Sydney celebrates New Year’s Eve with fireworks around Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
The event uses the harbor as a large public stage, with fireworks launched from the bridge, barges, and other structures depending on the year’s program. The illuminated bridge and Opera House make the celebration instantly recognizable in photographs and broadcasts.
Sydney is among the major world cities to reach midnight early because it uses Australian Eastern time. The city’s countdown is watched internationally, although it is not literally the first New Year celebration on Earth; locations farther east, including parts of the Pacific, enter the new year earlier.
Sydney’s celebration includes more than the midnight display. Programs have featured aerial performances, harbor activities, family events, and earlier fireworks designed for children and people who do not stay up until midnight. Details such as launch locations and themes can change annually.