A comprehensive round up of all the best festivals, hot spots, bars and events in Melbourne this NYE.
Yes folks, the annual collective struggle to organise the best Melbourne New Year’s Eve celebration is imminent.
As the end of the year draws closer, the prospect of holidays and festivities is fast approaching, alongside the pressure to plan a kick-ass New Year’s celebration. With December 31st right around the corner, the deadline is creeping closer and closer.
New Year’s Eve is historically a mega-stressful time for fans of revelry and partying, but we have some good news: it doesn’t have to be. Gone are the days when you find yourself searching far and wide for the best way to ring in the New Year, and it’s all thanks to this handy little guide.
That’s right, New Year’s Eve Melbourne 2023 doesn’t have to be yet another year that consists of chugging back warm beers and listening to a water-damaged UE Boom in your mates’ shoddy courtyard (unless of course that’s your thing, then hey, we don’t judge).
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Melbourne New Year’s Eve Festivals
Beyond The Valley
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- Dates: December 28 to January 1
- Location: Wadawurrung & Eastern Maar Land, Barunah Plains, VIC 3229
- Tickets: $229 – $429
Now in its ninth year, Untitled Group and Triple J’s collaborative annual music, camping and arts event BTV is the largest NYE festival in Australia. Offering up a cacophony of musical stylings including but not limited to electronic, rock, hip-hop and pop, it has a stacked lineup of heavy hitters including Rufus Du Sol, Peggy Gou, Central Cee, DMA’s and many more – there is something for quite literally every taste. Although camping passes have sold out, there are still plenty of festival passes remaining and a large variety of options for those staying off-site.
Animals Dancing X Butter Sessions
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- Date: December 31
- Location: PICA (Port Melbourne Industrial Centre for the Arts) 1 Woolboard Rd, Port Melbourne VIC 3207
- Tickets: $119 – $129
On their second iteration, this year’s instalment of the Animals Dancing X Butter Sessions takes place at PICA, an arts and live music performance space in Port Melbourne. This spot showcases an industrial, underground yet sleek atmosphere, highlighted through the several scrap metal robot sculptures throughout. Gear up for a night breakbeat-focused electronica, with a solid lineup consisting of both international and local acts, including UK drum and bass legend LTJ Bukem and Melbourne-based DJ, producer and multi-medium artist Mabel.
Heaps Good
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- Date: December 31
- Location: Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Kings Domain Gardens, Linlithgow Ave, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Tickets: $189 – $399
With previous year’s events taking place in early January, this day festival is carving out its place as one of the most exciting events this New Year’s Eve in Melbourne. This year’s Heaps Good is located in the heart of Southbank’s entertainment precinct, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Aussie electronic legend Flume is headlining (and he isn’t playing any side shows either so this is a must-see if you’re a fan!), alongside other artists, bands, DJs and live acts including Foals, Basement Jax and so many more.
When Pigs Fly
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- Date: December 31
- Location: Collingwood Children’s Farm, 18 St Heliers St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
- Tickets: $100
When Pigs Fly is set to captivate music enthusiasts once again at the Collingwood Children’s Farm, promising an out-of-this-world riverside boogie. Returning to its inaugural home along the Birrarung, the festival boasts a stellar lineup of 14 local and international acts including Immy Owusu, Surprise Chef, Adriana, Chee Simizu, Leah Senior, Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy and more. With its promise of a slice-of-paradise atmosphere, When Pigs Fly continues to be a must-attend event for those seeking a vibrant and eclectic New Year’s Eve in Melbourne.
Let Them Eat Cake
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- Date: January 1
- Location: Werribee Park, Main Dr, Werribee South VIC 3030
- Tickets: $205
Best known for its post-ironic, quasi-influencer-based playful social media campaign, Let Them Eat Cake is a festival for the mischievous and young at heart. Taking place on New Year’s Day rather than New Year’s Eve, LTEC is all about sending it to high-energy dance music. This instalment’s lineup consists of international acts Bicep, Barry Can’t Swim and LF System playing alongside the likes of homegrown heroes C.FRIM, AK Sports and Club Angel. If you’re looking to extend the New Year’s revelry past December 31, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.
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- Date: January 1
- Location: Coburg Velodrome, 30-34 Charles St, Coburg North VIC 3058
- Tickets: $160 – $190
Now in its fifth instalment, Sun Cycle is a shimmery day festival taking place on New Year’s Day. Set inside a velodrome racing track in Coburg, Sun Cycle offers a truly unique visual experience, as well as a widely varied lineup that caters towards every taste. Acts on the lineup include frequent Boiler Room alum Lady Shaka, R&B/electronic fusion artist Erika de Casier and 2023 Pitch Music Festival performers, British duo Overmono, alongside others.
CBD & Inner City NYE Parties
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- Corner Hotel, 57 Swan St, Richmond VIC 3121
- Tickets: $46
Corner Hotel is hosting the ultimate New Year’s Eve in Melbourne, showcasing a star-studded lineup of homegrown electronic acts all night long. Doors are opening early which means you can get your pub feed in before the main event hits at 9pm where Australian-based heavy-hitters Slumberjack, Kinder and Raave Tapes are set to be spinning tunes all night long. If you’re keen on kicking it off early, the Corner will also be holding an AC/DC 50th anniversary tribute show with Bon Scott in the arvo.
