New Year's Eve Fireworks 2026: Where to Watch in Hong Kong, Taipei 101, Sydney and London
New Year's Eve fireworks on December 31, 2026 work differently in each of these four cities. Sydney has confirmed two displays, at 9 p.m. and midnight, and most vantage points are free. London's Thames fireworks are ticket-only, with the event running from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Taipei 101 is expected to fire at midnight as usual. Hong Kong held no Victoria Harbour fireworks in 2025, and its 2026 plans hadn't been announced as of October 11.
Key takeaways
- Sydney has two fireworks displays on December 31, 2026: the family-friendly "Calling Country" fireworks at 9 p.m. and the main show at midnight.
- London's New Year's Eve fireworks have been ticketed since 2014; the 2026 event runs from 8 p.m. on December 31 to 12:30 a.m. on January 1, 2027, with the ticket release date still to be announced.
- Taipei 101's fireworks go off at 12:00 a.m. on January 1 every year; check Taipei City Government and Taipei 101 announcements for 2026 details.
- Hong Kong had no Victoria Harbour fireworks on December 31, 2025, replacing them with a roughly three-minute light show on Chater Road, Central; 2026 plans haven't been announced.
- Sydney's Circular Quay Station closes from 3 p.m. to midnight on New Year's Eve; use Wynyard, Martin Place or another nearby station instead.
New Year's Eve fireworks 2026 at a glance: Hong Kong, Taipei, Sydney, London
All four cities launch their fireworks at local midnight; the main differences are whether you need a ticket and whether 2026 details are out yet.
| City | Fireworks time (local) | Main viewing areas | Ticket needed? | 2026 status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | Usually midnight (none in 2025) | Both sides of Victoria Harbour | Public areas free | Not yet announced |
| Taipei | Midnight | Around Taipei 101, Xinyi District, Elephant Mountain | Public areas free | Expected, details to come |
| Sydney | 9 p.m. and midnight | Around the Harbour Bridge and Opera House | Mostly free; some ticketed vantage points | Announced |
| London | Midnight (event opens 8 p.m.) | Thames riverside around the London Eye | Advance ticket required | Confirmed; ticket release date to come |
Hong Kong New Year's Eve fireworks 2026: will the harbour fireworks return?
As of October 11, 2026, Hong Kong hadn't announced whether there will be Victoria Harbour fireworks on December 31, 2026. On December 31, 2025, there were no harbour fireworks; the main countdown moved to the Chater Road pedestrian zone in Central, with a light show of about three minutes between 11:30 p.m. and 12:10 a.m. Before that, midnight fireworks over the harbour were a fixture of Hong Kong's countdown.
Victoria Harbour fireworks on New Year's Eve 2023. Photo: Kit Wong / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Popular viewing spots in past years: the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Avenue of Stars, Central Harbourfront and the Wan Chai Convention Centre area.
- Crowd control along the waterfront is strict on New Year's Eve and some MTR exits close, so allow plenty of time.
- Latest plans: Hong Kong Tourism Board.
- For a Disney countdown instead, see our Disney New Year's Eve guide.
Taipei 101 New Year's Eve fireworks: best viewing spots and transport
Taipei 101's New Year fireworks go off at exactly 12:00 a.m. on January 1 every year; details of the show welcoming 2027 hadn't been announced as of October 11, 2026. On the same night, Taipei City Government usually holds its "Taipei New Year's Eve Party" concert at City Hall Plaza; check the line-up with the Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism.
New Year fireworks at Taipei 101. Photo: Uming Photography / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
- Up close: Shifu Road, Songgao Road and City Hall Plaza; crowds peak around the end of the concert.
- Wide view: the Elephant Mountain trail frames Taipei 101 against the city, but it gets extremely crowded on New Year's Eve, so go up several hours early.
- Transport: in past years Taipei Metro has run extended or overnight service on New Year's Eve, with crowd control around Taipei City Hall and Taipei 101/World Trade Center stations; check Taipei Metro announcements.
- For events across Taiwan, see our Taiwan New Year's Eve guide.
Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks: 9 p.m. and midnight shows, free and ticketed spots
Sydney's fireworks on December 31, 2026 come in two displays: the 9 p.m. "Calling Country" fireworks, aimed at families with young children, and the main midnight show centred on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydney is one of the first major cities to welcome the new year, and the official programme lists dozens of vantage points around the harbour; most are free and first-come, first-served, while some require tickets.
