Sydney New Year 's Eve - Wikipedia Sydney New Year 's Eve This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( January 2015 ) Sydney New Year 's Eve Opening sequence of the 2006 / 07 Midnight Fireworks. Genre New Year 's Eve event Date ( s ) 31 December Begins 8 : 30 pm ( AEDT ) Ends 12 : 30 am ( AEDT ) Frequency Annual Location ( s ) Port Jackson, Sydney Inaugurated 1976 Founder Syd Howard Most recent 2017 / 18 Previous event 2016 / 17 Next event 2018 / 19 Attendance 1.6 million Budget $7.2 million ( as of 2014 -- 15 ) Website http://www.sydneynewyearseve.com/ Sydney New Year 's Eve is an annual multi-tiered event held every New Year 's Eve over Sydney Harbour, centring on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia. Its main features are two pyrotechnic displays, the `` 9 pm Family Fireworks '' and the `` Midnight Fireworks '', both of which are televised nationally with the latter televised around the world. Synchronised to a soundtrack, the fireworks explode off the arches, catwalk and roadway of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and also the city buildings. The barge in front of the bridge features occasionally during the show to synchronise with the bridge 's fireworks. The closing sequence of the show features the bridge before all firing points explode in an `` all - white '' finale. The event was first televised on 31 December 1996. The 9 pm Family Fireworks was originally the main show and went for about twenty minutes. The Midnight Fireworks lasted about three minutes and only featured Sydney Tower. From NYE 1999, the tradition began of having the main show at midnight. The NYE 1998 Midnight Fireworks had a length of ten minutes. In 1999, they were increased to twenty - five minutes. In 2001, the fireworks went for fifteen minutes. From NYE 2005 to date the Midnight Fireworks went for twelve minutes. The City of Sydney Council is the official presenter of Sydney New Year 's Eve. Each year the event takes on a new theme and is regularly viewed by more than one million people at the harbour and one billion worldwide for the televised Midnight Fireworks. For the 2010 / 11 event, an audience of 1.5 million watched the display from the local harbour foreshores and 1.1 billion are reported to have watched it globally. Contents 1 History 1.1 Origins 1.2 1996 -- 98 1.3 1999 -- 2002 1.4 2003 -- 06 1.5 2007 -- 09 1.6 2010 -- 14 1.7 2015 and beyond 2 Bridge effect 2.1 `` Waterfall '' effect 2.2 `` Birthday cake '' effect 3 Broadcast 4 Controversies 4.1 NYE 2004 soundtrack 4.2 Network Ten coverage 4.3 ABC coverage 5 References 6 External links History Origins In 1976, the Sydney Committee decided to reconstitute a failing Waratah Festival as the Festival of Sydney. At the first meeting of its Programme Committee, they agreed that New Year 's Eve should launch the new festival, a ' big bang affair '. Focusing on the harbour and adjacent areas, it would include a sail - past of decorated craft, music, and a ' spectacular fireworks display at midnight '. With this, the Festival of Sydney made New Year 's Eve official for the first time. Stephen Hall was its Executive Director from 1977 to 1994.. The 1979 / 80 brochure for the Festival featured an image of the fireworks over the Sydney Opera House and the slogan `` Get into the 80 's with a bang '' Inspiration to use the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a launchpad for fireworks came from the use of fireworks on the Brooklyn Bridge as part of its 100th anniversary celebrations in 1983. Syd Howard, pyrotechnician, used his inspiration and the chances given to him to put fireworks displays on Sydney Harbour to use the bridge as a launchpad for fireworks. His first opportunity was in 1986 for the 75th Anniversary Review of the Royal Australian Navy. Here he introduced the `` waterfall '' effect as well as a pyrotechnic message on the bridge. The message read `` NSW salutes Royal Australian navy '' and employed thousands of cigarette - style fireworks to create the lettering. It hung over the side of the pedestrian walkway. From NYE 1996 to NYE 1999, management of the event was contracted out to Ric Birch 's Spectak Productions. Birch, known for his work on numerous Olympic Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies brought with him former Jimmy and the Boys front man Ignatius Jones as Creative Director and Catriona Brown as Senior Producer. 