New Year’s Eve is one of the most popular festivals celebrated by almost all nations worldwide. The beautiful coastal area of the Sunshine Coast celebrates this fantastic event with bright lights, entertainment and, of course… fireworks!
Enjoy fireworks displays in Mooloolaba, Caloundra and Coolum this New Year’s Eve.
Mooloolaba New Year’s Eve 2025/2026 Fireworks, Sunshine Coast
You’ll also find fireworks displays at Coolum at 8:30pm and Caloundra at 9:30pm, as well as a range of local events across the region, funded through the Council’s Festive and Commemorative Events grants program.
Parking is limited, so remember to plan your journey ahead of time for a safe trip to and from the event—organise a lift legend, jump on the free Kinetic Park n Ride shuttle bus service, download or update your rideshare apps, or visit/use the TransLink Journey Planner to plan your journey home safely.
Here is a huge list of official and private events running across the Sunshine Coast:
Mooloolaba
Gather loved ones to farewell 2025 and welcome in the new year with a family-friendly celebration in Mooloolaba.
The Sunshine Coast Council hosts a free community event along Mooloolaba Esplanade from 5pm to 10pm. You’ll find a range of family-friendly festivities leading up to the much-anticipated 8:30pm fireworks display.
The Esplanade will come alive with roving entertainment, face painting for the kids, food trucks, and markets. Getting there will be a breeze with various active and public transport options.
Choose from food trucks, pack a picnic, or book your favourite restaurant.
They expect more than 30,000 people to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Mooloolaba this year, encouraging attendees to use active and public transport.
If you’d prefer to escape the crowds and still want to enjoy the fireworks, you’re in luck. Fireworks will be bigger this year, meaning you’ll see them from Cotton Tree north to La Balsa south.
Getting There
- Bike and Scooter Parking: Park safely at the free, staffed BikePark on River Esplanade or opposite the Steve Irwin statue. Don’t forget your helmet and lights for the journey home.
- Park and Ride: Use the free shuttle from Chancellor State Secondary College in Sippy Downs (Claymore Road carpark, CP15) to Alexandra Headland. Shuttles run from 5pm to 11pm.
- Uber and Taxi Services: A dedicated Uber drop-off point is at Alexandra Headland, and the taxi rank on Mooloolaba Esplanade will operate as usual.
- Ferry Service: Take the new Mooloolaba Ferry between Kawana Waters and Mooloolaba. Visit mooloolabaferry.com.au for schedules.
Caloundra
The Kings Beach Amphitheatre will transform into a vibrant hub of activity from 4pm. Many activities will keep everyone entertained, from face painting, a movie under the stars, kid’s rides, and an array of local foodies, along with the perfect setting for a family picnic. The event concludes at 10pm.
The event will feature a substantial array of food trucks offering every local street food cuisine you can imagine. From gourmet burgers to exotic Asian delights, there’s something to satisfy every palate. It’s a celebration of the vibrant food truck culture that SCOFTA champions, bringing diverse and delicious cuisine to our Sunshine Coast community.
There are kid’s rides and face painting for the little ones, ensuring they have a blast while you relax and soak in the festive atmosphere.
As the sun sets, grab a spot on the grass for a movie under the stars, starting at 7:45pm. It’s the perfect opportunity for a family picnic, so pack your blankets and settle in for a cozy evening.
The fireworks display will be at 9:30pm, courtesy of the Sunshine Coast Council. Watch the sky light up in a dazzling array of colours. The event finishes at 10pm.
Temporary Car Park Closures
Council and Queensland Police have approved car Park closures, which will be in place from 4:30am to 11pm, including:
- Car park area between Ormonde Lane and the Esplanade (closest to the water fountain)
- Car park area at the end of Edmund St near the intersection with Arthur St
- Car park area between Burgess St and De Vene Ave (partial closure only)
Temporary Road Closures
The Council has approved road closures, and Queensland Police will be in place from 3pm to 11pm, including:
- De Vene Ave between Moreton Pde, Burgess Ave, Edmund St and Ormonde Tce
- Ormonde Tce between Edmund St and Princess Lane
Coolum
There will be an 8:30pm fireworks display from Coolum Beach next to the Surf Club.
Hi
Is there fireworks at Mooloolaba tonight?
Hi,
There will in fact be fireworks tonight at both 8:30pm and midnight at the Esplanade in Mooloolaba.
I have updated this page today to add extra information to the event schedule.
Thanks
Michael
What time do free buses start running from Kawana shopping world,to mooloolaba.as we have 5.45 dinner booking.thank you Daphne.
Hi Daphne,
Free buses from Kawana Shoppingworld and Maroochydore Bus Station on Horton Parade from 3pm to 2am. There will also be free shuttle service to and from NYE Mooloolaba from the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), departing every 30 minutes from 5pm to 8pm and back to USC again from 9pm to 2am.
In addition to the regular Sunday timetable, additional services will be added to routes 600, 620 from 6.30pm to 2am. An additional 610 service from Maroochydore to Nambour will also be scheduled at 10pm and 1am.
Best regards,
Jess
Hi
I’ve got young kids and only me as an adult, where is the best place to park if I don’t use the park and ride with the pram?
Hi Simon,
Not sure where to park as the whole place will be packed. Just note that there are road closures on Brisbane Road (between Mooloolaba Esplanade and Tuckers Creek Bridge) including the Brisbane Road Council Car Park, Smith Street between First Avenue and Walan Street and Northern Beach Terrace Car Park (former caravan park).
Best regards,
Jess
What music acts will be playing on New Years Eve
Hi Julie,
In 2017, the following acts have been confirmed so far:
Andrea Kirwin Trio
Mason Hope
Dan Horne Trio
The Floating Bridges
Vegas Please
Have a wonderful time at Mooloolaba on New Years Eve!
Jess
Where is the best place to watch the fireworks on a boat in mooloolaba
Regards
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
The fireworks are typically held off the coast of Mooloolaba Esplanade. So if you want to place your boat just off the coast, perhaps near the Surf Club, you will have a spectacular view.
Best regards,
Jess
Where about’s in the University are the buses leaving from ?
Hi Steve,
I cannot find a location nominated by Sunbus, but I assume it will be at the usual University Bus stop near Claymore Road. See the map here (top right of the map).
Kind Regards,
Jess
Hi, That is not the standard University bus stop area. The University stop is the point shown as TC on the referred map. It is slightly left of centre just below the middle of the map. Near the USC Art Gallery, AG, and Building J.
Regards
James
Hi, where can I get park and ride information for USC? Reading the Sunbus website it states they leave every 30mins, but that the first bus back is 8.45pm? with two young children I’m hoping they return every 30mins from 5pm.
Hi Darren,
You can find some additional info here. The normal Saturday timetable will run as well as additional services, so check the Saturday bus timetables which will have services leaving as early as 5pm.
Have a great time in Mooloolaba for New Years Eve!
Kind Regards,
Jess
Hi Wondering what area of Mooloolabah is actually alcohol free on New Years Eve? And where are the actual fireworks exploded from e.g. in front of the Surf Club?
Many thanks
Gary
Hi Gary,
You can’t drink alcohol in a public place at all in Queensland, unless the area is a licensed premises or is declared as a ‘wet area’. So consider any outdoor space to be alcohol free. You can drink inside the many licenced bars and restaurants. If you drink in the parklands or along the foreshore, you can be issued with an on the spot fine of $121 for drinking alcohol in a public place.
As for the specific location of fireworks, I am led to believe they will be right in front of the surf club. Weather conditions on the day will dictate the final location.
Best regards,
Jess