Fireworks over Sydney Harbour will mark the closure of APEC but the public have been told not to attend.

Tall ships also will grace the harbour for the display named "River of Fire" but organisers moved today to ensure that it was staged for VIP eyes only, citing the security crackdown.

"This short five-minute firework display, accompanied by some tall ships and yachts on the harbour, will feature a colourful display fired from barges only, not from the Sydney Harbour Bridge," APEC spokeswoman Anne Fulwood said.