MANY Novocastrians are expected to be elsewhere this year when the Newcastle City Hall clock strikes 12 o'clock on December 31.
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The traditional midnight New Year's Eve fireworks in Newcastle have been canned, with the council opting only to pay for 9 o'clock fireworks.
The council wants the foreshore to be "family-friendly and "alcohol-free".
Road closures around the city will start from 3pm, with stage rides, food stalls and DJs on the foreshore from 6pm.
Newcastle Museum will be open until 8.30pm, with its displays of farm-themed activities.
Nobbys Lighthouse Boardwalk will close from 7pm.
But what is Newcastle's loss could be Maitland's and Port Stephens' gain, with both areas deciding to stage fireworks at both 9pm and midnight.
In Maitland New Year's Eve revellers will able to drink on the riverbank until 9.30pm, despite protests from local police.
Where you can watch fireworks:
Lake Macquarie
■ Wangi Wangi RSL, 9pm
Newcastle
■ Newcastle foreshore, 9pm
Hunter/North Coast
■ Hunter Valley Gardens, 9pm
■ Maitland riverfront, 9pm and midnight
■ Nelson Bay foreshore, 9pm and midnight
■ Soldiers Point Marina, 9pm and midnight
■ Tilligerry RSL, Tanilba Bay, 9pm and midnight