, New South Wales beaches.
We love Australia Day. We love the festivities & we just love celebrating everything about Australia.
Steve Pearce, Surf Life Saving NSW Chief Executive Officer
Salute Begins At 11:30am
Harbourfest‘s Salute will now begin at 11:30am when His Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Canberra, a landing helicopter dock naval ship, arrives to float in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on the eastern side. It is the 1st time HMAS Canberra has featured in the Salute since 2020.
Centred in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on the eastern side, the Salute weaves together cultural & ceremonial traditions in a tribute to Australia including, from 11:55am, a smoking ceremony from the vessel, Wirwai, the Navy Helicopter Flag Display (departing from Middle Head) & a 21-gun salute from Bradfield Park. After which, the National Anthem, Advance Australia Fair, will be played concluding at 12pm with a F35-A Lightning II stealth strike fighter jet aircraft flypast & handling display.
A landing helicopter dock naval ship (HMAS Adelaide) features in the ‘Salute To Australia’ in 2016, now called ‘Salute’ & part of ‘Harbourfest’. Photograph: Gareth Christian
The route & estimated times of the whole Navy Helicopter Flag Display are below:
11:56am – North Head
12:03pm – Barrenjoey Head
12:11pm – North Head
12:14pm – Sydney Harbour Bridge/Goat Island
12:16pm – South Head
12:17pm – Bondi Beach
12:18pm – Coogee/Maroubra Beach
12:19pm – Cape Banks/Kamay Botany Bay National Park
12:21pm – Cronulla Beach/Royal National Park
12:33pm – Wollongong
12:38pm – Shellharbour
12:43pm – Kiama
12:50pm – Comerong Island
The Salute will end at 1pm with a sing-along of the National Anthem, Advance Australia Fair & the Navy Helicopter Flag Display landing in Nowra.
HarbourSplash Cancelled
After the shark attack in Rose Bay on the 18th of January, the Harbour Splash swim was cancelled the next day. The shark attack, yesterday, become a fatality. The event, which would have begun at 8am on Australia Day, features swims around Sydney Harbour of up to 5 kilometres in length beginning & ending in Rose Bay with loops up to Hermit Bay. The shark attack occurred in Vaucluse Bay 700 metres further to the north. A statement from the 19th on the cancellation is below:
Following the tragic incident in the Harbour off Vaucluse on Sunday the 18th of January, the Organising Committee for the Sydney Harbour Splash has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2026 event taking place next week on Monday the 26th of January.
This decision has been made following extensive consultation with New South Wales Police & experienced, senior Harbour and waterways personnel as well as our event partners. This cancellation is made out of deep respect for the young boy who was tragically attacked yesterday & for his family and friends. Our thoughts & prayers are with them during this difficult time.
The Sydney Harbour Splash is a valued community event & we respect the Sydney and eastern suburbs community. We also acknowledge & thank the many 1st responders and waterways personnel who protect & patrol our Harbour.
We’ll be in touch with registered participants via e-mail with the next steps.
On behalf of the entire Sydney Harbour Splash family, we thank you for your continued support.
All times are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)
The Australia Day LIVE Concert is going to feature a tribute to the families affected by the Bondi Beach massacre & Jewish genocide terrorism on December 14.
The tribute will be done by Sydney Jewish music festival group, SHIR, which means ‘song’ in Hebrew.
The announcement comes as the New South Wales (NSW) Government emphasised all their agencies are supporting all Sydney events that day & all agencies are focused on safety.
Meanwhile, the Australia Day LIVE Concert line-up has been revealed (All are musicians except where stated):
Cody Simpson
Kate Ceberano
William Barton
Jude York
Rrawun Maymuru
Cianna Walker
DJ Ha
Diego Torre
Victor Valdes
The Fabulous Caprettos
Jael & The Wena Family
Burn The Floor (dancers)
Doonooch dancers
Olivia Coe Fox will also sing the National Anthem, Advance Australia Fair, as well as provide backing vocals for the Yothu Yindi songs, Treaty & Djäpana. Yothu Yindi has not been announced as part of the line-up with their songs likely to be covered by another artist in the line-up.
The Australia Day LIVE Concert will also feature an “aerial show” over Circular Quay. Whilst history states this should involve planes, kites or parachuters, there is a possibility something will debut at the Concert, as stated at the end of this article.
Held from 7:30pm-9:30pm, the Australia Day LIVE Concert will be broadcast on Australian Broadcasting Corporation Television (TV) & iView.
Dawn Reflection
Sydney Opera House
Dawn Reflection sees the western Sydney Opera House sails illuminated with an Indigenous artwork for 20 minutes from 5:20am.
The artist for Dawn Reflection in 2026 is Garry Purchase, a proud Indigenous man descended from the Dharawal, Bidjigal and Dhungutti peoples & hailing from the renowned Timbery family. Painting from lived experience & contemporary social issues, his work is a modern interpretation of traditional Indigenous art, pushing boundaries to tell stories that are honest, sometimes confronting & deeply connected to identity, resilience and community.
This year, we’re honoured to have artwork of Garry Purchase who is a Dhungutti, Bidjigal man that is showcast, showcasing his artwork & it’s a complete honour for him but it’s also a complete honour for us that representation from 1st light, uh, in the skies to a 1st projection onto the Sails from a First Nations person & what it shows that where Australia Day begins here, uh, in this city, across the whole of the country, it begins in such a way with that reflection of First Nations people coming together with all of us.
