05 Dec, 2017

Elder Park and Adelaide’s Riverbank is the place to be this New Year’s Eve

With an eclectic line-up of local music, food from around the world, a new Kids Zone, and two spectacular fireworks displays, the City of Adelaide’s free New Year’s Eve party in Elder Park and Adelaide Riverbank will be the place to be for families and friends to welcome in 2018.

The action gets underway on Sunday 31 December from 6pm along the picturesque banks of the River Torrens in the heart of the riverbank precinct with the brand-new Kids Zone, thanks to our program partner, the Riverbank Authority.

The Kids Zone will feature a full family program on the Street Theatre Stage, children’s shows in the Rastelli venue and special activities for families in the Nonsense Inc. Big Top. This year’s program of roving performance is the largest yet, guaranteed to surprise and delight children and adults alike.

The 2017 fireworks are set to be bigger and more spectacular than ever, thanks to our principle partner and fireworks sponsor Enerven. The first fireworks will be at 9pm, before the main show lights up the sky at midnight. Both displays will be set to a sensational soundtrack from local music producer Tim Whitt.

Lord Mayor of Adelaide Martin Haese said the live music program at this year’s event would be a celebration of Adelaide’s status as UNESCO City of Music.

“The City of Adelaide is committed to providing support and opportunities to our local musicians.

“South Australia’s music scene contributed $375 million to the economy in 2015/16, and Lonely Planet just named Adelaide as Australia’s live music city.

“Adelaide has been globally recognised for its local music scene and we’ll be celebrating some of our finest home grown talent on New Year’s Eve with South Australian acts that range from electronic, blues and soul, indie pop, and world music sounds.

“Bringing in the New Year at Elder Park has become a tradition for many friends and families. It will be a great night for everyone, young and old, so I invite you to come along and settle yourself in for a night of celebration and entertainment.”

The Rotunda Stage program will kick-off at 7pm with a spectacular dance performance by Adelaide-based Aboriginal dance group Yellaka, followed by the Fresh 92.7 Jump Start winner CARZi. CARZi (Caroline Tucker) will bring her high energy live DJ set to the stage and showcase her talents as a vocalist.

Also performing will be Abraska, a talented line-up of local musicians that meld their diverse musical roots with bouncy, brassy global rhythms and smooth sophisticated vocals. Abraska are sure to get the crowd up and dancing.

Next on stage will be the Wanderers. Get ready to step it up a notch as this highly accomplished three-piece bring shredding guitar riffs, dreamy harmonies and funky bass to the Rotunda Stage.

Electric Fields performed in 2016 and were such a crowd favourite that they are making a return this year. Zaachariaha and Michael bring breathtaking beauty and power to the stage, with Zaachariaha often bringing the traditional Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara language into their diverse repertoire.

To bring in 2018 in true Adelaide style, Zkye and the GuyZ will rock out the crowd with their classic soul, rock and pop tunes. Jazz trained Zkye is an accomplished musician with many awards to her name. Zkye and the GuyZ’s set before the midnight fireworks will be high energy.
Adelaide producer, sound designer and DJ, Tim Whitt, will be spinning some tunes across the evening and has put together the sound tracks to the fireworks displays.

Another new addition in 2017 will be large stage screens, ensuring everyone gets a great view of the artists on stage. The event has also increased its footprint in 2017, with the new Kids Zone being established on the Riverbank lawn adjacent to the new Convention Centre East Building.

The City of Adelaide’s highest priority is ensuring that the community has a safe, fun and family-friendly environment in which to celebrate the start of the New Year. While there will be a fantastic selection of food stalls and licensed beer gardens, BYO alcohol will not be permitted and the site will be smoke-free.

The 9pm fireworks will be launched from the River Torrens and Pinky Flat, while the midnight fireworks will be launched from the Riverbank Bridge, River Torrens and Pinky Flat.

The Riverbank footbridge will be closed at times during the event to facilitate the two fireworks displays; this is to ensure safety for the public. The first closure will occur at 8:30pm, with the bridge reopening immediately following the 9pm display at 9:20pm. The bridge will remain open for the exit of the Adelaide Oval Big Bash Cricket crowd and close again at 11pm for the midnight fireworks display, with the bridge open again at 1am.

A number of exclusion zones will be established in Pinky Flat and a small area on the southern side of the River Torrens well in advance of the fireworks displays. Signage will communicate the times to the public.
A full road closure will be in place from 12 noon on Sunday 31 December along King William Road between Victoria Drive and North Terrace.

The City of Adelaide’s New Year’s Eve event is proudly supported by principle partner Enerven, program partner Riverbank Authority, supply partners Novatech Creative Event Technology, Bickfords Australia, Coopers Brewery, Sidewood Estate, and media partners Nine News and Fresh 92.7.

For more information about the event including the entertainment program, road closure information, parking, transport and details about accessible viewing - visit cityofadelaide.com.au/explore-the-city/current-events/new-years-eve/

Paula Stevens