Sydney, Australia’s vibrant harbour city, lit up the sky with a breathtaking fireworks display late Wednesday night as it welcomed 2026, drawing huge crowds and global attention for one of the world’s most iconic New Year’s Eve celebrations. Despite being under the shadow of a recent mass shooting at a Hanukkah event in Bondi Beach, which killed 15 people, the city’s celebrations went ahead with both spectacle and solemnity. A minute’s silence was observed before midnight in tribute to the victims, while the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge were illuminated with a menorah and white lights as a symbol of unity and remembrance.
Thousands of revellers, estimated at more than one million, gathered along the foreshore, on ferries, and at vantage points around Port Jackson to witness the main fireworks display. The internationally renowned show, centered on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, featured thousands of pyrotechnic bursts that painted the night sky with vibrant colors and patterns, concluding with the signature “waterfall” effect over the harbour at midnight.
The celebrations unfolded under heightened security, with more than 2,500 police officers deployed across the city, some visibly carrying automatic rifles, in one of the largest New Year’s policing operations in Sydney’s history. Officials urged the public to come together and “show defiance” against terror by celebrating the New Year peacefully while remaining vigilant.
While the fireworks display retained its world-famous grandeur, the tone of the evening combined festivity with reflection. Residents and visitors were encouraged to commemorate those affected by recent events while embracing the resilient spirit of the city. Authorities stressed the importance of unity, hope, and safety. Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks continue to draw global audiences each year, with millions tuning in from around the world to witness the spectacular pyrotechnics against the backdrop of one of Australia’s most iconic harbours.
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