Yvonne Weldon, Australia Day Council Of NSW Chair
As the projection fades into the sunrise, head to either Barangaroo Reserve to get a spot for 7:30am’s WugulOra Morning Ceremony or you could continue the Dawn Reflection by heading to…
Bondi Beach
For the 1st time in 2 years, Dawn Reflection at Bondi Beach is also included in the Sydney program. Held at 5:30am for an hour on the sand in front of the Bondi Pavilion, it will feature:
La Perouse Elder, Aunty Lola Ryan, conducting a Welcome To Country & also reflecting in her own words what January 26 means to her,
The Gamay Dancers with traditional dance from the local area & a smoking ceremony,
Josh Sly playing the didgeridoo &
The Dhinawan Yarn dancers
Dawn Reflection at Bondi Beach Photograph: Waverly Council
Other News
Firstly, the WugulOra Morning Ceremony will be simulcast on National Indigenous TV & the Special Broadcasting Service from 7:30am.
The hour-long ceremony involves a smoking ceremony, Indigenous artistic performances, speeches & the National Anthem sung by Olivia Coe Fox in both Gadigal and English.
I’m very excited for January 26th so in the morning, I’ll be starting off at WugulOra at the Morning Ceremony where I’ll be leading the National Anthem in both Gadigal and English & then in the evening, I’ll be on the Opera House Forecourt at the Australia Day LIVE Concert also singing the National Anthem as well as backing vocals for Treaty & Djäpana which I’m really excited for.
On such a day like January 26th, it’s so important that our voices are seen and heard and valued & I’m really grateful to be partaking in such massive events where you know a lot of eyes are going to be on both WugulOra & the Concert. It’s a great opportunity to be a part of & to be with such amazing artists and you know, some of the biggest names in Australia so I’m really grateful that I get to not only be there but to sing in language. You know, that’s very important to me & I’m very excited for it.
Olivia Coe Fox
Also, the 10 Kilometre (10K) Wheelchair Race has been renamed to 10K: The Great Australian Wheelchair Race while the Parade has been renamed to Boat Parade.
Lastly, Indigenous advisors have been involved in guiding the overall Australia Day In Sydney program.
There’s a lot of planning that goes in, in behind the scenes & uh, the team are amazing and you know, we start planning the, the seeds of, I guess, you know, reflection and celebration and respect, you know, the, the moment we finish the last one-sort of thing and so it is about, you know, really working with the community and, and, and our multiculturalism to sort of, I guess, uh, uncover the new talent as well that’s coming out which is really beautiful to see.
I think with the, the, the, the evening Concert is about that connection of lullaby to Country and uh, you know, the ancestors, you know, bringing that energy here collectively, uh, between different nations of, um, of, um, you know, First Nations people from around Australia & also how that integrates, uh, you know, sorta seamlessly with the, the other performances & you know, we got the wonderful Kate Ceberano and everyone & so you know, it’s going to be, uh, uh, uh, a powerhouse performance.
William Barton, ‘Australia Day In Sydney’ Co-Creative Director
Australia means lots of things to different people. It is in this land that we share with hundreds of different traditions, nations, religions & practices, yet it is in the sharing of who we are & who we need to be – together.
Our coming together on Australia Day can & will bring all of our diversity together because that’s where kindness is, us. We don’t always agree but we can & need to be kinder to one another, to commemorate, to reflect, to respect & to honour who we are in Australia where everyone is included.
The 26th of January starts, uh, with the Dawn projection, um, you know, beautiful city & even more beautiful artwork on the sails of our Opera House. Uh, from there, we have an early morning, uh, event at Barangaroo called Wug, WugulOra. It’s been happening for a couple of decades now & it certainly shows and showcase, um, the First Nations practices and traditions and all of us coming together, um, celebrating our survival and certainly reflecting about this whole country, whose in here in this country and how we walk together…& later in the evening when we have the Australia Day LIVE Concert, there are Aboriginal artists that are participating in that & also co-directing it with, uh, sensitivity but also with inclusion from a First Nations perspective for the whole of the nation perspective.
We can make a positive difference if we actually start to walk together & we can do that starting, um, on the 26th of January to make sure that we honour and we are reflecting and being respectful in that reflection but also celebrating the survival of the world’s oldest continuous living culture.
Yvonne Weldon, Australia Day Council Of NSW Chair
Australia Day 2026, friends, is going to be the biggest yet as New South Wales proudly hosts the nation’s largest Australia Day celebration. From suntri, from sunrise to when after the sun sets, Sydney Harbour will host events that celebrate the Australian spirit, honour our First Nations history & showcase, showcase our vibrant multicultural communities.
Australia Day 2026 gives us the chance to come together again with care, respect & unity to reflect on who we are and what we stand for and recognise what makes our country so wonderful. Australia Day is about what unites us, our shared values, our diversity & the mateship that defines us as, as Australians.
We saw that spirit at its strongest at the end of last year when communities came together in solidarity following the tragic events at Bondi.
This year, the Australia Day LIVE Concert will include a special tribute featuring Sydney band, S-S-H-I-R, as, w, which, which is part of the Australian Jewish, uh, music festival group, uhm, (exhales) who, who performed a moving, uh, rendition of I Am Australian at the Bondi vigil.
An all-star Australian line, line-up will perform including Cody Simpson, Kate Ceberano, Olivia Coe Fox, William Barton & many, many more. The Concert will feature a wonderful fireworks display & a & a spectacular aerial show.
