Atlanta will welcome the New Year with synchronized fireworks and a digital drone peach, creating a shared midnight moment visible across neighborhoods.
Atlanta is welcoming 2026 with a new kind of New Year’s Eve celebration. Mayor Andre Dickens announced Countdown Over ATL, a citywide event designed to bring the excitement of midnight to residents across Atlanta, not just one location.
Instead of a single downtown gathering, this year’s celebration will feature synchronized fireworks across multiple sites and a special digital drone countdown that will be visible in Downtown and Midtown. The goal is simple. Create one shared moment for the entire city while making it easier, safer, and more accessible for people to celebrate close to home.
“The Annual Peach Drop has been a big part of our city’s New Year’s Eve since 1989, bringing people together in a way only Atlanta can,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “This year, we are reimagining that tradition with Countdown Over ATL. All you have to do is step outside, hit your neighborhood spot, meet on a rooftop or watch from your backyard, and you’ll be part of one special shared moment.”
A New Way to Ring in the New Year
Countdown Over ATL will include a 12-minute New Year’s Eve activation that combines modern technology with a citywide fireworks display. At midnight, a digital drone peach will appear in the sky over Downtown and Midtown, followed by synchronized fireworks lighting up the city.
While the drone display will be most visible in central Atlanta, residents across the city will be able to enjoy the fireworks from their own neighborhoods. Whether gathering with neighbors, visiting a local rooftop, or celebrating at home with family, Atlantans can still share the same countdown moment together.
Designed for Access, Safety, and Inclusion
This new approach reflects the Mayor’s commitment to equity and accessibility. By spreading the celebration across multiple locations, the city can reduce large downtown crowds while increasing visibility across neighborhoods and supporting stronger public safety operations.
The citywide model also creates a safer and more comfortable experience for families, seniors, and residents who prefer not to travel far or navigate large events late at night. It is a celebration that meets people where they are.
“This model pushes Atlanta toward the future,” Mayor Dickens said. “Atlanta is a city of opportunity for all, and this year we are going to meet you where you are.”
Where to Watch
Residents are encouraged to step outside, gather locally, or enjoy the view from rooftops and backyards. For those with limited visibility due to buildings or trees, the City of Atlanta is coordinating with local businesses to provide a list of available rooftop viewing locations.
That list will be shared in the coming days at atlantaga.gov.
As the countdown begins, Countdown Over ATL invites every neighborhood to be part of one shared moment, welcoming the New Year together across the city.