1996 -- 98 The original Sydney New Year 's Eve fireworks display ( NYE 1996 ) was designed by Syd Howard Fireworks. The event used the pylons, arch and catwalk of the bridge, city buildings and one barge located in front of the Sydney Opera House. There was a ten - second pyrotechnic countdown. Each second, one shooting comet shot off a different building starting from North Sydney and finishing at AMP Tower to form an Olympic Torch to welcome in 1997. For NYE 1997, the Midnight Fireworks included the Star City Casino. The AMP Tower turned into a ticking clock with shooting comets slowly rotating around the top of the tower. The soundtrack for the countdown was a ticking clock before a bell toll rang in 1999. This bell toll also turned AMP Tower into an Olympic Torch. Also, from NYE 1997, the Midnight Fireworks were extended to include the Harbour Bridge, the 9 pm Family Fireworks were extended to include two barges ( one on each side of the bridge ) and the displays were co-designed by Foti International Fireworks and Syd Howard Fireworks. 1999 -- 2002 On NYE 1999 the Apollo 11 countdown, as well as air raid sirens provided the soundtrack for the countdown. A smiley face was visible on the bridge during the show, until the finale revealed the word `` Eternity '' in Copperplate writing, in honour of Arthur Stace. Fireworks were also launched from the Centrepoint Tower. A rather unusual feature of the 1999 display was a selection of tugboats that made their way through the harbour, each one carrying a colourful, brightly lit model of a particular sea creature. The Fireworks Soundtrack included a 5 - minute `` History Of Pop '' featuring hits from the 1890s to the 1990s. Since NYE 2000, the displays have been fully designed and created by Foti International Fireworks. During NYE 2000, a larger than life birthday cake was unveiled well before midnight to celebrate 100 years of Australia as a nation. It was placed in front of the northern forecourt of the Opera House on a pontoon. A Federation Star representing 100 years since the federation of Australia appeared on the bridge. At midnight, the cake lit up with a chasing lighting effect running from the bottom of the cake to the top. On NYE 2001, A dove of peace slowly came into view to speak peace to the world after the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York. On NYE 2002, the city buildings were removed from the fireworks displays. The 9 pm family fireworks had to be cancelled due to high winds of 90 km / h ( 56 mph ). Those fireworks were then rescheduled to Australia Day, but were cancelled again, this time due to a total fire ban. An animated dove appeared on the bridge during the finale. After six years as creative director, Ignatius Jones stepped down in 2002 to be replaced by former Melbourne and Sydney Festival artistic director Leo Schofield. Ken Wilby moved on the following year with the event 's production manager Ed Wilkinson elevated to the producer role from 2003 to 2005. 2003 -- 06 The Sydney Harbour celebrations on NYE 2004. On NYE 2003, a fifteen - second countdown was accompanied with the striking of a gong at midnight. For the first time, fireworks were launched off the vertical hangers of the bridge in a one - off display. From NYE 2004, the first 3D bridge effect was used. Also in that year, the fireworks display was viewed as a disco with pop music and a disco ball suspended from the bridge. An all - white finale to the Midnight Fireworks on NYE 2007. On NYE 2005, a beating heart was the icon on the bridge that appeared after the 9 pm fireworks display. The fireworks themselves during the show exploded in Heart shapes. Former Sydney Theatre Company head Wayne Harrison joined Katrina Marton in taking over leadership of the event as Creative Director and Producer respectively for the events from 2005 to 2007. NYE 2006 saw the six barges feature with the city buildings return in the Midnight Fireworks and in addition, it had a ten - second countdown projected on the pylons starting with the Network Ten logo. A question mark was shown in the nights leading up to the celebrations, which also doubled up as the curved end of the coat hanger... Sydney New Year 's Eve 2008 -- 09 2007 -- 09 In NYE 2007, the bridge acted as a seventh barge for the first time shooting fireworks throughout the show instead of just during the beginning and finale. In NYE 2008, the bridge, seven city buildings and six barges staged in the biggest fireworks display yet, increasing from $4 million worth of fireworks to $5 million. Brenton Kewley, who had worked on the event since 1996 in various roles, including Art Director and Associate Producer took over as Producer for the 