Sydney New Year's Eve Features Sombre Tone with Vigils and Fireworks Following Bondi Beach Terror Attack
The Sydney New Year's Eve celebrations on December 31, 2025, took on a more sombre tone in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack on December 14, which left 15 dead and 41 injured. To honour the victims, a minute's silence was observed, and a menorah was projected on the Harbour Bridge alongside images of a dove symbolizing peace and unity.
At 11pm AEDT, crowds lit their phone torches in a show of solidarity. Earlier, a 9pm fireworks display titled "Calling Country" celebrated Indigenous history, while the traditional midnight fireworks marked the arrival of 2026. Across Sydney, heavy security was in place with thousands of armed police deployed to ensure public safety.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for kindness and emphasized the Australian spirit of courage and compassion in this challenging time. Nationwide, crowds gathered for New Year's Eve events, with Melbourne expecting about 500,000 attendees for its midnight fireworks. Other cities staged displays throughout the evening and at midnight, including Perth (8:30pm), Adelaide (9:30pm and midnight), Brisbane (7:45pm), Hobart (9:30pm and midnight), and Darwin (9pm and midnight).
Despite lingering fears after the Bondi atrocity, some attendees felt safer due to the heightened security presence, reflecting a defiant mood among Australians determined to celebrate together.
