Thousands flock to warm city nights to welcome 2023

Elissa Wells, 22, also from Queensland, said she enjoys the party atmosphere with her girlfriends.

DJ Gavin Campbell, who has been in the industry for the past 40 years and plays The Espy every weekend, said he loves the atmosphere.

Groups of families and friends gathered at viewing locations along Federation Square, Flagstaff Gardens, and Yarra for the family-friendly fireworks at 9:30 PM and the main event at midnight.

Early in the evening, a young Iranian family danced to Australia’s first New Year’s celebration, while the surrounding crowd applauded family-friendly fireworks.

Six-year-old Soroush Motamedi, who will be in first grade in 2023, danced like a storm to the beat of the music and enjoyed the late nights. The phone was off as a passerby stopped to take a picture.

“We just immigrated to Australia from Iran,” said his father, Amir Motamedhi, 43.

The family laughed and hugged as fireworks swept the show at 9:30 p.m.

As Melbourne weather approached a high of 30.2 degrees in the Docklands, crowds gathered in the late afternoon to prepare for a huge night of celebration.

Arbory ​​Afloat, Melbourne’s own floating bar on the Yarra River behind Flinders Street Station, filled early with young revelers.

On the way, 42-year-old Mark Scott met friends at nearby Federation Square, but they weren’t going to hang out in town. Humidity rose, and the party headed to Altona to welcome the New Year on the beach.

“Federal Square is packed with people on New Year’s Eve,” Scott said, blocking the blazing sun with an umbrella.

His partner, Channery Mama, said he was nervous about crowds and navigating public transport, but the first ‘normal’ New Year’s Eve after COVID was enough motivation to go out .

“Today is a good day to spend time with everyone after COVID and the weather is beautiful,” she said.

The group said little about their New Year’s resolutions, but said travel was a priority.

“I want to dance more abroad. That’s my only resolution,” said 33-year-old Angeline Lee.

Stocking up on sunscreen, water, and drinks, our friends never thought they could recreate memories of past New Year’s Eve celebrations.

“Back then it was crazier in clubs and bars,” said Monica Wang.

Producer Dean Elliott, also known by his stage name “Monarch,” was part of the line-up to ring in the New Year at Federation Square. The 30-year-old from Sydney said that while Sydney’s harbor was beautiful, the people of Melbourne made New Year’s Eve a memorable one.

“The comparison to Sydney is that you get the beauty of the harbor, but in Melbourne you get the beauty of the people.

Marvel Stadium has been transformed into a full-on festive extravaganza that can accommodate 2,000 to 3,000 partygoers.

At Footscray Park, the crowd had fun queen A tribute show and family fireworks featuring two of the country’s most famous sisters, Bluey and Bingo.

The city of Melbourne expected up to 450,000 people to cram the CBD to watch the first New Year’s Eve fireworks display since the pandemic.

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Twenty tons of fireworks were set up all over the city. He is 6 tons more than in 2019.

About 25,000 rockets were set to launch from 30 CBD rooftops (8 more than previously) and 5 ground sites.

The $3.94 million party included $280,000 for fireworks and the remainder for the Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens and a “Celebration Zone” near the Shrine of Remembrance. rice field.

Melbourne Mayor Sally Cap said Friday: “We are so excited to host the biggest fireworks and New Year’s Eve celebrations ever.

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