Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2024at the Sydney Opera House

Getting to the Sydney Opera House on New Year’s Eve

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. 

Important information for the free Forecourt viewing area

The free Opera House Forecourt viewing area will open to the general public from 7am on Tuesday 31 December. Entry is via East Circular Quay only. Entry will close at 2pm, or earlier if the Forecourt has reached capacity. 

Important information for ticketed events  

Access to the Opera House precinct for ticket holders will be via Macquarie Street only between 4pm and 10pm near Phillip Lane. All tickets will be scanned on Macquarie Street, prior to entry to the Sydney Opera House site. 

• Screenshots of tickets will not be accepted.
• Ticket holders will not be able to access the Sydney Opera House site after 10pm. Latecomers will not be admitted.
• A temporary box office will be open on Macquarie Street from 4pm to 10pm on Tuesday 31 December for general ticket holder enquiries and ticket collection.

Public transport

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 Tuesday 31 December as roads progressively close throughout the day. After 3pm, there will be no public transport directly to Circular Quay. The closest transport hub will be Martin Place.
• For up-to-date city-wide transport information for New Year’s Eve, visit Transport NSW’s Sydney New Year’s Eve 2024 page. 

Parking and street closures

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 Tuesday 31 December and 10am on Wednesday 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 Tuesday 31 December and vehicles will not be able to leave the car park until 10am on Wednesday 1 January. 

Accessing neighbouring sites

There is no access to the Royal Botanic Gardens or Tarpeian Way via the Opera House site on Tuesday 31 December. The Man O’War Steps will be closed from midnight on Monday 30 December through to 7.45am on Wednesday 1 January. For access to the Royal Botanic Gardens, ticket holders are advised to check the event FAQs available on the Royal Botanic Gardens’ website.

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 and tent structures

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.

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. 

Do I need a ticket to visit the Opera House on New Year’s Eve? 

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, access is free and does not require a ticket. It is expected the site will reach capacity early. 

Will tickets be available to purchase at the door?

No. Please check the Sydney Opera House website for last minute purchases. High demand is expected so tickets will be limited.

What time do I need to arrive by?

Access to the site for ticket holders is between 4pm and 10pm on Tuesday 31 December. No entry will be permitted after 10pm. We recommended allowing plenty of extra time and arriving 60 minutes before your event. 

What is the best way to get to the Opera House?

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 Tuesday 31 December as roads progressively close throughout the day. After 3pm, there will be no public transport directly to Circular Quay. 

For up-to-date city-wide transport information for New Year’s Eve, visit Transport NSW’s Sydney New Year’s Eve 2024 page. 

Will roads in the Sydney CBD be closed?

Significant road closures will be in place in the Sydney CBD including Macquarie Street from 4am on Tuesday 31 December until 10am on Wednesday 1 January.

Can I park at the Opera House on NYE?

Visitors are strongly encouraged to leave the car at home and use public transport wherever possible. 

During the Macquarie Street closure (4am Tuesday 31 December until 10am Wednesday 1 January), there will be no vehicle access to the Opera House Wilson Car Park. Vehicles will not be permitted to leave the car park until 10am on Wednesday 1 January when Macquarie Street has reopened. 

Can I leave my event and re-enter?

No re-entry will be permitted for any New Year’s Eve events at the Sydney Opera House.  

What if I can’t make it anymore? Can I get a refund?

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.

Will there be bag checks by Opera House security?

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. 

Are there ATMs at the Opera House?

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. 

Can I bring cash?

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. 

Will there be assistance for people with mobility support needs?

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. 

Do I need a ticket to visit the Opera House Forecourt on New Year’s Eve? 

No. The Opera House Forecourt is a free viewing area and tickets are not required. The Forecourt is an extremely popular vantage point for the fireworks display and is expected to reach capacity quickly. We recommend arriving early to avoid disappointment.

If you would like to attend one of the events in our restaurants or bars, a ticket is required. 

How do I visit the free Forecourt viewing area at the Opera House? 

Entry to the Opera House Forecourt viewing area is only accessible via East Circular Quay from 7am on Tuesday 31 December to 2pm, or until capacity is reached.

What is the best way to get to the Opera House?

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 Tuesday 31 December as roads progressively close throughout the day. After 3pm, there will be no public transport directly to Circular Quay. 

For up-to-date city-wide transport information for New Year’s Eve, visit Transport NSW’s Sydney New Year’s Eve 2024 page. 

Will roads in the Sydney CBD be closed?

Significant road closures will be in place in the Sydney CBD including Macquarie Street from 4am Tuesday 31 December until 10am Wednesday 1 January.

Can I park at the Opera House on NYE?

Visitors are strongly encouraged to leave the car at home and use public transport wherever possible. 

During the Macquarie Street closure (4am Tuesday 31 December until 10am Wednesday 1 January), there will be no vehicle access to the Opera House Wilson Car Park. Vehicles will not be permitted to leave the car park until 10am on Wednesday 1 January when Macquarie Street has reopened. 

Will there be bag checks by Opera House security?

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. 

Can I bring a chair with me?

Picnic blankets, low chairs, bean bags, 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. 

What if it’s raining or really hot? 

New Year’s Eve is an all-weather event and there is no shade available in the public viewing area on the Forecourt. Visitors are encouraged to check the weather and come prepared. Wear a hat, sunscreen and protective clothing. You may bring a small personal umbrella (defined as smaller than 125cm in diameter), raincoat or poncho in the event of rain. 

Can I bring food and drink with me, including alcohol? 

BYO food and water bottles are permitted as long as there is no glass. Alcohol is not permitted. Water stations and toilets will be available. 

Can I purchase food and drink?

Food trucks will be open from 7am until 11.45pm serving snacks, small plates and desserts with vegan and vegetarian options available. A fully licensed, cashless bar will be serving non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks from 12pm until 11.45pm.

Are there ATMs at the Opera House?

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. 

Can I bring cash?

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. 

Will there be assistance for people with mobility support needs?

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.