Melbourne will host Australia’s largest ever drone show to ring in the New Year.
The breathtaking display is set to stun crowds with 350 individual drones, while also reigniting the Docklands precinct and supporting local businesses.
The Docklands drone swarm will take place across Victoria Harbour, with a seven-minute show running twice on New Year’s Eve, before the 9:30pm and midnight fireworks. The swarm will also run twice a night from 3 – 30 January 2022.
The unique aerial display has been developed by internationally renowned drone art company, Celestial, which delivered Edinburgh’s 2020 New Year drone display, as well as a drone art creation for Amnesty International’s 60th anniversary.
Four ticketed celebration zones will be set up throughout the CBD to help manage crowds and adhere to health and safety requirements.
The zones will be at Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Alexandra Gardens and Treasury Gardens with family-friendly entertainment from 6pm and localised fireworks shows at 9:30pm and midnight.
Revellers will be entertained by performances throughout the night, including comedy and circus acts, dance workshops, big bands and local DJs, as well as food trucks and a disco light installation.
Following its success last year, the City of Melbourne will again partner with Melbourne Food & Wine Festival to deliver New Year Street Feasts – with eight precincts set to come alive with live music and delicious menus from Melbourne’s favourite restaurants.
The celebration zones will be ticketed and patrons will require to be fully vaccinated to ensure a COVID-safe event is delivered in line with State Government requirements. Attendance at New Year’s Eve Street Feasts will also require patrons to be vaccinated and to have made a booking.
The full New Year’s Eve program will launch on 25 November. Tickets to the celebration zones will be awarded through a Ticketek ballot, while tickets to New Year Street Feasts will be on sale via the Melbourne Food & Wine website.
New Year’s Eve in the city is being delivered through the $100 million Melbourne City Recovery Fund – a joint partnership between the City of Melbourne and the Victorian Government.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Sally Capp:
“With 350 drones lighting up the sky – this will be one of the first drone shows of this scale to ever take place in the southern hemisphere.”
“The Docklands drone swarm will celebrate our love for Melbourne and help reignite the city from New Year’s Eve, through to the end of January. For the best view, make your way to Victoria Harbour and support our wonderful venues and local workers.”
“Fireworks, street feasts and live music will add to the buzz, and we’re thrilled to entice people in to celebrate with us in a safe way.”
Quotes attributable to City Activation portfolio lead Councillor Roshena Campbell:
“We’re delivering a bigger celebration this year so Victorians can farewell 2021 and welcome a new year.”
“These will be the hottest tickets in town, so we encourage people to book into a celebration zone or a participating city venue. A staycation at one of the many city hotels would make it the ultimate Melbourne holiday.”
Quotes attributable to co-founder and Celestial CEO Tony Martin:
“The team at Celestial is thrilled to be designing a show-stopping event for Melbourne New Year. Working with celebrated local talent, our aim is to tell a story that takes the audience on a journey from the troubles of a difficult year and into a greener, healthier, happier future.”
Quotes attributable to Melbourne Food & Wine Festival and Food + Drink CEO Anthea Loucas Bosha
“We can’t wait to see people lining Melbourne’s streets eating and drinking, and being cared for, by our world-class operators as we ring in the New Year.”
New Year Street Feasts will be showcased across eight precincts, including:
- Little Bourke St East: Between Spring and Exhibition, including Liverpool and Crosley St
- Flinders Lane East: Between Exhibition and Russell St
- Flinders Lane West: Between Russell and Swanston St
- Little Collins St: Between Spring St and Exhibition St, including Meyers Place.
- Russell Place
- Cohen Place
- Docklands: New Quay Promenade
- Federation Square
