At a glance
- Who it’s for
- Families and groups in Penrith and western Sydney who want a free New Year’s Eve with fireworks close to home
- What to do now
- Plan your arrival for the afternoon: the carnival opens at 4pm, and Panthers asks guests to leave trolleys, large bags, eskies, outside food and drinks and chairs at home
- When
- Thursday 31 December 2026, from 4pm; fireworks at 9pm and at midnight (Sydney time, daylight saving)
- Where
- Panthers Penrith, 83 Mulgoa Road, Penrith, with the event listed at The Backyard
- Price
- Free entry; carnival ride wristband and coupon prices have not been published yet
- Last checked
- Sunday 8 November 2026, against the Panthers Penrith New Year’s Eve page and FAQ
- Not yet confirmed
- Carnival ride wristband and coupon prices, which Panthers has not yet published, and parking and transport for the night
Panthers Penrith is holding a free New Year’s Eve event on Thursday 31 December 2026, with a carnival from 4pm, live music and DJs through the night, and fireworks at 9pm and midnight. Entry is free, but the price of carnival rides is not out yet: Panthers has not yet published wristband and coupon pricing. This guide covers the program, the entry rules for adults and children, and what the club’s own FAQ says about getting home, based on the club’s New Year’s Eve page and FAQ, checked on 8 November.
What is on, and when?
Panthers describes the night as a New Year’s Eve celebration with carnival rides and food trucks, live music, DJs and free fireworks, with plenty happening from the afternoon right through to the countdown. The program it lists is:
| Time | What is on |
|---|---|
| From 4pm | NYE Carnival: rides, games, showbags and food trucks |
| 3pm to 7pm | Soul Tattoo at Squires |
| 4pm to 7pm | Ebony & Ivory Duo |
| 8pm to midnight | Endless Summer; and Bandcamp at Squires |
| 9pm | Fireworks |
| Midnight | Fireworks |
| Midnight to 3am | DJ |
The page does not say which stage the Ebony & Ivory Duo and Endless Summer play on, and it does not give a map of where the carnival is set up. The event is listed under The Backyard on the club’s calendar. Panthers also says to bring the family for the early celebrations, gather your mates for the countdown, or stay on and dance your way into 2027.
How much does it cost?
Entry is free, according to the event page. Panthers has not yet published carnival ride wristband and coupon pricing, so there is no price to report. Panthers says the carnival includes rides, games and showbags, and food trucks will be there; none of those items are priced on the page. We will update this guide when Panthers publishes the pricing.
What can I not bring?
The event FAQ says no trolleys, large bags, eskies, external food or drinks, or chairs are permitted. Guests aged 18 and over need ID. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
What time do children need to leave?
The New Year’s Eve page says under 18s must leave the venue by 1am. The club’s general FAQ says children under 18 are allowed on the premises until 11pm each night, with the exception of New Year’s Eve, when they are allowed until 12:30am. The two pages give different times, 1am and 12:30am, so the safer reading is 12:30am.
What are the dress and entry rules?
The FAQ asks for neat, clean and occasion-appropriate clothing and footwear. Bare feet, sports boots and studded boots are not acceptable, and after 10pm rubber thongs, gumboots, crocs, slippers, football shorts and singlets or sleeveshirts for men are not acceptable. Fancy dress costumes need to be pre-approved by management. The club is open from 9am to 6am every day, and entry is restricted to members only after 2am until the club opens the next day. A member must show a membership card to door staff, and guests must show acceptable proof of identification.
Is there a courtesy bus on New Year’s Eve?
The club’s free courtesy bus runs 7 days a week, excluding public holidays, for ages 18 and over, with bookings on the hour by phone on 02 4720 5539. For Sunday to Thursday the FAQ gives 5pm to 8pm as the last pick-up or drop-off, and for Friday and Saturday 5pm to 2am. Thursday 31 December falls in the Sunday to Thursday group, so the stated window ends at 8pm, well before the midnight fireworks. The FAQ does not mention New Year’s Eve for the bus and says there is no wheelchair access. Neither the event page nor the FAQ gives parking, train or bus advice for the night, and we found no Transport for NSW page for it. Use the Transport for NSW trip planner with the venue address, and see our Penrith parking guide for the council’s car parks.
Sources
- Panthers Penrith — New Year’s Eve 2026 (program, entry, rules; checked 8 November 2026)
- Panthers Penrith — FAQ (dress rules, under-18 hours, courtesy bus, opening hours)
- Panthers Penrith — Contact us (address, 1800 061 991)
Featured image: Fireworks at Sydney’s 2018 New Year’s Eve celebrations (photo: Cabrils / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Panthers Penrith. Event details can change; check the Panthers event page before you go.