Check the Kiama New Year's Eve 2026 facts
Fireworks are coming back to Kiama Harbour this year after the 2025 show was paused. Kiama Council confirmed the return on 27 August 2026, once local businesses and the community helped the campaign pass its $100,000 target. Destination Kiama runs the event page. Here is what the two official sources say so far.
| Event | Kiama NYE Sky Show |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday 31 December 2026 |
| Where | Kiama Harbour (open in Google Maps) |
| Starts | From 4pm |
| Fireworks | 9pm, over Kiama Harbour |
| Cost | Free and non-ticketed. Carnival rides are ticketed separately |
| Who it suits | All ages. Destination Kiama calls it family friendly |
| On the night | Live music, roving performers, food vendors, family activities, rides from Lauries Carnival |
| Boat ramps | Closed within the event area from 4pm to 10pm |
| From Kiama Ridge Waters | About a 33-minute walk (2.7 km) to Robertson Basin |
The full program, the event map, parking and confirmed train and bus timetables have not been published yet. Destination Kiama says they will be added closer to the night, so check the Kiama NYE page in December before you go.
Claim a spot on the harbour foreshore early
The whole celebration is at Kiama Harbour, and the fireworks light up the sky over the water at 9pm. Robertson Basin, the sheltered inner harbour where the fishing boats moor, sits at the centre of it, with Black Beach and the grassy foreshore beside it and Blowhole Point rising behind. Any spot with a clear view of the sky over the harbour will do.
Destination Kiama says the town will be busy and asks people to plan ahead. The event opens at 4pm, so arriving in the late afternoon gives you time to find a patch of grass, eat and settle in before dark. Bring a picnic rug, a jumper for the sea breeze and a torch or phone light for the walk out.
The official event map, with entertainment, food, amenities and access points, is still to come. Until it is out, we will not guess at fenced areas or closed lookouts. Read our Kiama Harbour guide to get a feel for the layout before the night.
Bring the kids for the 9pm fireworks
The fireworks are planned for 9pm, not midnight. That timing works well for families: younger children can see the show and still be in bed at a sensible hour. The program published so far lists one fireworks display at 9pm and does not mention a midnight show, so do not plan around one unless the organisers announce it.
From 4pm there are family-friendly activities, roving performers and rides from Lauries Carnival. Entry is free, but ride tickets are sold separately, so budget for those if the kids will want a go. Live music runs by the harbour, with the line-up still to be announced.
For more ideas to fill the days around New Year, see things to do in Kiama with kids and our guide to Kiama at night.
Eat before the fireworks, or at the harbour
Destination Kiama says food vendors will be set up through the event, selling dinner, snacks and something sweet. That is the easiest option if you want to stay put once you have a spot.
If you would rather sit down for dinner first, book ahead. New Year's Eve is one of the busiest nights of the summer in Kiama, and many restaurants run set menus or limited sittings that night. Ask the venue directly when you book, as opening hours and menus change. Our guides cover the options close to the harbour:
- Where to eat in Kiama for restaurants on and around Terralong Street
- Kiama fish and chips for something to carry down to the water
- Kiama pubs for a counter meal in town
- Kiama takeaway if you want to eat at the apartment before you walk down
Alcohol rules for the event area have not been published yet. The Kiama Liquor Accord is listed as the event's Community Safety Partner, and any alcohol-free areas or restrictions should appear with the event map. Check the Kiama NYE page before you pack a drink.
Plan how you get there and where you park
Expect a crowd and slower roads. Destination Kiama says temporary road closures and changed traffic conditions will be in place around Kiama Harbour and the town centre. The exact streets and times will be added once they are confirmed.
- Train and bus: additional services are being planned, with timetables to be shared closer to New Year's Eve. Kiama station is on the South Coast Line, a short walk from the harbour. Use the Transport NSW trip planner on the day.
- Event shuttle: a special shuttle is planned from a designated event car park. Its location has not been announced.
- Boats: boat ramps within the event area close from 4pm to 10pm.
- Parking: full parking details are still to come. Street parking near the harbour will fill early, so allow extra time and read every sign.
