In 1976, the Sydney Committee decided to reconstitute a failing Waratah Festival as the Festival of Sydney. At the first meeting of its Programme Committee, they agreed that New Year 's Eve should launch the new festival, a ' big bang affair '. Focusing on the harbour and adjacent areas, it would include a sail - past of decorated craft, music, and a ' spectacular fireworks display at midnight '. With this, the Festival of Sydney made New Year 's Eve official for the first time. Stephen Hall was its Executive Director from 1977 to 1994.. The 1979 / 80 brochure for the Festival featured an image of the fireworks over the Sydney Opera House and the slogan "Get into the 80 's with a bang ''
when did fireworks on sydney harbour bridge start
1976