No city delivers big, bold, bold & unmissable events like Sydney. Whether you’re firing up at the barb, firing up the barbecue with friends & family, heading to the beach or joining 1 of our iconic Harbour events, there’s something, there’s something for everyone…& with a day filled with free events for all ages, I encourage everyone to get involved & make the most of Austra, Australia Day 2026 so however you choose to celebrate, enjoy your day & have a sensational Australia Day.
Steve Kamper, NSW Multiculturalism, Tourism & Jobs Minister
A Teaser?
Earlier, we speculated about the aerial show at the Australia Day LIVE Concert. The media release also mentions this:
More exciting additions to the Australia Day program are coming soon.
‘Sydney To Host The Country’s Biggest Events As ‘Australia Day’ 2026 Program Is Unveiled’ Media Release
While at the media launch, Australia Day In Sydney Co-Creative Director, William Barton, also said:
There will be, uh, you know, some special surprises that, uh, haven’t, uh, been seen before during, uh, Australia Day LIVE at the Opera House as well as for the WugulOra as well.
William Barton, ‘Australia Day In Sydney’ Co-Creative Director
So standby.
Interesting it will appear during the daytime too…
Vivid Sydney 2025 – Dream has won 16 International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA)Gold Pinnacle Awards outright.
The Pinnacle Awards, presented across 64 categories, recognise the outstanding accomplishments of events from around the world, with it regarded as the gold standard of achievement for the global events industry.
We’re proud to celebrate this major milestone with our 30th year of the Pinnacle Awards.
These awards showcase the incredible innovation, passion & dedication of festival and event professionals around the world.
The Pinnacle Awards not only set the standard for excellence in our industry – They help elevate & inspire new ideas and best practices across all budgets and locations.
Steven Wood Schmader, IFEA President & Chief Executive Officer
Winners were announced in Palm Springs, California, United States Of America on the 22nd of September 2025 at the 70th annual IFEA Convention & Expo. Vivid Sydney 2025 – Dream won outright the following categories:
Best Overall Entertainment Program
Best Overall Sponsorship Program
Best Sponsor Activation (Samsung – Space To Dream)
Best Installation/Wrap
Best Street Banner
Best Accessibility Program
Best Emergency Preparedness & Risk Management Plan
While most of their wins are related to marketing, notable is their wins of ‘Best Overall Entertainment Program’ & ‘Best Emergency Preparedness and Risk Management Plan’.
Vivid Sydney 2025 – Dream also won silver for the following awards:
Grand Pinnacle
Best Volunteer Program
Best Multimedia Component
Best Promotional Poster
Best Event/Organisation E-Newsletter
They also tied in silver for Best Video Promotion.
Lastly, Vivid Sydney 2025 – Dream won bronze for Best Event (Within An Existing Festival) (Hollywood Dreaming).
Brett Sheehy has been appointed to be the director of Vivid Sydney 2026-28.
In the past, he has led the Melbourne Theatre Company as well as the Melbourne & Sydney Festivals, the latter notably in coordination with Sydney New Year’s Eve (NYE) during its 2003/2004 & 2004/2005 editions, where art walk, City Of Light & Bridge Effect, Fanfare, played a role in both events.
City Of Light could be seen as an early miniature version of Vivid Light, 5 years before it was created, with the Sydney NYE creative director at the time being Leo Schofield, who was Brett Sheehy’s predecessor at the Sydney Festival.
In 2012, Brett was appointed as an Officer Of The Order Of Australia for distinguished service to the performing and visual arts & international artistic exchange and mentoring.
2 years ago, he was appointed to reset the Adelaide Festival, where in just 8 months he reversed a 7-figure deficit & delivered both critical acclaim and a strong surplus.
It is an absolute thrill to be appointed to this role & contribute to Australia’s largest and one of the world’s most attended festivals.
Sydney has remained my chosen home-base since the 1980s & my love for this city has never faded. When Vivid Sydney appeared on the nation’s festivals calendar 16 years ago, I coveted the possibility of 1 day being its director & I could not be happier that day has now come.
Vivid Sydney uses the greatest natural canvas in the world to showcase a joyous celebration of light, art, ideas, music, performance & our stellar food culture.
This new era will build on Vivid Sydney’s extraordinary legacy & with our outstanding team, I’m confident we’ll deliver to Sydney, to Australia and the world, a suite of knockout festivals which will be the envy of every creative city on the planet.
Brett Sheehy, ‘Vivid Sydney’ 2026-28 Director
Vivid Sydney demonstrates how world-class events ignite our city, boost local businesses & drive growth across the entire New South Wales visitor economy. This festival doesn’t just light up our streets. It solidifies Sydney’s standing as a leading global cultural capital & a must-experience destination in the Asia-Pacific.
As we look ahead to 2026 & beyond, the appointment of Brett Sheehy AO as Festival Director ushers in an exciting new chapter for Australia’s favourite event.
The New South Wales Government looks forward to Brett building on the festival’s proud legacy & shaping a bold and inspiring future for Vivid Sydney.
Steve Kamper, NSW Tourism & Jobs Minister
Gill Minervini Leaves
Sydney Spectaculars thanks Gill Minervini for her work over the past 4 years which, whilst battling a pandemic & drone show over-popularity, has greatly improved the creative direction of Vivid Sydney through the introduction of overall themes.
Vivid Sydney 2025 – Dream had an attendance of 2.53 million visitors (110,000 per event day on average) with each Saturday averaging 200,000 people with Vivid Fire Kitchen welcoming 110,000 visitors overall (5000 per event day on average).
Destination NSW is delighted to welcome Brett Sheehy AO as the new Festival Director of Vivid Sydney. His creative vision & industry expertise will elevate Vivid Sydney’s position as one of the world’s most iconic major events.
