Planning where to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Sydney for 2025? Sydney Harbour’s spectacular midnight display is world-renowned, and there are dozens of incredible vantage points to catch the show—many right here on the North Shore and Northern Beaches!
Whether you’re looking for free family-friendly spots or premium ticketed experiences, this complete guide covers the best locations to watch the New Year’s Eve Sydney fireworks. From iconic harbourside parks like Bradfield Park and Blues Point Reserve to peaceful Northern Beaches locations, we’ve rounded up the top viewing areas, with essential details on opening times, capacity limits, facilities, and when venues typically fill up.
If trekking into the city feels like too much with little ones in tow, you’ll be pleased to know the Northern Beaches host their own brilliant 9pm fireworks displays at Manly, Dee Why, Frenchs Forest and Bayview—with Bayview also lighting up the sky at midnight! These local celebrations offer a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, without the crazy crowds at the harbour.
From free picnic spots to exclusive ticketed events at Taronga Zoo and the Royal Botanic Gardens, discover everything you need to plan the perfect New Year’s Eve 2025 celebration with your family.
Best local family-friendly fireworks
Fireworks on the Northern Beaches
Not keen on battling city crowds with the kids on New Year’s Eve? Keep it local and stress-free on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, where four fantastic family-friendly fireworks displays light up the sky at 9pm—perfect timing for younger children who won’t make it to midnight!
Manly, Dee Why, Frenchs Forest and Bayview all host spectacular 9pm shows, and if you’ve got night owls in the family, Bayview puts on an encore performance at midnight too. These local celebrations are ideal if your little ones want to experience the magic of New Year’s Eve fireworks without the long journey into the city or the harbour crowds.
Pack a picnic rug, grab some snacks, and settle in early at your chosen beach or park. Other local families’ll surround you in a relaxed, community atmosphere—no traffic stress, no marathon walks, just good vibes and brilliant fireworks close to home.
Manly NYE Fireworks @ 9pm
NYE Fireworks over Manly Wharf
Manly Wharf proudly presents the Manly Cove fireworks with support from Northern Beaches Council. There will be 9pm fireworks at Manly Cove, East and West Esplanade Reserves. Find out more.
Dee Why NYE Fireworks @ 9pm
NYE at Dee Why Beach
Northern Beaches Council presents the 9pm New Year’s Eve family fireworks at Dee Why Beach, with viewing access at The Strand, Ted Jackson Reserve and surrounding areas. Find out more.
Frenchs Forest NYE Fireworks @ 9pm
Northern Beaches Council presents the 9pm New Year’s Eve family fireworks at Lionel Watts Reserve and Frenchs Forest Showground. Find out more.
Bayview NYE Fireworks @ 9pm & midnight
NYE Fireworks over Bayview
The Newport presents the Bayview fireworks at 9pm and midnight. To ensure compliance with fireworks exclusion zone requirements, Rowland Reserve (the dog park) will be closed to the public. Several vantage points are available from foreshore areas at Newport, Mona Vale and Bayview. Find out more.
Free New Year’s Eve Vantage Points in 2025
- Blues Point Reserve, North Sydney
- Bradfield Park, Milson’s Point
- Lavender Bay
- Balls Head Point Reserve, Waverton (Closed for NYE 2025)
- Carradah Park, Waverton
- Clarkes Point Reserve, Woolwich
- Manns Point, Greenwich
- Cremorne Point Reserve, Cremorne
- North Head, Manly
- Fireworks @ Manly & Dee Why
- Sydney Opera House
- The Rocks
- Royal Botanic Garden
- Barangaroo Reserve, Millers Point
- Bicentennial Park, Glebe
- Pirrama Park, Pyrmont
Best spots on the North Shore to watch the NYE Sydney Harbour fireworks
Bradfield Park & Mary Booth Reserve, Milsons Point
You can’t get any closer to the New Year’s Eve fireworks on the North Shore than iconic Bradfield Park in Milsons Point. Nestled next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it is a central vantage point with a vibrant atmosphere and is close to all the fireworks action. Bradfield Park is a picnic-style, family-friendly event for New Year’s Eve.
- Open: 9:00am – 12:30am
- This location can hold up to 16,000
- This venue reached capacity at 4:28pm in 2024
- More information
Blues Point Reserve, McMahons Point
Blues Point Reserve features incredible city views and is a great spot to celebrate the New Year. This vantage point is a paid, ticketed event. There are toilets, plus food and drink available for purchase. Public transport is highly recommended, as parking is not available.
