The ABC delivers the best seat in the house this New Year’s Eve – Ring in 2026 with the ABC’s annual New Year’s Eve concert and fireworks celebration on Wednesday 31 December from 8.45pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.
In partnership with the City of Sydney, the ABC will broadcast live from the Sydney Opera House’s Northern Broardwalk, overlooking Sydney Harbour. NYE25 hosts Charlie Pickering and Zan Rowe will light up your screen as the midnight fireworks ignite the sky in Sydney’s world-famous New Year’s Eve display.
As part of the celebration, stunning animations inspired by themes of connection, memory and renewal will be projected onto the Harbour Bridge, illuminating the 9pm Calling Country fireworks in vibrant pinks, greens, yellows and blues.
From 9.10pm you’ve got a front row seat to the ABC’s New Year’s Eve concert, which returns with a lineup led by global pop powerhouse Melanie C, soulful favourite Matt Corby, and festival icons The Cat Empire. They’re joined by pop sensation Peach PRC, Australian music royalty Marcia Hines, and the Queen of New Year’s Eve herself, Casey Donovan. Rounding out the bill is one of Australia’s most talked-about new voices Don West, acclaimed singer-songwriter Jem Cassar-Daley, and fast-rising star Ayesha Madon.
And to celebrate turning the big 6-0 in 2026, expect a special tribute to Play School, featuring some classic songs, iconic hosts and special guests, that have graced Australian screens across the past six decades.
At midnight, the City of Sydney’s world-famous fireworks display will light up Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, Opera House and surrounds, signalling the end of 2025, and a new beginning for 2026.
ABC’s Head of Arts, Music and Events, Kath Earle, said:
“ABC’s 2025 New Year’s Eve broadcast will be truly memorable and lots of fun. It’s a joy to collaborate with City of Sydney and share this celebration with audiences across Australia and around the globe.”
The NYE25 concert will broadcast across the entire ABC network including ABC TV, streamed live on ABC iview and across ABC socials on YouTube, Facebook and TikTok. And ABC Australia for international audiences.
The fireworks will also be broadcast on ABC Local Radio at midnight, with the firework displays audio described for the vision impaired on the ABC listen app; and ABC Radio Australia for international audiences.
PRODUCTION CREDIT: An ABC production. Manager Events and Partnerships: Janet Gaeta. Executive Producer: Nikita Agzarian. Head of Arts, Music and Events: Kath Earle.
Media Release – ABC
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The ABC delivers the best seat in the house this New Year’s Eve
