It’s nearly time to ring in the New Year!

What time are the fireworks?

There is one epic fireworks show at 9pm, the fireworks soundtrack will be amplified around the foreshore and simulcast on WAVE FM. Tune in from home or your vantage point and join in on the fun!

They go for about 15 minutes, wind and weather permitting. Please ensure your pets at home are kept safe within this time frame.

There are no midnight fireworks.

The fireworks are ignited from behind the fish market at Kiama Harbour,

They are able to be viewed from the Kiama Foreshore, Black Beach and Old School Flat… and even as far as North Bombo Beach and Kiama Heights!

The fireworks soundtrack will be amplified around the foreshore and simulcast on WAVE FM. Tune in from home or your vantage point and join in on the fun!

From 4pm.

Keep an eye out for our full event program, available soon.

There will be a circus drop zone 4pm – 8pm and ‘have a go’ trapeze and intermittent roving entertainment.

The main event precinct is the area around the Kiama Harbour, known as Black Beach.

In addition to the amazing array of local cafes and restaurants in Kiama, there will be an ‘Eat Street’ set up on Terralong Street and a “Sweet Street” on Shoalhaven Street.

The list of food vendors, and the surrounding cafe and restaurant open times, will be made available soon.

No, there will not be alcohol served at the event.

There are restaurants that will be open that have liquor licences for those dining in – we strongly recommend you book early!

The most efficient way to arrive at the Kiama New Year’s Eve Sky Show is via Public Transport.
Kiama Municipal Council strongly suggests travelling in via public transport to the event site to avoid vehicular and pedestrian congestion.

Yes, details below:

From 2pm-10.30pm: Terralong Street between Railway Parade and Manning Street

From 4pm-10.30pm: Terralong Street between Collins Street and Railway Parade

From 4pm-10.30pm: Shoalhaven Street between Minnamurra and Terralong Streets

From 8pm-9.30pm: Stobo Road for the purpose of the fireworks exclusion zone

From 8pm-10pm: Manning Street to Bong Bong Street(s) via roundabout to alleviate congestion

There will be no parking on the streets being closed (excluding Stobo and Bong Bong Road) from 12pm midday.

10.30pm all roads will have been reopened. This is after the Food Trucks have packed up and left.

Extremely limited parking is available within the surrounding streets of the event precinct so if you do need to drive we recommend you park at Kiama Leisure Centre and catch the shuttle bus to and from the event site.

The shuttle bus will be available from 4pm until 9.15pm at regular intervals and will decrease in frequency or pause when the car park fills.

NB: Kiama Showground is not available for parking.

An additional northbound train service has been organised with Transport NSW that will seek to cater for the event.  This additional service will depart Kiama Station at 9.30pm stopping at all stations to Waterfall (except Kembla Grange), Sutherland, Hurstville, Wolli Creek, Redfern then all stations to Bondi Junction.

A southbound train will also depart at 10.05pm.

For those wishing to drive, we encourage attendees to park at train stations such as Gerringong and Minnamurra and Oak Flats and catch the train into Kiama and walk to the event.

Kiama Municipal Council strongly suggests travelling in via public transport to the event site to avoid vehicular and pedestrian congestion.

Havilah Place – Shuttle Bus will also operate.

Train & bus information:

Please refer to Transport NSW Trip Planner for the most up to date information.

The most efficient way to arrive at the Kiama New Year’s Eve Sky Show is via Public Transport.

Parking is available at Albion Park Rail, Oak Flats, Minnamurra and Gerringong Train Stations. The departure times are as follows:

TRAIN SERVICES

 Northbound to Kiama:

Departing Bomaderry via Berry & Gerringong

2.29pm Bomaderry to Kiama arrival 2.56pm

4.33pm Bomaderry to Kiama arrival 5.01pm

6.28pm Bomaderry to Kiama arrival 6.56pm

Southbound to Kiama:

Departing Albion Park via Oak Flats, Shellharbour, Minnamurra, Bombo

3.27pm Albion Park to Kiama arrival 3.47pm

4.32pm Albion Park to Kiama arrival 4.52pm

5.27pm Albion Park to Kiama arrival 5.47pm

6.32pm Albion Park to Kiama arrival 6.52pm

7.27pm Albion Park to Kiama arrival 7.51pm

8.32pm Albion Park to Kiama arrival 8.52pm

DEPARTING KIAMA

Northbound:

9.30pm Kiama to Wollongong

10.33pm Kiama to Wollongong

11.12pm Kiama to Wollongong

Southbound:

Stopping at the following train stations:

10.05pm Kiama to Bomaderry, via Gerringong & Berry

00.07pm Kiama to Bomaderry, via Gerringong & Berry

For updates & trip planner please head to Transport NSW Trip Planner

Grab some dessert – the Sweet Street vendors on Shoalhaven Street will trade until 9.30pm!

Kiama Family Carnival will trade until 11pm.

Here are some of the venues in Kiama that are open after 9.15pm:

Kiama Inn Hotel – open till 2am or prior if quiet

The Grand Hotel – open till 1am or prior if quiet

Kiama Leagues Club – open till 12am

Kiama Golf Club – open till 10pm

Miss Arda – open till 11pm

Laurie’s Kiama Family Carnival will be available from 3pm to 11pm on New Year’s Eve at Old School Flat, Kiama.

