Council cancels New Year's Eve fireworks due to dangerous swells

Wollongong City Council statement: 31 December 2025

Unfortunately, due to dangerous ocean swells impacting Wollongong Harbour, Wollongong City Council has made the very difficult decision to cancel the planned New Year’s Eve fireworks display scheduled for 9pm this evening.

Due to the height of waves impacting the break wall, and the predicted increase leading up to and beyond the scheduled 9pm start-time, it has been determined that the fireworks cannot be safely released from their planned launch positions.

Unfortunately, it was not possible to safely rearrange launching points to mitigate the risks and  ensure public safety and the safety of staff in time for the scheduled 9pm start. This decision has been made in consultation with our fireworks contractor, and Emergency Services.

These decisions are not taken lightly and we understand that this will be deeply disappointing for our community. However, Council’s top priority will always be public safety and this could not be guaranteed in the circumstances that arose.

While the fireworks will sadly not be going ahead, there will still be plenty of great ways to enjoy the evening, with roving entertainers and the Wollongong Summer Carnival in Lang Park to go ahead as scheduled until 9pm.

It is not the way we wanted to end 2025, but we wish our community a very happy New Year and all the very best for 2026.