Get ready for curtain-up at the best musicals, theatre shows and live entertainment playing in Melbourne in 2025 and 2026.
Entertainment
2025 New Year's Eve fireworks, events, and celebrations in Melbourne and regional Victoria
Check out our guide for how to celebrate the year that was and look forward to the year that will be across Melbourne and regional Victoria this New Year's Eve.
Another year has come and gone, and on December 31, the city of Melbourne will celebrate with fireworks, parties, and dozens of events across the city and suburbs.
This year, organisers have promised that Melbourne will feature one its largest fireworks displays that has ever been produced in Victoria. There will also be designated celebration zones across the city that will be family-friendly and offer a front-row seat to the fireworks displays.
If you're planning to head into the CBD for New Years, make sure to plan ahead with Arevo, as tens of thousands of people are expected to be celebrating in the city.
For those celebrating at home either quietly or throwing a party, there are plenty of ways to celebrate with summery cocktails and mocktails, to homemade sausage roll canapés and the ultimate in chocolate cakes.
Where to see New Year's Eve fireworks in Melbourne
On New Year's Eve, Melbourne will light up the sky twice with fireworks: once at 9.30pm in the designated Celebration Zones for families wanting to get the kids home early, and again at midnight with rooftop fireworks and laser displays to a pumping soundtrack.
Make sure to pre-plan your public transport route into your New Year's Eve celebrations. There will be traffic, road closures and tow-away zones across the city, making driving or taking a taxi difficult. Visit Transport Victoria for train, tram and bus services and their schedules on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Celebration Zones
Head to one of these free, family-friendly Celebration Zones for great vantage points to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks, plus food trucks, live music and performances, and other activations:
- Docklands - head here for performances by DJ Sensible J, Mbassy Dance Workshop, Doe Eyes, China Beach, and DJ MzRizk
- Kings Domain - DJ Jess & Kane, Disco Rodeo Boot Scoot Dance Workshop, and Empire
- Treasury Gardens - DJ Billie-Jean, Jhoom Bollywood Dance Workshop, Dinner Suit Boogie, and DJ O Honey
- Flagstaff Gardens - DJ Mothafunk, L2R Dance Workshop, and Headphones Jones.
Each Celebration Zone is open from 6pm until 1am. No bookings are required to attend. Please note that these zones are alcohol-free. The Celebration Zones are all also accessible, with accessible toilets available.
Around Melbourne
The fireworks will be visible from most Melbourne locations with a clear view of the CBD skyline. Ruckers Hill in Northcote, St Kilda Beach, 'Hipster Hill' in Fitzroy's Edinburgh Gardens and Anderson Park in Hawthorn are all popular fireworks-watching locations thanks to their views of the city.
There are also family-friendly celebrations and fireworks at Footscray Park's Western Lawn and Dandenong Park.
At home
If you don't want to leave the comfort of home, you can tune in to Channel 9's special broadcast 2025: A Year in Review from 11pm, which will cross live to the city's midnight fireworks and laser display.
Melbourne's NYE fireworks can be seen from anywhere with a clear view of the CBD skyline. Image: Getty
New Year's Eve events in Melbourne
See a musical: CATS or ANASTASIA
If you prefer theater-going to partying, two blockbuster musicals are showing on New Year's Eve in Melbourne. CATS, in which the Jellicle cats compete to be chosen to ascend and come back to a new life, is on at Hamer Hall at 7.30pm. ANASTASIA is on at Regent Theatre at 1pm and 6pm: a dazzling production that follows the amnesiac Anastasia (Anya) Romanov as she journeys to discover her past.
RACV Members can access special offers to CATS and ANASTASIA.
New Year's at the Bowl
Head to the Sidney Myer Musical Bowl this NYE to boogie with Underworld, Maribou State, Berlioz, Santigold, Confidence Man, Carl Cox and more. The event kicks off at 4pm and stretches until 1am, then does it all over again on 1 January from 2pm to 1am. If you get hungry, there will be food trucks at the event too.
The New Year's Eve Gala Concert
Enjoy a dazzling concert at 4pm or 8pm on New Year's Eve, with Broadway classics, orchestral favourites and more. The New Year's Eve Gala Concert stars Marina Prior (Les Misérables Arena Spectacular), Lucy Durack (Wicked) and Simon Gleeson (Love Never Dies), with performances by the 90-piece Australian Pops Orchestra and the Dana Jolly Dancers - all led by John Foreman.
Ticketholders to the 8pm New Year's Eve show can upgrade to the exclusive Fireworks Afterparty on the Melbourne Recital Centre's upper foyer, with drinks, canapés and unbeatable views of the fireworks.
