For the second year in a row, the traditional New Year's concert and fireworks were scrapped. This time the event was reimagined, highlighting Canberra's town centres and giving businesses hit hard by 2020's mix of bushfires, smoke and COVID-19 a boost.

Over three nights, Canberrans were encouraged to visit local eateries, while more than 30 local musicians serenaded the streets with busker-style performances. Landmarks including Questacon, the National Carrilon, and the Telstra Tower were lit up from 9pm to midnight to welcome in 2021.

Local event planners Damsel & Sprout were commissioned by Events ACT to co-ordinate the suburb-focused events.

Co-director Ashleigh Gleeson said their involvement with New Year's events was a positive end to a distressing year.

"In March we finished delivering one of the biggest events we ever did," she said.

"Within a week we lost 18 months of work and had to stand down staff.

"We are so lucky we are in Canberra ... everyone has been pretty smart and really sticking to those guidelines, which has allowed us to be able to come back to work."

Canberra singer Lucy Sugerman was the first act to play New Year's Eve on Lonsdale Street in Braddon.

Like other musicians, the year saw her take a hit to her career, but Ms Sugerman is optimistic for 2021.

"I can remember the date, March 14 - everything was pretty much cancelled and all my work was cut for a year," she said.

"My calendar went from chock-a-block to nothing; my income went from what it was to zero."

The busking format is a return to form for the 19-year-old musician, who started performing for the public at age 9.

"I haven't been busking since four or five years ago, so its lovely ... this is definitely the most flashy busking set-up I've ever had," she said.

For Ms Gleeson, seeing people celebrate in a safe way together was touching.

"In Gungahlin we had people come out from their balconies to hear the music," she said.

"Musicians were dedicating songs to them, it was just a really nice sense of community."