Famous fireworks to light up Sydney sky

A fireworks show renowned as the world's best will form the centrepiece of the stunning Sydney New Year's Eve spectacle to ring in a new decade.

More than 100,000 fireworks will create a 'pyrotechnicolour' extravaganza synchronised to an all-Aussie soundtrack, stunning pylon projections and the brightest lighting beam in the southern hemisphere.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said 2019 Sydney New Year's Eve would be an exhibition of Australia's extraordinary creative talents to the one million people watching around the harbour and more than one billion people viewing around the world.

"Our New Year's Eve celebrations have become world renowned and synonymous with our city, but we can also proudly boast that they're all-Australian," the Lord Mayor said.

"Whether it's our fireworks, lighting effects, Calling Country ceremony or midnight soundtrack, we're showing the world that we have some of the best global creative talents.

"Fortunato Foti and his team never cease to amaze us with their stunning fireworks and I very much look forward to seeing what they've got planned this year."

It's the 23rd consecutive Sydney New Year's Eve for Foti International Fireworks, who put on one of the most technologically advanced fireworks displays in the world.

More than 100,000 individual effects will form what Fireworks Director Fortunato Foti is calling a 'pyrotechnicolour' extravaganza to welcome 2020.

"It doesn't matter your age, gender, race or religion - fireworks have the enormous power to unite people, bringing happiness and hope," Mr Foti said.

"This year we'll be firing from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and seven barges around the harbour, with exciting new effects like colour changing stars, stained-glass shells and glittering willows.

"We've synchronised our fireworks to the soundtrack, pylon projections and lighting display for what is going to be our most choreographed show to date."

The Lord Mayor said all of Sydney had been deeply saddened by the tragic impact of the bushfires, and pledged to use New Year's Eve to help raise money and awareness for those in need.

"Sydney New Year's Eve unites people from all over the world with a message of hope for the year to come," the Lord Mayor said.

"We have committed to harnessing the enormous power of the event to raise more money for drought and fire affected communities, with money going to the Australian Red Cross."

Visitors to Sydney and those watching at home will be encouraged to donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund, supporting those impacted by bushfires.

The City of Sydney recently donated $300,000 to the Red Cross, alongside $300,000 to the Country Women's Association and $20,000 to Wires to support people, communities and wildlife that have been affected by drought and bushfire.

Australian Red Cross acting director NSW/ACT, Annie Harvey, thanked the City of Sydney for its donation and urged New Year's Eve visitors and viewers to dig deep.

"We thank Lord Mayor Clover Moore for encouraging community members to make a donation to Australian Red Cross's Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund this New Year's Eve," Ms Harvey said.

"People across Sydney and Australia have been deeply moved by the scale of losses with the recent spate of bushfires, and it has inspired extraordinary acts of kindness and an outpouring of support.

"Making a donation to Red Cross's Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund means our trained volunteers and staff can be on the frontlines during disasters, including the bushfires we're currently seeing, and those yet to come.

"It enables us to help give people the support they need - whether that's help to prepare, a safe place to take shelter, psychological first aid or practical support through the months and even years it can take to recover. The vast majority of our team are volunteers."

Donations can be made to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund at nye.sydney/donate

The Refugee Council of Australia is the official charity partner of 2019 Sydney New Year's Eve.

They're urging Australians to make a resolution that counts and sign up to make 2020 the Year of Welcome.

By signing up, you are joining a movement of thousands of people around Australia welcoming refugees and people who come to Australia seeking protection. To sign up, visit: yearofwelcome.org

The City of Sydney New Year's Eve event times:

7pm Fire tug presents its water display on Sydney Harbour

7.30pm Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony on Sydney Harbour by the Tribal Warrior Association

8pm Air display above Sydney Harbour by flying ace Matt Hall and Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projections start

8.30pm Sydney Harbour Bridge lighting effects start

9pm Family fireworks (8 minutes) includes the ABC Design Your Own Firework competition firework display

9.08pm Calling Country segment honouring Australia's Indigenous heritage

9.15pm Harbour of Light parade

12am Midnight fireworks (12 minutes)

2am Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projection and lighting effects end.

For media inquiries or images, contact Alex Cauchi. Phone mobile 0467 803 815 or email acauchi@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jack Begbie. Phone 0481 759 580 or email lordmayormedia@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For New Year's event information, visit the Sydney New Year's Eve website.