Key Takeaways:
- Up to 120,000 people are expected to attend major New Year’s Eve events in Perth’s CBD
- Perth is forecast to have the best New Year’s Eve weather in the country, with a warm day and a breezy evening
- Extra security measures are in place due to the recent Bondi terrorist attack, including increased police presence and security checks
- Fireworks displays are scheduled at various locations across Perth and regional Western Australia
- Many families and individuals are making the most of the warm weather and celebrating with outdoor activities and gatherings
Introduction to New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Families have started to gather at Elizabeth Quay to enjoy the early family-friendly entertainment and grab a good vantage spot to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks and toast the start of 2026. The City of Perth expects up to 120,000 people to attend major events in the CBD, with many more expected to gather at other locations across the city and regional Western Australia. The warm weather is expected to continue into the evening, making it a perfect night for outdoor celebrations.
Weather Forecast
Perth is forecast to have the best New Year’s Eve weather in the country, with a warm day and a breezy evening. The temperature is expected to peak at 33C during the day and drop to around 25C in the city by the time the 8:30pm fireworks start. The temperature is expected to continue to drop throughout the night, reaching around 21C by midnight. Other parts of Western Australia, such as Mandurah and Busselton, are also experiencing warm weather, with temperatures expected to cool down in the evening.
Celebrations and Activities
Many families and individuals are making the most of the warm weather and celebrating with outdoor activities and gatherings. Some people, such as Sophie Amos, are enjoying the heat at the beach, while others, such as Robert Kovacev and Ahmed Aljobouri, are giving their new jetskis a spin on Matilda Bay. The City of Perth has also started the party early, with roving performers, a live DJ, and food trucks at Elizabeth Quay, as well as free carnival rides in the Supreme Court Gardens. The Grammy-award winning producer and DJ Kaytranada is headlining an open-air festival in Langley Park, and Yagan Square is promising to be a popular spot with performers, DJs, and lip sync battles ahead of the countdown to midnight.
Security Measures
Despite the revelry, this year’s festivities come with sadness and increased security efforts in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack. WA Police, and their counterparts around the country, have put extra security measures in place, including increased police presence and security checks. WA Police commander Jason Longhorn said that officers would be deployed at all major events across the State and some would be carrying long-armed rifles. Police will also use edged-weapon scanning and wand devices, and will charge anyone caught carrying a weapon.
Regional Celebrations
Fireworks displays are scheduled at various locations across Perth and regional Western Australia, including Gloucester Park, the Claremont Showgrounds, the Breakwater Marina at Mindarie, Halls Head, and HBF Arena at Joondalup. Regionally, the skies will light up with fireworks at Kalgoorlie, over the Hanover Bay jetty in Albany, and on the Cocos Islands. Many families and individuals are planning to spend the evening watching the fireworks and celebrating with friends and family.
Personal Stories
Some people, such as Barbara Strongtharm, are using the occasion to reflect on their personal goals and aspirations. Ms Strongtharm’s New Year’s resolution is to find a way to stay in Australia forever, as her and her husband’s visas are due to run out and they will have to say goodbye to their daughter and grandkids and return to the UK. Others, such as Briony Thornton, are planning to compete in a triathlon in 2026 and are using the occasion to spend quality time with their family. The Thornton family planned to spend the afternoon paddleboarding on the river before heading home to Wembley for dinner and to light some sparklers.
National Celebrations
Across the country, huge crowds descended onto Sydney’s streets and around the harbour from early in the day, with revellers itching to nab some of the best spots to see the city’s dazzling fireworks display. Despite a heightened community fear in the wake of the Bondi attack, queues formed outside Sydney’s Royal Botanical Gardens of those wanting to get the best view of the night. In Melbourne, half a million people were forecast to hit the city’s CBD, which Lord Mayor Nick Reece said would be the "best organised" New Year’s the city had ever put on. The Harbour Bridge will be flooded in white lights and a menorah will be projected onto the pylons, and a minute’s silence will be held for the victims of the Bondi attack.