New Year’s Eve to dazzle in Southbank

Glittering light shows, rooftop laser displays and revellers in their sequinned best will take over the City of Melbourne as it steps into the New Year in sparkling style.

The largest New Year’s Eve rooftop laser display in the Southern Hemisphere will take over Melbourne’s skyline. Seen and heard from anywhere you can see the city skyline, the incredible display will light up more than six square kilometres of the city across 27 skyscrapers.

The Langham Melbourne’s managing director and vice president of operations Pacific, Jeffrey van Vorsselen, who appeared alongside Lord Mayor Nick Reece on December 3, said the hotel’s rooftop would provide the perfect location to enjoy the festivities.

“Our guests will have one of the very best views of the City of Melbourne’s fireworks to bring in 2025. Demand for New Year’s Eve is up on prior years, and we are already close to being sold out,” Mr van Vorsselen said. 

The Lord Mayor said the council was putting on a spectacular and “world-class” rooftop display of lasers and fireworks that would leave people mesmerised.   

“As one of the first cities to cheer as the clock strikes midnight, we’ll be showing the rest of the world how it’s done,” Cr Reece said. 

“We encourage everyone to stay safe and plan ahead, so they don’t miss out. Book into one of our iconic venues or visit a Celebration Zone in advance to get the most fun out of the festivities.”

A special “All that Sparkles” theme will twinkle throughout an extravaganza of activities before the clock strikes 12 – with celebrations expected to boost the local economy by around $18 million.

The eight-minute midnight moment will be on display anywhere you can see the city skyline – accompanied by a choreographed soundtrack produced in partnership with Nova 100’s Jase & Lauren.

Family-friendly Celebration Zones in Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens and the Shrine are the best viewing spots in the CBD – and they will be pumping tunes, offering dance workshops, serving up cuisines and putting on an early evening 9.30pm localised fireworks display.

Around 500,000 revellers are expected to celebrate in the city and support its vibrant hospitality and entertainment scene – with events taking place this year at venues including The Langham, AFLOAT, HER, Fed Square and Blossom Rooftop.

An Arts Centre Melbourne gala concert by John Foreman’s Australian Pops Orchestra will also entice Melburnians to ring in the new year in the city.

Those celebrating elsewhere can share in the festivities by tuning into the official New Year’s Eve live broadcast, on Channel 9 and 9Now from 11pm.

The council said it would work with Victoria Police and emergency service providers to implement a detailed safety plan.

Merrymakers are encouraged to plan ahead, and book into a venue or attend a Celebration Zone. Detailed information on road closures, including changes to traffic and pedestrian access are available at
nye.melbourne.vic.gov.au •