Georgians rang in the new year with lively celebrations across the state. From local spins on the Times Square Ball Drop to fireworks displays and even hockey, New Year’s Eve offered both a farewell to 2025 and a joyful welcome to 2026.
In Northeast Georgia, hundreds turned out for the annual New Year’s Eve Edelweiss Drop in Helen. A large crowd gathered outside the town’s Festhalle for the countdown to midnight, cheering as the oversized artificial edelweiss — a nod to Helen’s Bavarian theme — descended from a flagpole to the ground.
Just across the state line, Franklin, North Carolina, once again leaned into tradition with its Ruby Drop, which recognizes the region’s mining history. Crowds gathered for both the early 9 p.m. drop and the midnight countdown. Social media posts showed crowds cheering as the illuminated ruby glowed against the night sky.
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Fireworks and hockey
Lakeside celebrations at Lanier Islands Resort and Margaritaville in Hall County blended music, themed parties, and fireworks reflecting off Lake Lanier. Guests shared photos of midnight toasts and fireworks, with many describing the setting as one of the most scenic ways to welcome the new year.
A sold-out New Year’s Eve Gala at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris marked midnight with a balloon drop and champagne toast. Hiawassee hosted a festive, family-friendly evening with early fireworks at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds.
In Athens-Clarke County, fans packed Akins Ford Arena for the Athens Rock Lobsters’ New Year’s Eve game and post-game celebration. The hometown team capped the night with a shootout win, followed by a balloon drop and confetti inside the arena. Fans shared photos and videos online, praising the atmosphere and the mix of hockey and holiday fun.
“It was the perfect way to bring in the new year — great game, great crowd, and a great celebration afterward,” one attendee wrote in a comment on the team’s social media page.
No Peach Drop this year
Metro Atlanta also saw heavy turnout at The Battery Atlanta, where families filled the plaza early for the 8 p.m. countdown before the crowd shifted into party mode ahead of midnight. Videos posted throughout the evening showed packed outdoor spaces, live music, and fireworks as the late-night countdown unfolded near Truist Park.
In Fulton County, this year’s Countdown Over ATL replaced the traditional Peach Drop with a synchronized drone peach and citywide fireworks show.
The display lit up the sky over Downtown and Midtown. Some panned the show as amateurish, while others praised its wide visibility and the ability to watch from multiple neighborhoods instead of a single crowded location.
“This was way better than standing in one spot all night,” one viewer commented. “We watched from our neighborhood and still felt like part of the celebration.”
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