Midnight New Year's Eve fireworks over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Photo: Dicklyon / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
- For first-timers: Dawes Point, Barangaroo and Observatory Hill give views of the bridge and skyline; Mrs Macquarie's Point and Bennelong Lawn show both the bridge and the Opera House.
- Most free vantage points don't allow re-entry, most are alcohol-free in 2026, and glass containers and large bags aren't allowed.
- Circular Quay Station closes from 3 p.m. to midnight; use Wynyard, Martin Place or St James stations instead.
- Vantage point map and tickets: Sydney New Year's Eve.
London New Year's Eve fireworks: do you need a ticket?
Yes. The Mayor of London's fireworks on the Thames have been ticketed since 2014, and you can't enter the official viewing areas without one. The 2026 event is confirmed for 8 p.m. on December 31 to 12:30 a.m. on January 1, 2027, but the ticket release date and prices hadn't been announced as of October 11; you can register for updates on the London City Hall website.
New Year's Eve fireworks around the London Eye. Photo: sergejf / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
- The display is centred on the London Eye and starts after Big Ben chimes midnight.
- Tickets have sold out quickly in past years, so register for official updates.
- Without a ticket, watch the BBC live broadcast on TV or online, or celebrate in a pub or restaurant; organisers advise against heading to the river without a ticket.
How to handle luggage on a New Year's Eve trip
Every one of these cities runs major transport restrictions on New Year's Eve: popular station exits close in Hong Kong and Taipei, Sydney's Circular Quay Station shuts from mid-afternoon to midnight, and roads near the Thames are closed in London. If you're checking in or switching hotels that day, getting a suitcase through the crowds is close to impossible, and most viewing areas ban large bags anyway.
LuggAgent picks up your bags from a hotel, airport or station and delivers them to your next stop the same day or the next day, so you can head out empty-handed to claim your spot. See Hong Kong luggage delivery, Sydney luggage delivery and London luggage delivery for details.
If you land in Hong Kong before New Year's Eve, hand us your bags at Hong Kong International Airport and we'll take them to your hotel in the city:
In Sydney, we can take your bags from Sydney Airport to your city hotel, so you avoid the New Year's Eve station closures and crowds:
For New Year's Eve in London, we can deliver your bags from Heathrow to your hotel in central London:
FAQ
Will Hong Kong have Victoria Harbour fireworks on New Year's Eve 2026?
It hadn't been announced as of October 11, 2026. On December 31, 2025, Hong Kong held no harbour fireworks and instead staged a light show of about three minutes on the Chater Road pedestrian zone in Central; watch the Hong Kong Tourism Board for 2026 plans.
What time are the Taipei 101 New Year's fireworks?
Taipei 101's fireworks start at exactly 12:00 a.m. on January 1, right after the countdown. The content and length of the show welcoming 2027 haven't been announced; check Taipei 101 and Taipei City Government announcements.
How many fireworks shows does Sydney have on New Year's Eve?
Sydney has two displays on December 31, 2026: the 9 p.m. "Calling Country" family fireworks and the main midnight show, both over Sydney Harbour. Most vantage points are free and first-come, first-served, while some require a paid ticket.
How much are London New Year's Eve fireworks tickets, and where do you buy them?
Tickets are sold through the London City Hall website; the 2026 release date and prices hadn't been announced as of October 11. The event runs from 8 p.m. on December 31 to 12:30 a.m. on January 1, and tickets have sold out quickly in past years, so register for official updates.
Can you bring a suitcase to watch New Year's Eve fireworks?
It's not a good idea. Most Sydney vantage points ban large bags, London's official viewing areas have security checks, and the busiest spots in Hong Kong and Taipei are packed, with station exits under crowd control. Leave your luggage at the hotel or use a luggage delivery service to send it on to your next hotel.
Cover photo: Michael Elleray from England, United Kingdom / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
This article offers general travel tips for reference only. For actual services and conditions, please rely on the booking page and the latest official announcements.
Travelling light starts here.
Send your bags at the airport, your hotel or your homestay — we deliver them to your next destination.