Columbia, SC, December 23, 2025
Communities in South Carolina and neighboring North Carolina are coming together to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a range of exciting events. From Columbia’s Capital City Fireworks that light up the night sky to unique local traditions across the Carolinas, these celebrations are a testament to civic engagement and community spirit. Enjoy festive gatherings, family-friendly activities, and lively entertainment as we welcome the new year together, showcasing the diverse cultures and rich histories of the region.
Columbia Rings in 2026: A Look at New Year’s Eve Celebrations
As the curtain prepares to close on another year, communities across South Carolina and neighboring North Carolina are gearing up for New Year’s Eve celebrations that truly reflect local initiative and civic spirit. From grand fireworks displays illuminating historic skylines to unique community-led traditions, these events underscore how collective effort and thoughtful planning can foster vibrant public spaces and memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike. This year, expect a blend of time-honored festivities and fresh approaches, showcasing the dedication of local organizers and the boundless enthusiasm of engaged citizens.
The successful coordination of such large-scale events, often involving public and private partnerships, highlights the benefits of local leadership and a community-first approach. These celebrations are not just about spectacle; they are a testament to the individual achievement of event planners and volunteers who work tirelessly to bring joy and unity to their towns. As we look forward to ringing in 2026, the diverse array of New Year’s Eve gatherings offers a perfect opportunity to appreciate the unique character and dynamic growth of our region.
Columbia’s Capital City Celebrations: Ringing in 2026
Columbia, SC, is set to host its annual Capital City Fireworks display, lighting up the sky shortly after midnight to welcome 2026. The most advantageous viewing areas for this dazzling spectacle will be on the north side of the South Carolina State House, specifically along Gervais Street and Main Street. The city actively encourages both residents and visitors to explore the diverse dining experiences and energetic entertainment venues located throughout its various districts before gathering for the fireworks.
Complementing the main fireworks event, the City of Columbia also provides complimentary parking at all gated city parking facilities during the New Year’s Eve holiday period. Beyond the official display, Columbia offers a range of options for celebration, reflecting the varied preferences of its Richland County community. Notable events include “New Year’s Eve at Market on Main,” touted as one of Columbia’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebrations, offering VIP experiences, open bars, heavy hors d’oeuvres, live bands, and a sparkling countdown to midnight. For those seeking a block party atmosphere, “New Year’s Eve Gold and Glitz 2026” at The Senate promises live music and a champagne toast at midnight. Family-friendly alternatives, such as activities at Finlay Park featuring face painting and games, are also available, ensuring there’s an enjoyable way for every demographic to participate in the festivities.
A Spectrum of Spectacles Across North Carolina
Just across the state line, North Carolina presents a diverse palette of New Year’s Eve celebrations, each reflecting the unique charm and communal spirit of its respective locales. These events, spanning the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and Mountains regions, showcase how local choice and leadership contribute to a rich tapestry of celebratory traditions.
Coastal Charms: Waterfront Wonders and Unique Drops
Along North Carolina’s picturesque coast, communities embrace their maritime heritage with distinctive New Year’s Eve events. In Manteo, located on the Outer Banks, a festive waterfront celebration is scheduled for December 31, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. This family-friendly event will feature live music, children’s activities, and a spectacular fireworks show at 8:00 p.m. over the Manteo waterfront. As midnight approaches, the countdown to 2026 will culminate in the illumination of the Queen Elizabeth II ship.
The Crystal Coast also offers several celebratory options. Morehead City’s New Year’s Eve Celebration at Ottis Landing is a family-friendly event to ring in 2026, running from 7:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. It includes children’s activities, entertainment, a crab pot drop, and a fireworks display over the waterfront. Meanwhile, Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach will host a unique cannon firing at 7:00 p.m. on December 31, 2025, preceded by live entertainment, to welcome the new year.
Further south, the Island of Lights New Year’s Eve Celebration alternates between Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, with Kure Beach hosting for the 2026 countdown at Ocean Front Park and along Atlantic Avenue. This free, family-friendly event begins at 9:00 p.m. and includes a DJ, dancing, and refreshments for purchase, culminating in a giant beach ball drop at midnight followed by an epic fireworks display.
Mountain Merriment & Piedmont Panache
Venturing into North Carolina’s mountainous and Piedmont regions reveals equally engaging celebrations. In Cherokee, NC, a New Year’s Eve fireworks display is scheduled for December 31 at 10:00 p.m. This event is highlighted as one of the region’s largest fireworks spectacles, taking place amidst Winterfest activities that include ice skating and food trucks.
Hendersonville, NC, embraces a distinct tradition with its annual New Year’s Eve “Apple Rise” celebration at the Historic Courthouse. This family-oriented event begins at 5:00 p.m., with the ceremonial rising of a giant glowing apple at 7:00 p.m. It features noisemakers, glow sticks, hot beverages, and a DJ playing popular hits, providing a charming way for families to celebrate the new year without staying up late. Other nearby communities in Western North Carolina also host various events, including concerts and themed parties, catering to different tastes.
