For a lot of people, New Year’s Eve just isn’t New Year’s Eve without a firework display and Newcastle hosts an annual spectactular.
And this year it will be adding something different to the mix with a new - and far bigger - location: the Town Moor.
This is so that more people can attend and get close to the action but, for the first time, tickets are required to ensure that it all goes, well, off with a bang.
Here we bring you all the latest news about the ambitious plans for this New Year's Eve in the city and will be answering the question everyone is keen to have the answer to: what time can we watch the display?
The fireworks lighting up the sky in a rainbow of colours against a backdrop of bangs and cheers are a focal point for many and take centre stage in families' plans for their annual celebrations to herald the beginning of a new year.
And luckily for people in and around Newcastle, there will be a cracking display as 2017 prepares to become 2018. It sees the city's New Year’s Eve celebrations go one better with the announcement of the new location for a bonfire and fireworks spectacular.
And check out our link just below, too, to learn all about the midnight fireworks which are making a welcome return to the quayside.
What happens at the family fireworks in Newcastle on New Year’s Eve?
In previous years, a teatime firework display has taken place at Haymarket at the top of Northumberland Street in Newcastle city centre and is a sparkling finale to the colourful Winter Carnival parade which begins earlier at Grey’s Monument.
The must-see parade has always wound its way to Newcastle Civic Centre via Northumberland Street, John Dobson Street and Barras Bridge ahead of the display. This display won't be happening this year but there's a new event instead - see below.
Some years have also seen a double celebration with midnight fireworks on Newcastle Quayside and these are back to see in 2018.
So, what is this and where can we see the display?
The new event is called East of the Sun, West of the Moon and the whole celebration can be enjoyed at Newcastle’s Town Moor. NewcastleGateshead Initiative and Newcastle City Council have announced that this will celebrate New Year’s Eve in theatrical style.
It’s being produced in collaboration with Walk the Plank, a team of outdoor arts experts who have helped create the annual New Year’s Eve carnival.
This time around it will be conjuring up an mystical atmosphere, inspired by Norse mythology and local folklore, with the help of dancers and 250 community group members who will don masks and costumes for a fire-lit procession.
As people pass through Exhibition Park onto the Town Moor, a thicket of brambles will come alive with the shapes and sounds of animals which will emerge from the undergrowth and grow in size as the clock ticks towards the finale.
What’s described as a “beastly bonfire" will be the focal point.
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New Year's Eve in Newcastle
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With the city centre’s December 31 party moving home to the Town Moor, it can play out on a far bigger scale.
Families have become used to gathering at Newcastle Civic Centre for the traditional 6pm firework display that marks the end of the popular city centre parade.
But Newcastle City Council and NewcastleGateshead Initiative announced it has different plans for the end of 2017 - and it’s promising they will be monstrously good.
This year will see East of the Sun, West of the Moon bring a theatrical theme, inspired by Norse mythology, to the party, which will run from 4pm to 6pm.
Vikki Leaney, of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, says: "We hope to take the popular dark and supernatural spirit of our previous New Year’s Eve carnivals to create something equally unique and memorable.
“We are inviting people to come and celebrate the end of the calendar year, the promise of new possibilities, and the rise of a New Year sun with an unforgettable experience on the last day of 2017.”
Is it all free?
While the event will be free as usual, this year it was ticketed with a 10,000 capacity. An online ballot system was operating to ensure that the process would be as fair as possible. Those interested entered an online draw and successful applicants heard the outcome of their ballot entry in the first week of December. The ballot system is now closed. But, if you weren't one of the lucky ones to get tickets, remember you may well still have a pretty good view if you're in town - and there are always those later ones to look forward to at midnight.
What time will the fireworks take place?
The firework display will mark the culmination of the December 31 celebration and the event finale can be seen at 6pm - perfect for families.Anything else?
On the night, the event space will open at 4pm with a funfair and entertainment to enjoy ahead of the main performance beginning at 5pm. Remember, timings are always subject to change. And watch this space for upcoming details of the night and any announcements about road closures.