Morris House NYE Rooftop Cocktail Party
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- Location: Morris House, 120 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Tickets: $180
Offering a whopping four hours of bottomless drinks, including wine, beer and canapes with a Bellini Hour from 8 to 9pm, Morris House’s New Year’s Eve Melbourne party is bound to be an indulgent experience. Hosted on a rooftop with a promise of all-night-long DJs, the party invites guests to show up in their best cocktail attire and soak up the views of the CBD night sky. Morris House is best accessed by tram routes 96 and 86, as well as being a short walk away from Parliament Station.
Northside NYE Parties
Bar Open NYE with Sorbo Amplio
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- Location: Bar Open, 317 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, VIC 3065
- Tickets: Free entry
Recently celebrating its 25th anniversary, this legacy bar located in the heart of Brunswick St is hosting events all December long. Their NYE event is set to showcase Melbourne-based 10-piece New Chilean Cumbia band, Sorbo Amplio. If you have a taste for Latin-American flair, or just want to try something new for this New Year’s Eve in Melbourne, Sorbo Amplio’s unique style of music combining Latin rhythms with elements of rock, ska and hip-hop might just be the way to go! Bar Open is a short walk away from the route 96 tram.
Holy Smokes Early Session at Bodriggy Brewing
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- Location: Bodriggy Brewing Company, 245 Johnston St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
- Tickets: Free entry
Toast to the New Year at Bodriggy Brewery with the electrifying Holy Smoke! This New Year’s Eve, immerse yourself in the smooth sounds of classic rock, featuring iconic hits of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Located in the heart of Abbotsford, Bodriggy Brewery enhances the celebration with its extensive craft beer lift, inviting ambiance and delectable menu. If you’re looking for an easy session, this one’s for you, because the party’s on between 3 and 6pm. Plus, it’s free baby!
Northcote Social Club New Queer’s Eve
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- Location: Northcote Social Club, 301 High St, Northcote VIC 3070
- Tickets: $24 – $35.30
If you’re after an alternative, punky, inclusive and welcoming space to celebrate your New Year’s Eve in Melbourne, New Queers Eve is where it’s at. NQE is set to be hosted by BONEZ Alternative Queer Party, promising a jam-packed night of “punk as f*ck bands, drag, burlesque, DJs and community”. Melbourne emo bunk band Excuse for an Exit is set to take the stage, as well as performers including Ruby Slippers, Winter Greene, Theresa Problem and Bromeo. Northcote Social Club is Best accessed by the route 86 tram.
Brunswick Ballroom Midnight Driver NYE
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- Location: Brunswick Ballroom, 317 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, VIC 3056
- Tickets: $45 – $55
PBS 106.7’s Midnight Driver is set to be a damn groovy disco-fuelled night of boogie hosted at the recently renovated Brunswick Ballroom on December 31. The event features a lineup of heavy-hitting PBS DJs including Milo Eastwood, Jonny Alexander and Ella Stoeckli. Discounted tickets are also available for PBS members – double win. The Brunswick Ballroom is a seven-minute walk from Brunswick train station, also accessible via the route 19 tram.
Westside NYE Parties
Fireworks at Footscray Park
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- Location: Footscray Park, 40 Maribyrnong Blvd, Footscray, VIC 3011
- Tickets: Free entry
Footscray Park is the perfect spot to celebrate the New Year with friends and family. Get there nice and early to catch performances by Regurgitator, The Merindas, Cool Out Sun as well as roving performers – all for free! – before the fireworks display at 9:30. Hosted by the City of Maribyrnong on the Eastern Lawn of Footscray Park, this event wraps up at 10:30 pm, making it perfect for a wholesome night. Well suited for people wanting to avoid late night crowds and inner-city bustle, as well as a great opportunity to get a head start on the celebrations for those inclined towards event-hopping. There will be shuttle buses available to help visitors get in and out with ease.
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- Location: The Yarraville Club, 135 Stephen St, Yarraville VIC 3013
- Tickets: $47 – $140
This New Year’s Eve promises an electrifying journey to the golden era of ABBA with BABBA, Australia’s Premier ABBA Show. Get ready for a dazzling experience featuring stunning costumes, captivating choreography and pitch-perfect renditions of ABBA’s greatest hits. For those who love a good throwback, BABBA guarantees a non-stop party that will have you singing and dancing into the new year.
Southside NYE Parties
DJs, Bites and Bevs at The Espy
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- Location : Hotel Esplanade, 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182
- Tickets: $150 – $175pp
Offering up a three and a half hour drinks package including tap beer, cider, house sparkling, wine and soft drinks, roaming canapés and grazing bites, New Year’s Eve at the Main Bar begins at 8:30pm and goes all the way through to midnight. As an added bonus, DJs and other entertainment will be featured in every room. Easily accessible via the route 96 tram, alongside the views of St Kilda Beach, the Espy is set to be a sensory delight.
Revs / Revolver Upstairs
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- Location: Level 2/229 Chapel St, Prahran VIC 3181
- Tickets: TBA (often door sales only on NYE)
Melbourne’s iconic Revolver Upstairs, lovingly adopted into the Australian vernacular as “Revs”, has quite the reputation among locals and longtime visitors. Electronica and dance music are Revs’s strong suits, offering a wide array of four-to-the-floor beats including techno, house and electro. Featuring two bars, two main rooms and a bustling crowd, this is the spot you want to be for New Year’s Eve in Melbourne if you’re an avid club rat like myself. It’s located a short walk from Prahran train station.
For more Melbourne New Year’s Eve events, head here.
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