2008 and 2009 events while Journalist and broadcaster Rhoda Roberts, took over from Harrison in 2008. During NYE 2009, the countdown started with messages projected on the pylons. The pyrotechnic countdown was started by launching an exploding mine on a barge in front of the bridge. For the first time, microchip fireworks were used in the show which lasted longer in the sky and were more accurate when synchronised with music. The show consisted of $5 million worth of fireworks running for twelve minutes. A Yin Yang symbol appeared on the bridge during the finale. Once again, more fireworks exploded on the bridge throughout the entire show when compared with previous NYE displays. 2010 -- 14 In NYE 2010, the creative direction was still Rhoda Roberts. The theme for the Sydney 2010 / 11 fireworks extravaganza was `` Make Your Mark '', reflecting on the decade gone and the lasting impressions left by our actions ; as well as reflecting on ways in which all people can make their mark by contributing to a better future. For the very first time the bridge effect was multi-layered, which included more than ten signs and symbols. In NYE 2011, the creative director was handed over to Marc Newson and Imagination Australia, taking over from Rhoda Roberts. The display, for the very first time, was choreographed to an all - Australian soundtrack created by music production house s : amplify which included original composition. This marks the only year, a 90 second countdown was featured on the bridge effect. On NYE 2012, the logo featured a swirl of coloured sails in magenta, yellow, purple and red, and marked with Kylie Minogue 's signature `` K ''. The show included new effects such as bees, koalas and octopus shells. A ten - second countdown accompanied by comets launched from jet skis before midnight. The show 's budget has increased from $6.3 million to $6.6 million. Kylie Minogue was appointed as creative ambassador for the 2012 celebrations. Kylie worked alongside samplify to create the soundtrack including an exclusive remix created for the finale. On NYE 2013, fireworks launched from the Opera House celebrating its 40th anniversary in the midnight fireworks and once again, city buildings were removed from the 9 pm and midnight fireworks. The bridge effect was also twice as big than previous years and used new LED technology. Reg Mombassa was creative ambassador for 2013 / 14. The budget for Sydney New Year 's Eve 2014 was reported to have increased from $6.8 million to $7.2 million. Throughout the night, `` inspiring '' messages from Twitter users via the hashtag `` # SydNYE '' were projected onto the pylons of the bridge. More extended sequences were featured on the Harbour Bridge and a pontoon barge in front. The Sydney Opera House was again used as a launching platform for the third time since the millennium. Australian actor Jack Thompson was the creative ambassador for 2014 / 15. 2015 and beyond The theme for the Sydney New Year 's Eve 2015 celebrations was unveiled as ' City Of Colour '. The usual emblem or symbol on the bridge supporting the fireworks theme would now be absent, however light displays illuminating the whole bridge would be used for future New Year shows. The Sydney Opera House was again used as a launching platform for the fourth time since the millennium. It is reported that an additional 2,400 fireworks were launched off the harbour bridge itself, and featured new flora - and fauna - inspired effects as tribute to the 200th year anniversary of Sydney 's Royal Botanic Garden & 100 years of Taronga Zoo. The hangers of the Sydney Harbour Bridge were re-introduced for a second time since NYE2003. Sequential moments on the harbour bridge itself occurred almost non-stop throughout the entire show, utilising the whole bridge. The theme confirmed for Sydney New Year 's Eve 2016 was ' Welcome to SydNYE '. For the first time, the ABC broadcast of the event was live streamed through Facebook, YouTube, and the official SydNYE website. The display proved to be the most biggest and complex yet, featuring more sequences on the hangers of the harbour bridge, and the city 's name ( `` SYDNEY '' ) being ignited from the bridge 's upper arch, as the clock struck midnight. Both the 9pm and Midnight shows also paid tribute to deceased artists Prince, David Bowie and Gene Wilder, which included never - before - seen effects such as ; violet droplets, stars, quarter moons, saturn - shaped shells, and candy - coloured fireworks. The bridge effect was a multi-coloured light show, choreographed to