28 Dec, 2023

New Year’s Eve party returns to Elder Park

The traditional New Year’s Eve celebrations will be back at Elder Park for the first time since 2019, with preparations well underway for the free, family-friendly festival.

Gates at Elder Park will open to the public at 5:30 pm, with the first fireworks display for families at 9 pm followed by the major event at midnight.

Food trucks, bars, roving performers and a stage featuring live music throughout the night will keep patrons entertained while waiting for the two fireworks shows.

Capacity for the event will be up to 25,000 people at any point in time, for patron safety and comfort, with total patronage expected to exceed this as people enter and leave throughout the night. Other viewing areas are available along the River Torrens.

Elder Park hosted the traditional New Year’s Eve celebrations in the city for 11 straight years before Covid interruptions saw the party shifted to Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka and other locations across the city and North Adelaide for 2021 and 2022.

As well as the major event site in Elder Park, the Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) has helped activate key areas in the city and North Adelaide by providing grants to hospitality venues to help them throw street parties.

Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said returning the main celebrations to Elder Park is an opportunity to throw a party for the people of South Australia.

“Our free New Year’s Eve celebrations will be held in the city for everyone in the community to enjoy,” said the Lord Mayor.

“I really admired what the Council had been able to do the last two years, navigating various Covid restrictions to stage fun and lively New Year’s Eve events but now it’s time to return to the party capital of the state in Elder Park.

“Our staff have worked closely with SA Police and various government departments to ensure it will be a safe and fun night out for everyone, with entertainment, roving performers and two fireworks shows.

“It’s an important night for all our hospitality traders, so AEDA has helped activate key precincts within the city and North Adelaide by awarding grants to venues to help them get the party started.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for visiting the city in 2023. On average 300,000 people come into the city and North Adelaide every day to work, learn or play and there’s no doubt that everyone in the community has helped our city bounce back from Covid.”

The total budget for the New Year’s Eve celebrations is $750,000 which includes both the Elder Park party and hospitality venue grants delivered by AEDA.

Hospitality traders which received grants to provide additional activities within the city and North Adelaide include Austral Laneway New Year’s Eve Party (Bent Street), Lion Hotel New Year’s Eve Block Party (Jerningham Street), Queen’s Head New Year’s Eve (Abbott Lane), Eleven 2023 New Year’s Eve (Waymouth Street), Chaise-Lounge NYE Party (Pirie Street), The Stag NYE Balcony Party (Rundle Street), Bai Long Night on New Year’s Eve 2023 (Hutt Street) and Howling Owl New Year’s (Cinema Place).

ELDER PARK NEW YEAR’S EVE PROGRAM

5:30 pm - Gates open
5:50 pm - MC Lori Bell starts festivities
5:55 pm - Welcome to Country by Petiola Wilson
6:05 pm – TropiCabana
6:30 pm - Purple Monkey
7:40 pm - Mum Thinks Blue
8:40 pm - Germein
9:00 pm – Fireworks
9:45 pm - Rob Edwards
10:55 pm - The Cast
11:59 pm - Countdown to midnight by The Cast
12:00 am – Fireworks
12:15 am – Music
1:00 am - Event closes

(NB: There will be temporary closures of the Torrens Foot Bridge during the fireworks displays for public safety from 8:30 pm - 9:15 pm and 11 pm – 1:30 am).

Colin James