Your guide to New Year’s Eve (and fireworks) on Lake Burley Griffin

Posted on 23 December, 2025

Fireworks, food and music, all overlooking Lake Burley Griffin. Is there a better way to welcome the new year?

As the countdown to 2026 continues, you might be wondering how you can send out 2025 with a bang. Luckily, Canberra’s own fireworks show can help with that (literally).

Perfect for the whole family, here’s what you need to know about spending New Year’s Eve in Canberra lakeside – from the best place to see the fireworks to what you can eat and drink.

What is it?

A free community celebration for all ages, the New Year’s Eve celebration on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin is an annual tradition in Canberra. With two firework displays, food, music and more, it’s always a fun way to welcome in a new year.

What’s happening?

This year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations will once again see two firework displays lighting up the night: a family-friendly one at 9 pm and another at midnight. Accompanied by a synchronised soundtrack that will be broadcast live on Mix 106.3, the sky will come alive to mark the beginning of 2026.

With the celebrations kicking off from 6 pm, the family-friendly event will also include live DJs and local food trucks.

Where’s the best place to see the fireworks?

Good question. The fireworks will launch from Central Basin this year, and there will be four celebration hubs around Lake Burley Griffin that will provide great vantage points to view the fireworks: Rond Terrace, Wendouree Drive, Ferry Gate (Regatta Point) and John Dunmore Lang Place (Commonwealth Place).

With festivities beginning at each hub from 6 pm, you’ll want to get there early so you can secure yourself a good spot and soak in the view. Here’s the event map which has the exact hub locations, so you can take your place by the lake.

What can I eat and drink?

There’s nothing like a relaxing picnic near the water, but with a variety of local food vendors dishing out some delicious bites, you’ll have plenty of things to eat and drink.

Each hub will operate from 6 pm and have options covering all dietary requirements (including gluten-free, halal, kosher, vegan, and vegetarian). Think: glow-in-the-dark fairy floss, kebabs, burgers, beignets and more.

Here’s a taste of what you can expect.

John Dunmore Lang Place

• Safari Delight (GF, H)
• Mood For Food (GF, Vg, V)
• Tea-Riffic (GF, H, K, Vg, V)
• Shandong Style Dumpligs (VG, V)
• Fire House (V)
• Slinko (Vg)
• BZ Burger (GF, H VG, V)
• Mr Spud (GF, Vg, V)
• Grill-Ax
• Au Lac Food Truck (H, Vg, V)
• Waffle Station (GF, H, K, Vg, V)

Ferry Gate 

• Homemade Dumplings (H, Vg, V)
• Zosafusion
• Grabit (GF, H V)
• Wagyu Blacks (GF, H V)
• Holy Roly (GF)
• Slinko (Vg)
• Original Chips on a stick (GF, H, K, Vg, V)
• Juice Circle (GF, H, K, Vg, V)
• Safari Delight (GF, H)
• Original Glow Fairy Floss (GF, H, K, Vg, V)

Rond Terrace

• Canan Turkish Gozleme (H, Vg, V)
• The Dumpling Diplomat (H, V)
• Jarochos (GF, H, Vg, V)
• Corn Kingdom Chips on a Stick (GF, H, K, Vg, V)
• Grease Monkey (GF, H, Vg, V)
• Le Petit Breton – Authentic French Crepes (GF, Vg, V)
• Sushi Sushi (GF, Vg, V)
• Beignets and a Suya Box (H, V)
• BZ Iced Matcha and Thicc Cookies (Vg, V)

Wendouree Drive

• Papis Fish and Chips (V)
• Mr and Mrs Wippy (GF, H, Vg, V)
• MOMOs Tate of Tibet (Vg, V)
• Tacotento (GF, H, Vg, V)
• Palacinke – Delicious Crepes (GF, VG, V)
• Jacko’s Pizza (GF, Vg, V)
• Donut Puff Balls (H, V)
• Tikka Stand Food Truck (VG, V)
• Tornado Potatoes (GF, H, K, Vg, V)
• Fairy Floss Kingdom (GF, H, K, Vg, V)
• Kurbside Kravings (GF, H, Vg V)

Plan your location accordingly or prepare yourself for a food crawl around the lake – there’s plenty of tasty options to choose from.

Help! I don’t want to drive; how can I get there?

The best way to make your trip as hassle-free as possible is to use public transport. The good news? Travel on Transport Canberra bus and light rail services will be free all day on Wednesday 31 December. All you need to do is tap on and off as normal to register a zero-dollar fare!

Transport Canberra will be running increased bus services on the day and the Light Rail will have an extended timetable and increased services. Just make sure to plan ahead and double-check your route – and just to make life even easier, here’s a handy guide on walking distances between bus stops and celebration hubs.

Planning to drive?

We salute you. But in all seriousness, you should visit this page for the best suggested routes to take to get into the city and for parking suggestions (because you know you’re going to need it). Make sure you stay up to date with traffic changes and road closures on the Built for CBR website, and always plan for delays.

Of course, biking, scootering, or even walking is always an option. It’s all about balance, right?

What if the weather’s bad?

Well, we can’t change the weather, but we can tell you that it will be monitored in the lead-up to and during the event.

The fireworks may be delayed or cancelled if weather conditions become severe or dangerous so make sure to keep an eye on the Events ACT Facebook page for updates.

I’m ready to get this party started – what else do I need to know?

The only other thing to note is first aid, portable toilets, and security will be provided at each of the hubs. But apart from that, don your glitter, grab your mates and settle in for one fun night!

For more information, visit nye.events.canberra.com.au and check out the event map here to start planning your New Year’s Eve.