New Years Eve in Sydney: New Years Eve in Sydney: A Program of Events

See below for a full list of events taking place on New Years Eve in Sydney 2011

6:00 PM Pre Show Entertainment

Aerial Show

New Years Eve begins! Witness theatre in the sky with spectacular aerial flyovers above Sydney Harbour to signal the start of Sydney New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The flyovers, performed by pilot Matt Hall, a former RAAF Fighter Combat (Top Gun) Instructor will commence at 6pm. At 7pm, the Ted Noffs fire tug will arrive and blast tonnes of water into the skies, creating its own dream rainbow in the setting sun, before Matt Hall flies back at 8pm to perform another flyover.

8:00 PM Acknowledgement of Country

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking Ceremony and Acknowledgement of Country

A smoking ceremony from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander vessels will cleanse the Harbour of negative spirits as images projected on the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons mark the start of the New Year countdown.

An Acknowledgement of Country on the Harbour will show our respect to the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, and at 8.45pm the custodians call up the first reveal of the Bridge Effect with a series of teaser fireworks.

9:00 PM 9pm Family Fireworks

Designed and choreographed specifically for children, these fireworks will delight and dazzle audiences as the night sky fills with colour. This eight-minute performance is accompanied by a music soundtrack which features chart hits from 2011 including songs by Rhianna, JLo, Wes Carr and Jessica Maubuoy that will entertain the whole family and provide an upbeat and fun atmosphere for this family show. These fireworks are a prelude to the spectacular Sydney fireworks display to follow at midnight.

9:15 PM – 11:30PM Harbour of Light Parade ^TM

Following the 9pm Family Fireworks, a flotilla of vessels switch on their lights and begin a spectacular parade around Sydney Harbour. A crowd favourite, the Harbour of Light Parade features specially lit vessels sailing on a 15km circuit around Sydney Harbour. Selected from design entries, the vessels chosen to take part in the Parade will be illuminated to represent the 2011 Sydney New Year’s Eve theme Time to Dream. The Parade will include tall ships, Sydney’s Heritage Fleet, commercial charter vessels and Sydney Ferries.

Experience Sydney New Years Eve on a Harbour of Light Parade vessel.

Official Harbour of Light Parade vessels are given access inside the Harbour exclusion zone on Sydney New Year’s Eve. Passengers onboard will be treated to exclusive views of the 9pm Family fireworks, the stunning Bridge Effect and Midnight Displays from designated viewing areas. For more information about each official Harbour of Light Parade vessel and ticket sales, contact the individual vessel operator by clicking on the vessels listed below. Get your tickets early. Don’t miss out.

12:00 AM Midnight Fireworks

At the stroke of midnight, we celebrate the start of a new year! Sydney does this in style by lighting up the night sky with a spectacular Fireworks Display launched from seven barges on the Harbour, the rooftops of seven city skyscrapers and, unforgettably, from Sydney Harbour Bridge. Bringing more than 1.5 million people to the Harbour, this majestic 12-minute Fireworks Display is the reason why Sydney is the New Years Eve capital of the world.

Where can I watch the Sydney Fireworks?

Check out the Fireworks Vantage Points Interactive Map to discover the best places to watch the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks, along with information on facilities and services at each site.

View the Sydney Fireworks Vantage Points Map

Road Closures

Download the PDF for Sydney CBD & Ultimo/Pyrmont Road Closures & Special Event Clearways for New Year's Eve 2011/New Year's Day 2012.

*Please note: Road closure locations and times are subject to change by Police. Phone 132 701 for up to date information.

Sydney Tourism

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