New Year’s Eve 2025
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most stunning locations to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Party under the stars, watch a spectacular performance inside one of our theatres or enjoy the free viewing area on the Forecourt. There’s a range of unforgettable events to suit everyone.
Plan your visit
Free Forecourt viewing area
This year we are ticketing the Forecourt to make it easier for people to access the site. It's still free but bookings are essential.
You can register for up to six tickets in the lead up to New Year's Eve, with bookings opening on 26 December.
Image credit: Destination NSW
New Year’s Eve events at the Opera House
Swingin’ Under The Stars
31 Dec 2025
Ring in the New Year at Sydney’s most iconic address with Swingin’ Under the Stars by Doltone Hospitality Group. Set beneath the sails of the Sydney Opera House, this glamorous black-tie gala delivers a night to remember.
New Year’s Eve Opera Gala 2025
31 Dec 2025
Dress up to the nines, kick up your heels and prepare for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve under the iconic sails. Enjoy a decadent pre-performance dinner or a few drinks overlooking Sydney Harbour before you take your seats for the performance. The Opera Gala is a night of music and laughs designed to get you in the party spirit.
Madama Butterfly on New Year’s Eve
31 Dec 2025
Experience an unforgettable countdown to midnight under the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House, with a performance of the eternally popular Madama Butterfly. Cio-Cio San is a woman who dreams of a bigger life. Pinkerton is a man who sees only a butterfly, something he can capture and keep. His callous pursuit ripples into sweeping tragedy. Complete your glamorous night out with a three-course, pre-show dinner overlooking the spectacular harbour or tickets to one of Sydney’s most fabulous midnight parties.
Plan your visit
- Important information
- Conditions of entry
- Paid ticketed event frequently asked questions
- Forecourt free ticketed viewing area frequently asked questions
Important information
Everyone visiting the Sydney Opera House on New Year’s Eve is strongly encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time. Large crowds are expected on the Opera House precinct and around the CBD, and significant road closures will be in place.
This year we are ticketing the Forecourt to make it easier for people to access the site. It's still free but bookings are essential.
Access to the Opera House precinct for paid event ticket holders will be from 4pm to 10pm via Macquarie Street with cross city access via Bent Street only. Event ticketholders will not be able to access the Opera House site after 10pm. Latecomers will not be admitted.
All tickets will be scanned on Macquarie Street, prior to entry to the Sydney Opera House site. Screenshots of tickets will not be accepted.
A temporary box office will be open on Macquarie Street from 4pm to 10pm on Wednesday 31 December for general ticket holder enquiries and ticket collection.
Visitors are strongly encouraged to use public transport wherever possible.
- Access to train stations, ferry wharves, light rail stops and buses will be affected from mid-afternoon on Wednesday 31 December as roads progressively close. There will be no trains, ferries, light rail or buses to Circular Quay after 3pm. The closest train station to the Opera House will be Martin Place and St James.
- For up-to-date city-wide transport information visit transportnsw.info.
Visitors are strongly encouraged to leave their car at home and use public transport wherever possible.
- Macquarie Street will be closed to general traffic between 4am on Wednesday 31 December and 10am on Thursday 1 January.
- During this time, there will be no vehicle access to the Sydney Opera House Wilson Car Park.
The Wilson Car Park will close at 4am on Wednesday 31 December and vehicles will not be able to leave the car park until 10am on Thursday 1 January.
There will be no access to the Royal Botanic Gardens or Tarpeian Way via the Opera House site on Wednesday 31 December. The Man O’War Steps will close from midnight on Tuesday 30 December to 7:45am on Thursday 1 January.
The Opera House will be accessible to all attendees with disability or limited mobility. Accessible toilets and adult changing room facilities will be available.
For further information, please contact accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com.
Conditions of entry
As a condition of entry, all patrons and visitors attending the Opera House during New Year’s Eve must present their bags and personal belongings for visual inspection or x-ray screening. Ticket holders may be electronically screened by Opera House security staff.
The following items are considered prohibited and will be confiscated if found:
- Alcohol
- Illegal substances, including controlled, dangerous or illicit drugs
- Flammable devices (flares, fireworks and smoke bombs)
- Anything that could be used as a weapon such as sharp items, including knives
- Suspicious items or items which may look like a weapon
- Professional cameras or recording devices
- Laser pointers
- Offensive signage or clothing
- Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- Any other item that may cause harm or public nuisance or could interfere with the event, including musical instruments.
- Unauthorised advertising material, flyers or merchandise giveaways
- Large umbrellas (no more than 125cm in diameter)
- Sunshades, tent structures and portable chairs
All attendees have the option to leave with their prohibited items should they not wish to forfeit them in accordance with the above Conditions of Entry. All confiscated and prohibited items will be disposed of, and will not be held. Possession of unlawful items will be reported immediately to NSW Police.
