New Year's Eve
As the countdown to 2026 begins, make sure to plan ahead 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. We'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 harbor, your evening will be filled with unforgettable moments.
Looking for more options to celebrate NYE? Visit Darling Harbour and Barangaroo.
Situated along the harbour foreshore, West Circular Quay offers views of the Sydney Opera House as well as the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Picture perfect, Campbells Cove will give you one of the best seats in the house for Sydney’s NYE fireworks display. Feel fully immersed in the party atmosphere as you celebrate the New Year with family and friends, all while Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and Opera House put on a show like no other.
Hickson Road Reserve is regarded as one of the premium vantage points to celebrate New Year's Eve. This vantage point places you right at the centre of the festivities. At the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and with the Sydney Opera House and harbour laid out before you, you’ll have all the ingredients to make it a night to remember.
Say goodbye to 2025 right in the heart of all the New Year's Eve action at Dawes Point Park. The grassy park area is situated directly under the Sydney Harbour Bridge putting you at the centre of the activity with front row seats to the fireworks.
Note this location has restricted views.
Cushioned neatly on the promenade between The Rocks and the Sydney Opera House, East Circular Quay has commanding views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge which is what makes it the perfect place to enjoy Sydney’s NYE fireworks.
For this year’s celebrations, the vantage points that are free and non-ticketed include Dawes Point Park, Hickson Rd Reserve, Campbells Cove, West Circular Quay and East Circular Quay. No portable chairs, tents or structures will be permitted in vantage points.
Check each vantage point to see when they open. Once each vantage point reaches capacity the site will be closed. We recommend coming in early to avoid delay. Follow The Rocks social channels (Instagram and Facebook stories) for live details..
Due to extensive road closures and high pedestrian traffic in the city, public transport is the easiest option to get to the event. There are additional trains, bus, light rail and ferry services available and transport hubs are within easy reach of this site.
The closest train stations are:
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Wynyard Station
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Martin Place Station
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Circular Quay Station (services will cease at 5pm)
It is recommended that you check your transport details at transportnsw.info or by calling 131 500 before travelling. For live traffic updates, please visit livetraffic.com.
For all the information specific to the above events, please follow our Instagram and / or Facebook on the night to keep up to date.
Please consider the safety of other patrons. All patrons entering the site will be subject to a security bag check and must show valid identification and tickets. Restricted items will be confiscated and entry refused to any persons not complying with conditions of entry.
The following items will not be allowed to be brought into the event site:
- No alcohol
- No glass
- No camping
- No sunshades
- No portable chairs
- No pets
- No busking
- No drones
- No re-entry
- BYO alcohol or alcohol containers
- glasswear or breakable containers
- pets and animals (assistance dogs are permitted)
- tarps, tents or shade structures
- BBQ cooking or equipment
- Tables, milk crates or chairs
- Balls, frisbees, rollerblades, kites, bicycles, scooters or skateboards
- knives (other than standard picnicware), weapons or laser pointers
- fireworks, sparklers, open flames, candles or balloons
- camera tripods
- drones
- hard eskies or any soft esky larger than 20L capacity
- opened beverages, including thermoses. Liquids need to be disposed of at entry.
The Rocks will close to all public and ticket / reservation holders at 10.30pm on 31 December.
It is strongly recommended that all persons attending, should visit before 8pm for the beginning of the first fireworks show to avoid delays and disappointment.
Vantage points will close as they reach capacity on the night to ensure the safety of all.
Below are some guidelines for when vantage points are likely to close, however viewing areas vary greatly and are dependent on visitor arrival times.
- West CQ = expected closure 5pm / capacity 22,000
- Campbells Cove = expected closure 4pm / capacity 10,000
- Hickson Road Reserve = expected closure 12pm / capacity 2,500
- Dawes Point Park = expected closure 8pm / capacity 36,000
- East Circular Quay = expected closure 2pm / capacity 10,000
No. Umbrellas over 50cm in length, tarps, tents, shade structures, tables, milk crates or chairs are not allowed. All umbrellas should be lowered during the fireworks to enable clear views for other patrons. There shall be no pegging or other penetration to the turfed areas.
All vantage points are alcohol free zones.
Before attending the event, you may like to visit one of the many bars and pubs in The Rocks.
Alcoholic beverages brought to any vantage point will be confiscated at the bag check. Placemaking NSW reserves the right to confiscate any restricted items and/or refuse entry to any persons not complying with Conditions of Entry.
At all vantage points food is for sale and BYO food is permitted.
There are two fireworks displays on New Year’s Eve – at
- 9pm - site access closes at 8.30pm
- Midnight - site access closed at 11pm
If you are planning to come to one of our vantage points to see the fireworks, come early to avoid delay.
No. Cloaking services and/or lockers are not available.
With over 100,000 people coming in to the celebrate the famous Sydney fireworks shows, it is expected that some delays will be experienced leaving site. The way you come into the precinct may not be the way you leave. Circular Quay Station will not be operating at peak times however signs will direct you to the nearest train stations, which will be Wynard and Town Hall. For all scheduling enquiries, please go to: https://www.sydneynewyearseve.com/public-transport/