Name: Sydney Harbour New Year’s Eve event honours Bondi attack victims
Uploaded: 2026-01-01T06:11:53.261Z
Duration: 3 min 7 s
Description: The world-famous New Year’s Eve celebrations on Sydney Harbour included a tribute to the victims of the Bondi terror attack. Despite the sombre note, thousands gathered at vantage points around the harbour to watch the fireworks display.

The world-famous New Year’s Eve celebrations on Sydney Harbour included a tribute to the victims of the Bondi terror attack. Despite the sombre note, thousands gathered at vantage points around the harbour to watch the fireworks display.

Council of the City of Sydney

Sydney marked the arrival of 2026 with a 12-minute fireworks display featuring 13,500 pyrotechnics, drawing over one million people to the foreshore and key locations such as the Opera House and Barangaroo. Despite a technical glitch with the double rainbow waterfall, the event was widely praised by attendees who traveled from across Australia and overseas.

The celebrations included a minute's silence at 11pm to honor victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack, demonstrating unity and support for the Jewish community. Police deployed 3,000 officers, made 38 arrests, and issued fines for illegal fireworks, but overall described the operation as a success and commended the community's behavior.

Sydney Harbour New Year’s Eve event honours Bondi attack victims

Across every corner of the shimmering city, they jostled for a spot for the big show. 3, 2, 1, HAPPY NEW YEAR! 13,500 fireworks shot into the air in a thrilling 12-minute midnight spectacle of light and colour. The world-renowned pyrotechnic display well worth the wait, despite a technical glitch with the promised double rainbow waterfall. It's amazing. All the fireworks and the fountain is my favourite. One million along the foreshore finding the magic unmissable. One of the things you have to do before you die. I've come all the way from WA to be here. People came from every country. Really feels like you're on another planet, like just completely separated from the rest of the world. But before the spectacle, stillness among a sea of light and a minute's silence at 11pm to honour lives lost in the Bondi Beach terror attack in a show of support for the Jewish community. A powerful moment of reflection and unity. It was incredibly moving. People really responded. Hopefully we can all find peace and move on and have a wonderful year ahead. The celebration stretched from Penrith to Manly. Communities coming together to welcome in 2026. And while the Opera House forecourt was the key position for the dazzling display, Without you, there's something very special about you. The groove was in the heart of Barangaroo. Those on the front line highly visible and heavily armed. 3,000 officers ready to protect partygoers with the number one goal, safety. Last night's New Year's Eve operation we would say is a great success. Police made 38 arrests, nine of those along the foreshore. For fights, offensive behaviour and assaulting police. While in Guildford in Sydney's west... Those illegally igniting the night sky have started the new year with a financial sting. Two adults and two juveniles were fined $7,500 each. I'm also aware of a number of persons who were injured holding fireworks and it's a really dangerous thing to do. But overall, police were very happy with the community. In terms of the circumstances that led up to this night, we couldn't have wished for more. It was terrific. And as the party wound down, it's hoped these good vibes will last well into the new year. Sarah Naven, 10 News.

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