The biggest party night of the year is almost here.
Key points
- “Usher in the new year with a kaleidoscope of colour at the Lord Mayor’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks.”
- The council is hosting a free community event from 5pm along the esplanade.
- Happy New Year from all of us!
Brisbane and its surrounds are getting set to welcome 2025 by splashing the sky in colour.
“Usher in the new year with a kaleidoscope of colour at the Lord Mayor’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks,” read a Brisbane City Council statement.
“The evening features two free spectacular fireworks shows.”
Main event
Head to the CBD for Brissy’s biggest event.
As usual, South Bank Parklands will host the Lord Mayor’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks.
Brisbane City is putting on two fireworks shows – one at 7.45pm for families and one at midnight “for late-night revellers welcoming in the New Year in style”.
“Usher in the new year with a kaleidoscope of colour at the Lord Mayor’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks.”
South Bank Parklands retailers will be open during the day. And there will also be pop-up food and beverage vendors on the Cultural Forecourt.
People are also welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages.
The fireworks launch from bridges and barges and building tops.
To see the sky show in all its glory, the best viewing spots include all along the Clem Jones Promenade, the Cultural Forecourt, Riverside Green and River Quay.
And before heading off the evening, download the free Cinewav app, which plays the official fireworks soundtrack, synchronised to the show. (But never fear, the soundtrack will also be booming at the site as well.)
Sunshine Coast
Prefer to celebrate on the beach?
If you’re on the Sunshine Coast, Mooloolaba Esplanade could be your destination for New Year’s Eve.
The council is hosting a free community event from 5pm along the esplanade.
“You’ll find a range of family-friendly festivities,” Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli promised.
“The Esplanade will come alive with roving entertainment and face painting for the kids, food trucks and markets.”
The council is hosting a free community event from 5pm along the esplanade.
Organisers expect around 30,000 locals and holidaymakers to enjoy a family friendly fireworks show at 8.30pm.
“If you’d prefer to escape the crowds, and still want to enjoy the fireworks, you’re in luck,” Ms Natoli said.
“Fireworks will be bigger this year, meaning you’ll see them from Cotton Tree in the north to La Balsa in the south.”
Controversially, there will be no midnight show this year.
Seven reports that Mayor Natoli said that safety was the “primary reason”, but she also pointed to rising costs and attendance.
There’s also a bash in Caloundra’s Kings Beach Ampitheatre from 4pm, culminating with 8.30pm fireworks.
Coolum Beach is hosting family fireworks near Tickle Park at 8.30pm.
And Noosa’s riverside restaurants will be the perfect site to see the resort town’s 10pm fireworks.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast’s iconic Surfers Paradise will be hosting two fireworks shows at 8pm and midnight.
Organisers promise the display “will once again be a breathtaking spectacle”.
There’s also fireworks at Broadbeach (Kurrrawa Park), Coolangatta Beach, Coomera Sports Park, Paradise Point Parklands and in the Robina town centre.
For details for all locations visit here.
Ipswich
And in Ipswich ring in the new year at the Tivoli Drive In.
There will be fireworks, market stalls and food trucks.
Plus, there will be live entertainment on the big drive-in screen.
It’s free entry and gates open from 5pm.
For information on all of NYE events in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, visit here.
Cairns
Meanwhile, in FNQ, Cairns is putting on a free concert and fireworks shows.
From 5pm, there’s an all-local lineup of artists and DJs. And then fireworks will launch at 9pm and midnight.
“Join us for a spectacular family-friendly celebration to welcome in the new year, featuring family fireworks, a free family concert, and a midnight fireworks display,” Cairns Regional Council said in a statement.
“We look forward to welcoming you and your family for a night full of fun, music, and fireworks.”
For more Cairns events visit here.
Happy New Year!
Get daily encouragement delivered straight to your inbox
Writers from our Real Hope community offer valuable wisdom and insights based on their own experiences!