Sydney's iconic New Year's Eve fireworks will ring in 2026 on Wednesday night, but celebrations will look a little different this year — with police officers carrying machine guns in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said on Monday there would be a "huge" security presence at the celebration sites on Wednesday, including fully armed police.
He encouraged Sydneysiders to "show defiance" and celebrate the new year with family and friends despite the attack, which targeted a Jewish Hanukkah event and claimed the lives of 15 people earlier this month.
"That means that we have to have a massive police presence. We need to have huge security available on the scene during New Year's Eve celebrations," Minns told reporters.
"And yes, in many cases, it will be confronting for members of the community to see police with big firearms and machine guns, which aren't normally the case on Sydney's streets.
"But I don't make any apology for that. We want people to be safe in our community."
NSW Premier Chris Minns said a "massive police presence" was necessary. Source: AAP / Dominic Giannini
The premier said there was an opportunity for members of the community to show they would not be "intimidated" by the attack at Bondi this month.
NYE fireworks for unity
The City of Sydney estimates around 1.1 million live audiences will witness the glamorous fireworks across 48 vantage points, with 425 million watching from home worldwide.
Stephen Gilby, City of Sydney's events program manager, said at 11pm, the Sydney Harbour Bridge will light up white to commemorate the victims of the Bondi massacre.
"It will be a powerful message on a global stage," he said.
A menorah will also be projected onto the bridge's pylons.
The City of Sydney had originally planned to light up the Harbour Bridge with an image of a dove and the word 'peace'.
Lord mayor Clover Moore announced the change after an open letter signed by more than 30 Jewish creatives urging that a "Jewish-specific symbol" be projected.
There will be a one-minute silence to show solidarity with the Jewish community, and crowds will be asked to shine their phone torches.
"After a tragic end to the year for our city, we hope that New Year's Eve will provide an opportunity to come together and look with hope for a peaceful and happy 2026," Moore said.
NYE events with increased security will also go ahead at Coogee, Parramatta and on the city's northern beaches.
However, a planned gathering at Bondi has been cancelled, with organisers instead focusing on "compassion and care for Sydney's Jewish community and all those impacted".
Gilby said the New Year's Eve celebrations will be like "nowhere else", with more fireworks launched from more locations than before.
Spectators on the night will first enjoy the Calling Country Fireworks at 9pm, curated by First Nations social enterprise We Are Warriors.
At 10pm, the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be illuminated to recognise mental health service Beyond Blue.
At midnight, Sydneysiders will ring in 2026 with shimmering fireworks from water, land and aerial platforms, six city rooftops, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.
How to get to Sydney's NYE fireworks
Gilby encouraged members of the public planning to attend the celebration to use public transport, saying there would be extra train and bus services available on the day.
He also advised planning for the events before leaving home and visiting sydneynewyearseve.com for more information.
— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press.
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