Tomorrow night’s festivities in the Octagon to bring in 2026 will be headlined by The Ōtepoti All-Stars — a 14-strong lineup of Dunedin musicians.
Band member and event MC Alan Ned Gray said the crowd could expect high-energy funk covers.
"We try to pick songs that everyone loves and then just make them our own by making it a big-band experience," he said.
"We put a set together specifically for New Year’s Eve."
Family-friendly entertainment is set to be a key feature of the event earlier in the evening in George St — activities start at 5pm and there will be a children’s countdown there at 8pm.
Children will be encouraged to create wishing wands in George St near the playground and, after the early evening countdown, a parade will head to the Octagon.
Links to Dunedin’s Scottish heritage will be evident through the event, including a rendition of Auld Lang Syne around midnight.
Dunedin City Council events team leader Dan Hendra said he was keeping an eye on weather forecasts for tomorrow and he expected some rain in the morning.
"At the moment, it’s looking fine for the activities in the evening," he said.
He expected the addition of children’s workshops to be of interest to many families.
Plans for New Year’s Eve have been a discussion point at the city council this year.
Councillors considered reinstating a fireworks display after mixed reviews for laser and light shows and, in the end, a "reimagination" of the event was backed.
"The event will create a vibrant family-friendly experience and a later musical event to engage a broader cross-section of the community," a council report said in August.
Staging the event in two locations in the central city — George St and then the Octagon — was a key change.
Em & Me and Rainbow Rosalind will perform in George St and featured musical acts in the Octagon will include Deaf Racoon, Seek Help! and IVY.