- Open: 11:00am – 12:30am
- This location can hold up to 8,000
- This venue reached capacity at 11:10am in 2024
- Tickets will be available soon
- More information
Lavender Bay (North Sydney)
Comprising Clark, Quibaree and Watt Parks, this precinct offers excellent views of the western side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Access to Lavender Bay is through Clark Park on Harbourview Crescent. Toilets are available, along with food for sale. BYO food is also permitted.
- Open: 9:00am – 12:30am
- This location can hold up to 3,000
- This venue reached capacity at 4:44pm in 2024
- More information
Carradah Park, Waverton
A local park in Waverton with partial views of the Sydney fireworks. There are toilets available, but no food or drinks on sale, so pack a picnic! More information
Manns Point, Greenwich
A family-friendly site with views over Darling Harbour and Barangaroo. Obstructed views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and fireworks.
Cremorne Point Reserve, Cremorne Point
Cremorne Point Reserve on the North Shore is a welcoming choice for families, offering a generous sweep of views across the eastern side of Sydney Harbour. It does fill up as the day unfolds, so arriving early is your best bet for a comfortable perch. You’ll catch sight of the Sydney Harbour Bridge—sometimes framed by tree canopies—and find toilets, plus food and drinks available to buy. With no on-site parking, public transport is strongly advised; both buses and ferries run on reduced schedules once road closures take effect. More information
Balls Head Point Reserve, Waverton (Closed for NYE 2025)
Balls Head Reserve in Waverton will be closed for New Year’s Eve to preserve its fragile bushland and cultural heritage. In recent years, crowds of visitors to the reserve on New Year’s Eve have trampled and crushed the bushland and snapped off stems and branches to secure space for picnic blankets and a view of the fireworks. More information
Clarkes Point Reserve, Woolwich
Clarke’s Point Reserve and Mort’s Reserve have fabulous New Year’s Eve fireworks views. Food and (some) market stalls will be on-site, but you are also free to bring a picnic. A tent-free zone will be in place along the foreshore.
All vantage points in Hunters Hill are free to enter (unticketed), including Clarkes Point Reserve, Morts Reserve, Kellys Bush Reserve, Huntleys Point Underpass, and Lookout Reserve. Traffic, parking, and vehicle restrictions will be in place throughout the LGA, and police will be present throughout the evening.
Vantage points on the Northern Beaches to watch the NYE fireworks
North Head, Manly
NSW National Parks welcome locals to celebrate here: this is a free vantage point and bookings are not required. North Head is on the northernmost edge of Sydney Harbour National Park. It’s a peaceful, alcohol-free New Year’s Eve zone, away from the hectic city crowds. Bring a picnic, spread out a rug and enjoy a quieter Sydney celebration at North Head. You’ll have panoramic views of the Sydney Harbour fireworks.
- Open: 5:00pm – 12:30am
- This location can hold up to 2,000
- More information
Where to watch the NYE fireworks in Sydney
Opera Bar
Opera Bar’s New Year’s Eve celebration returns on Wednesday, 31 December with Cosmic Universe, a celestial-themed, standing, festival-style event along Sydney Harbour. Guests can move between entertainment zones, enjoy live bands and DJs, and encounter roaming performers throughout the night.
The venue will be transformed into an illuminated solar system with immersive installations inspired by galaxies and nebulae. Second-release tickets have sold out, with a final release coming soon and strictly limited.
Attendees can look forward to curated food and beverage offerings, vibrant music and a truly atmospheric setting as they welcome 2026 at one of Sydney’s most iconic NYE experiences.
Barangaroo Reserve, Millers Point
Barangaroo’s spectacular harbourside location is one of Sydney’s most prominent vantage points to welcome New Year’s Eve, with superb panoramic views of the western face of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The sloping lawns of the Reserve provide a safe place with ample room to spread out your picnic blanket and enjoy the spectacle that only Sydney can deliver! Toilets are available.
- Open: 12:00pm – 12:01am
- This location can hold up to 9,000
- This venue reached capacity at 6pm in 2024
- More information
Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens
NYE Fireworks from Botanic Gardens
Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2025 with views of the iconic Sydney fireworks from free viewing areas across The Domain and Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
Set up your picnic rug at one of four vantage points and enjoy views of the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Sydney Harbour fireworks.
All viewing sites will have food and beverage outlets, including bar services and water refill stations. Food truck outlets will have a range of options to suit all tastes and dietary requirements. More information.
The Rocks
As the countdown to 2026 begins, plan for an unforgettable celebration. Stay tuned for updates on how you can experience the ultimate New Year’s Eve at The Rocks, where you’ll find the most incredible views to witness the breathtaking fireworks display.
This year, all vantage points will be FREE – No tickets required. Join the fun at places like Dawes Point Park, Hickson Rd Reserve, Campbells Cove, West Circular Quay, and East Circular Quay.
