New Year's Day

Festivals and events

If you’re not all partied out from the previous night’s festivities, there’s plenty more fun to be had today. Sydney’s biggest New Year’s Day party is Field Day, held in The Domain. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, bring in 2026 with big-name bands and DJs from around the world including Carl Cox, Jamie Jones, Deborah De Luca, Kölsch and The Presets. You can also dance the day away at the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel’s annual bash featuring Club Sol, K Vision, Kessin, Super Disco Club, Little Fritter and more. Tickets include a two-hour beverage and canapes package.

Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Watsons Bay - Credit: Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel

Beaches and outdoors

Go for the first swim of the year at one of Sydney’s sparkling beaches or ocean pools. Bondi is always a popular choice, or you can find a secluded stretch of sand tucked away along the harbour, such as Milk Beach, Camp Cove or Seven Shillings. Go snorkelling at Clovelly, Little Manly Cove, Malabar Beach or Gordons Bay; catch a wave at Freshwater, Maroubra, Tamarama or Cronulla; or swim a few laps in the 112-year-old Wylie’s Baths, the family-friendly Bronte Baths, the triangular-shaped Fairy Bower Pool, the rocky Mahon Pool or MacCallum Pool, which boasts city skyline views.

Mahon Pool, Maroubra

Kick start your New Year fitness regime with a coastal walk, such as Bondi to Coogee, North Head, Manly to Spit Bridge or Hermitage Foreshore Walk. Other fun activities include cycling along the trails through Western Sydney Parklands, paddling a kayak around Manly or exploring convict ruins on Cockatoo Island. For something a little more sedate, it’s the perfect day to explore the Royal Botanic Garden and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, or set up a picnic in Centennial Park.

Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney

Zoos, galleries and museums

Many of Sydney’s top attractions are open on New Year’s Day. Catch the ferry to Taronga Zoo to feed the giraffes, watch monkeys play and see native animals. Kids can tackle the fun Wild Ropes course through the trees. For more animal adventures, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium are open too.

Taronga Zoo Sydney, Mosman - Credit: Pat Suraseang

Start your year with a dose of culture at the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Gallery of NSW. Or go beneath the ocean’s surface in the HMAS Onslow submarine at the Australian National Maritime Museum.

Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour

Eat and drink

A number of cafes, restaurants and bars stay open on New Year’s Day. For coffee and brunch, try Quick Brown Fox Eatery in Pyrmont, Frankie's Food Factory in Terrey Hills (with a play area for the kids), and Bills or Bourke Street Bakery in Surry Hills.

Bourke Street Bakery, Surry Hills - Credit: Bourke Street Bakery

For something heartier, make a reservation at one of the many restaurants dishing up lunch or dinner New Year’s Day. In the city, enjoy a bistro lunch at Bennie's Cafe, pizza and pasta at Eastbank, seafood at Searock Grill, a meal with a view at House Canteen and hangover recovery meals at City Extra, which is open 24 hours a day. Other open venues include The Apollo in Darlinghurst, Fred's in Paddington, Pony Dining in The Rocks, Totti’s in Bondi and Rozelle, Bather's Pavilion in Mosman, The Diddy in Longueville and Chiswick in Woollahra.

Chiswick Restaurant, Woollahra

For a drink with friends and family, Opera Bar, Cargo Bar, Felon's Manly, The Mona, Vic on the Park, The Newport and Coogee Pavilion are all open on New Year’s Day, just to name a few bars and pubs.

Opera Bar, Circular Quay