Your Last-Minute Guide to New Year’s Eve 2013-2014

Have you woken up on New Year's Eve Eve and realised your plans for ringing in 2014 are fuzzy at best, nonexistent at worst? It's not too late for you, friend. Here are our pickings of the best things on — all with room remaining for you.

Harbour Fireworks

The Sydney Harbour fireworks are iconic, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is iconic, and this year’s creative ambassador Reg Mombassa (or the ‘Mombassador’) is iconic. Okay, it's safe to say that the annual event will once again be, um, iconic. The Sydney Harbour foreshore is visited by 1.6 million visitors each NYE, this year themed 'Shine'. Sure, nobody likes a crowd, but if you can't beat them, join them. So make like a sardine and head to Embarkation Park, Arthur McElhone Reserve, Mrs Macquarie Park or one of many less congested suburban parks (do we need to draw you a map?) to catch a glimpse of the fireworks. They set off at 9pm for the youngsters and then again at midnight.

Price: free. 9pm and midnight.

NYE On The Harbour

If it's firework views you’re after with the chance of a good boogie (join the queue, pal), the King St Wharf’s Cargo Bar a better destination at NYE than at any other time of year. Art vs Science, Van She, Gold Fields and DJ sets from Alison Wonderland and Bag Raiders will bring in 2014 with cheer — and with no screaming children in sight. The event sells out year after year, so nab your tickets and BYO flippers in order to get down.

Tickets range from $89-$180 per person. The event starts at 7pm. 18+. Image from Cargo Bar's NYE 2011 party

NYE Festival at Wet'n'Wild

Update (31 Dec): Wet'n'Wild have cancelled their NYE event at the last minute due to "a major technical production issue". The plan is to reschedule for Australia Day.

Northern Hemisphere residents will lament their white Christmas when they see what we’ve got going on Down Under. While they’re putting on their earmuffs, we’ll be sipping a cold cider down a water slide in style to 'We No Speak Americano.' You heard me. Sydney’s newly opened Wet'n'Wild theme park is throwing an NYE party away from the harbourside crowds. So put your hands in the air from a water slide, or dance to Will Sparks, Yolanda Be Cool, Uberjackd, Faydee, Gtronic, Haezer and more on Australia’s largest artificial beach. Dayum.

Tickets cost $110-$200 per person. 7pm till late. Image via Wet'n'Wild Sydney

Animal House Toga Party at The Vanguard

If paying $500 to live like a sardine just ain't your thang (we feel you), try out The Vanguard this New Year's. Because the resident movie buffs are chucking an Animal House-themed do, togas and all. To keep us and our garlands entertained, The Vanguard have curated an all-star soul band that includes Mojo Juju, Jeremy Davidson of The Snowdroppers and three of the guys from Gay Paris.

Tickets $63.80. 7pm till late. Image via University of Wisconsin Archives.

NYE Party at the House

This event hasn't sold out because it's a near-obscene $599pp. But you've got to admit, it's the ultimate. Combine New Year's with the 40th birthday of the country's most iconic landmark and you've got a massive banger on your hands. Located in the heart of the NYE action, this waterside resort-lounge setting on the western boardwalk of the upper concourse of Sydney Opera House is the perfect backdrop to celebrate. Partygoers will have a front row seat to the illustrious Sydney Harbour fireworks as well as to this year’s most extravagant light show, designed by artist and musician Reg Mombassa. Entertainment will be provided with live music from 14-time ARIA–nominated Sneaky Sound System, all-girl DJ duo The Faders and DJ RobKAY. Also, be sure to come hungry, because celebrity chef Matt Moran is putting together a special menu just for the event. As SSS' Connie Mitchell says, "Opera House – check. New Year’s Eve – check. Fireworks – big check. Banging new party outfit – definite check! Killer set? You bet.” Sounds like quite the bash.

Third release tickets are $599.95 per person and include food and select cocktails. 7pm-1.30am. 18+.

End of Year Party at The Bar at the End of the Wharf

This event isn't only a verbal mouthful. For those of you who enjoy stuffing your faces on your day off, this NYE party is a feast of delicacies by the talented team from Fresh Catering. There will be heaps of canapes and champagne on hand when you need a break from all the dancing. Oh yes, there will be lots of dancing, with live entertainment from The Kundalini Experience (DJ Marc 'Kundalini' + live sax & percussion). On top of all of this, you'll have a unique view of the Sydney Harbour fireworks display, from nearly under the bridge. Get ready for a spectacle of the senses.

Tickets are priced at $195 per person. The party kicks off at 7pm. 18+

Image via Fresh Catering

The Goodgod NYE Prom

Don't feel the need to see the fireworks? Sequester yourself underground in one of our favourite Sydney dives, Goodgod. They've got an NYE prom scheduled that addresses two great eras of high school dances — the 1980s and early 2000s — channelled by DJs Levins, Shantan, Joyride, Ariane and Mike Who. In the front bar, it's 1988 Homecoming Prom, and in the danceteria out the back you'll find the Jiggy 2001 Year 10 Formal. Remember the occasion by getting your yearbook photo taken in the photo booth.

Tickets $20; from 10pm.

By Madeline Milani, Rachel Eddie and Rima Sabina Aouf.