We also extend our sincere thanks to outgoing Festival Director Gill Minervini for her passion, creativity & dedication over her past 4 years, which have been instrumental in shaping the festival’s success.
The 2026 edition of Airshows Downunder Shellharbour, held at Shellharbour Airport 1.5 hours south of Sydney, has been postponed by 2 months to in-between the 15th & 17th of May, with the event returning to be held annually while the event’s name has being rebranded as Wings Over Shellharbour, which seems to be a combination of the previous name & the original name of the event, Wings Over Illawarra.
It comes as Paul Bennet Airshows, one of the performing aerobatic teams from the flagship Sydney Spectacular, has been given the mantle to operate the public air show weekend portion of the event, after overall operator, the Aerospace, Maritime & Defence Australia (AMDA) Foundation Limited, decided to sub-license that portion in order so they can focus more on strategic initiatives supporting the broader Australian aviation sector, particularly through AMDA’s Careers By AMDA program, which will remain as Day 1 of the event, with a focus on growing engagement with the Shellharbour community.
The AMDA Foundation signed the operator licence agreement with Shellharbour City Council in March 2023 & will expire in 2033, meaning the agreement is now for 9 editions rather the previous 5 editions. Shellharbour City Council has approved the sub-license.
However, the change of the overall public airshow weekend operator comes after only 1 edition of it which AMDA ended up producing, which saw a dramatic drop in attendance, likely attributable to the event’s rebranding. Paul Bennet Airshows was approached before August about taking over as that portion’s operator.
AMDA Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Justin Giddings, said the decision to bring in a new operator was “incredibly hard” but said handing the reins of the public weekend over to Paul Bennet Airshows was “natural”:
As a new CEO, this was the thing that I got off the ground. It’s a big decision but ultimately Avalon Airshow is really big & it took a lot of our focus & having someone who is based here (Shellharbour) …it made perfect sense. We have already hit the ground running with some of our careers & skills program.
AMDA has always been committed to advancing Australia’s aviation & aerospace industries. We’re excited to support Wings Over Shellharbour through our Careers By AMDA initiative, helping inspire the next generation of aviation professionals. I think it’s a really good outcome for the region.
Justin Giddings, AMDA Foundation CEO
Despite what Justin Giddings said, Paul Bennett Airshows isn’t based in Shellharbour but in Maitland, 217 kilometres to the north. However, it is a lot closer than the AMDA Foundation were. They were nearly 700 kilometres to the southwest in the neighbouring state of Victoria. Shellharbour & Maitland are both in the state of New South Wales.
Paul Bennett Airshows is an Australian aerobatic show provider who provides well-known acts such as The Sky Aces & aircraft such as the Wolf Pitts Pro, Zivko Edge 540, Yakovlev Yak-52, Hawker Sea Fury, Grumman TBM Avenger, Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk and North American Aviation T28 Trojan and P-51 Mustang.
Jett & Paul Bennett walk away from their Wolf Pitts Pro at Shellharbour Airport Photograph: Illawarra Mercury/Adam McLean
Regarding the decision to return annually, Paul Bennet said:
I think because I’m mad. Our goal is to grow the industry in general & if you look at the V8 Supercars (touring car racing series), they don’t run every 2nd year, they run every year. I’ve always had a bit of a goal that I want to do a similar thing to what the V8 model is in a way but with airshows.
We’re absolutely thrilled to be continuing this incredible airshow. There’s nothing quite like seeing the joy & excitement it brings to the crowds.
It’s a big deal event. There’s a lot of people involved. It’s not just an instant thing.
Paul Bennet, ‘Paul Bennet Airshows’ Founder
This news is a boost to the local Illawarra tourism industry. However, the improvement won’t be felt until May 2027, when the return to annual airshows has officially happened.
Paul Bennet Airshows has already confirmed though that “plenty of blockbuster stunts & displays never before seen at Shellharbour” for the upcoming edition including Wings Over Shellharbour debuts for the De Havilland Vampire Jet, Cessna O-2 Skymaster & the world’s only flying F4U-1D Corsair.
Nevertheless, Shellharbour City Council Mayor, Chris Homer, said from what he had seen of Paul Bennet Airshows’ work, Wings Over Shellharbour would be “fabulous & fantastic”:
It seems to be a collaborative effort to get Paul Bennet off the ground once again, who is an expert not only in aviation but in putting on these events. I’m extremely pleased that in 2026 this is going to be a huge success. It was a great name before & as we can see, you have to have an evolution of things … seeing Shellharbour right there in the name, front & centre at our asset for such an exciting event. I’m ecstatic. It’s great.
Chris Homer, Shellharbour City Mayor
While catching the train is the best way to get to the event with a railway station less than 100 metres from the event gates, if you do end up driving, parking will cost AUD$5 – that’s half price on last edition! All parking charge proceeds will go to local community groups & all parking is off-site except for Platinum Pavilion ticket holders, buses, coaches & accredited disabled permit holders.
Wings Over Shellharbour will be held on 15-17 May 2026 at Shellharbour Airport with tickets on sale now here at early bird 2022 prices until the 31st of January!
All times are Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)
Australia Day LIVEConcert tickets will go on sale at 10am, the 14th of January 2026 here. They are free & are limited in stock but don’t worry if you miss out, you can still enjoy the event without a ticket from around Circular Quay on the night or through the visual broadcast provided by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation! The Australia Day LIVE Concert goes for 2 hours & features Australian musical acts & fireworks celebrating Australian identity, beginning at 7:30pm, following a 1-hour non-broadcasted pre-show. Meanwhile, here are some other updates on Australia Day In Sydney for the 2026 edition…
Harbourfest
Mega Kidz Zone is no longer a Harbourfest event but will still be held in the Overseas Passenger Terminal between 10:30am & 4pm.