Our Kiama parking guide covers the regular car parks, the Park&Ride at Kiama station and local taxis. If you are driving down from the city on the day, see Sydney to Kiama for drive and train times.
Walk down from Kiama Ridge Waters and skip the parking
If you are staying with us, leave the car in the garage. The walk from Kiama Ridge Waters at 2 Surfleet Place to Robertson Basin takes about 33 minutes (2.7 km). Hindmarsh Park, in the middle of town, is about 25 minutes (2.1 km). By car the harbour is only about 4 minutes away on a normal day, but road closures and full car parks will change that on the night.
Leave by about 3.30pm if you want to be there when the event opens at 4pm. After the 9pm fireworks, walking home keeps you out of the traffic while the crowds clear. Wear comfortable shoes, carry a light for the darker stretches, and keep the kids close near the roads.
The walk passes through town, so you can stop for dinner on the way. On New Year's Day, the Kiama Coast Walk and Easts Beach, about 15 minutes from the apartments on foot, make an easy slow start.
Book your New Year's accommodation early
New Year's Eve falls in the peak of the summer holidays, and with the fireworks back, Kiama will be busy. Book as early as you can, especially if you need room for a group.
At Kiama Ridge Waters, our three-bedroom apartments sit on the same site at 2 Surfleet Place, so a family or a whole group can see in the new year together. Each sleeps six, with two bathrooms, a full kitchen, a laundry and garage parking for two cars. Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is by 10am.
- Families: a full kitchen, separate bedrooms and space to put the kids to bed after the 9pm show. See family stays.
- Groups: book several apartments on the same site. See group stays.
- Dogs: most of our apartments take pets on request. Fireworks can upset pets, so plan for someone to stay with them. See pet-friendly stays.
Compare the apartments, then check dates and prices on our booking page.
Watch for the details still to be announced
Some of the most useful information has not been released yet. Destination Kiama and Kiama Council have not yet published:
- the full entertainment program and line-up
- the event map, with amenities and access points
- which roads close, and from what time
- parking details and the location of the event shuttle car park
- timetables for the extra trains and buses
- any alcohol rules or alcohol-free areas for the event
Keep an eye on the Kiama NYE page and the Kiama Council website. For everything else on over summer, see our Kiama events guide.
Quick answers
What time are the Kiama New Year's Eve fireworks?
The fireworks are planned for 9pm on Thursday 31 December 2026, over Kiama Harbour. The free celebration starts from 4pm with live music, food and family activities. Destination Kiama has not announced a midnight display, so plan around the 9pm show and check the official page in December.
Is Kiama New Year's Eve free?
Yes. Destination Kiama says the Kiama NYE Sky Show is a free, non-ticketed event open to all ages. The rides from Lauries Carnival are the exception: they are ticketed individually and charged separately, so bring some money if the kids want a few goes.
Where should I watch the fireworks in Kiama?
The event and fireworks are at Kiama Harbour, so the harbour foreshore around Robertson Basin and Black Beach puts you in the middle of it. The official event map is still to come. Arrive in the late afternoon to find a spot with a clear view of the sky.
Will there be road closures in Kiama on New Year's Eve?
Yes. Destination Kiama says temporary road closures and changed traffic conditions will operate around Kiama Harbour and the town centre. The exact streets and times have not been published yet. Check the official Kiama NYE page in December before you drive in.
How do I get to Kiama on New Year's Eve without a car?
Kiama station is on the South Coast Line, a short walk from the harbour. Destination Kiama says extra train and bus services are being planned for the night, with timetables to be shared closer to the date. A shuttle from a designated event car park is also planned.
Are the Kiama fireworks suitable for young children?
Yes. Destination Kiama describes the night as a free, all-ages, family-friendly celebration, and the 9pm timing means children can see the show without staying up until midnight. There are family activities, roving performers and carnival rides from 4pm. Ride tickets cost extra.
How far is Kiama Ridge Waters from the New Year's Eve fireworks?
The walk from Kiama Ridge Waters to Robertson Basin at Kiama Harbour takes about 33 minutes, or 2.7 km. Driving takes about 4 minutes on a normal day, but road closures and busy car parks on New Year's Eve make walking the easier choice.
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