Sydney gets the party it was promised

Sydney set the bar high as it welcomed the New Year with a blaze of colourful fireworks, pylon projections and a moving Calling Country display.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was transformed into a giant rainbow, and colours including aquamarine, lemon and magenta burst across the sky for the showstopping midnight display.

More than eight tonnes of fireworks, including 100,000 pyrotechnic effects, were launched from six water platforms, four city rooftops, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The evening’s celebrations commenced with a smoking ceremony on the harbour, followed by the 9pm Calling Country display curated by First Nations artists Carmen Glynn-Braun and Dennis Golding from Re-Right Collective in partnership with Gadigal artist Nadeena Dixon, Rowan Savage and Foti International Fireworks.

At the stroke of midnight a spectacular kaleidoscope of colour was launched into the night as Sydney readies to host WorldPride 2023 in February.

2,000 fireworks launched from the sails of the Sydney Opera House, while 7,000 effects fired from 184 positions on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, all synchronised to a bespoke soundtrack by Stace Cadet featuring KLP.

Titled ‘Follow the Lights (NYE 2022)’, the original track was released by the Aria-nominated producer, DJ and vocalist at midnight featuring vocal performances by both Stace Cadet and KLP.

The giant rainbow was preceded at 11pm by a spectacular 3-minute pylon projection and lighting display in the Progress Pride colours.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said Sydney had shown once again why it is the best place in the world to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

“After the challenges of the last few years, last night’s unforgettable show not only rung in a New Year it signalled to the world that Sydney is well and truly back!

“We have sent a message of diversity and inclusion to celebrate the New Year and I hope it’s a sentiment that echoes around the world as we kick off 2023.

“Sydney has once again cemented its reputation as the New Year’s capital of the world, and we hope those watching from across the globe start planning their visit here.

"I’m proud we started the year off by centring First Nations stories and a spectacular welcome to those heading down under for WorldPride.

“This jaw-dropping start to the new year is only possible because of the many thousands of hours of hard work by our City of Sydney team, NSW Government partners, the Foti fireworks family and the many creatives and professionals who help deliver the event. I offer them our sincere thanks. We said this year’s fireworks would be our best yet, and I believe it was!

“I hope the celebration provided some joy and an opportunity to look with hope to the new year. On behalf of the City of Sydney, I wish you all a safe, peaceful and fabulous 2023!”

The fireworks for both displays were digitally launched by 16 computers linked with more than 35 kilometres of wire and cables, to ensure synchronisation with the music soundtracks.

More than 4,000 crew hours and 18 shipping containers full of equipment were needed to design, produce and launch the two displays, which turned Sydney’s night sky into the world’s largest stage.

For New Year’s event information, visit the Sydney New Year’s Eve website.

For media inquiries or images, contact Nicky Breen Phone mobile 0436 599 861 or email [email protected]

For interviews with Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney contact Nick Langley. Phone 02 8974 4165 or email [email protected]