6 ways to have a fantastic New Year’s Eve in Melbourne

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Melbourne

Australia’s second-largest NYE celebration unfolds in its cultural capital - Melbourne. Drawing visitors from around the country and the world, New Year’s Eve erupts in a dazzling display of fireworks, music, dancing and dining. Here are our top picks on how you can spend New Year’s Eve in Melbourne.

Top 6 Things To Do In Melbourne on New Year’s Eve

1. Catch the Fireworks Display from Melbounrne’s Celebration Zones

Party in style in Melbourne this New Year’s Eve. With an “All That Sparkles” theme, add your own shimmer and glamour to the event. The city has designated areas like the Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens and the Kings Domain from where you can watch the midnight fireworks. Plus, you can party all night with thousands of Melburnians at the celebration zones fitted with dance floors, food trucks, live music and workshops.

2. Dance and Dine into the New Year at Federation Square

On New Year’s Eve, the revellers descend on Federation Square to countdown to the New Year. The Square is the centre of NYE celebrations in Melbourne and you can catch the electrifying pulse of the festivities alongside hordes of Melburnians. Live music and restaurants hosting special dinners only add to the revelry. Here are five top restaurants at Fed Square offering dining packages of NYE:
Riverland Bar
Taxi Kitchen
Transit Rooftop Bar
Transport Hotel
Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters

3. Have a Gala Time at the Hamer Hall Gala Concerts

Start off the year with a musical high with the ‘The New Year's Eve (& The Night Before) Gala Concerts” at Hamer Hall. In its 40th year, the gala concerts at Hamer Hall are a beloved Melburnian tradition. The night promises a mix of Broadway hits, classic orchestra pieces, and inspiring anthems performed by Australia’s star performers. The line-up includes Marina Prior - Australia’s First Lady of Song. There is also Michael Cormick, star of both Wicked and Frozen, and Jemma Rix. But music is not the only item on the agenda as the night also includes a special performance by Dana Jolly Dancers known for their incredible choreography.

4. Ring in the New Year From High Up Above at the Melbourne Skydeck

One of the city’s most prominent landmarks, the Melbourne Skydeck is all set to take NYE celebrations to the next level! Almost 300 metres above the ground, the Skydeck is hosting a good old disco party, where a DJ will belt out the old and the new hits. The night will also include theatre experiences, gourmet canapes and artisanal cocktails to ensure you stay well-satiated through the night.

5. Sign Up for the Heaps Good Festival at Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Immerse yourself in the day-long Heaps Good Festival, that’s happening for the first time in Melbourne. Perfect for a date or if you want to spend the last day of the year with your friends, the festival’s line-up includes names from Australia and around the world. Performers include electronic music czar Flumes, the British band Foals, The Avalanches, SBTRKT, and Holly Humberstone. The event has been made accessible for all with wheelchair access, assistive hearing and access to care companions.

6. Take the Party to the Waters with a NYE River Cruise

This NYE, skip the crowds and party the night away on the Yarra River on a special cruise. Whether you would like a sophisticated evening with dinner with your special someone or you want to dance till your feet ache as the waters stretch endlessly in front of you, there is a river cruise package for everyone. Of course, watching the midnight fireworks display from the waters is a treat in itself!

Weather in Melbourne on New Year’s Eve

Highest Temp: 27°C

Lowest Temp: 17°C

What To Wear: Summers are pleasant in Melbourne so you can choose to simmer and sparkle at your New Year’s Eve party. Generally, Australians have a laid-back vibe regarding clothing, so, if you plan on participating in a public event, a more casual look will suit the occasion perfectly. The nights can get nippy so do carry a jacket.

What to look out for: If you plan to be at the riverside on New Year’s Eve, it might get windy. Do carry a jacket, especially if you are out and about in the evening.

Getting Around Melbourne on New Year’s Eve

Since the city authorities are heavily involved in the New Year’s Eve festivities, public transport is your best bet to get around the city on the occasion. Melbourne has an excellent network of trains, buses, and trams that run for extended hours on New Year’s Eve.

Metro

If you are heading towards the CBD, take the metro. Extra trains usually run post 8 PM so that party-goers can reach the designated spots to watch the fireworks display and also bring people back from the late-night revelry.

Trains

Between midnight and 1:45 AM, trains usually run at a 5 to 15-minute frequency. For trains between 1:45 AM and 2:45 AM, there will be a 30-minute wait between trains. After 2:45 AM, trains come in every hour. We recommend you log on to their website for updated information on train services.

Trams

Trams also run all night on New Year’s Eve. The wait time will be around 5 to 15 minutes between midnight and 3 AM. After which, trams operate on an hourly basis.

Buses

Buses will run all night on NYE.

Taxi

If you are hopping from venue to venue, then car sharing and taxis are a popular way to get around. But be prepared to brave the traffic, especially closer to midnight.

Tips for celebrating New Year’s Eve in Melbourne

• Keep checking the website: Many of the public celebrations are supported by the City of Melbourne and they run a dedicated website for NYE celebrations. Log on to their website for detailed information on events and traffic notifications during that time.
• Make reservations in advance: Melbourne hosts one of Australia’s biggest New Year extravaganzas and attracts visitors from all over the country. If you don’t want to miss out, we recommend that you make bookings and reservations well in advance.
• An early firework display: While the grand firework display happens at midnight, there is also a smaller one at 9:30 PM in the night for the kids and the oldies to enjoy. These can be seen from the dedicated celebration zones in the CBD.
• Crowded areas: If you are heading to the public areas for a celebration with your family, keep your kids close as the crowds get heavy during the late hours of the night.
• Quieter NYE: If you prefer a quieter celebration, head to Melbourne’s suburbs for NYE. St Kilda, Richmond, Brunswick - all of these host parties, movie screenings and live performances in public parks and spaces. These tend to be perfect for family outings.
• Myki card: Do sign up for a Myki card if you are travelling via public transport. The card will help you travel seamlessly through buses, trams and trains and you’ll avoid the hassle of ticket windows through the night.
• Watch out for free transportation: In 2022, the city of Melbourne announced free public transport services for New Year’s Eve. For similar announcements and more detailed information on traffic restrictions, we recommend you follow the NYE Melbourne website.

Frequently asked questions about New Year’s Eve in Melbourne