They're the first of the Illawarra's three councils to officially cancel end of year celebrations, with Kiama councilors voting to move the large-scale fireworks and laser show to winter in 2021.

"Because the planning starts now, the purchasing and ordering of fireworks has to be now," Kiama Mayor Mark Honey said.

"All of that takes time and money. To plan and go ahead with it, for something that's to going to be questionable anyway, is just creating false hope at a cost."

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Cr Honey said thousands of tax-payer dollars would be lost if a last-minute cancellation was forced for the Sky Show, which often attracts more than 10,000 people.

Shellharbour and Wollongong were also considering their options for major events across summer, with both admitting fireworks would not be likely.

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba told the Mercury their Carols by Candelight in its current form would not go ahead, with out-of-the-box ideas being tabled as an alternative.

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Cr Saliba said suggestions had been made for an "enchanted forest" in Blackbutt - lit up with displays and groups of carolers - or a number of smaller festive events peppered around the city.

"We would get up to 10,000 people come to our carols," she said.

"Our events team have been considering what options are available.

"Given the circumstances this year, it's not going to look like it usually does. We wouldn't be doing fireworks unless we were having the big event."

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Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said his council would soon announce the fate of their annual harbour celebrations along with how they would mark Australia Day, but "it's not looking good".

"[The fireworks] more than likely are going to be called off," Cr Bradbery said.

"Council is exploring what we can do, in terms of marking both New Year's Eve and Australia Day."

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