With its largest New Year’s Eve fireworks displays ever, Sydney has welcomed 2025 with a bang.
Up to a million people gathered around the harbour foreshore to see 9 tonnes of fireworks and 26,500 lights choreographed to original soundtracks. Hundreds of millions more are estimated to have watched the coverage around the world.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City of Sydney delivered on its promise of a show bigger and better than ever before.
“Sydney sets the benchmark for New Year’s celebrations, and our team have outdone themselves yet again with an unforgettable event,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO said.
“I know I’m a bit biased and I tend to say this every year but it well and truly was our best New Year’s Eve ever.
“Thousands of people flocked to the harbour to see Sydney’s breathtaking fireworks displays and ring in the new year under a kaleidoscope of colour. Pyrotechnics, pylon projections and a celebration of First Nations cultures, dazzled crowds gathered around the foreshore and watching on TV and online.
“Restaurants, venues and vantage points buzzed with locals and visitors from near and far, putting the challenges of the past few years behind us.
“On behalf of all those who joined us along the foreshore or who watched around the world, my sincere thanks to the creatives who dreamed up last night’s show, those who focused on the logistics so it all ran smoothly and the crews who worked tirelessly into the early hours to clean up after the party.
"It's no wonder that people want to come to Sydney to celebrate the new year. Last night was joyous and optimistic, full of hope that 2025 will be a great year.
“I hope you enjoyed the show, and I wish you all the best for a very peaceful and prosperous new year!”
The memorable midnight display stretched 7km along the harbour and featured 23,000 individual pyrotechnic shots, more than 13,000 aerial shells, 40,000 ground-based shooting effects and 264 firing locations across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Messages of strength and unity shone through the 9pm show, inspired by influential female Cammeraygal leader and fisherwoman Barangaroo.
The night’s highlights included a spectacular silver waterfall falling from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, custom designed fireworks and - in an Australian first - the use of aerial pyrotechnic platforms in both displays.
Sydney New Year’s Eve in numbers:
9 tonnes of fireworks were launched over the two displays, for a combined 20 minutes.
23,000 individual pyrotechnic shots, 40,000 shooting ground-based effects and more than 13,000 aerial shells.
10 new custom designs, including shells that exploded into emu walking tracks.
16 firing locations including barges on the harbour, CBD buildings and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, plus new aerial pyrotechnic platforms.
Fireworks launched digitally using 16 computers connected by over 80kms of wires and cables, ensuring perfect synchronisation with the accompanying music soundtracks.
The highest fireworks reached over 450m.
Fireworks were shot from 264 spots on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, more than ever before.
For the first time, fireworks were launched from a barge and from 80 new firing positions on the western side of the bridge, making for the best western view of fireworks ever.
20 sky tracker light beams featured on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and 26,500 lights gave the harbour a glow up, including 1,200 LED lights on the iconic Luna Park ferris wheel.
More than 6 hours of bespoke visuals were projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons throughout the night.
Foti International Fireworks dedicated 4,500 hours to designing, staging and launching the displays.
More than 100 artists, musicians and other creatives worked on the 9pm and midnight shows.
More than 1,000 accredited personnel and around 250 volunteers worked behind the scenes on the night.
10 buildings plus the Sydney Harbour Bridge were lit up pink to promote the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Watch the midnight display now at sydneynewyearseve.com
Media contacts:
Elaine Kelly, phone 0477 362 550 or email ekelly@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Roxanne Macara, phone 0438 554 640 or email rmacara@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor, contact Paul Mackay.
Phone 0436 816 604 or email lordmayormedia@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
