New Year's Eve is back this year with spectacular fireworks to welcome 2022 while providing support for local hospitality businesses.
This year Canberrans are invited to picnic along the shores of Lake Burley Griffin from 6pm and enjoy a family and community evening, ringing in the New Year with fireworks at 9pm and 12am.
The fireworks will be launched from multiple pontoons across central, east and west basins for the first time to ensure everyone will have a great view while being able to spread out and enjoy the evening in a COVID safe manner.
Assistant Minister for Economic Development Tara Cheyne said the festivities will also feature local roving musicians and performance artists at selected locations around the foreshore, while local businesses are encouraged to create New Year's Eve events within lakeside venues, hotel rooftops and pop-up locations around the lake to maximise trading opportunities after the difficult lockdown.
"It has been a difficult couple of years and Canberrans are ready to celebrate new beginnings," said Minister Cheyne.
"The New Year's Eve event this year aims to bring our community together for much deserved fun and excitement as say goodbye to 2021.
"This will also be an opportunity for us to support local artists, food vendors, tourism, and hospitality businesses after the extended lockdown in the ACT."
National Capital Authority Chief Executive, Sally Barnes said, "The National Capital Authority is thrilled to be hosting the first major event within the National Triangle since the recent lockdown.
"Relocating the New Year's Eve fireworks and festivities to the shorelines of Lake Burley Griffin allows all Canberrans the opportunity to bring in 2022 with an appropriate spectacle and celebration."
Canberrans are encouraged to pre-purchase picnic hampers to enjoy with friends and family while celebrating the New Year, or to dine out in one of the many restaurants in the city before coming to the lake to witness the fireworks displays. Hotels will also be encouraged to create special packages to entice partygoers to make a night of it and stay in town to see in the new year in style.
"With the easing of restrictions and our high vaccination rates, I hope this New Year's Eve event will kickstart a return to major events in the capital," said Minister Cheyne.
The event is being organised by Events ACT under the guidance of ACT Health to deliver what will be a COVID safe post-lockdown party for the Canberra community.