Salute (11:55am-1pm)
‘Salute To Australia’ in 2016, now called ‘Salute’ & part of ‘Harbourfest’ Photograph: Gareth Christian
Centred in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Salute weaves together cultural & ceremonial traditions in a tribute to Australia including a smoking ceremony from the vessel, Wirwai & opening with a 21-gun salute from Bradfield Park.
Navy Helicopter Flag Display
After a 2-year absence, the Navy Helicopter Flag Display will return to doing a leg down and along the South Coast to Nowra.
The Navy Helicopter Flag Display sees a Royal Australian Navy helicopter tow a giant Australian flag. The route & estimated times are below:
11:55am – Middle Head take-off
11:56am – North Head
12:03pm – Barrenjoey Head
12:11pm – North Head
12:14pm – Sydney Harbour Bridge/Goat Island
12:16pm – South Head
12:17pm – Bondi Beach
12:18pm – Coogee/Maroubra Beach
12:19pm – Cape Banks/Kamay Botany Bay National Park
12:21pm – Cronulla Beach/Royal National Park
12:33pm – Wollongong
12:38pm – Shellharbour
12:43pm – Kiama
12:50pm – Comerong Island
1pm – Nowra landing
Other
The Salute will see His Majesty’s Australian Ship Canberra returning for the 1st time since 2020 & at 12pm, a F35-A Lightning II stealth strike fighter jet aircraft returns for the 1st time since 2023 to do a flypast and handling display.
The Salute will end with a sing-along of the National Anthem, Advance Australia Fair. The National Anthem will also be played following the 21-gun salute.
Ferrython Fun
The Ferrython Race & Maritime Mayhem, while still being 2 distinct events, will be combined under a new umbrella term, Ferrython Fun, this year. It begins at 12:10pm and lasts until 12:30pm.
Race
Australia Day In Sydney: Ferrython Photograph: Australia Day In Sydney
The race sees 4 of Sydney’s Emerald Class ferries racing each other from in 2 laps in-between the Sydney Harbour Bridge & Fort Denison.
This year, the competing ferries will be carrying members of the Department Of Defence.
Maritime Mayhem
Beginning at 12:15pm, Maritime Mayhem sees tugboats pulling off stunts within Circular Quay as for the 1st time ever as part of the event, jet boats also carve up those waters.
Parade
The Parade will start 15 minutes later than usual this year at 1pm. It will run the same duration so it will finish at 2:15pm, 15 minutes than usual though. If you want to be part of the Parade, you can register here by 3pm, 21 January.
The Parade, which begins in front of Mary Booth Lookout, sees vessels dressed to impress judges in a display of national spirit. The Parade goes west to turn around in front of Goat Island before heading back east past the Sydney Harbour Bridge & Opera House to finish in Athol Bay.
Australia Day EveOpen Air Cinema
Australia Day Eve Open Air Cinema 2026 image Image: Northern Beaches Council
The Australia Day EveOpen Air Cinema film this year is Kangaroo. Rated PG (Parental Guidance Recommended – Mild Themes, Violence & Coarse Language) & inspired by the true story of The Kangaroo Sanctuary, it is about a former television star, Chris Masterman, stranded outside Alice Springs (Mparntwe), who teams up with a 12-year-old Indigenous Australian girl, Charlie, to rescue orphaned joeys.
This 2-hour event is held at 6:30pm on the 25th of January in Rat Park, Warriewood. Gates open at 5:30pm with the following food trucks on site:
All times below are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)
They didn’t make “the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs” this year…
The last competing boat in the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race 2025, Millennium Falcon, a Sparkman & Stephens 39, finished at 10:22:42am on January the 1st (New Year’s Day) in 93rd position on line honours bringing the 80th edition of The Great Race South to a close.
Prime Example Penalised 1 Hour
Prime Example Photograph: Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race
Meanwhile, Prime Example has been penalised 1 hour by the International Jury.
A boat shall not receive help from any outside source, except (a) help for a crew member who is ill, injured or in danger; (b) after a collision, help from the crew of the other vessel to get clear; (c) help in the form of information freely available to all boats; (d) unsolicited information from a disinterested source, which may be another boat in the same race.
Racing Rule Of Sailing (RRS) 41
Crew intending to continue to race may go ashore solely for the purpose of making fast & thereafter shall immediately reembark. No outside assistance shall be accepted by the boat or the crew other than as permitted in RRS 41.
Sailing Instruction (SI) 16.3
At 11am on New Year’s Eve, the Race Committee brought forward a protest against Prime Example, who finished 66th on line honours,to the International Jury, who heard it 15 minutes later. The skipper of the yacht, Rob Fisher, attended the hearing via phone while the Race Committee didn’t attend at all.
At 12:10pm, the International Jury announced they had decided to add a discretionary elapsed time penalty of 1 hour to Prime Example‘s elapsed time. In assessing the penalty, the Jury accepted that there were no performance gains but that a proportionate rule breach penalty will also be applied. This assessment was done after deciding to apply a discretionary elapsed time penalty instead of a disqualification or discretionary scoring to the yacht as they were satisfied that Prime Example did not deliberately break the rules.
