One capital city is phasing out fireworks in favour of drones and lasers.

Adelaide City Council has voted to remove fireworks from its annual New Year’s Eve party in Elder Park, after last year’s display was criticised for going on during catastrophic bushfires.

Councillor Anne Moran said revellers would see a mixed-media show this year.

“They can still expect fireworks, but we will also have some experimental light shows,” she said.

“What they will be hasn't been decided yet, but other cities have them.

“We have had them on the [River] Torrens for other events and they were very popular and very effective and very pretty.”

The council says it will spend about the same amount on the new display as last year's fireworks.

“I'm not anti-fireworks — I enjoy the fireworks as much as anyone — but I think fireworks have had their day and other cities have had much more success with light displays, which are much more environmentally friendly,” she said.

“There's a passing respect to the fact we are a country that is in the grip of fires in the last few summers and perhaps it's not an appropriate way to celebrate.”

Highly choreographed drone swarm displays are taking off as a high-tech replacement for fireworks around the world.

Drone displays in China can be seen below.