Lunchtime visitors to Byron Bay’s Jonson Street were treated to a surprise performance by two cheeky, very fancy-looking lions on Friday.

Byron Shire will welcome the new year with a vibrant celebration of music, culture and community as Sensory Blender – Rhythms of Resolution takes over the North Byron Hotel on New Year’s Day.

Operation Christmas New Year has begun, with NSW police stepping up visibility and cracking down even further on reckless driving behaviour. Double demerits came into effect on 12:01am Wednesday 24 December 2025 and will continue until 11:59pm Sunday 4 January 2026.

Happy new year’s revolution! Another orbit of our beautiful Earth home around our life-giving Sun.

While Soul Street got under way in Byron Bay and the strains of McGregors Family Carnival wafted along the Brunswick River, the band struck their first few chords at the hotel and The Loveys busked a few songs at the Sound Shell and it was a perfect start to the New Year's Eve celebrations.

Byron Shire Council says it will be working closely with the Tweed Byron Police District, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Reflections Holidays and Crown Lands this Christmas and New Year to keep public areas safe.

We all want to move on and leave 2022 behind. Maybe 2023 will finally be a good year, without a disaster like a bushfire, pandemic, or flood.

Twenty-twenty was welcomed in the usual way across the country and the idea of having a refreshed 2020 clear vision became a theme for many as we stepped into the second decade of the 21st century – little did we know…