Darwin’s biggest New Year’s Eve event is even bigger this year, with an ‘Aussie outback’ theme and a fair dinkum line-up for young and old. There’s a free Daryl Braithwaite concert, a Blinky Bill show and meet and greet, two bonza pyro-musical fireworks displays, and an extension until midnight for the first time—you little ripper!

The popular free community event is still perfect for families, with the event split into two sessions: the 5pm–9pm family show and a late night show from 9pm–midnight.

Bring the kids down from 5pm when Blinky Bill takes the stage for a 20-minute performance. They can even meet him afterwards for a cuddle and a photo. There’s also a face painter, balloon twister, glitter tattoos as well as food and drink stalls and an early fireworks show for families at 9pm. The event will be emceed from 5pm by local actor and artist, Kamahi Djordon King.

The late show kicks off after the 9pm fireworks, and Daryl Braithwaite takes the stage at 9.30pm, performing crowd favourites like ‘The Horses’, ‘One Summer’, ‘As the Days Go By’, ‘Rise’ and ‘Sugar Train’. From then on, emceeing duties switch to sassy cabaret star Constantina Bush for the late night session.

Finishing off the night is the ‘Bang Collective’—a world-first pyrotechnics musical spectacle. This special collaboration between Top End didgeridoo performance group eMDee and Australia's largest fireworks group, Howard and Sons Pyrotechnics, is a high-energy didgeridoo performance synchronised with some of the most amazing pyrotechnics Australia has seen.

The spectacular 10–15-minute show includes fireworks synchronised to eMDee’s famous high-energy music of didgeridoo and percussion drums.

Bring a picnic dinner, blanket and chairs and relax on the lawns for an evening of entertainment. There’ll be food and drink stalls and restaurants are taking dinner reservations for the evening. Eskies are welcome, but no glass or alcohol is permitted.

Be sure to bring a poncho in case it rains—the show will definitely go on! There’ll be undercover marquees for party-goers to retreat to should it get a little wet.

Free parking will be available from 4pm to midnight on 31 December in on-street and off-street parking bays at the Waterfront, including the Kitchener Drive multistorey car park and the Darwin Convention Centre basement car park. To avoid delays, park in the city and catch the free bus (from the Darwin City Interchange) or take the short stroll through the tree canopy across the sky bridge and down the glass lift into the heart of the celebrations.

For more information, visit the 'Darwin Waterfront' Facebook page. It’s gonna be beaut!

ENDS

Media Contact: Paola Ciarla, Events & Marketing Manager 0437 621 433