Bondi Beach’s long-awaited New Year’s Eve festival is officially returning, a year after its planned debut was cancelled following last year’s terror attack.
Fuzzy has confirmed it will finally bring NYE celebrations back to the iconic shoreline, teaming up with international party brand elrow for elrow Sydney XXL. The event will mark the first major NYE celebration at Bondi Beach in more than a decade, with the festival to take place across two stages.
Fuzzy first unveiled plans for the Bondi festival in 2025, with HoneyLuv, Kölsch, Patrick Topping, TSHA, Palms Trax and more announced for the inaugural event. The festival was ultimately cancelled just weeks before it was due to take place following the December 14th terror attack at Bondi Beach, which killed 16 people, including one of the two alleged gunmen, and injured dozens more.
Fuzzy made the decision in consultation with local Council, saying at the time that holding the event “would not be appropriate” given the impact of the attack on the local community. Organisers also said they hoped to return to Bondi in the future “when the time is right”.
“The Fuzzy team includes many people who live in and love Bondi, so getting the chance to bring NYE to our backyards is truly special. After not being able to deliver the event last year, we promised the community a chance to come back together again – and that time has come,” Fuzzy CEO Adelle Robinson said.
“Elrow is an internationally renowned celebration of self-expression, joy and community. A perfect party to bring to our Bondi. We’re proud to be working with Waverley Council to also offer residents a free family-friendly event at Locals Lawn, with roaming performers, food and activities right up until the 9pm firework display.”
This year, the festival will take the form of elrow Sydney XXL, the largest configuration the Barcelona-born party brand has brought to Australia. The main stage will feature elrow’s ‘El triángulo de las Rowmudas (Rowmuda Triangle)’ theme, a shipwreck-inspired setup centred around a towering pirate ship, alongside sunken planes, sea creatures, scuba divers and roaming performers. A second stage, the Pink Cathedral, will also be set up on the shoreline.
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Founded in Barcelona in 2010 by siblings Juan Arnau Jr. and Cruz Arnau, elrow has expanded into events across 50 cities and 40 countries, including residencies in Ibiza and large-scale festivals and warehouse events in Europe.
“Returning to Bondi this year means a great deal to us. The Eastern Suburbs have always been special to me personally, from when I lived in Bondi in my early years. To bring elrow to one of the world’s most iconic beaches on New Year’s Eve is an honour and sharing it with Sydney is something we don’t take for granted,” elrow Founder and Chief Global Brand Juan Arnau Jr. said.
Alongside the ticketed festival, Waverley Council and Fuzzy will host Locals Lawn, a free, all-ages area for eligible Waverley residents at the southern end of Bondi Beach Park. It will feature food trucks, roaming entertainment and an early fireworks display.
“It has been a long time since we welcomed a New Year at Bondi Beach and I know there is a lot of excitement about what Fuzzy has planned. An iconic beach deserves an iconic New Year’s Eve celebration, and elrow will deliver just that. This is a chance for people to come together, let their hair down and welcome 2027 at a party like no other in Sydney,” Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh said.
“After a challenging year for many in our community, I know there is a real yearning for some fun, especially as the weather warms up. Major events like this also offer the business community a well-deserved boost. The hottest family-friendly New Year’s Eve ticket in town is up for grabs exclusively for Waverley residents – and it’s free.”
Ticketholders from the cancelled 2025 event will be given priority access to this year’s festival, with the ‘2025 Ticketholder First Access’ ballot opening at 12pm on Thursday, September 17th. A locals presale will begin at 10am on Wednesday, September 30th, followed by the general presale at 12pm. Tickets will then go on sale to the general public at 12pm on Thursday, October 1st. All times are AEST. See here for details.
The full elrow Sydney XXL lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.
For complete festival and ticket information, see here.
ELROW SYDNEY XXL
Thursday, December 31st
Bondi Beach, Sydney NSW