music. The theme for Sydney New Year 's Eve 2017 was the catchphrase ' Wonder '. As a nod to Australia 's legalisation of same - sex marriage and tribute to the 40th anniversary of the Sydney Mardi Gras, a rainbow waterfall cascaded from the harbour bridge during the midnight display. The show set the record for Sydney 's biggest display yet, featuring 8 tonnes of pyrotechnics ( 1 tonne more than previous years ), 13,000 aerial shells & 30,000 shooting comets ( 1000 and 5000 more than in 2016, respectively ), and a numerical pyrotechnic countdown on the harbour bridge. For the very first time, 6 pontoon barges were re-introduced with all three displays, with the pontoons being configured horizontally across the Opera House Northern Forecourt for the Midnight show, and a segment co-designed by Hugh Jackman set to the tune of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu 's song ; ' Wiyathul '. The artwork from the event 's creative artist ; Nadia Hernandez, served as inspiration for the lighting effects on the harbour bridge featuring new pastel shades, bright orange, pink, lime green, and light blue. The Welcome to Country ceremony included a tribute marking the 50th anniversary of the Sydney - San Francisco sister city relationship, with a message from the Muwekma Ohlone peoples of the San Francisco Bay area projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons at the close of the ceremony. The bridge effect incorporated 3000 individual lighting effects ( 1000 effects more than last year 's ) designed by lighting director ; Ziggy Ziegler. Bridge effect Central to the firework displays each year since 1999 is the lighting display on the Harbour Bridge known as the `` bridge effect ''. Made of rope light attached to a panel and truss system, the display showcases a variety of symbols and other images related to the current year 's theme. In recent times, the bridge has included a ropelight display on a framework in the centre of the eastern arch, which is used to complement the fireworks. As the scaffolding and framework are clearly visible for some weeks before the event, revealing the outline of the design, there is much speculation as to how the effect is to be realised. The bridge effect has been designed by Brian Thomson since 2006, with the lighting designed by Mark Hammer since 2008. Since 2015, the current lighting designer is Ziggy Ziegler. Timeline of effects by year Year Theme Effect 1996 -- 97 `` Masquerade '' Sydney AMP Tower was the focal point for the midnight fireworks 1997 -- 98 Smiley face 1998 -- 99 Smiley face 1999 -- 2000 `` Sydney Millennium '' `` Eternity '' in copperplate writing and a smiley face 2000 -- 01 `` Centenary of Federation '' Rainbow Serpent and a Federation Star 2001 -- 02 `` Year of the Outback '' Uluru, and the Southern Cross ( supporting effect : Dove of Peace ) 2002 -- 03 `` Celebration in Unity '' Dove of Peace and the word `` PEACE '' 2003 -- 04 `` City of Light '' Light show 2004 -- 05 `` Reflections '' Fanfare 2005 -- 06 `` Heart of the Harbour '' Three concentric hearts 2006 -- 07 `` A Diamond Night in Emerald City '' Coathanger and a diamond ( supporting effect : question mark ) 2007 -- 08 `` The Time of Our Lives '' Mandala and an hourglass 2008 -- 09 `` Creation '' Sun ( supporting effect : eight - pointed star ) 2009 -- 10 `` Awaken the Spirit '' Yin and yang symbol, blue moon and a ring of fire 2010 -- 11 `` Make Your Mark '' X mark, Target and hand print ( supporting effects : smiling face, an asterisk, exclamation mark, the peace symbol, analogue clock, a pointer and an archer ) 2011 -- 12 `` Time to Dream '' thought bubble and Endless rainbow ( supporting effect : Sun ) 2012 -- 13 `` Embrace '' Butterfly and lip 2013 -- 14 `` Shine '' Eye ( supporting effect : a UFO and a blue star ) 2014 -- 15 `` Inspire '' Light bulb ( with love heart inside it ) ( supporting effect : seahorses ) 2015 -- 16 `` City of Colour '' Light show on Sydney Harbour Bridge 2016 -- 17 `` Welcome to SydNYE '' 2017 -- 18 `` Wonder '' `` Waterfall '' effect The waterfall effect seen on NYE 2008. A continual stream of fireworks falling from the base of the bridge down to actually touch the water. The waterfall comprises approximately 1100 candle fireworks. Each year, it has been a traditional golden waterfall. Some years the waterfall effect has been changed such as on NYE 2000 when the waterfall changed colours from gold to silver. NYE 2000 was also unique in that fireworks were also fired for the first time from the gantry of the bridge. NYE 2002 had