Sydney will light up in all its glory tonight with fireworks lighting the Harbour Bridge from shore to shore and pyrotechnics spanning 6 kilometres across the harbour.
As the New Year’s Eve capital of the world, tonight’s event will include a breathtaking display of fireworks, lighting, AI-generated imagery and pylon projections, as well as a celebration of the world’s oldest living culture.
More than 1,000 accredited personnel and around 250 volunteers are working behind the scenes to bring Sydney’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve display to life.
“Our New Year’s Eve team and pyrotechnic experts have been working on tonight’s event for the past 15 months, and it promises to be bigger and better than ever,” Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said.
“We’re expecting a million people around the foreshore tonight, so if you’re coming into the city, early via public transport, pack food and water, and wear good walking shoes. Check sydneynewyearseve.com to receive live updates.
“If you’re staying at home, tune in to our fantastic broadcasts on ABC TV and KIIS FM.
“Wherever you are, and however you celebrate, there’s no doubt that Sydney will be at its best tonight as we count down to the dawning of a new year.”
For the first time audiences will also get to hear bespoke soundtracks, created for each of the 9pm and midnight fireworks displays.
The 9pm Calling Country display will be set to an original soundtrack produced by Yuin artist, rapper and Triple J radio host Nooky and Aria Award winner and Grammy nominee Vincent Goodyer, better known as 18YOMAN. The anthemic hip hop track features elements of traditional First Nations audio weaved throughout.
The midnight display is set to an original score by composer THE SWEATS and was created to work as a choreographed ‘dance’ between fireworks, lighting and projections.
“The soundtrack draws on house and bass music influences, hyper-pop, drum and bass and old school electronica, in tandem with bombastic brass sections and lush choral moments,” THE SWEATS said.
“It took roughly two months to compose, record and produce the soundtrack which comprises three individual pieces titled NYE (Again), Tiny Sparks and One More Revolution, that slot together like a DJ mix to create a single, seamless 12-minute track.
“Pulling it together was quite the production that involved lead vocals by Royston Esq, 9 children yelling, 33 choristers singing, several backing vocalists, and various mixing and mastering engineers.
“Writing music for an event of this scale has been an incredible honour, and it’s a great privilege to share it with the world.”
Key Sydney New Year’s Eve event times:
- 7:30pm A smoking ceremony aboard the Tribal Warrior, Mari Nawi and Wirawi will cleanse the harbour of negative spirits in preparation for the new year.
- 8:30pm Sydney Harbour Bridge lighting effects begin. Specially created images, visuals and lighting effects will illuminate the Sydney Harbour Bridge and its Pylons.
- 8:50pm Bluey and Bingo showcase their ‘flossing’ and dancing skills on the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons.
- 8:57pm Welcome to Country features pylon projections that celebrate the past, present and future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- 9pm Calling Country fireworks (8 minutes) – a celebration of sky, land and sea country, presented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists through music, dance and illustration. Produced by We Are Warriors.
- 9:15pm Sydney Harbour Lights – tall ships, commercial craft and ferries adorned with coloured lights will create a visual spectacle around the harbour.
- 12am Midnight fireworks (12 minutes) – ring in the new year with fireworks and pyrotechnics on the harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and landmark buildings.
- 2am Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projections and lighting effects conclude.
There will also be a series of special tributes throughout the night for the City of Sydney’s New Year’s Eve charity partner for 2023, the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Breast Cancer Foundation. This will include a special ‘pink moment’ and accompanying projections on the bridge.
For those planning to stay at home, you can watch the ABC’s live broadcast from the Sydney Opera House on TV or online. ABC TV will broadcast live from Sydney Harbour at 8:30pm. The 9pm and midnight fireworks will also be live streamed on the official website and on ABC iview.
You can also listen to the exclusive soundtracks at 9pm and midnight on KIIS 1065.
For full event details visit
