Source: Jackie Epstein, Nui Te Koha and Claire Beers Herald sun

As 2021 nears its end, Melbourne is putting on a show – and a heatwave – to celebrate. See the best celebrations, how to view the fireworks and what to wear for the weather.
The New Year is almost upon us and Melbourne is coming to life to celebrate the end of 2021.
Multiple events are being hosted across the CBD after New Year’s Eve revellers were warned to stay away from city in 2020.
Melbourne will ring in the New Year in style with the return of localised fireworks, street feasts and one of the largest drone shows the southern hemisphere has ever seen.
Four official live sites in the CBD will feature entertainment leading up to the midnight display.
However celebrations are not completely back to normal, Victorians are still being urged to tone it down by avoiding smooching, hugging and huddling with strangers.
Here’s what is happening in Melbourne and across Victoria.
New Year’s Eve revellers are booking out city centre hotels, eager to put two years of pandemic behind them and bring on a better 2022.
Party-goers were securing rooms from as early as September to ensure city views and to host their own Covid-safe celebrations.
The booking blitz comes as 42,000 people snapped up all the tickets to the city council’s four “celebration zones” around the city.
The Docklands zone will feature Australian-first drone swarm shows. All four sites will have localised fireworks displays – at 9.30pm and midnight – but there will be no rooftop displays this year.
New and established hotel operators reported strong interest and high occupancy, from The Langham, Crown Melbourne, Melbourne Marriott and Hyatt Centric Melbourne.
The Langham’s sales and marketing director Andre Jacques described the New Year’s Eve demand as “simply remarkable’’.
“It’s the highest level of demand we have had in the history of the Langham, Melbourne with a large amount of our bookings secured prior to October,’’ he said.
“Guests are very keen to come and celebrate with us here and say goodbye to 2021.”
Tourism Accommodation Australia (Vic) general manager Dougal Hollis said booking trends at Melbourne’s hotels reflected strong demand for a range of festive packages.
“Strong pent-up demand is apparent, from couples, families and business colleagues, eager to share some Christmas cheer following tough, pandemic-interrupted years.’’
At Crown, general manager Shaun D’Cruz described the demand as extraordinary.
“We are almost at full capacity across our three hotels on New Year’s Eve.
“The promise of a local, safe escape that can’t be interrupted by border restrictions or burdened by Covid testing requirements, as well as the opportunity to support local, has sealed the deal for the many Melburnians.’’
Melbourne Marriott Hotel general manager Gaurav Wattal said Melburnians were celebrating in a new way this year.
“Rather than travelling in close confines on public transport people are making a real night of it and staying in town,’’ Mr Wattal said.
“There’s been lots of friends and families taking out multiple rooms next to each other for added convenience, especially for our rooms with courtyards.
“After the past two years Melbourne is keen to celebrate, and spreading ourselves out across the city is not just a safer way to do so, but it means all the restaurants, bars and hotels can benefit.’’
Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the city would be abuzz on Friday night.
“We’ve put a tremendous amount of effort into creating a New Year’s Eve spectacular fitting of a city that’s undergone so much this year,’’ Cr Capp said.
“Our drone swarm spectacular will be a first for Australia, while our Street Feasts provide a delicious backdrop to welcome in 2022.
“We are running our New Year’s celebrations in a Covid-safe way so please make sure you have a booking at a celebration zone, Street Feasts or another venue before you head into the CBD.”
Victoria Police said their officers would be highly visible in the Melbourne CBD and at holiday destinations across the state.
“There will be a strong and dedicated police presence on roads, public transport network and at New Year’s Eve events right across the state to ensure it is a safe night for all,’’ a spokeswoman said.

Events

Melbourne Celebration Zones

Alexandra Gardens: 6pm–1am
Docklands: 6pm–1am
Flagstaff Gardens: 6pm–1am
Treasury Gardens: 6pm–1am

A valid ticket will be required for entry to all Celebration Zones. More information.

Victoria Celebrations

Dromana New Year’s Eve Extravaganza: 5pm
Horsham New Year’s Eve by the River: 6pm
Lakes Entrance Festival on the Foreshore: 1pm
Mildura New Year’s Eve at Nowingi Place: 6:30pm
Mooroopna New Year’s Eve Festival: 6:30pm

Fireworks

Bendigo: 9.15pm and midnight
Geelong: 9.30pm and midnight
Lakes Entrance: 9.30pm and midnight
Melbourne (only be visible from Celebration Zones): 9.30pm and midnight
Mildura: 9.30pm and midnight
Phillip Island: 9.30pm and midnight
Shepparton: 10.25pm and midnight

New Year Forecast

New Year’s Eve:
Sunny, Max 34C, min 18C

New Year’s Day:
Sunny, Max 36C, min 19C

Sunday January 2:
Partly cloudy, Max 30C, min 18C

Monday January 3:
Partly cloudy, Max 25C, min 18C

New Year Opening Hours

Chadstone
New Year’s Eve: 9am–9pm
New Year’s Day: 10am–6pm

Doncaster Westfield
New Year’s Eve: 9am–5.30pm
New Year’s Day: 10am–5pm

Eastland
New Year’s Eve: 9am–5.30pm
New Year’s Day: 10am–5pm

Fountain Gate Westfield
New Year’s Eve: 9am–5.30pm
New Year’s Day: 10am–5pm

Highpoint
New Year’s Eve: 9am–6pm
New Year’s Day: 10am–5pm

Knox Westfield
New Year’s Eve: 9am–5.30pm
New Year’s Day: 10am–5pm

Plenty Valley Westfield
New Year’s Eve: 9am–5.30pm
New Year’s Day: 10am–5pm

Southland Westfield
New Year’s Eve: 9am–5.30pm
New Year’s Day 10am–5pm

Emporium Melbourne
New Year’s Eve: 10am–9pm
New Year’s Eve: 10am–6pm

Melbourne Central
New Year’s Eve: 10am–9pm
New Year’s Eve: 10am–6pm