During the race, Prime Example temporarily suspended racing to make electrical repairs. While making the electrical repairs, they misunderstood that breaking RRS 41 or SI 16.3 as only occurring if someone from off Prime Example came onboard & helped them rectify their problem. As a result, they received & used a replacement multi-meter from off the yacht as a 2nd confirmation that their issue was rectified. Prime Example self-declared the circumstances in its declaration post-race, which prompted the Race Committee’s protest that the International Jury heard & upheld.
Prime Example, a Davidson 52, was therefore penalised 1 hour, swapping places with Flying Fish Arctos, a McIntyre 55 & one of the yachts that befell tragedy last edition, on line honours to be the 67th yacht officially across the finish line.
‘Flying Fish Arctos’ Photograph: ‘Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race’
Prime Example initially ‘finished’ at 4:22:26pm on the 30th of December while Flying Fish Arctos finished the same day at 4:57:14 pm. Prime Example has now ‘finished’ at 5:22:26pm. Both yachts raced at a speed of about 11.7 kilometres per hour (km/h) (6.3 knots).
Flying Fish Arctos doesn’t focus on results & was skippered by Drew Hulton-Smith and navigated by Timo Kairi. Their 10-person crew included Mathew Ackroyd, Jenny O’Donoghue, Sarah Jane Pell, Paul Harvell, Heidi King, Tristan Kusel, Ben Lam, Kam Foo Loke, James O’Neill & Iain Wilcock.
Prime Example was skippered by Rob Fisher & navigated by Bruce Perry. Their 10-person crew included John Davis, Ian Campbell, Ramandeep Kaur, Danny Johnson, Jenna Cook, Brandon Fisher, Morgan Prince, William Davison, Grant Skingle & Charlie Webb.
“Nearly” a million people are estimated to have crowded Sydney Harbour for Sydney New Year’s Eve (NYE) 2025.
After reaching a peak of 2 million for Sydney NYE2013 – Shine, this was the smallest crowd since Sydney NYE2003 – City Of Light, when the attendance was 750,000. That is excluding the pandemic-affected editions of NYE2021 – See Sydney Shine (100,000 people) or NYE2020 (barely anyone).
Crowd numbers have been holding at around 1.1 million since Sydney NYE2014 – Inspire. No doubt the drop in attendance this year was due to the December 14 Bondi Beach massacre & Jewish genocide terrorism.
CBD Doesn’t Reach Capacity
Another sign on how the December 14 Bondi Beach massacre & Jewish genocide terrorism affected the event was how the Central Business District (CBD) was never declared as at capacity.
For NYE2024, the CBD was declared as at capacity at 5pm. However, for NYE2025, such a declaration was never made. Darling Harbour, which holds a separate NYE event, was never declared as at capacity while Circular Quay was slower filling than normal with the last Circular Quay vantage point, Dawes Point (Tar-Ra) Park, underneath the south-eastern Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon, reaching capacity at 11:06pm.
Compare this to North Sydney (excluding Blues Point, which was paid ticketed), which for the 2nd year in a row reached capacity before the CBD, filling up at 5:26pm, 58 minutes later than for NYE2024.
Also, despite being near a new firing location for the Midnight Fireworks at White Bay Container Terminal, Giba Park took longer to reach capacity than the year prior. For NYE2024, it filled at 9:11pm while for NYE2025, it filled at 20 minutes to Midnight.
It seems, whilst “nearly” everyone still attended, they were watching from as good a view as they can get from anywhere but the CBD.
Security
This section is regardless of if you attended official ‘Sydney NYE’ events or not in Sydney. It applied to all NYE celebrations in Sydney.
The long-arms were there to “provide a sense of security to crowds” & were with Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, Police Transport Command, the Public Order and Riot Squad, Operations Support Group, Licensing Police, Mounted and Dog Command, Marine Area Command & PolAir.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner, Peter McKenna, said the majority of people were well-behaved & followed the directions of authorities:
Sydney welcomed in 2026 with iconic fireworks & we saw people come together after a heartbreaking month. Most revellers enjoyed a safe & trouble-free night.
Unfortunately, Police were kept busy by a handful of people doing the wrong thing, particularly a number of illegal fireworks being set off, resulting in several injuries.
The top priority of our operation was the safety of the community & thousands of officers were out in force to ensure people enjoyed their nights and got home without incident.
Peter McKenna, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner
Across the Sydney metropolitan area (which extends from the coast to the Blue Mountains in the west & from the Hawkesbury River in the north to Sutherland and Wollondilly Shires in the south, more than 38 arrests were made including more than 9 in the Sydney CBD and foreshore areas for various offences including affray, offensive manner in/near public place/school & assault including of Police.
Also, about 7pm, following reports of an unauthorised public assembly, officers from Inner West Police Area Command were called to a bridge on Parramatta Road, Camperdown. Under the Public Assembly Restriction Declaration currently in place, 10 people were issued with move on directions, which they complied with.
Lastly, at about 9:30pm, following reports a large crowd were setting off fireworks, emergency services were called to Bright Park, Guildford. A man was treated by paramedics at the scene while a 12-year-old & 14-year-old girl were treated for non-life-threatening injuries before they were taken to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Investigations continue into 4 people who were arrested for allegedly throwing fireworks. This offence can carry an AUD$7500 fine.
Event Crew Statistics
Working on the event were 2,100 accredited personnel, 270 volunteers. Working on the Midnight Fireworks & Calling Country were 100 creatives.
During the event & after it finished at 2am, nearly 100 City Of Sydney staff cleaned City streets & parks with hundreds of extra bins & nearly 40 vehicles used.