a `` strobing angelic '' waterfall effect where 144 Roman candles released mines and stars that `` twinkled ''. This effect was repeated on NYE 2005 where it changed colour from red to white and also on NYE 2006 where it was coloured only green. NYE 2004 had the traditional golden waterfall effect except that it slowed crossed the bridge from south to north. This was a difficult set up due to the arch 's access but a first of its kind on the bridge with a spectacular `` torrent style '' waterfall effect. NYE 2009 saw a `` lollipop '' waterfall effect shoot off the catwalk of the bridge during the 9 pm Family Fireworks. This was followed on NYE 2010 where a red and white checkerboard waterfall effect shot off the catwalk of the bridge during the 9 pm Family Fireworks. NYE 2011 saw a colourful waterfall effect shot off during the 9 pm Family Fireworks. NYE 2014 saw a red and white waterfall effect shot off during the 9pm Family Fireworks. NYE 2015 saw a colourful waterfall effect shot off during the 9pm Family Fireworks. NYE 2016 saw a purple waterfall effect shot off during the 9pm Family Fireworks as a tribute to the deceased artist Prince. While in NYE 2017, a rainbow waterfall cascaded from the harbour bridge during the midnight show, celebrating the legalisation of same - sex marriage in Australia. The years where the traditional golden waterfall effect have not been featured completely are ; NYE 2000 ( golden to silver ), NYE 2002 ( green & white strobing angelic ), NYE 2005 ( red to white strobing angelic ), and NYE 2006 ( green strobing angelic ). `` Birthday cake '' effect Originally fired for the Australia Day Bicenntenial Celebrations in 1988, the effect has been used to close the fireworks display with its loudness and brightness. The effect comprises 200 long burning comets shooting out balls of fire 250 feet into the sky, with a silver star effect at the end fired off the top of the bridge, simulating a big birthday cake with 200 lit candles. This effect has closed every Sydney New Year 's Eve between NYE 1996 and NYE 1998. It was the used in the finale of the NYE 1999 celebrations. The effect has not been used in Sydney New Year 's Eve since NYE 1999. Broadcast From 1996 -- 2006, the rights to the television broadcast were held by the Nine Network with Richard Wilkins as a host for almost every year. From 2006 -- 09, Network Ten was broadcaster after winning a three - year deal from Nine. In 2009, Nine regained the rights back from Ten until 2013. ABC, ABC HD and Australia Plus had the rights until 2015. The City of Sydney put its 2015 -- 16 Sydney New Year 's Eve fireworks coverage to tender, following the conclusion of ABC 's two - year contract. However, the ABC held broadcast rights to the 2015 and 2016 Sydney New Year 's Eve coverage. Broadcast networks and presenters by year Year Broadcaster Host ( s ) 1996 / 97 Nine Network Richard Wilkins Catriona Rowntree 1997 / 98 1998 / 99 Richard Wilkins Hugh Jackman 1999 / 2000 Eddie McGuire 2000 / 01 Richard Wilkins 2001 / 02 Richard Wilkins Vince Sorrenti 2002 / 03 2003 / 04 2004 / 05 2005 / 06 Richard Wilkins 2006 / 07 Network Ten Gretel Killeen Daniel MacPherson 2007 / 08 2008 / 09 Kim Watkins Andrew Günsberg 2009 / 10 Nine Network Leila McKinnon Cameron Williams 2010 / 11 Alicia Gorey Michael Usher 2011 / 12 Jesinta Campbell Cameron Williams Jaynie Seal 2012 / 13 Catriona Rowntree Jason Dundas 2013 / 14 ABC ABC HD Australia Plus Lawrence Mooney Stephanie Brantz 2014 / 15 Julia Zemiro Toby Truslove 2015 / 16 Eddie Perfect Ella Hooper 2016 / 17 Jeremy Fernandez Ella Hooper 2017 / 18 Charlie Pickering Controversies NYE 2004 soundtrack The dance remix of Advance Australia Fair / Waltzing Matilda ( by Hylton Mowday ) was composed especially for the event. It caused backlash among the public, most notably, the Prime Minister of Australia of the time, John Howard. He said, `` the public will not be able to sing along. The anthem should only be played and sung to allow maximum audience participation. It is after all our national anthem and I do n't think it should be played around with. It 's become widely accepted and I think people should be encouraged to sing it with great gusto, but it 's got to be played in a way that enables them to do so. Most of us are pretty inadequate singers at the best of times and trying to keep pace with that, I do n't know about you but gee I could n't ''. The NSW Opposition Leader of the time, John Brogden was quoted to say `` it is simply a bad piece of music. I think it actually strangles the national