The top places to spend New Year’s Eve 2019/20 in Sydney

The top places to spend New Year’s Eve 2019/20 in Sydney

With the iconic sails of the Opera House, the graceful arch of the Harbour Bridge, one hell of a fireworks show and the fact it’s among the first cities in the world to reach midnight on December 31, Sydney is world-renowned for its New Year’s Eve celebrations. Indeed, if you’re in the New South Wales capital for the arrival of 2020, you’re in for a treat. The bad news? There are countless events and parties to choose from and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the decision.

To help take the stress out of your New Year’s Eve 2019/20 preparations, we’ve collated some of the best bashes in Sydney to suit any budget. Aside from offering the best views, dining and entertainment, the bonus of heading to one of these ticketed events means that while there will be crowds, you’ll be able to avoid playing sardines in the jam-packed public viewpoints. Just be sure to book tickets as early as possible – there are only so many available! If you’d prefer to just find a free vantage point for the fireworks, stay tuned for our upcoming guide.

High-End Events Offering The Ultimate Experience

If you’re ready to splash some cash and book the most exclusive, glamorous and downright spectacular New Year’s Eve events in Sydney, there are plenty of options to be tempted by.

Sydney Opera House

Where better to farewell 2019 and welcome 2020 than at the beating heart of Sydney’s NYE celebrations? world-famous Opera House? A number of highly sought-after events are happening in and around the iconic white-sailed landmark offering spectacular views of the 9pm and midnight fireworks.

Portside: From $695 pp – Private broadwalk viewing area with drinks, canapés and entertainment.

Opera Kitchen: From $690 pp – Reserved seating and champagne on arrival VIP tickets available with food and drinks included.

Yallamundi: $650 pp – Drinks, canapés, grazing food stations and more.

Bennelong: $1690 pp – Champagne and canapes, five course menu, matched wines and champagne at midnight.

Opera Bar: $499.50 pp – Food and all-night entertainment.

The Opera House will also be hosting two performances on the night: a spellbinding performance of La Bohème from $199 pp and the magnificent Opera Gala from $299 pp, both with intervals timed for the 9pm family fireworks. It seems neither guarantee a view of the midnight fireworks, but it will be a memorable night nonetheless.

Sydney Tower

At 305 metres tall, Sydney Tower is the Southern Hemisphere’s second-highest observation tower and contains its highest event space STUDIO. Do we have your attention yet? Towering over the CBD with sprawling 360-degree views, this landmark will be the place to be on New Year’s Eve with two events to choose from at STUDIO and the revolving 360 Bar and Dining the third event at Sydney Tower Buffet has sold out at the time of writing.

360 Bar and Dining: From $749 pp – Champagne and canapés on arrival, antipasto, six course degustation, matched wines and live band.

STUDIO: From $725 pp – Champagne and canapés on arrival, antipasto, six course degustation, matched wines and live band.

Historic ship cruises

A big part of what makes Sydney special is its glittering harbour, so why not embrace it? New Year’s Eve cruises are an unforgettable experience and there’s a number to choose from, but it’s hard to go past the beautiful, 1850s-style square rigger tall ships and traditional ferry run by Sydney Tall Ships. The vessels are an official part of the Harbour of Light, meaning they are positioned inside the harbour’s exclusion zone with unrivalled views of the 9pm and midnight fireworks.

Coral Trekker: $799 pp – Dinner and drinks on an intimate 40-person vessel.

Southern Swan and Soren Larsen: $949 pp – Dinner, drinks and live music on the fleet’s largest vessels.

Wangi Queen timber ferry: $649 pp – Dinner and drinks on a historic 1920s ferry.

Campbell’s Stores

Dine on a gourmet four-course meal and wash it down with a 6.5 hour beverage package at the outdoor terrace of the heritage-listed Campbell’s Stores, located right next to the Harbour Bridge in the The Rocks with excellent views of the Opera House. This venue needs no white sails, high-rise observation decks or historic sea vessel to impress: it’s simply world-class food, an unbeatable location and jaw-dropping views, complemented by a dance floor and DJ.

Campbell’s Stores banquet package: $850 pp – Gourmet four-course dining, 6.5 hour premium beverage package and live entertainment.

Cheaper Events That Won’t Break The Bank

Happy to spend a little without handing over a significant chunk of your hard-earned savings? There are plenty of more affordable New Year’s Eve events in Sydney to choose from, so there’s no need to start selling all of your possessions.

NYE in The Park

Away from the chaos of the harbour and with its own fireworks display!, NYE in The Park is a banger of a one-day festival featuring a massive lineup of Australian artists and a big international act. With Girl Talk USA, Hermitude, SAFIA, Crooked Colours, Sneaky Sound System, Client Liaison, Bag Raiders and more set to rock the stage at Victoria Park in Sydney’s inner west, this is a dance-filled night you won’t want to miss. The cheapest tickets have already been snapped up in the first three releases, so get in quick before you miss out.

NYE in The Park: From $129.90 pp – 18+ festival featuring Hermitude, Girl Talk USA, Crooked Colours, SAFIA, Client Liaison, Sneaky Sound System, Alice Icy, Chase Zera, Jawbreakers, Happiness is Wealth and All My Friends DJs.

Sydney Tower

We’ve already listed some of the more expensive packages being offered by Sydney Tower on NYE, but you can still enjoy the view without forking out for fine dining. The observation deck of the city’s tallest building will be open for the 9pm fireworks display with snacks and drinks available for purchase, giving you a more affordable opportunity to enjoy the unbelievable views.

Sydney Tower Eye observation deck: $100 pp – Access to observation deck from 8pm until 9:45pm. Drinks and snacks available to purchase.

$100

The Morrison

If an affordable but delicious sit-down dinner and a glass of champagne is your idea of a perfect NYE, The Morrison is the place to be. This George St staple is a short walk from Circular Quay has two very sensibly priced dinner packages that are sure to please your taste buds we’re talking freshly shucked oysters, people and a separate NYE party starting at 10pm and running until late.

NYE Early Dinner: $59 pp – Two-course meal within a 90 minute time slot before the early fireworks.

Champagne Set Menu: From $79 pp – Glass of Piper-Hedisieck champagne and two-course meal curated by Exec Chef Sean Connolly three-course for $10 extra per person with choice to swap dessert for a cocktail. 90 and 120-minute time slots.

NYE After Party – No ticket price listed, but RSVP early to get free entry and complimentary drink on arrival. Live DJs, saxophonist and espresso martini bar.

Free viewpoints for the fireworks

There’s no shame in wanting to spend a memorable New Year’s Eve without the “spend” part, and there are a number of public areas from which you can catch Sydney’s world famous fireworks as they light up the harbour and city skyline. We’ll be penning a guide to the best vantage points soon, so keep an eye out!

Booking New Year’s Eve Accommodation In Sydney

With so much happening in Sydney for the end of 2019 and the start of a new decade, it’s important to secure your New Year’s Eve accommodation before it’s too late. Our luxury serviced apartments at Fraser Suites are the perfect base from which to explore the city on the biggest night of the year. Enjoy modern amenities, plush bedding, beautiful city views and first-class hotel facilities in a CBD location within reach of the biggest events on December 31.