Melbourne NYE

About NYE

City Info

Melbourne NYE

New Year's Eve celebrations in Greater Melbourne are spread out at various locations in the city and in the surrounding suburbs. The places with all the activities are right in the heart of the city, at the Docklands, Federation Square, Alexandra Gardens, Birrarung Marr, Southbank, Richmond, Waterfront City, New Quay, Port Melbourne, Albert Park Lake and St Kilda.

These celebrations thru greater Melbourne, including live music and fireworks, have grown bigger and bigger and now attract crowds up to a million people across those metropolitan hot spots, making it the second largest New Year's Eve celebrations in Australia.

New Year's Eve presented by the City of Melbourne
GOLD MELBOURNE

New Year’s Eve pays tribute to Victoria’s gold rush days, which gave rise to many of the beautiful buildings adorning our city today.
In the decade from 1881 to 1891, Melbourne’s population almost doubled due to the gold rush. The booming economy created a mood of optimism in Melbourne, and it is this optimism that will be commemorated during the New Year’s Eve celebrations to bring in 2012.

Gold Melbourne is an expression of the success that our city enjoys today, and to represent this, Melbourne will transform into a city of gold as the clock strikes midnight. Prepare to feel the rush, as the sky becomes illuminated in gold, buildings light up and projections turn iconic Melbourne buildings into sparkling canvasses, all to a special ‘golden soundtrack’. You too can get involved
by wearing a touch of gold to the event!

Family Precinct at Yarra Park

The popular family precinct at Yarra Park (surrounding the MCG) returns this year from 6pm - 10pm. Join the high-spirited celebrations with roving performers, carnival rides, sporting activities and well-known, Australian artists on the main stage. Bring a picnic rug, relax on the grass with the family and count down to the family fireworks display at 9.30pm.

Midnight Entertainment Precincts

There a four official precincts across the CBD that offer FREE entertainment programs and fantastic vantage points for the midnight fireworks display. Check the official NYE website for full program line-ups and precinct maps.

Alexandra Gardens and Birrarung Marr are the ideal vantage points of the midnight fireworks display across the city. With four stages of live entertainment kicking off at 7pm and running until 1am, these are the entertainment hot spots this New Year’s Eve! Bring a picnic down to the grassy banks and enjoy roving performers and a fantastic lineup of entertainment.

Waterfront City, Docklands

Start the night at one of Docklands’ many fabulous restaurants, browse the shops at Harbour Town Shopping Centre, enjoy a boat cruise on Victoria Harbour, or even go ice-skating at Medibank Icehouse. Then head down to Waterfront City, for a relaxing evening of free entertainment and activities. Entertainment kicks off at 7pm and runs until 1am. Waterfront City is an ideal vantage point for the fireworks displays on Victoria Harbour at 9.30pm and midnight.

Federation Square

As the sun sets on New Year’s Eve, Federation Square will beat to the sound of Brazilian percussionists, Indigenous folk and a full pipe band, with a free program of rootsy soul, high energy beats and party tracks to see in the new year. Entertainment is free and will be broadcast on two big screens, with Fed Square offering a great atmosphere and a fantastic view of the city.

Fireworks

Family Fireworks - At 9.30pm, fireworks will launch into the sky above Yarra Park surrounding the MCG, and at Victoria Harbour in Docklands.

Midnight Fireworks - Melbourne’s midnight fireworks display will be a sight to behold, as bursts of gold weave a spectacular path across the entire city. Fireworks will be launched from city rooftops and at Victoria Harbour, Docklands, to a powerful, golden soundtrack broadcast at each official precinct (or tune your radio to 99.7FM). The display can be viewed anywhere with a clear view of the city skyline.

Transport

Public transport is the best way to travel to and from the city on New Year’s Eve and is free from 6pm. Trains, trams and buses run all night.

Please refer to the NYE website for further details.

Handy Information

For enquiries contact 9658 9658.
This is a free event.
(Note that carnival rides etc within the City may incur small fees.)

All Official NYE precincts are alcohol free zones