New Year's Eve in Atlanta 2026: fireworks, drones and family fun

New Year's Eve 2026 in Atlanta: what the city did after the Peach Drop, Zoo Year's Eve for kids, Garden Lights, MARTA's NYE schedule and the Peach Bowl.

Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. We add the city’s plans and venue events as they are announced; every date below comes from the organizer’s own page.

New Year’s Eve is Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026. The city had not announced its 2026 plans when we checked. Here is what it did last year, and what is already set for this year.

At a glance

City celebration: 2026 plans not announced; last year was Countdown Over ATL

For kids: Zoo Year’s Eve, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 31, Zoo Atlanta

Lights: Garden Lights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, open until midnight

MARTA: Sunday bus schedule, modified Sunday rail schedule

Jan. 1, 2027: Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta

The city’s celebration: from the Peach Drop to Countdown Over ATL

For New Year’s Eve 2025, Mayor Andre Dickens replaced the Peach Drop, part of the city’s New Year’s Eve since 1989, with Countdown Over ATL: a “Digital Drone Peach” in the sky, visible from Downtown and Midtown, followed by synchronized fireworks from several sites across the city. The city described a 12-minute midnight show meant to spread crowds out of Downtown, and asked residents to watch from their neighborhoods, rooftops or backyards. Source: city press release, Dec. 15, 2025.

The city had not said by Oct. 6 whether Countdown Over ATL returns for Dec. 31, 2026. We will update this page when it does.

For families

Zoo Year’s Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Ave. SE in Grant Park, holds a daytime New Year’s party for kids to welcome 2027. It is free with general admission and free for members; tickets go on sale later in 2026. Source: Zoo Atlanta event page.

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. The Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, lists the show as nightly from Nov. 14 to Jan. 10, staying lit until midnight with last entry at 11 p.m. Tickets are timed and sold only by the garden (Garden Lights page).

Restaurants and parties

No Atlanta restaurant or venue had posted a 2026 New Year’s Eve menu or party on its own site when we checked. We list them here as they are announced, from the venue’s own page.

New Year’s Day: the Peach Bowl

The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl website lists its next game for Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, in Atlanta (Peach Bowl).

Getting around and holiday schedules

From MARTA’s 2026 holiday operating schedule:

Day	Bus	Rail	Atlanta Streetcar
New Year’s Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31	Sunday	Modified Sunday	Sunday
New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1	Sunday	Modified Sunday	Sunday

Trash pickup: the city’s 2026 schedule listed a one-day delay for New Year’s Day 2026. The 2027 holiday collection schedule had not been posted on Oct. 6; check the Public Works announcements page or call 311.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Peach Drop in Atlanta on New Year’s Eve 2026? The city replaced the Peach Drop last year with Countdown Over ATL, a drone peach and fireworks. Plans for this year had not been announced on Oct. 6.

What can kids do on New Year’s Eve in Atlanta? Zoo Year’s Eve, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 31 at Zoo Atlanta, free with admission.

Does MARTA run late on New Year’s Eve? MARTA lists a modified Sunday rail schedule and Sunday bus schedule for Dec. 31.

When is the Peach Bowl? Jan. 1, 2027, in Atlanta, according to the bowl’s website.

What this means for you

Last year’s city show was built to be watched from your own neighborhood; check back here for this year’s plan.
Families with young kids can celebrate at midday at the zoo.
If you are out late, plan around MARTA’s modified Sunday rail schedule or book a ride home.