anthem, which is what I think is upsetting people the most. It 's not like it 's a slight change on the version that people are willing to entertain for a party. What it is on this occasion is a very bad piece of music and that 's why I think the public anger has been so strong. I think people actually regard the treatment of the national anthem as disrespectful, cause it just does n't work. '' Network Ten coverage On NYE 2006 -- 07, Network Ten received many complaints regarding its first ever coverage of the event. The main issue was with a special episode of The Big Night In with John Foreman, shown between the two firework displays where Matthew Newton simulated oral sex with Foreman and pretended to play a piano with his penis. ABC coverage The Australian Broadcasting Corporation received a barrage of complaints from viewers regarding its 2013 -- 14 New Year 's Eve coverage, which was the first for the network, with many branding the coverage as a `` train wreck '' and that many of the presenters may have been affected by alcohol. Additionally, many sexual references were made in the lead - up to the midnight fireworks, with co-presenter Stephanie Brantz warning Lawrence Mooney that the show was `` moving into inappropriate land '', whilst also trying to restore focus onto the coverage. The following year 's 2014 -- 15 coverage was also panned, with descriptions including `` embarrassing '' and `` amateurish ''. Co-host Julia Zemiro was overheard to say `` Oh, thank God '' while her microphone was still on as the closing credits began. There were also some technical glitches during the midnight fireworks. The ratings however were slightly up on last year 's coverage. ABC 's coverage of the 2015 -- 16 show was yet again panned by viewers. Viewers this year criticised the show as a `` disaster '' with the hashtag # abcnye hijacked with complaints during the broadcast. The Children 's show was dubbed a `` train wreck '' by viewers slamming the segment as cringeworthy. The pub quiz, however was praised with some viewers calling host Lawrence Mooney `` the funniest man on tv. '' Some viewers even asked for the rights to be handed back to the Nine Network. Ratings were comparable with the previous year for the midnight fireworks, however the 9pm family fireworks were down around 18 %. References Jump up ^ `` New Year 's Eve : Early campers nab prime spots on Sydney Harbour to watch fireworks ''. ABC News, Mazoe Ford. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2015. Jump up ^ `` Sydney skies to light up thrice in spectacular NYE fireworks display ''. SBS with Agencies. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2015. Jump up ^ `` Sydney New Years Eve NYE The Official Event Website ''. Cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 14 April 2012. Jump up ^ KIrvin ( 1 January 2011 ). `` Sydney Makes its Mark and welcomes the new decade : : Sydney Media : : City of Sydney ''. Sydney Media. Retrieved 14 April 2012. Jump up ^ The Sydney Committee, Minutes of the Programme Committee 19 March 1976, City of Sydney Archives, CSA014504 / 003 Jump up ^ http://www.sydneyoralhistories.com.au/stories/sydney-festival-turns-forty/ Jump up ^ `` Fireworks virtuoso sparks a spectacle ''. The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 January 1998. Retrieved 16 October 2011. Jump up ^ Foti International Fireworks archive Jump up ^ http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/screen-legend-inspires-a-cracker-night-for-nye14 ^ Jump up to : `` Tweet your messages to the Bridge on NYE ''. The Daily Telegraph. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014. Jump up ^ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/city-east/actor-jack-thompson-says-sydney-is-best-city-in-the-world-and-nye-will-prove-it/story-fngr8h22-1227142918677 Jump up ^ http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/starring-role-for-sydneys-grand-old-dame Jump up ^ http://sydneyspectaculars.net/2015/12/31/why-sydnye-2015-city-of-colour-will-be-the-most-iconic-since-the-millennium/ Jump up ^ https://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/12/05/12/51/sydney-new-years-eve-fireworks-celebrate-same-sex-marriage Jump up ^ http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/rainbow-waterfall-heralds-new-dawn-for-equality/ Jump up ^ `` Sydney New Years Eve Photos NYE The Official Event Website ''. Sydneynewyearseve.com. Retrieved 14 April 2012. Jump up ^ http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/paper-art-to-reshape-sydney-harbour-this-nye/ Jump up ^ https://www.sydneynewyearseve.com/about// Jump up ^ NYE Broadcast to go to tender, TV Tonight, 4 January 2015 Jump up ^ Knox, David ( 13 November 2015 ). `` ABC to broadcast New Year 's Eve fireworks again ''. TV Tonight. Retrieved 13 November 2015. Jump up ^ Knox, David ( 16 August 2016 ). `` ABC invites kids to enter New Year 's Eve fireworks design contest ''. TV Tonight. Retrieved 16 August 2016. Jump up ^ `` PM unhappy with techno national anthem ''. ABC.net.au. 16 December 2004. Retrieved 11 January 2015. Jump up ^ `` It 's terrible, says PM ''. The Sydney Morning Herald. 