Entry to the carnival, and the event precinct, is free however rides do attract a charge.

The carnival operates separately from the Council run New Year’s Eve Event.

It operates each afternoon from 3pm from 26 December to 4th January 2024.

Check out their Facebook page for more info.

We recommend bringing a hat, sun cream, a jacket / hoodie, a picnic blanket, BYO water bottle and some pocket money to spend on delicious food and festival souvenirs.

The event will still go ahead if there is a light drizzle.

Weather conditions will be monitored throughout the event.

In the occurrence of severe weather, the event will be cancelled.

Stay up to date in the lead-up to the event by listening to WAVE 96.5 FM and monitoring the Facebook event and this website.

The event organisers will be monitoring any threat of bush fire closely and following the advice of emergency services.

Fireworks can still proceed even if there is a total fire ban in place however this is up to the discretion of the local authorities and we will proceed with caution within the advice given.

Stay up to date in the lead up to the event by listening to WAVE 96.5 FM and monitoring the Facebook event and this website.

Where can I find more information?

The Facebook Event: Kiama New Year’s Eve Sky Show 2023 will be updated regularly. If you have a particular question we recommend you email events@kiama.nsw.gov.au or call through to the Kiama Visitor Information Centre, open 9am – 5pm daily.

For many people, large events can present challenges with regulation and over stimulation. We are offering a dedicated calm space (also known as a sensory tent) in Hindmarsh Park that promotes regulation to ensure our event is accessible, welcoming and enjoyable for our community.

Please note: Fireworks by nature will create a flashing and strobing effect that may cause seizures. Amplified sound will also be present during this time.

Kiama Municipal Council is committed to making the Kiama New Year’s Eve Sky Show a safe, inclusive and enjoyable event for all.

There will be an accessible drop-off and pick-up area, accessible parking, sensory tent and free priority seating (that must be booked).

Please note: Fireworks by nature will create a flashing and strobing effect that may cause seizures. Amplified sound will also be present during this time.

If you, a friend or a relative have specific accessibility requirements, please feel free to complete this form and we will be in touch with specific details to help ensure you have an enjoyable experience!

Environmental sustainability is a topic that Council feels very strongly about.

The company engaged by the Council for the 2023 fireworks display is Fireworks Australia, an innovative organisation that operates with sustainability at the front of mind, aiming to significantly diminish its carbon and overall resource footprint.

Here’s a list of steps taken by Fireworks Australia to ensure our event produces the least amount of impact:

• Fireworks Australia stands out as the sole Australian fireworks company to move away from traditional cardboard constructions. Instead, they’ve embraced casing and insert materials crafted through rice straw and calcite mineral. This not only enhances biodegradability beyond that of cardboard but also minimises waste, repurposes agricultural byproducts, and reduces carbon emissions during production.
• The company’s newly molded casings boast superior tolerances within the tubes, resulting in a remarkable 30% reduction in basic black lift powder usage—a key contributor to carbon emissions.
• Fireworks Australia has excluded compounds containing straight chlorates, lead, and other heavy metals from their formulations, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable fireworks experience.
• Contrary to common misconceptions, the fireworks displays generate fewer carbon emissions than expected. The management of chemical reactions during detonations, coupled with a minimalistic approach, results in lower carbon emissions compared to the carbon footprint associated with people driving to the show itself.
• The fireworks show itself operates without the need for electricity, heating, cooling, heavy current machines, lights, or plant equipment.

Fireworks Australia believes that the biggest opportunities to improve their sustainability is to explore methods and work practices in the show delivery.  These have included the following:

• Fireworks Australia operates from a 90-hectare facility in NSW. Since 1997, more than 2000 native tree plantings have been made and supported at this facility.
• The process buildings have been connected to solar systems and plant lighting has been replaced with LED hardware.
• Waste material from shows is returned to the factory and separated so that some resources can be diverted to recycling such as copper wire and cardboard.  Only a small portion of the waste is sent to landfill.

In their commitment to sustainability, Fireworks Australia takes pride in being at the forefront of environmental responsibility, continuously exploring avenues for self-improvement. While acknowledging the transient noise pollution associated with fireworks, our partnership with Fireworks Australia is a source of pride, given their dedication to sustainability.

We understand fireworks season can be stressful for our furry friends. Here are some tips to help your animals feel more comfortable:

• Create Comforting Distractions: Turn on the TV or radio, and shut the curtains to minimise noise and flashes. Play calming music at a suitable volume to reduce anxiety.
• Desensitisation: Gradually expose your animals to firework sounds using YouTube videos.
• Outdoor Precautions: If you must go out during fireworks with your pet, keep them on a lead. Ensure they’re microchipped and wear a collar with updated contact details.
• If you’re at home with your pet: Comfort them if they seek reassurance. Stay calm and relaxed to provide a sense of security.
• Create a Safe Haven: Make a safe place indoors with easy access. Avoid constant checking, as this can increase anxiety.
• Stress Signs: If your pet shows stress despite precautions, allow them to retreat to a safe place.

Are there hashtags for the event?
Please do!

And for your chance to be featured, please use our hashtags in your social media posts:  #Kiama            #KIAMANYE     and tag @kiamansw