Melbourne will usher in 2026 with a vast New Year’s Eve program spanning six square kilometres, as fireworks, laser shows and live entertainment transform the city into a giant outdoor celebration zone.
The City of Melbourne’s 2025 New Year’s Eve event will feature a midnight rooftop fireworks and laser display across 27 buildings, visible throughout the CBD and beyond. Branded under the theme All That Sparkles, the program invites revellers to dress up, head out early and celebrate what is expected to be the city’s busiest night of the year.
Four free, family-friendly Celebration Zones at Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens, Kings Domain and Docklands will open from 6pm on Wednesday 31 December.
Each site will offer DJs, live bands, dance workshops, food trucks and large screens, with early fireworks at 9.30pm before the citywide midnight moment. The fireworks will be choreographed to an eight-minute soundtrack created by Nova 100’s Jase & Lauren, with listeners able to tune in at midnight.
Lord Mayor Nick Reece said Melbourne’s New Year’s Eve offering was unmatched. “There’s no better place to ring in the New Year than Melbourne. Only in the city can you experience a vibe like no other – fireworks, laser shows, DJs, live music and more,” he said.
The celebrations are expected to draw about 500,000 people into the CBD, prompting extensive safety and crowd management measures. Acting Minister for Police Enver Erdogan joined city leaders and emergency services to outline the plan, which includes additional police patrols, seven kilometres of fencing and designated weapon search areas across the CBD, St Kilda foreshore and Geelong.
Major pedestrian and traffic closures will be in place, including Swanston Street, St Kilda Road and Flinders Street between Market and Exhibition streets. Police, PSOs and emergency services will monitor transport hubs and entertainment precincts throughout the night.
“Our New Year’s Eve program supports jobs, fills venues and gives local traders a major economic lift wherever the skyline comes into view,” Reece said. “It is our biggest night, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead, get in early and follow advice from transport and emergency services.”
Public transport will be the easiest way to get around Victoria on New Year’s Eve, with free travel available across trains, trams and buses from 6.00pm on Wednesday 31 December. Extra services will run through the night, with free travel continuing until 6.00am on New Year’s Day, allowing revellers to celebrate well into the early hours.
All City Loop stations will remain open until 3.00am on New Year’s Eve to help move crowds safely around the city. V/Line passengers will also benefit, with long-distance services arriving in Melbourne after 6.00pm travelling free, and the first services from Melbourne to all regional destinations on New Year’s Day free of charge, regardless of departure time.
Those celebrating at home can watch Channel 9’s broadcast from 11pm, which will cross live to Melbourne’s midnight display.
Further details on road closures and safety are available at nye.melbourne.vic.gov.au.
