It’s hard to believe that another year is almost over, but the new year is nearly here! New Year’s Eve is a great time to get out and about with the fam-bam, reflecting on the year that was before turning your focus to the promise of the future!
From fireworks to family entertainment, we’ve got you covered when it comes to knowing the hot spots for free, family-friendly New Year’s Eve entertainment across Australia. Here are some of our top picks for ringing in the new year with a bang.
Adelaide
Head to Glenelg’s Moseley Square, where they will be hosting the 2015-16 Glo Gleneg. Bring your best fluoro gear and enjoy the free live entertainment and children’s activities. Fireworks will light up the gorgeous Glenelg foreshore from 9.30pm. Have fun, Radelaide! (Image via Around You)
Brisbane
Enjoy the Brisbane NYE celebrations at Southbank with free family movies in the Cultural Forecourt and an early 8.30pm fireworks display for young party-goers. You’ll also find live music via City Sounds and heaps of food vendor trucks to keep lil’ tummies full and happy. (Image via Visit Brisbane)
Canberra
Our nation’s capital is going to welcome in 2016 with a fantastic line-up of free entertainment including two state-of-the-art fireworks displays – the first at 9pm, followed by one at midnight – and an all-ages concert in Civic Square. Bring your dancing shoes! (Image via Visit Canberra)
Darwin
Darwin has upped the family fun factor with an Aussie Outback NYE featuring a Blinky Bill show (including a meet and greet), local live music and face painting. There is also a pyromusical fireworks displays at 9pm, featuring EMDEE and Howard & Sons. If you have kids that can rock the night away, there is also a free performance from Daryl Braithwaite starting at 9.30pm. That’s an awesome lineup, Darwin! (Image via Darwin Waterfront)
Hobart
The Parliament Lawns in Hobart will be hosting the free, family fun for Tassie folk. Think roving street performers, face-painting, a comedy show and a family disco at 7pm! Wear your brightest clothes to be in with a chance to win fabulous spot prizes as you dance up a storm, then watch the colourful fireworks at 9.30pm. (Image via The Taste of Tasmania)
Melbourne
Early Eve at Yarra Park is our top pick for Melburnians with kidlets in tow. There’s a free movie screening of Toy Story, kiddie bands such as The Rrrrrockets! and, of course, free fireworks at the more kid-friendly time of 9.30pm.
Just out of the City, the Maribyrnong City Council are also hosting Early Eve at Footscray Park, with MC Denise Drysdale, a performance from popular kids group, The Mik Maks and an early fireworks show at 9.30pm followed by entertainment from The Robbie Williams Experience. (Image via The Mik Maks)
Perth
Head to the Northbridge Piazza for the City of Perth’s 2015 finale. Entry is free and there are bands and entertainment for all ages across two stages. Streets will be closed to traffic for roving dancers, singers and musicians in this fab outdoor event. (Image via Experience Perth)
Sydney
With well over a million visitors expected to attend the NYE celebrations in Sydney, it pays to be early and organised! Bring sunscreen, a picnic and a picnic blanket and head in early for the best vantage points around the harbour. At 8.40pm there will be an indigenous ceremony, paying respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their heritage, followed by one of Sydney’s famous firework displays at 9pm. (Image via Sydney New Years Eve)
