Flocks of Sydneysiders have formed huge queues and some vantage points are already nearing capacity hours ahead of the city’s iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks.

More than a million revellers are expected to attend the harbourside city’s event, which avoided threats of cancellation after the train workers union withdrew planned industrial action on Christmas Eve.

Public transport will now run continuously over 48 hours as planned.

The dozens of designated vantage points along the harbour will open to the public between 8am and 7pm and operating on a first-come basis — closing when they reach capacity.

This has led hundreds to begin the long, but festive, wait at some of Sydney’s most iconic spots to ensure they get a spot.

Many of the best vantage points have not been ticketed this year, with spectators encouraged to arrive early.

This year’s showcase is set to be the biggest on record, with nine tonnes of fireworks ready to sparkle and a laser show Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore has heralded as “more lasers than Star Wars”.

“It’s no wonder our New Year’s Eve display is regarded as one of the largest and most technologically advanced fireworks shows on earth,” Ms Moore said.

Organisers are urging revellers to use public transport to attend the celebrations, which will include 3600 additional trains as well as bolstered bus and ferry services.

Attendees have been told to plan ahead, arrive early and together, and leave the car at home.

Major roads will begin to close in Sydney at 6am on New Year’s Eve, including the Cahill Expressway and roads in The Rocks and CBD North.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge will be completely closed from 11pm until 1.30am, along with all major roads in the city.

The official events are set to kick off from 7.30pm, with a series of early fireworks at 9pm.

Titled the Calling Country fireworks, these will be presented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists through music, dance and illustration.

At 9.15pm the Sydney Harbour Lights will kick off as boats create a “visual spectacle” across the harbour.

The main event will be at midnight, as pyrotechnics are launched from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and other Sydney landmarks.

Foti International Fireworks director Fortunato Foti assured Sydneysiders they’d be able to catch a glimpse of the show “if you’re anywhere you can see the Harbour or the tops of the city skyline”.

“Obviously anywhere down from the Harbour — Hunters Hill, Gladesville, down that way all the way to Shark Island, you’ll be able to see fireworks,” he said.

For those who prefer a quiet night in, the display will be live streamed on the Sydney New Year’s Eve website, as well as broadcast on TV.