Security staff will monitor patrons for RSA and refuse entry to any intoxicated persons in accordance with the Liquor Act 2007.
Paid ticketed events frequently asked questions
If you would like to attend a performance at the Opera House or an event at one of our popular restaurants and bars, an entry ticket is required. High demand is expected and tickets are limited so patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
If you would like to view the fireworks from the Forecourt, it is free however you will need to book a ticket.
No. Please check the Sydney Opera House website for last minute purchases. High demand is expected so tickets will be limited.
Access to the site for event ticket holders is between 4pm and 10pm on Wednesday 31 December. No entry will be permitted after 10pm. We recommended allowing plenty of extra time and arriving 60 minutes before your event.
Forecourt ticket holders need to arrive between 12pm and 3pm to gain access to the vantage point. No entry will be permitted after 3pm.
Visitors are strongly encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and use public transport wherever possible. Large crowds are expected and significant road closures will be in place.
Please note that access to train stations, ferry wharves, light rail stops and buses will be affected from mid-afternoon on Wednesday 31 December as roads progressively close. There will be no trains, ferries, light rail or buses to Circular Quay after 3pm. The closest train station to the Opera House will be Martin Place and St James.
For up-to-date city-wide transport information visit transportnsw.info.
Significant road closures will be in place in the Sydney CBD including Macquarie Street from 4am on Wednesday 31 December until 10am on Thursday 1 January.
Visitors are strongly encouraged to leave their car at home and use public transport wherever possible.
- Macquarie Street will be closed to general traffic between 4am on Wednesday 31 December and 10am on Thursday 1 January.
- During this time, there will be no vehicle access to the Sydney Opera House Wilson Car Park.
The Wilson Car Park will close at 4am on Wednesday 31 December and vehicles will not be able to leave the car park until 10am on Thursday 1 January.
No re-entry will be permitted for any New Year’s Eve events at the Sydney Opera House.
Please refer to our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance and contact our Box Office on (02) 9250 7777 as soon as possible to enquire about options available to you.
Yes. The safety and security of our visitors, patrons and staff is our highest priority. Bags will be scanned by an x-ray machine. Please travel lightly and do not bring items that require cloaking, including handbags bigger than A4-size, backpacks and large umbrellas, which are not permitted as per our Conditions of Entry for New Year’s Eve.
There are no ATM facilities available at the Opera House on New Year’s Eve. Please bring a credit or debit card for any on-site purchases to assist with swift transactions and alleviating queue times.
Cashless payment methods are strongly recommended. Please bring a credit or debit card for any on-site purchases to assist with swift transactions and alleviating queue times.
The Opera House will be accessible to all visitors and ticket holders with disability or limited mobility. Accessible toilets and adult changing room facilities will be available.
For further information, please contact accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com.
Ticketing
This year access to the popular and free NYE Opera House vantage point will require a ticket. This will offer ticket holders guaranteed entry to the precinct and a safer and more enjoyable night out. Ticketing will help to alleviate crowds at entry gates and ensure a safe and comfortable event for everyone.
The vantage point will operate on a first come, first served basis with no allocated or reserved seating. Great views are available from across the site and ticket holders are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket or cushions to sit on for comfort. Chairs are not permitted.
The ticket reminder is a great way to make sure patrons don't miss out. Tickets are free but limited to 6,000 people, so they'll go fast on 26 December.
Yes, to ensure the limited number of tickets are distributed fairly, a maximum of six (6) tickets can be secured per booking.
This year, the New Year’s Eve vantage point at the Opera House will be ticketed. Given demand for this event is high, we expect tickets to be sold out in advance. We strongly encourage patrons to sign up to be notified when tickets are released on 26 December.
Attendance information
Ticket holders need to arrive between 12:00pm and 3:00pm via Macquarie Street, with cross city access via Bent Street. No entry will be permitted after 3:00pm. The closest stations are Martin Place and St James.
Only ticket holders can access the NYE Opera House vantage point - without a ticket, entry won't be permitted. Tickets will be released on the 26 December.
Picnic blankets, cushions, low beach chairs (with seat height less than 25cm from the ground), prams for children, and umbrellas (defined as smaller than 125cm in diameter) are permitted as long as they do not impact the experience of fellow visitors. Please check the conditions of entry for more information about what can and cannot be brought on site.
Ticket holders are welcome to bring food, however BYO alcohol is not permitted. Drinking water will be accessible on site and ticket holders may bring a reusable water bottle. Please note no glass containers or bottles are permitted.
New Year’s Eve on the Forecourt will have a variety of food outlets serving small plates, snacks and dessert, with vegan and vegetarian options available. A fully licensed bar will also be serving non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks.