OVERCOMING recent uncertainty about whether the event could proceed, this year’s Gloucester New Year’s music and fireworks celebrations went off with a bang, with attendance exceeding all expectations.
Since its modest beginnings with just 2,700 attendees, the festival has skyrocketed in popularity, welcoming close to 8,000 revellers in 2025.
The organisers were understandably delighted with the evening.
“New Year’s Eve Gloucester was a tremendous success,” said a spokesperson for the organisers.
“It was a wonderful night of music, fireworks, with a strong sense of community, and we are proud of what was achieved through the dedication of our small committee, and the support of our sponsors.
“We also sincerely appreciate the great support from our local community, and all the visitors…”
New Year’s Eve 2025 featured two live tribute bands: Back to the Gypsy: The Fleetwood Mac Experience, and The Bon Jovi Experience.
“Back to the Gypsy: The Fleetwood Mac Experience is a popular Australian tribute band that delivers a high-energy, authentic-feeling concert recreating the iconic music, mystical vibe, and powerful performances of Fleetwood Mac’s golden era,” explains a marketing blurb.
The band’s Gloucester performance lived up to that promise, with some of the most recognisable songs of the 1970s and 80s.
Classics such as Rhiannon, Dreams, Go Your Own Way and The Chain had the crowd, particularly in the mosh pit, enthusiastically singing and dancing along.
Young children were not forgotten with a wide variety of popular attractions such as jumping castles, slides, laughing clowns, and orbs.
Delicious food for all tastes was on offer with the menu ranging from gozleme, baked spuds and Thai food, to hot dogs and a variety of desserts.
People travelled from far and wide for the celebration.
“We’ve heard about the Gloucester New Year’s Eve party for the past couple of years so we were excited that we could make it this year,” said Shani from Brisbane.
“We’d heard about the tribute bands and how amazing they are every year.
“And we are looking forward to getting stuck into Mad Max Grill,” added Shani’s partner, Leigh.
“I came up here because my brother lives here, and I wanted to attend this wonderful, wonderful event.
“Everything is tip top, and it’s great to see so many smiling kids,” enthused Joseph from Newcastle.
Eleven year old Frankie from Sydney said, “I’m having a really good time with my family, and I just love the band, and I will come again.”
At 9.30 on the dot the revellers were treated to a spectacular fireworks show, with the organisers cleverly arranging for a satellite to simultaneously pass directly over the display.
The fireworks were immediately followed by The Bon Jovi Experience.
This performance shifted the atmosphere from laid-back West Coast rock to full-throttle arena anthems, with well-known hits ensuring the energy stayed high until the end of the evening.
Organizers are on the look out for more sponsors and volunteers to make the next New Year’s celebrations bigger and better.
By: John WATTS
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