Top 5 Ways to Celebrate New Year's Eve in Canberra

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Posted 2018-12-19 by Sue W ⇒ follow

If you are reading this, then Christmas has come and gone (or it's about to!) and you're starting to think about New Year's Eve. Where did the month of December go? The last month of the year passes by so quickly that before you know it, your friends are asking you what you're doing for New Year's Eve and you haven't even given it a thought!

Rest assured, if you are visiting or living in Canberra there is always a whole host of events and activities to choose from around the city centre, as well as in the suburbs north and south of the city. The following events and venues pull out all the stops every New Year's Eve, to kick off the new year with some serious celebrations. Take a scroll down this list and click on the links to see what's happening near you this NYE - you are sure to find something to get you boogieing until midnight...and beyond!

1/ New Year's Eve in the City is a highlight for all ages in the city centre, with fireworks going off from Hill/@-35.2820493,149.1286629,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xa139f658a46fd7f9!8m2!3d-35.2820493!4d149.1286629 City Hill at 9pm and midnight each year. The best place to view them is from the New Year's Eve event in Square/@-35.2805169,149.1308614,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xecb42e0d603b10e5?ved=2ahUKEwiQme3C8qrfAhVLX30KHf73B2UQ_BIwCnoECAUQCA Civic Square , outside the Canberra Theatre Centre on London Circuit. Each year there is a family-friendly concert until the 9pm fireworks and then the party kicks up a gear with a DJ or dance act taking the stage in Garema Place nearby. See here for all the details of this year's event. Please note: this is an alcohol-free event.

2/ The National Arboretum is a scenic hill-top venue with a large Visitors Centre and restaurant, which overlooks the city below. Each New Year's Eve the caterers for the restaurant, Ginger Catering, organise a spectacular New Year's Eve event with an exotic theme, dancing, music, theatrics and of course, excellent food and wine. See here to see what's happing this year!

3/ Go For A Cruise with Canberra Southern Cross Cruises and spend the evening cruising by the city lights on Lake Burley Griffin. Relax with the kids on the family cruise, or enjoy a glass or two of bubbly on the later cruise and spend your evening catching up with friends - without the crowds. Book in early each year, with limited places available on each cruise. See here for what's on this year.

4/ Canberra Casino always has a unique party for those who want to party until the wee hours of the morning. For example, this year in 2018 they will be hosting a Cirque Du Casino event with circus acts, juggling, roving performers and a DJ until 2am - with the party wrapping up at 5am! See here for what's on this year.

5/ The QT Lounge is a hotel located near the NewActon Precinct and every year it has a themed party with a fun dress code. Many of their celebrations are black tie events - which gives you the excuse to glam up, as you let your hair down! Throw in a top view of the fireworks and you have a party to remember, long into the new year. See here for what's on this year.

Of course, if you just want a quiet one this New Year's Eve, why not take a picnic blanket and some nibbles and find a spot along the water at White Lawns Canberra/@-35.2961067,149.1311257,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x340867c53f81c6e0!8m2!3d-35.2961067!4d149.1311257 Patrick White Lawns or along the waterfront near the Museum of Australia/@-35.293253,149.1211,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xe0db75b971035176?ved=2ahUKEwiw1crA8KrfAhXMXSsKHVfpCpIQ_BIwD3oECAMQCA National Museum of Australia , to see the fireworks shoot off from City Hill.

Wherever you spend it - Happy New Year Canberra!