Crowds began queueing more than a day in advance to find a good spot for Sydney's iconic New Year's Even fireworks, set to be their best ever. It will begin with a minute's silence to honour the victims of the Bondi terror attack.

Council of the City of Sydney

Crowds began queuing up to 40 hours in advance to secure prime viewing spots for Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks, with attendees from around the world gathering at Sydney Harbour. Authorities have deployed a record 2,500 police officers, including heavily armed units, in response to recent tragic events, aiming to ensure the safety of the estimated 1.1 million spectators.

The celebrations will include a lighting of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with symbols of peace and unity, as well as a minute of silence in support of the Jewish community. The evening will be highlighted by two major firework displays featuring nine tonnes of fireworks and new effects, including representations of Australian flora and fauna.

Sydney to host 'best ever' New Year's Eve fireworks

They started queuing yesterday, 40 hours before midnight. Knock knock, hello. You're first in line. Yeah, I'm number one. By this morning, Yuri from China was joined by thousands of others. You may say they're crackers for crackers, and they were soon in a race for the best cracker viewing spots. Sicily! There's room for 1.1 million around Sydney Harbour. The best locations were a little squeezy, filling up fast as locals and tourists from around the world settled in for the waiting game. Stephen, where are you from? I'm from the Netherlands. And you've got one of the best seats in the house? Yes, we are. Particularly if you need to go to the toilet. Well, it's nearby, so it's my neighbour. Also out in force, a record 2,500 New Year's police. There'll be a number of heavily armed officers deployed across metropolitan Sydney. Given that we're still reeling from the recent tragic events in Bondi, New Year's Eve provides an opportunity to gather as a community, to pause and reflect, and to look with hope for a safer and more peaceful 2026. This year, the greatest show on earth begins with the bridge lighting up, with an image of a dove and the words peace and unity. At 11pm we will show our support for the Jewish community by observing one minute of silence, during which we will light the harbour bridge in white and project a menorah onto the parlance. Bookended at 9pm and midnight by our biggest and best firework show ever, nine tonnes of fireworks including never-before-seen Aussie flora and fauna, and a double rainbow waterfall of our famous coat hanger. Ali Donaldson, 10 News.

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Al Mukalla

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Florida

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

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Hammonton

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Palm Beach

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Berlin

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