No special spots or reservations, it’s first-come, first-served. They’ll make sure it’s safe with capacity limits. Once a spot’s full, it’s closed, so come early! No pass-outs this time, though. Check the vantage point map for up-to-date closures.
You can also indulge in a culinary journey like no other with an array of fabulous food and drinks venues that cater to every taste. From Sydney’s oldest pub to a selection of top-notch restaurants and rooftop bars boasting panoramic views of the harbour, your evening will be filled with unforgettable moments. More information
Cahill Expressway
Free, family-friendly NYE on the Cahill Expressway
The ballot for the free, family-friendly NYE on the Cahill Expressway 2025 event has now closed, and all tickets have been allocated.
This popular Transport for NSW event offered NSW residents one of the best locations in the city to enjoy Sydney’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks, complete with live entertainment by Rachael Fahim and Ned Houston, food vendors, and spectacular views of the harbour.
If you missed out on tickets this year, keep an eye out for the ballot opening in 2026 for your chance to experience this amazing vantage point!
Pirrama Park, Pyrmont
This spot is recommended as an accessible, family-friendly site, as it doesn’t get too crowded and offers excellent views of the western side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the harbour. Picnics welcome, food for sale, and BYO permitted, plus toilets available.
- Open: 2:00pm – 1:00am
- This location can hold up to 8,000
- More information
Ticketed New Year’s Eve Vantage Points in 2025
Taronga Zoo, Mosman
Along with spectacular views of the Harbour, enjoy an experience of the wild kind, welcome in the New Year at Taronga, and make your New Year’s resolution For the Wild! Bid farewell to 2025 and welcome in 2026 with them! Taronga Zoo is renowned as one of New Year’s Eve’s most memorable foreshore venues, offering a unique experience for couples and individuals and a fun, safe and stress-free atmosphere for families.
All proceeds from ticket sales support Taronga’s Conservation work.
- Address: Bradleys Head Road, Mosman
- Entry: Adult from $243 | Children (4-5) from $120
- Opens: Silver from 6pm | Gold from 6.30pm | Diamond from 7pm | Platinum from 7.30pm | Emerald from 7:45pm
- Buy tickets
Botanic Garden: Foundation & Friends NYE Picnic
There’s no better place to celebrate New Year’s Eve than at the Royal Botanic Garden with Foundation & Friends. Since 1996, their much-loved picnic on the Mare and Foal Lawn has been one of Sydney’s best-kept NYE traditions, offering uninterrupted views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House in a relaxed, family-friendly and self-catered setting.
More than just a magical night in the Gardens, the New Year’s Eve Picnic is a crucial fundraiser that helps power the conservation, science, and education programs of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney.
Set up your picnic on the lush Mare and Foal Lawn and enjoy front-row views of Sydney’s legendary fireworks, including the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Pack your favourite picnic and drinks (yes, BYO alcohol is welcome) or make it easy by pre-purchasing a delicious picnic hamper. Then, settle in for a relaxed, family-friendly evening. The site is fully enclosed and secure, with roaming entertainment and live music, as well as a limited selection of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks available on the night.
- Address: Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney NSW 2000
- Tickets: $215 Foundation & Friends Member | $265 Guest of Member | $70 Children 6-15 | Free for ages 5 and under
- Book tickets
New Year’s Eve at Sydney Eye Tower
Get ready for an iconic New Year’s Eve at Sydney Tower Eye. Take your celebration to new heights with a once-in-a-lifetime experience high above the Sydney skyline. This family-friendly, non-alcoholic event is the perfect way to celebrate without the crowds. Bring your loved ones, make unforgettable memories, and ring in the New Year from Sydney’s most iconic vantage point – right in the heart of the city’s public transport and away from all the crowds.
Note: Their Midnight SKYWALK tickets are now SOLD OUT! They still have tickets available for the best view of the fireworks from our Observation Deck at midnight and 9pm, as well as SKYWALK for the 9pm fireworks – be quick, they’ll sell out fast!
- Address: Bradleys Head Road, Mosman
- Entry: Adults from $199 | Children from $179
- Opens: Silver 6pm | Gold 6.30pm | Diamond 7pm | Platinum 7.30pm | Emerald 7.45pm
- Buy tickets: Book tickets
Family-friendly New Year’s Eve at Bradleys Head, Mosman
The Mast Precinct at Bradleys Head is a relaxed, family-friendly space on New Year’s Eve. Choose a spot on the upper road, boardwalk or grassed area. Welcome in 2026 with friends and family.
- Address: Bradleys Head, Mosman
- Time: 3pm- 12.30am
- More information
