IT is officially 2024, and as tradition, Portland celebrated New Year’s Eve in spectacular style.

The Bentinck Street lawns were crowded with picnic blankets and fold out chairs until 10pm, all facing a stage starring musicians Flynn Gurry, Little Georgia and Jasmine Biadacz.

After the 10pm fireworks, people were encouraged to relocate to the Royal Hotel and Gordon Hotel where further live music played until 2am.

The Portland Family Foreshore Carnival operated until after midnight and was flooded with locals and visitors.

The midnight fireworks marked the new year with a brilliant display with big crowds enjoying the event.

People were lined up along the Bentinck Street lawns, foreshore footpaths and near the information centre to watch the sky fill with the pops of colour.

Portland Police reported it was it was good night,

Glenelg Shire Mayor Karen Stephens said it was a fabulous atmosphere down on the foreshore.

“I think it's just such a spectacular amphitheatre on the lawns,” she said.

“It’s spectacular overlooking the harbor and there’s just something very special about it.

“I couldn't believe how far people had travelled to see the fireworks.

“It's become such a tradition for people to be in Portland for New Year’s Eve, because they just love the fact kids can have their 10 o'clock fireworks.

“They can come down and have a picnic on the lawns, do their own thing, and meet people.

“Council spends a lot of time and money promoting the Glenelg Shire as a tourism destination, and certainly last night sort of proved that we can attract visitors and we can put on a really good show.”