New Year’s Eve In Sydney: What To Know If You’re Celebrating In The City
Image: Alec Kingham
It’s looking to be an atypical New Year’s Eve in Sydney as 2025 draws to a close. Though the world-famous fireworks will be proceeding as planned, anyone heading into the city can expect a substantially larger police presence than in previous years.
Many are understandably anxious about heading out into large crowds in the wake of the attack in Bondi on December 14th, which has prompted extra security measures to be implemented ahead of tomorrow night. If you’re still planning to ring in the New Year in the city proper, here’s everything you should know.
More police than usual with long arm firearms
The most significant difference will be an increased police presence in the CBD and across the city, with NSW Police revealing today that over 2,500 officers – both uniformed and plain clothes – will be out in force tomorrow night during the largest police operation of the year.
However, the police have indicated that this increased presence is simply to reassure the community and assist people, not due to an ongoing or imminent threat.
Yasmin Catley, Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, said the following: “We want people to celebrate the New Year but people must own their behaviour. Keeping each other safe is on all of us,” Minister Catley said.
“Police will be out in force across NSW. They’ll be highly visible in busy precincts, transport hubs and event locations – including Sydney Harbour – to keep people safe.”
“Make good choices and you’ll have a great night. But if your behaviour becomes aggressive, dangerous or reckless, police will respond and it will not be tolerated.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns has also indicated that police will be carrying long arm firearms that “you haven’t seen before” on the night.
He said on Sunday: “We judge it absolutely necessary to send a clear message that we will keep the public safe and do everything we can to restore confidence as Sydneysiders go about enjoying the most beautiful city on Earth.”
Commissioner Mal Lanyon has also made it clear: “Police will not tolerate dangerous, criminal or anti-social behaviour.”
Changes to firework plans
As we recently reported, a minute of silence will be held during Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks to honour the 15 people lost in the recent Bondi shooting. However, after consulting with the Jewish Board of Deputies, the previously planned image of a dove with the word ‘peace’ will now be replaced with a menorah.
The move comes after an open letter by 30 Jewish-Australian artistic and cultural figures penned an open letter to Lord Mayor Clover Moore, in which they argued that the dove was a generic platitude that “obfuscates the problem of domestic antisemitism.”
The minute’s silence (or ‘Moment of Unity’) will be held at 11pm, and see the Harbour Bridge light up white with the addition of a menorah on its pylons. Attendees are encouraged to turn their phone torches on to shine a light across the harbour and show their solidarity with the Jewish community.
Apart from the Moment of Unity, the plan for the fireworks will be mostly similar to previous years. Fireworks will occur at 9pm and midnight, while various projections will light up the Harbour Bridge throughout the night. The Bridge will also light up blue at 10pm in recognition of the City of Sydney’s charity partner, Beyond Blue.
Extra transport options to get home
Public transport will also be running extra services on New Year’s Eve to make it easier for people to get to, from and across the city tomorrow night. The Sydney Metro in particular will be running every 4 minutes from 3pm into New Year’s Day, with TripView indicating that services will be running all night.
Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said the following: “Extra transport services will spring into action from early afternoon on New Year’s Eve. With widespread road closures and parking restrictions in place from early in the day, public transport will absolutely be the key to a stress-free celebration.”
“It is essential to plan ahead, work out your options and be aware that the city and our transport hubs operate differently on New Year’s Eve. Some stations will close and access to services will change progressively as roads close and vantage points reach capacity.”
