Key Takeaways
- Approximately 500,000 people are expected to gather across Melbourne’s city centre to celebrate New Year’s Eve
- Two seven-minute fireworks and light shows will take place, one at 9:30pm for families and another at midnight
- The fireworks can be viewed from various parts of Melbourne, including as far away as Frankston and the Dandenong Ranges
- Several celebration zones have been established, offering good views of the fireworks and featuring DJs and food trucks
- Police will be out in force to ensure a safe start to the new year, with 2500 officers rostered to work, including 500 in the inner city
Introduction to New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Melbourne
The city of Melbourne is gearing up to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style, with approximately 500,000 people expected to gather across the city centre. The festivities will include two seven-minute fireworks and light shows, the first of which will take place at 9:30pm for families with young children, and another display at midnight to mark the start of the new year. The fireworks can be viewed from various parts of Melbourne, including as far away as Frankston and the Dandenong Ranges, making it a spectacle that can be enjoyed by people from all over the city.
Celebrations at Flemington Racecourse
More than 13,000 people attended the first New Year’s Eve twilight meeting at Flemington Racecourse, where family groups gathered to enjoy the festivities. Despite gusty winds and temperatures ranging from 15 to 16 degrees, the crowd remained enthusiastic, with at least half of them staying on to witness the spectacular 9:30pm fireworks in nearby Footscray Park. The racecourse was open until 1am, allowing people to count in the new year in a fun and lively atmosphere. Visitors from overseas, such as Christine Taylor from the UK, were among those who attended the event, enjoying the festivities with their families.
Preparations for the Fireworks Display
Lord Mayor Nick Reece has promised that this year’s fireworks display across Melbourne’s CBD will be the city’s "biggest and best show yet", with a cost of approximately $6 million. The display is expected to be a major highlight of the celebrations, with many people gathering at designated celebration zones to watch the fireworks. These zones, which include Kings Domain, Flagstaff Gardens, and Treasury Gardens in Melbourne’s CBD, and Victoria Promenade in Docklands, will feature DJs and food trucks to keep partygoers entertained during the countdown to midnight.
Celebrations at Arbory Afloat
By 6pm, a long line of partygoers had flocked to the Yarra-side floating bar, Arbory Afloat, which is celebrating its 10th New Year’s Eve event. More than 1500 people are expected to attend the event, which will feature a theme of all white for peace and prosperity. Some partygoers, such as friends Charlie Holland and Tania McNair, have added a pop of colour to their outfits to honour the recent tragedy in Bondi. The event is expected to be a major highlight of the celebrations, with many people enjoying the music, food, and company of friends and family.
Weather and Safety Precautions
Despite the cooler-than-average weather, with temperatures expected to drop to 13 degrees overnight, people are not being deterred from celebrating outdoors. Partygoers are advised to remember to bring a jacket, as the temperature is expected to feel as cold as 10 degrees. Police will be out in force to ensure everyone has a safe start to the new year, with 2500 officers rostered to work, including 500 in the inner city. Public transport is free between 6pm on Wednesday and 6am on New Year’s Day, with extra trains and trams running throughout the city and regional Victoria.
Road Closures and Industrial Action
Several road closures will be in place to ensure the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles, including sections of major thoroughfares such as Flinders Street, Swanston Street, Spring Street, and Bourke Street. Most closures will end by early on New Year’s Day. Additionally, hundreds of Crown Casino employees are expected to spend their New Year’s Eve on strike to protest major pay cuts, with workers taking protected industrial action from 10pm to 2am. The strike is expected to affect various operational teams, including bar staff, table game dealers, and security. Despite these disruptions, the city is expected to remain lively and festive, with many people enjoying the celebrations and looking forward to the start of a new year.