RACV Members save 10% on MSO concert tickets. Book for 2026.
New Year's Eve Twilight, Fireworks or Party Cruise
Melbourne River Cruises is offering three different cruise options along the Yarra River to celebrate NYE this year. The family-friendly Twilight Cruise (8.30-10pm) takes in the early fireworks at King's Domain or Docklands, while the 18+ Fireworks Cruise (10.30pm-12.30am) offers the ultimate vantage point for the midnight fireworks with the convenience of an onboard bar. If you're after a party, the Party Cruise (8.30pm-12.30am) offers a resident DJ, canapes, cocktail food, and two different drinks packages to choose from.
RACV Members save on Melbourne River Cruises. Book for 2026.
New Year's Eve at Fortress: Final Boss Battle
Book in to Fortress Melbourne's NYE event from 7pm-2am to hit up the DJ-hosted dancefloor, enjoy themed cocktails, take happy snaps in the photo booth, and enjoy an epic midnight countdown. This fantasy video game-themed event is offering prizes for best-dressed in-game boss or protagonist, plus free board games, PC and console booths.
New Year's Eve at SEA LIFE Aquarium
Swim in to SEA Life Aquarium Melbourne for their New Year's Eve event. From 8pm to 1am, spend an unforgettable night with exclusive access to all levels of the aquarium, with food stations throughout and optional beverage packages. Along with a complimentary drink on arrival, there's a salsa dance grow, a Great Gatsby performance, and party beats from DJ Nosh Neumark. Come midnight, step riverside to see Melbourne's fireworks over the Yarra River.
RACV Members save on SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium entry. Book for 2026.
New Year's Eve dinners and entertainment packages
Riverside restaurants across Melbourne are offering delectable dinners and exciting entertainment packages this New Year's Eve. Check out iconic Melbourne restaurants and bars like Afloat, Transit Rooftop Bar, Ocean 12, Taxi Kitchen, Rooftop at QT, The Boatbuilders Yard, Riverland Bar and more to find a package that suits your tastes.
Kick off 2026 by seeing an iconic performance of CATS in Melbourne. Image: Daniel Boud
Where to see New Year's Eve fireworks in regional Victoria
Victorians staying outside Melbourne have plenty of regional New Year's Eve fireworks celebrations to attend, including:
- Ballarat - the Fireworks Spectacular on Lake Wendouree at 9.30pm
- Bendigo - fireworks displays in Rosalind Park at 9.15pm and midnight (the best viewing location is from the Queen Elizabeth Oval)
- Warrnambool - Warrnambool Fireworks on the main beach at 9.30pm and midnight
- Portland - New Year's Eve by the Foreshore: live music at Portland's Town Green from 6pm, plus fireworks at the Northern Boat Ramp at 10pm and midnight
- Paynesville - live music from 7pm at the Paynesville Floating Tin Shed, with fireworks at 10pm
- Wangaratta - live music, food trucks and fireworks at the Wangaratta Showgrounds from 5pm to midnight
- Lakes Entrance - live entertainment at the Lakes Entrance Esplanade from 6pm, with fireworks at 9.30pm and midnight
- Port Albert - markets, food trucks, live music, kids' activities and fireworks at Rutters Park from 6pm to 9.30pm.
New Year's Eve events in regional Victoria
Bright Brewery's Biggest NYE Bash
Ring in the New Year alpine-style at award-winning brewery Bright Brewery's NYE bash on the banks of the Ovens River. There will be live music, DJ sets, lawn games, a disco igloo, indoor and outdoor bars, free finger food until 11pm. ECHO THIEF will be headlining the party with high-energy rock covers. Doors open at 8.30pm for ticket-holders, but you make book dinner reservations beforehand.
San Remo New Year's Eve Cruise
Say hello to 2026 on Wildlife Coast Cruises' New Year's Eve Cruise, departing San Remo Jetty at 8.30pm and returning at 12.45am. This beach-themed cruise is 18+ only, with a complimentary drink on arrival, light appetisers included, and a licensed onboard bar. Along with live music by Alysha and Duffy, you'll enjoy a great vantage point for the coastal fireworks.
RACV Members save on Phillip Island tours and day trips. Book for 2026.
Moyneyana Festival
If you find yourself in Port Fairy, check out the Moyneyana Festival - a community festival that runs from Christmas Eve until 16 January. The 2025/26 New Year's Eve Parade will include the Moyne Shire Town Float Competition, with towns across the shire invited to participate. There will also be live bands and a dazzling midnight fireworks display.
Read more: The best beautiful country towns to visit in Victoria
