23 Unique New Year’s Eve Drops to Experience Across the US
The arrival of the New Year brings a flood of anticipation, a chance to reflect, and the excitement that anything is possible once the calendar flips to January 1. One of the most exciting moments of the holiday is the New Year’s Eve drop, which is celebrated in a variety of ways near the stroke of midnight.
While the eyes of the world might be on the massive lighted ball dropping in New York City’s Times Square, these unique New Year’s Eve drops have our attention…
MoonPie Over Mobile | Alabama
Mobile
Mobile, Alabama adds a touch of sweetness to its annual New Year’s drop. At midnight, a 600-pound electric MoonPie descends to welcome the New Year. Attendees can get their slice of the pie — a piece of the world’s largest MoonPie cake — and enjoy live entertainment before the pie drops from the sky.
Deuce of Clubs Drop | Arizona
Show Low
The town of Show Low, Arizona allegedly takes its name from a game of poker and the Deuce of Clubs. That origin is celebrated on New Year’s Eve with the drop of a giant Deuce of Clubs card. Other activities include fire pits and hot cocoa, a fireworks display, and a lot more.
Grape Drop | California
Temecula
Temecula, California, an under-the-radar wine region in Southern California pays tribute to the grape’s importance to the region with a pair of grape drops on December 31, one at 9 p.m. and one at midnight. The event also includes food, kids’ activities, and festive live music.
NYE Beach Ball Drop | Florida
Panama Beach
Each year, Panama Beach gets the party started at Pier Park with not one, but two beach ball drops. The early bird drop commences at 8 p.m. and the second drop coincides with the new year at midnight. The festivities also include fireworks and live entertainment.
Pineapple Drop | Florida
Sarasota
For more than 20 years, the citizens of Sarasota, Florida have rung in the New Year by dropping a giant glowing pineapple at the cross of Lemon Avenue and Main Street and celebrating with a fireworks display over Sarasota Bay. The drop is part of a fun-filled day of activities, including a carnival and live outdoor performances.
Ball Drop | Kansas
Manhattan
In may not have the glitz and glammer of the Times Square ball drop, but in the Little Apple – Manhattan Kansas – New Year’s Eve is no less festive. For more than 20 years, thousands of visitors have gathered in historic Aggeville to ring in the New Year with a festive ball drop.
Idaho Potato Drop | Idaho
Boise
The nation’s leading producer of potatoes rings in each new year with a giant, glowing potato drop at midnight. The annual celebration includes music, art performances, sporting events, fireworks, and more. There’s something for everyone as revelers anxiously await the countdown to midnight.
Pierogi Drop | Indiana
Whiting
For nearly a decade, Whiting, Indiana has celebrated the region’s European heritage with music, fireworks, and a giant 40-foot pierogi drop at midnight, which descends into a boiling cauldron. Attendees can also enjoy live entertainment, an indoor/outdoor party, and plenty of Eastern European food.
Fleur De Lis Drop | Louisiana
New Orleans
Visitors in the Big Easy are invited to Jackson Square to welcome the new year with a fleur de lis drop that pays homage to the city’s French heritage. The quarter is bursting with excitement and activity during New Year’s Eve, but New Orleans offers plenty to do for residents and visitors who enjoy both indoor and outdoor fun.
Blueberry Drop | Maine
Kennebunk
New Year’s Eve revelers are invited to downtown Kennebunk on December 31 to see a brightly lit wild Maine blueberry ball drop from the city’s bell tower at midnight. This tradition happens twice – at 9 p.m. (an early bird special) and midnight – and is part of a fun day of festivities that includes open skating at Waterhouse Center.
Giant Crab Drop | Maryland
Easton
Some of the freshest crabs in the nation can be found in Maryland, and Easton celebrates the crustacean with crab drops at both 9 p.m. and midnight. The goings-on are part of First Night Talbot, a historic celebration that features live entertainment, musical performances, and more.
CherryT Drop | Michigan
Traverse City
The Cherry Capital of the World in Northwest Michigan celebrates its nickname with a giant cherry drop at midnight. It’s been the crown jewel of Traverse City’s New Year’s celebration for more than a decade and has raised more than $100,000 for local nonprofits. This is just one of dozens of fun New Year’s drops in Michigan.
