The final day of 2013 is here, and with it the celebrations of New Years Eve across the duniya.
The most spectacular celebrations are no doubt those held in the city of Sydney, where A$6 million has been spent on seven tonnes of fireworks to be exploded over the harbour at three times during the evening. Meanwhile Melbourne also has a fireworks display and festival program planned, while Lahore and Chennai will host their regular collection of private parties and local fireworks.
Sydney
Sydney Harbour explodes with colour on New Years Eve 2006 (Image: Wikipedia)
Sydney’s traditional 9pm ‘family show’ and the usual midnight extravaganza will be supplemented this year by a 10:30pm display. Aimed at “filling that gap” between the two regular pyrotechnic bonanzas, the move has been criticised by some commentators as unnecessary.
Several roads will be closed and clearways marked as up to 1.5 million people descend on Sydney Harbour’s foreshore. Special arrangements for public transport are in place, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be closed between 11pm and 1am due to its critical role as a launching post for fireworks.
Paramedics have asked revellers to exercise moderation, while New South Wales police have reminded Sydneysiders that alcohol is not permitted in most harbour-side areas, nor are open bottles to be carried on the street or on public transport.
Sydney’s 9pm and midnight fireworks will be broadcast on ABC1 with four hours of coverage from 8:30pm AEDT. Lahoris and other Pakistanis can watch the fireworks on the Australia Network from 4pm PKT, while Chennaikers and Indians can catch it at 4:30pm IST.
For more information on road closures, public transport, clearways, events, functions and vantage points for New Years Eve in Sydney, go to the official event website of Sydney New Years Eve.
Melbourne
Fireworks explode over Melbourne on New Years Eve, seen from across Albert Park (Image: Herald Sun)
Melbourne’s New Years Eve will see a family fireworks show at 9:30pm in Yarra Park near Richmond and in Footscray Park, followed by the main pyrotechnic display at midnight across the rooftops of the CBD. Channel Seven is to broadcast the midnight fireworks, immediately following a 2013 year-in-review program at 11pm AEDT.
Around 300,000 people are expected to attend public celebrations in the city, with plenty more ringing in the new year on rooftops, in bars or at community events. Fireworks can also be seen from further afield with prime skyline views from Williamstown, Northcote and Albert Park. The bayside suburb of St Kilda is also a popular option with restaurants and beach parties.
Public transport in Melbourne is free tonight after 6pm, with extra train, tram and bus services on some routes through the evening. A large number of roads in Melbourne’s city centre, particularly those leading to or along the Yarra River, will be closed. As in Sydney, police have reminded party-goers that alcohol is prohibited from several public locations, including Federation Square.
For more information on road closures, public transport arrangements, events, functions and vantage points for New Years Eve in Melbourne, go to the event website of Melbourne New Years Eve.
Lahore
New Years Eve in Lahore (Image: USA Today)
New Years Eve is not traditionally observed in Pakistan, and New Years Day is not officially a public holiday, with the Gregorian calendar only in use since British colonisation. Many Lahoris still take time out to celebrate and countdown to the New Year.
Lacking a central planning committee, New Years Eve in Lahore is usually restricted to private functions, often exclusively among the upper-middle and elite social classes. Social, sports and cultural clubs and some restaurants around the city organise parties and sometimes small-scale fireworks displays – patrons should contact their preferred venue for details.
Lahore’s youth, particularly those with greater exposure to western culture, often organise parties or spend the night visiting friends around the city. MM Alam Road, Ferozepur Road and other major entertainment and eating precincts are expected to be flooded with cars and revellers. Public transport will not be altered for the evening, although drivers are warned to expect long delays on key roads.
Chennai
Chennaikers pack Marina Beach on New Years Eve 2012 (Image: New Indian Express)
Major hotels in Chennai host New Years Eve parties, with the Park Hyatt, ITC Grand Chola, Hilton and Ramada all ringing in the new year with DJs and some with fireworks. For information and to book tickets to these events, go to Chennai Burrp’s Gig Guide website. Marina Beach is also a popular location, with many Chennaikers heading to the world’s second longest urban beach to party. Other Chennaikers will head to temples to pray for an auspicious 2014.
Without a central planning committee, New Years Eve in Chennai is lower key than in many other cities, but drivers are warned of delays on the road, particularly around midnight. The Deccan Chronicle reports that 18,000 police will be deployed across 50 special units to keep a lid on the revelry, while Kamaraj Salai will be subject to police restrictions in the evening. Police have also announced that celebrations are to be wound up by 1am, hoping to avoid a repeat of previous years’ drunken violence.
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