It's almost time to farewell 2016 and welcome in 2017 with a bang, with 90,000 people expected to descend on South Bank Parklands for the fireworks on Saturday.
Here's your guide to celebrating New Year's Eve in Brisbane this year, whether you want to brave the crowds at South Bank, are looking for a last-minute venue or prefer a quieter shindig.
Fireworks
There will be a fireworks show at South Bank and Hamilton Portside Wharf at 8.30pm, followed by a midnight show at Portside, Eagle Street Pier and South Bank.
The fireworks will last about 10 minutes and will include aquatic fireworks, butterfly-shaped fireworks and new aerial shells.
Skylighter Fireworx director Max Brunner said there would be bridge-to-bridge fireworks.
"Wherever you end up along the Clem Jones Promenade, you're going to get a front row seat to the fireworks," Mr Brunner said.
"It's a big challenge to come back to the same venue and present something all new and spectacular and keep raising the bar.
"I'm sure people who come back year after year to all these precincts will get an amazing new experience."
The fireworks will be set to top 40 soundtrack that will also feature a special tribute to Prince and Gene Wilder at midnight.
There will not be any fireworks on the Story Bridge, instead there will be six tonnes of fireworks launched from three barges and two pontoons.
Where to watch for free
The most popular spot to watch the fireworks will undoubtedly be South Bank, although Eagle Street Pier and Hamilton Portside Wharf are next in line.
Other places to watch the fireworks include Kangaroo Point, Mount Coot-tha, Dock Street at South Bank, the Mount Gravatt lookout and Highgate Hill Park
South Bank will be an alcohol-free event.
Items such as glass, metal cutlery, bikes, skateboards, unsealed water bottles and scooters are not allowed.
Security will conduct bag checks from 10am as people enter the Parklands.
If you would prefer to avoid the crowds, ABC TV will be broadcasting a family spectacular featuring the Sydney Harbour fireworks, comedy, music and entertainment from 8.35pm, with hosts Ella Hooper and Jeremy Fernandez.
Meanwhile, Police Minister Mark Ryan encouraged Queenslanders to plan ahead, stay safe and look after their mates.
Last-minute bookings
If you're a last-minute kind of person, never fret, there are still a few tickets and tables available this New Year's Eve.
At the time of hitting publish, here are some availabilities at South Bank:
Cocktail party at River Quay Fish
Three-course dinner at Stokehouse Q
- Limited tables left for the early sitting at 5.30pm or 6pm, the late sitting is booked out
- Event info here.
- Cost: $195
- Bookings: 07 3020 0600 or info@stokehouseq.com.au
Midnight tropical oasis party at The Charming Squire
- Five-hour package, including canapes, seafood station, tropical cocktail on arrival, fresh seafood station.
- General admission tickets are still available, VIP option has sold out
- Event info here.
- Cost: $160
- Bookings.
Mucho Mexicano
- Mariachi band, champagne on arrival, seven-course tasting menu, 2.5-hour drinks package
- Event info here.
- Cost: Second sitting $99.
- Bookings: 3846 5555 or southbank@muchomexicano.com.au
Masquerade cocktail party at Popolo
- Cocktail party featuring canapes, antipasto platters, classic Italian bites and 3.5 hours of unlimited drinks.
- Early banquet has sold out but tickets are available for the cocktail party.
- Event info here.
- Cost: $160
- Bookings.
Weather
As of Friday morning, the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting Saturday will be a minimum of 24 degrees, maximum of 34 and will be hot and mostly sunny, winds northerly 15 to 20km/h becoming light before dawn then becoming north to northeasterly 20 to 30km/h in the middle of the day.
Sunday is expected to be a minimum of 24 and maximum of 34, mostly sunny, with a slight (20 per cent) chance of a shower, light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 25km/h during the day, then becoming light during the evening.
Entertainment
Free movies will be screened at South Bank's Cultural Forecourt from 12.30pm to 8pm, including Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur and Zootopia.
There will be live music from City Sound artists at Rainforest Green from 3pm to 8pm.
Food trucks will be parked at the Cultural Forecourt from 11am, including Pizzantica, Kraut N' About, The Doughnut Bar, Perfect Poffertjers, Cafe Nemo and Ice Berg Frozen Drinks.
The #NYEBrisbane photo booth will be back at the "Brisbane" sign at South Bank for the night, allowing people to print copies of their social media photos.
Public transport
People are encouraged to catch public transport to watch the fireworks, with travel free from 8.45pm on Saturday until 5.30am on Sunday on buses, trains and ferries.
There will be additional services available on the night to get everyone to the fireworks and home again safely.
Council will also waive tolls on the Go Between Bridge from 6pm on Saturday to 2am on Sunday.
There have been concerns about Queensland Rail reliability following the ongoing timetable fiasco, including 235 services cancelled on Christmas Day.
But Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said he was reassured and confident that train services would run smoothly, with sufficient train crew rostered, and spare staff available.
Road closures - Northside, CBD
Road closures will be in place across the CBD and South Brisbane from about 5.30pm on Saturday.
The following roads will be closed from 5.30pm Saturday, December 31 to 2am Sunday, January 1:
- Victoria Bridge, between Melbourne Street and North Quay
- Victoria Bridge, western pedestrian footway, between Melbourne Street and North Quay
- North Quay, between Ann and Adelaide streets
- North Quay, between Adelaide and Queen streets
- Adelaide St, between George Street and North Quay
- William St, between Elizabeth and Queen streets
- Queen's Wharf Road, closed at William Street
The following road will be closed from 8pm Saturday, December 31 to 2am Sunday, January 1:
- George Street, between Elizabeth and Adelaide streets
Road closures - Southside
The following road will be closed from 12.30am Saturday, December 31 to 3pm Sunday, January 1:
- Little Stanley Street, between Tribune and Glenelg streets
The following road will be closed from 2pm Saturday, December 31 to 2am Sunday, January 1:
- Colchester Street, between Ernest and Tribune streets
The following roads will be closed from 6pm Saturday, December 31 to 2am Sunday, January 1:
- Colchester Street, between Tribune and Vulture streets
- Russell Street, between Grey Street and Brisbane River
- Glenelg Street, access maintained for South Bank carpark, Rydges and Mantra, except between 8pm and 9.30pm and 11.30pm and 1.30am, between Merivale and Grey streets
- Ernest Street, access maintained for Thiess and South Bank Cinemas, except between 8pm and 9.30pm and 11.30pm and 1.30am, between Merivale and Grey streets
- Melbourne Street, between Merivale Street and Victoria Bridge
- Hope Street, between Fish Lane and Melbourne Street
- Grey Street, between Peel and Tribune Street
- Grey Street, closed to inbound traffic, between Tribune and Vulture streets
- Tribune Street, access maintained for 199 on Grey St and the Galleria, except between 8pm and 9.30pm and 11.30pm and 1.30am, between Merivale Street and South Bank Parklands
- Merivale Street, left turn only lane into Melbourne Street
- Stanley Place, left turn slip lane onto Grey Street
- Vulture Street, right hand turn lane onto Grey Street
- Vulture Street, left hand turn lane onto Grey Street
The following road will be closed from 11.30pm Saturday, December 31 to 2am Sunday, January 1:
- Cordelia Street, kerbside lane closure, between Ernest and Russell streets
Road closures at Kangaroo Point
The following roads will be closed from 7pm on Saturday, December 31 to 2am Sunday, January 1:
- The steps, leading down from River Terrace, near Kangaroo Point TAFE
- The pathway and steps, leading down from River Terrace, near the rotunda
- Vehicle access road, to the bottom of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs
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