15 December 2004. Retrieved 11 January 2015. Jump up ^ Gosnell, Peter ( 2 January 2007 ). `` Ten 's smutty party an insult ''. news.com.au. Retrieved 8 January 2008. Jump up ^ Gosnell, Peter ( 3 January 2007 ). `` Zero out of Ten ''. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 March 2008. Jump up ^ Angry viewers have vented their outrage at coverage of New Year 's Eve on ABC1, Herald Sun, 2 January 2014 Jump up ^ ABC New Year 's Eve coverage needs a cracker up its clacker * declares Claire Harvey, Daily Telegraph, 1 January 2015 Jump up ^ Julia Zemiro thanked God when the ABC 's 2014 New Year 's Eve telecast was over, Sydney Morning Herald, 1 January 2015 Jump up ^ ABC 's ' pathetic ' New Year 's Eve coverage slammed by viewers -- again Sydney Morning Herald 1 January 2016 Jump up ^ Knox, David ( 1 January 2016 ). `` Thursday 31 December 2015 ''. TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 January 2016. External links Sydney portal Official website Sydney New Year 's Eve Events 1996 -- 97 1997 -- 98 1998 -- 99 1999 -- 2000 2000 -- 01 2001 -- 02 2002 -- 03 2003 -- 04 2004 -- 05 2005 -- 06 2006 -- 07 2007 -- 08 2008 -- 09 2009 -- 10 2010 -- 11 2011 -- 12 2012 -- 13 2013 -- 14 2014 -- 15 2015 -- 16 2016 -- 17 2017 -- 18 Venues Main venues Sydney Harbour Harbour Bridge Opera House Dawes Point Royal Botanic Gardens Circular Quay Other vantage points Clark Island Cockatoo Island Darling Harbour Fort Denison Goat Island Shark Island The Rocks Waverton Related 9pm Family Fireworks Midnight Fireworks New Year 's Eve and New Year 's Day Events America 's Party First Night Hogmanay New Year 's Eve in London Objects dropped on New Year 's Eve Peach Drop Pelican Drop Réveillon de Copacabana Sydney New Year 's Eve The Possum Drop Times Square Ball Vienna New Year 's Concert Sports College Football Playoff bowls Rose Orange Sugar Fiesta Cotton Peach Citrus Bowl Gator Bowl Outback Bowl Tour de Ski Four Hills Tournament NHL Winter Classic Spengler Cup Final IIHF World U20 Championship Saint Silvester Road Race New Year Sprint Nos Galan road race Parades Tournament of Roses Parade London 's New Year 's Day Parade Florida Citrus Parade Mummers Parade Television New Year 's Rockin ' Eve Fox 's New Year 's Eve with Steve Harvey New Year 's Eve with Carson Daly New Year Live CNN New Year 's Eve Live ¡ Feliz ! MTV New Year 's The Big Fat Quiz of the Year Bye Bye Dinner for One Happy New Year, America Hogmanay Live Hootenanny Kōhaku Uta Gassen Little Blue Light Only an Excuse ? Red Bull New Year No Limits Rudolph 's Shiny New Year Scotch and Wry Silvesterstadl `` Silvesterpunsch `` 2000 Today ( US, Ireland ) Happy New Year, Charlie Brown ! First Night 2013 with Jamie Kennedy Music `` Auld Lang Syne '' `` Happy New Year '' `` What Are You Doing New Year 's Eve ? '' `` Levy - Dew '' `` New Year 's Day '' Related topics New Year films Gregorian calendar Baby New Year Calennig Hogmanay Holiday season Leap second Guy Lombardo New Year 's resolution New Year tree Saint Sylvester 's Day Vasilopita Watchnight service Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sydney_New_Year%27s_Eve&oldid=822775415 '' Categories : Tourist attractions in Sydney Australian Broadcasting Corporation specials Nine Network specials Network Ten specials Sydney New Year 's Eve Recurring events established in 1996 Annual television programs 1996 establishments in Australia Hidden categories : Use dmy dates from January 2015 Use Australian English from October 2011 All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English Articles needing additional references from January 2015 All articles needing additional references New South Wales articles missing geocoordinate data All articles needing coordinates Talk Contents About Wikipedia Español Edit links This page was last edited on 28 January 2018, at 12 : 08. 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Question: when did fireworks on sydney harbour bridge start
Answer: 1976