A dazzling visual display lit up City Hall as families bid farewell to 2019.

Revellers of all ages were mesmerised as the Church Street landmark was bathed in bright lights to usher in the new decade.

The light show, which ran from 8pm until after midnight, highlighted historic events in the city’s history, including the fire that destroyed the Hamilton Hotel on the spot where City Hall was built.

Jess Young was joined by her husband, James, and son, Aaron, aged 3.

Mrs Young, from Warwick, said that a friend visiting from Britain had previously seen the light show technology and that they had discussed how great it would be to see it in Bermuda.

She said: “That was kind of cool that we had been talking about it, and then all of a sudden they have it.”

Mrs Young said that her wish for 2020 was for island residents to provide more support to one another.

She added: “Bermuda is a great place when we come together.

“No matter what the issues are, that we all work towards a better Bermuda.”

Jennifer Wales and husband, Kariim, from Sandys, were out with their children, Kendyll, 2, Lyndon, 5, and Blair, 8.

Mr Wales said they had decided to attend because of the family friendly nature of the event.

Mrs Wales said that she hoped to “give back more to the community” in the new year.

She encouraged residents not to let their fears prevent them from doing their best.

Sharmaine Berkeley brought her daughter, Aaliyah, 10, to the event.

Ms Berkeley, from Smith’s, said that she had decided to “entertain my little one”. She described the first light show of the night, which started shortly after 8pm, as “very good”.

Aaliyah said that she enjoyed the way the light projections had moved across City Hall.

Ms Berkeley said that she hoped to be healthier and more active in the year ahead.

She encouraged island residents to treat one another with kindness and “come together and just be one for each other” in 2020.

Carnell Lambert was out with wife, Gina, and their son Caleb, 3.

Mr Lambert, from Southampton, said the family had come to the event “for a new experience for new year”.

His wife described the light show as an “awesome experience”.

She added: “They did an excellent job putting it together.”

Mrs Lambert said that she enjoyed the inclusion of Gombeys and the history of the City of Hamilton in the display.

Caleb said that he had also enjoyed the show and that the aircraft projections had been his favourite part.

Mrs Lambert hoped for health and happiness for her family in the year ahead and encouraged island residents to get along.

She added: “Let’s just have peace and harmony.

“We need it in Bermuda.”

Richard King was joined by parents, Richard and Pamela, and daughter, Avianna, 3.

Mr King, from Devonshire, enjoyed the show.

He said: “It was definitely different — it looks very realistic.”

Mr King said that he had enjoyed the display that showed the fire that destroyed the Hamilton Hotel in December 1955.

He encouraged island residents to be “loving towards each other” in 2020.

The show, which was designed specifically for the dimensions of City Hall, was masterminded by Philippe Bergeron, of Los Angeles-based 3D mapping company PaintScaping.

A candlelight vigil began a few blocks away shortly after the new year started.

The Midnight at the Crossroads event was held at the intersection of Court Street and Dundonald Street.

It was organised by RoseAnn Edwards, a councillor at the City of Hamilton, and Emir Saleem Talbot, of the Bermuda Islamic Cultural Centre.

An event spokesman said that the event “was heralded as a success by its participants and well wishers”.

In the East End, merrymakers were treated to live music and food in Kings Square.

Business owner Kristin White said that the short time she had spent taking part in the celebrations had been great.

She said: “There was a great atmosphere — really vibrant.”

Ms White said that the family friendly event put on by the Corporation of St George was “packed with people”.