Sydney New Year's Eve Fireworks Light Up the Sky as Millions Welcome 2025

SYDNEY, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) — At midnight local time on January 1, dazzling fireworks lit up the sky over Sydney Harbour as over a million spectators along the waterfront cheered in unison to welcome the arrival of 2025. Hailed as the world's largest New Year's celebration, the event drew 425 million viewers globally through both in-person and online channels.

This year's festivities centered on the theme “All Hearts Forward,” promoting multicultural unity. The festivities featured two performances: a family-friendly show at 9 PM on December 31st and a midnight New Year's Eve extravaganza. A total of 9 tons of fireworks were ignited, including 23,000 aerial shells, 40,000 ground effects, and 13,000 aerial fireworks. Eighty launch sites across landmarks like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House illuminated 7 kilometers of the harbor skyline.

Technological and cultural innovation took center stage. The show debuted drone-mounted platforms and AI projection technology, with 450-meter aerial fireworks complementing special effects like the word “Sydney.” During the 9 PM performance, the image of Barangaroo, an Aboriginal warrior woman, was projected onto the Harbour Bridge, highlighting Indigenous cultural heritage.

To ensure smooth celebrations, authorities implemented extensive traffic management measures, with trams operating continuously for 46 hours. Public order remained excellent, with only 36 arrests made for incidents. Sydney Mayor Clover Moore stated the festivities injected over 170 million Australian dollars into the local economy, showcasing the city's vitality. German backpacker Kronschl remarked that waiting 20 hours to secure a viewing spot was “absolutely worth it.”