Great Turtle Drop | Michigan
Mackinac Island
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Mackinac Island‘s unique Great Turtle Drop. Gather for a countdown as a festive turtle descends from the Lilac Tree Hotel. This special event blends tradition and fun, offering a memorable way to welcome the new year.
Chile Drop | New Mexico
Las Cruces
Las Cruces, New Mexico welcomes each year with a spicy twist, dropping an illuminated 19-foot chili pepper when midnight arrives. The free festivities begin at 8 p.m. with carnival games, food, live entertainment, party favors, and much more. Visitors can also vote on what color the giant chili pepper will be; red or green.
Giant Acorn Drop | North Carolina
Raleigh
Times Square in New York City has the giant ball that drops at midnight on New Year’s Eve and Raleigh, North Carolina has its giant acorn. The 10-foot tall copper and steel acorn was commissioned for the city’s bicentennial in 1992 and has been a New Year’s mainstay in the city plaza on Fayetteville Street ever since.
Pickle Drop | North Carolina
Mount Olive
One of the coolest New Year’s Eve drops each year takes place in Mount Olive, North Carolina. Here, visitors can watch a giant glowing pickle drop into a giant pickle jar at the stroke of midnight. Attendees can also get their fill of free pickles, live music, food, and fireworks.
Pirate Drop | North Carolina
Beaufort
In Beaufort, North Carolina, New Year’s Eve is celebrated with a cool pirate drop. Each year, Capt. Shack walks the plank above the Beaufort Docks for the drop, which sees a pirate plunge into the icy waters of Taylor Creek. Before the drop, visitors can enjoy hot cocoa and smores around a fire pit, and plenty of other activities.
Walleye Drop | Ohio
Port Clinton
The Walleye Capital of the World lives up to its name on New Year’s Eve with a unique walleye drop. The holiday fun begins in the early afternoon and the festivities include food vendors, ice sculpting, entertainment, face painting, and much more.
Mushroom Drop | Pennsylvania
Kennett Square
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania produces more than half of all mushrooms in the United States, so the centerpiece of its Midnight in the Square celebration on New Year’s Eve is a 700-pound electric mushroom that is lowered at midnight while the crowd sings “Sweet Caroline.”
PEEPS Chick Drop | Pennsylvania
Bethlehem
Ring in the New Year in a sweet way by witnessing a glowing, 400-pound PEEPS chick drop in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania at SteelStacks. The chick drops at 5:35 p.m. and midnight on both December 30 and 31 and the drops are accompanied by fireworks. The festivities are all a part of PEEPSFEST, which includes a run/walk, a diorama competition, and more.
Music Note Drop | Tennessee
Nashbille
The arrival of the New Year is usually accompanied by the strains of “Auld Lang Syne,” but and Nashville gets the music started with its signature music note drop. The drop is part of the signature Nashville’s Big Bash that includes live country music performances, and a fun atmosphere.
Cheese Ball Drop | Washington
Toledo
In Toledo, Washington, New Year’s Eve features a unique cheese drop. Kind of. For practical reasons, the drop is actually an inflatable ball that’s wrapped in LED lights, cargo netting, and 100 individually wrapped pieces of cheese.
Cheese Drop | Wisconsin
Plymouth
It seems only fitting that America’s Dairyland would celebrate New Year’s Eve by dropping cheese at midnight. That’s exactly how Plymouth, Wisconsin celebrates; with an 80-pound decorated wedge of cheese dropped from a later in the Creamery Building parking lot. Before the drop, visitors can enjoy a festive party hosted by the Plymouth Arts Center.
Where Will You Ring in the New Year?
As we’ve journeyed across the United States, we’ve discovered a delightful array of unique and quirky New Year’s Eve traditions.
From the sweet descent of a MoonPie in Alabama to the spicy drop of a chili in New Mexico, each celebration reflects the rich diversity and local flavors of its region. Whether it’s a giant acorn in North Carolina, a glowing pickle in Mount Olive, or a festive cheese drop in Wisconsin, these events unite communities in joyous celebration.
As the clock ticks towards midnight, these towns remind us that the spirit of the New Year is not just in Times Square, but in the heart of every community, big or small. Wherever you choose to ring in the New Year, may it be filled with joy, hope, and a sense of wonder at the endless possibilities that await. Happy New Year!