Happy New Year! Australia begins 2026

The east coast of Australia has welcomed in 2026 with a defiantly joyous celebration on Sydney Harbour just weeks after Bondi attack.

The east coast of Australia has welcomed in 2026 with a defiantly joyous celebration on Sydney Harbour just weeks after the nation's worst-ever terror attack.

Heavily armed police kept a close eye over about 1 million people who flocked to the waterfront for the midnight fireworks. The centrepiece of the world-famous spectacle was the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which earlier glowed blue in a powerful message for the world of peace and unity.

Images of a menorah and white doves were beamed onto the bridge's pylons in memory of the 15 people killed in the attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14.

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An hour before midnight, the massacre victims were commemorated with one minute of silence.

The crowd was asked to show solidarity with Australia's Jewish community by shining their phone torches across the harbour.

NSW Premier Chris Minns had asked revellers to thumb their noses at the fear terrorists sought to instill and said people should be assured of their safety at the biggest party of the year.

He said there would be an enormous police presence, but urged people not to take that as a sign that an active operation was under way.

Heavily armed officers could be seen prominently throughout the busiest areas, but crowds appeared undeterred, determined to enjoy the show that is watched by millions around the world every year.

And the reward for those who turned out was the biggest show ever.

More fireworks than ever erupted from water, land and aerial platforms, and six city rooftops, as well as from the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

More than 40,000 pyrotechnic effects created a show in the sky, choreographed to a bespoke soundtrack.

"With a footprint spanning seven kilometres along the harbour, we're doing everything we can to give the people of Sydney a great night with some stunning pyrotechnic moments," Foti International Fireworks creative director Fortunato Foti said ahead of the night.

"We've been delighting and entertaining Sydney New Year's Eve audiences for 29 years and we strive to make every year bigger and better.

"Keep your eye out for cockatoos, koalas, bottle brush and waratahs, as well as ambitious back to back waterfalls off the Sydney Harbour Bridge."

Jono Ma was the visionary composer behind the high-energy, 12-minute midnight soundtrack.

The tune was described as a sonic tribute to the city he grew up in and shaped by Sydney's rhythm, spirit and pulse.

Indigenous social enterprise We Are Warriors led the Calling Country segment at 9pm, with a beautiful display of Aboriginal stories and talent and a message of strength, love, resilience and unity.

People had slept overnight to secure their spots at the most popular vantage points on the harbour, while others began trickling in from dawn. Thousands were already in place by 6am.

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By early afternoon, Mrs Macquaries Point, Hickson Road Reserve, Barangaroo Reserve, Campbells Cove and Circular Quay were all at capacity.

Minns had urged Sydney residents not to stay away through fear, saying extremists would interpret smaller crowds as a victory.

"We can't be in a situation where this horrible, criminal, terrorist event changes the way we live in our beautiful city," Minns said.

"We have to show defiance in the face of this terrible crime and say that we're not going to be cowered by this kind of terrorism."

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the event was an opportunity for the community to reflect.

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"Given that we're still reeling from the recent tragic events in Bondi, New Year's Eve provides an opportunity to gather as a community to pause and reflect and hope for a safer and more peaceful 2026," Moore said.

"Sydney New Year's Eve is more than fireworks. It's a reflection of who we are – a vibrant, diverse and inclusive city. Those values are more important than ever."

"These moments will provide an opportunity for people to show respect, to reflect on the atrocity and to say we will not let this hateful act of terror divide us."

Extra public transport services

Roads were closed in the city centre as huge crowds poured onto the harbour foreshore.

Roads in Circular Quay were closed north of Bridge Street.

Roads in The Rocks and Barangaroo were closed including a section of Harrington, Essex and Argyle streets and a section of Hickson Road.

People were advised to take public transport to the event.

There would be 1000 extra public transport services, running constantly through the night, Transport Minister John Graham said.

Major surges were expected after the 9pm fireworks and the midnight fireworks, with people urged to - if they could - walk further up George Street to Martin Place or Town Hall to have an easier time getting on transport.

The Barangaroo metro station would also be open later.

People were urged to monitor the vacancies on the free gathering sites to be sure they can set up there, with the numbers updated on the official New Year's Eve website.

Excited crowds arrive early

One dedicated man told 9News he arrived at 10am on Tuesday and had not been able to sleep since.

One mum, who made her way into the Sydney CBD at 11.30am on New Year's Eve, said she was "really excited" to have a front row seat to the action with her two sons.

"We can't wait, we got here early to get this spot so we can see the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge," she said.

"We were here in the year 2000 so we brought these guys back for their first time this year.

"The crowd has been very, very hospitable and the organisation has been perfect."

One of her sons said he was thrilled to see the fireworks in real life.

"We've seen it on TV a few times before, we can't wait to see it, it looks really cool on TV," he said.

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