Television (TV) Ratings
In Australia, the TV ratings mostly grew on last year especially the opening 13 minutes (average +24%), which may have increased due to the later start time. However, that portion’s peak also significantly declined (peak -12%). The 8:55pm-9:08pm segment also declined but it wasn’t significant (average -0.1%, peak -0.4%). All the NYE2025 Australian TV ratings were as followed:
Time slot/program – average (peak)
8:42pm* to 8:55pm – 791,000 (1,035,000)
8:55pm to 9:08pm – 1,196,000 (1,549,000)
9:08pm to 11:45pm – 1,057,000 (3,438,000)
11:45pm to 11:59pm – 1,742,000 (2,379,000)
Midnight Fireworks – 2,015,000 (2,444,000)
12:12am-12:16am* – 233,000 (461,000)
*NYE2024 was 8:31pm & 12:17am respectively.
Melanie C performing at the Concert Photograph: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
The ABC is proud to partner with the City Of Sydney to bring the iconic Sydney fireworks & our New Year’s Eve concert to audiences across Australia & around the world on ABC TV, ABC iView, ABC Australia, ABC Radio & our digital and social platforms.
My sincere thanks to everyone involved, particularly our dedicated ABC team, for their tireless work on this special event. Wishing everyone a happy & safe new year.
Kath Earle, ABC’s Arts, Music & Events Head
Things You May Have Missed
In a major expansion of the Sydney Harbour Bridge light show, the western upper arch featured for the 1st time on NYE, hosting 3 sets of spotlight beams for the 1st time.
During the Moment Of Unity, a spotlight beam shone directly up from the top of the eastern side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
2 pyrotechnic drones featured on the western side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the 1st time ever & were located in-between the western pyrotechnic pontoon & the near west pyrotechnic barge. These drones were launched from Pier 2 of Walsh Bay. For the 1st time ever, the eastern drones though were launched from a special barge unlike last year where the drones were launched from the Royal Botanic Gardens.
At 9:39pm-9:40pm & 9:48pm-9:49pm, the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projections featured a 60th birthday tribute to Australian preschool learning TV program, Play School. Beginning with a fly-through of the iconic windows, it reveals the Rocket Clock lifting off before going through a series of images of the show’s toys doing human things. It concluded with Humpty falling causing a puff of confetti, only for Humpty to cheekily reappear showing he actually survived the fall. This was likely to be announced on December 31. However, due to the December 14 Bondi Beach massacre & Jewish genocide terrorism, was dispensed with in favour of the City Of Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, focusing on the night’s Moment Of Unity, where she revealed a bell being rung 6 times would form part of the soundtrack.
At Midnight, the western Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons were used for pyrotechnics for the 1st time ever. The eastern pylons were not used.
For the 1st time ever, ‘horizontal’ fireworks (introduced in Sydney NYE2008 – Creation: Midnight Fireworks – The Creation Storm) were fired off the centre eastern hangars of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
It had the shortest & smallest barge/pontoon finale ever – a quick burst right before the lower arch waterfall dropped, which began the longest closing sequence on the Sydney Harbour Bridge since Sydney NYE2005 – Heart Of The Harbour, with the 1st minute & 40 seconds involving occasional firings from the barges as well! This was all shaped by Jono Ma’s brilliant soundtrack.
New Year’s Eve is about more than just fireworks & once again we showed the best of Sydney. It was a true reflection of who we are – a diverse, inclusive & creative city.
I was truly impressed by the phenomenal New Year’s Eve show that brought together fireworks, music, lights & pylon projections into a show Sydney will be proud of.
In a show of support for the Jewish community, we respectfully marked the horrific attack in Bondi that has brought so much sorrow to Sydney over the last few weeks.
I was moved to see people right across the Harbour embrace the Moment Of Unity, showing the world we will not let this hateful act of terror divide us. We are a respectful, inclusive and welcoming city & a home to so many people of different nationalities and faiths. Sydney demonstrated to the world that we stand together as 1 community.
I’d like to thank our amazing events crew, the thousands of emergency service men & women, security & transport staff, volunteers as well as our clean up teams who gave up their night to allow us to enjoy the celebrations safely.
I hope New Year’s Eve gave people the chance to end 2025 on a positive note & I wish everyone in Sydney a peaceful, safe and prosperous start to 2026.
Clover Moore, City Of Sydney
Sydney Spectaculars Review
Fireworks
1 pyrotechnic drone on the western side didn’t take off.
Midnight
The entire eastern catwalk failed to fire (except some unintentional pyro during the lower arch waterfall), resulting in the ‘back-to-back’ waterfall not occurring. It was just a lower arch waterfall this edition in the end. Sydney NYE2025 Fireworks Director, Fortunato Foti, was right in saying it was “ambitious” as we’ll have to wait at least a year before another attempt. At least, we had some sort of waterfall this year!
ABC should show the south-east Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon ‘Happy New Year’ projection after the Midnight Fireworks conclude before heading back to the hosts. It rounds off the fireworks more nicely rather than trying to rush back to the hosts.
Calling Country
The far west pyrotechnic barge didn’t fire for the 1st minute while the near eastern pyrotechnic barge didn’t fire in the 1st 13 seconds.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
Whilst the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projections begun at sunset, the full-pylon main creative sequences began later than usual at 9:22pm, well after families may have left, following Calling Country. They appeared 21 times from then on until 2am (excluding the Midnight Fireworks sequence) with varying durations of up to 16 minutes long. The creative sequences still appeared during the ‘Welcome To Sydney’, event partner acknowledgement & production credits projections, which also occurred prior to 9:22pm. However, they weren’t the main focus those times & in the latter’s case, were only upper pylon. Whilst there was an intended 3-part narrative to the main creative sequences, it was hard to discern which segments were which as the 3 parts were mixed together rather than being distinct separate as well as progressing forward creatively as the night got closer to Midnight.
Those full-pylon main creative sequence projections were repeated during the Midnight Fireworks, though synchronised to the music that time. However, this repetition loses their uniqueness. The Midnight Fireworks needs a special sequence that is the debuting finale of the rest of the night’s projections. Had this been done for this edition, the finale would have been the ‘blooming’ of Gymea Lilies, Christmas Bells, Fringe Lilies & the Waratah, which then could have been repeated until 2am, when the projectors are turned off. A new year symbolised by the blooming of flowers. However, this symbolism was a missed opportunity.
Whilst the main creative sequence was said to be of native flora, real & re-imagined, “taking over” the Bridge pylons, it ended up being just projections of real & re-imagined native flora as the real & re-imagined native flora was never ‘growing’ along the pylon’s edges & arches etc. as it would have if they were really “taking over” the Bridge pylons.
Calling Country
Similarly, it was disappointing that, once again, the Calling Country Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projections were screened a 2nd time just before the Midnight Fireworks, thus losing their uniqueness for the 8:57pm-9:08pm show. It should have just been shown between 8:57pm & 9:08pm.
Also, the Calling Country projections need to be more focused on in the visual broadcast. The projections form the backbone of the segment’s narrative & need to be shown occasionally so the viewers can see the narrative unfold rather than just seeing fireworks & lights.
Though the latter issue is clearly a broadcaster rather than producer issue, hopefully these issues can be fixed for the next 3 editions of Calling Country, which may be conducted by a new Indigenous organisation, as We Are Warriors’ contract has come to an end.
Nevertheless, we congratulate We Are Warriors for their work on Calling Country, which has been the most creative part of Sydney New Year’s Eve during their tenure.
Welcome To Country/Lord Mayor’s Message
Once again, the Welcome To Country Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projections were meaningless without subtitles. However, subtitles were used for the Lord Mayor’s Message, which was screened immediately after & was specially made due to the Bondi Beach massacre & Jewish genocide terrorism. Whilst the 2 segments were produced separately (by We Are Warriors & ABC respectively), both should have subtitles to avoid looking like the City Of Sydney has double standards.
Concert
During his performance of his song, Brother, between 11:10pm & 11:14pm, Matt Corby completely forgot to sing the radio edit & so accidentally swore live to air, dropping the “f-bomb” 3 times – a ‘bombardment’ – bumping up that segment’s Australian TV classification for its New Year’s Day replay & iView coverage from ‘PG: Parental Guidance Recommended’ to ‘M: Recommended For Mature Audiences’ due to “moderate coarse language”.
The Concert also needs to finish when the countdown projections begin on the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons. It is very rushed trying to squeeze in a 10 second countdown in-between the last song & the fireworks. I mean, after the Midnight Fireworks, isn’t the countdown the main thing everyone looks forward to?
Moment Of Unity
The bellringer during the Moment Of Unity accidentally hit the bell 43 seconds into the 55 seconds of silence. It was faint & barely noticeable but if you listen carefully, it is there. The bell was rung during the 1st 4 seconds & the last second of what was to be a minute’s silence to signal to spectators, viewers & listeners when the silence was to start & end.
Smoking Ceremony
The Smoking Ceremony at 7:30pm ran behind schedule with the lead vessel, Tribal Warrior, not finishing a semi-circle of Circular Quay by 8:30pm, while it’s support vessels, Mari Nawi and Wirawi, stopping in the south-east corner & to the south-west of the centre of Circular Quay respectively after their entry into the Quay, which would have a been a disappointment for the crowds along East Circular Quay & the Sydney Opera House.
All times are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)
City Of Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, has announced that a bell rung 6 times will form the soundtrack of SydneyNew Year’s Eve 2025’s Moment Of Unity at 11pm AEDT.
Made in consultation with Australia’s Jewish community, at 11pm, for 1 minute, the Sydney Harbour Bridge & the Sydney Harbour Lights vessels will be lit white.
A bell will be rung 3 times signalling to spectators, viewers & listeners to shine a light (such as a torch – example: phone) & have a minute’s silence during this time. A menorah (Jewish candelabrum) will also be projected.
After the minute’s silence, the bell will be rung 3 times again as the words ‘PEACE’ & ‘UNITY’ will be projected onto the Bridge’s pylons.
To hear the bell being rung 6 times down on the Harbour, tune into Australian Broadcasting Corporation Local Radio Sydney (702AM) or watch the visual broadcast online here.
Sydney New Year’s Eve is more than fireworks. It’s a reflection of who we are – a vibrant, diverse & inclusive city. Those values are more important than ever.
We will begin the event by lighting the Bridge pylons with the word PEACE & at 11pm, I invite everyone to pause and shine a torch light, to show the Jewish community that we stand with them & that we reject violence, fear and antisemitism.
Following the minute silence, a projection of the peace dove & the words ‘PEACE’ & ‘UNITY’ will be shown on the pylons.
There are no words that can make this moment easier nor explain the evil we have seen.
These moments will provide an opportunity for people to show respect, to reflect on the atrocity & to say we will not let this hateful act of terror divide us.
Clover Moore, City Of Sydney Lord Mayor
Sydney New Year’s Eve 2025 will begin at 2pm on Wednesday the 31st of December 2025 with the Moment Of Unity being held at 11pm.
Sydney Spectaculars 
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