In the Piedmont, Raleigh hosts its annual “First Night Raleigh” event, which starts at 7:00 p.m. and continues until midnight. This celebration features live music, dance performances, and a fireworks display, alongside an early acorn drop at 7:00 p.m. specifically for children. Further inland, Fayetteville’s “A District New Year’s Eve Spectacular” at Festival Park, from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., promises entertainment and a dramatic moment at midnight when an 18-foot custom-built star rises into the air accompanied by fireworks to mark the arrival of 2026.
South Carolina’s Diverse New Year’s Eve Offerings Beyond the Capital
Beyond Columbia, other South Carolina cities are also set to host impressive celebrations. In Myrtle Beach, multiple fireworks displays are planned for December 31, 2025, including shows at Barefoot Landing at 7:00 p.m., Broadway at the Beach at 8:00 p.m., and the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk at 9:00 p.m. The Market Common will host “A Southern Times Square New Year’s Eve Celebration,” featuring a mirror ball drop at midnight and a drone show.
Conway, SC, will present its New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display at the Festival Lawn in the Riverfront District, with fireworks igniting at midnight to welcome 2026. This free event will also have a DJ and food trucks starting at 10:30 p.m. For those seeking an exclusive celebration, Kiawah Island offers a family-friendly New Year’s Eve event at Night Heron Park, which includes dinner, live music, glow golf, and a fireworks display at 8:00 p.m., available exclusively for island guests and residents.
Fostering Community Through Celebration
These varied New Year’s Eve celebrations underscore the power of local communities to come together, demonstrating civic innovation and the impact of personal initiative. The blend of city-sponsored events and those driven by private partnerships or local organizations showcases a healthy ecosystem of community engagement. Whether it’s the meticulous planning required for a large fireworks display or the creative efforts behind a unique local tradition like an apple drop or crab pot drop, these events thrive on the dedication of individuals and groups committed to enhancing their towns.
The success of these gatherings also highlights the benefits of limited bureaucracy, allowing local leaders and volunteers the flexibility to tailor events to their community’s specific desires. This emphasis on local choice and leadership not only boosts engagement and participation but also strengthens the bonds within the South Carolina gatherings and North Carolina towns, creating vibrant public squares and shared moments that define the beginning of a new year.
Conclusion
As we prepare to usher in 2026, the array of New Year’s Eve celebrations across Columbia, SC, and throughout North and South Carolina offers something for everyone. These events are more than just festive occasions; they are a testament to the enduring spirit of community, the effectiveness of local leadership, and the positive outcomes that arise when civic innovation and personal initiative are prioritized. We encourage everyone to partake in these local traditions, support the dedicated organizers, and continue to engage in the development of our vibrant communities. Your participation helps ensure that these cherished annual events continue to grow and flourish, building a stronger and more connected future for us all.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When are the Capital City Fireworks in Columbia, SC, for New Year’s Eve 2025?
The Capital City Fireworks in Columbia, SC, will begin shortly after midnight on December 31, 2025, to welcome 2026.
Where is the best place to view the Capital City Fireworks in Columbia, SC?
The best public viewing area for the Capital City Fireworks in Columbia, SC, is on the north side of the South Carolina State House, along Gervais Street and Main Street.
Are there other New Year’s Eve events in Columbia, SC, besides the fireworks?
Yes, Columbia, SC, offers various New Year’s Eve events, including “New Year’s Eve at Market on Main” with VIP options, open bars, and live music, and “New Year’s Eve Gold and Glitz 2026” at The Senate. Family-friendly activities are also available at Finlay Park.
What time are the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Manteo, NC?
Manteo, NC, will have a spectacular fireworks show at 8:00 p.m. on December 31, 2025, over the Manteo waterfront, as part of its New Year’s Eve celebration.
What unique New Year’s Eve traditions can be found on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina?
On the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, Morehead City hosts a crab pot drop and fireworks over the waterfront. Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach features a cannon firing to welcome 2026.
Where is the Island of Lights New Year’s Eve Celebration being held for the 2026 countdown?
For the 2026 countdown, the Island of Lights New Year’s Eve Celebration will be held in Kure Beach, NC, at Ocean Front Park and along Atlantic Avenue.
What time do the New Year’s Eve fireworks start in Cherokee, NC?
The New Year’s Eve fireworks in Cherokee, NC, are scheduled to start at 10:00 p.m. on December 31.
Is there a fireworks display in Hendersonville, NC, for New Year’s Eve?
Hendersonville, NC, hosts an annual New Year’s Eve “Apple Rise” celebration with an apple rising at 7:00 p.m., but no fireworks display is explicitly mentioned for this event.
Are there New Year’s Eve fireworks in Myrtle Beach, SC?
Yes, Myrtle Beach, SC, will have multiple fireworks displays on December 31, 2025, including shows at Barefoot Landing at 7:00 p.m., Broadway at the Beach at 8:00 p.m., and the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk at 9:00 p.m.
Does Conway, SC, have New Year’s Eve fireworks?
Yes, Conway, SC, will have a New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display at the Festival Lawn in the Riverfront District, starting at midnight to ring in 2026.
New Year’s Eve 2025-2026 Celebrations: Key Features
| Location | Event Highlights | Time/Date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | Capital City Fireworks; Market on Main celebration; The Senate block party; Finlay Park family activities; complimentary parking. | Fireworks after midnight; various event times on Dec 31, 2025 | State-level |
| Manteo, NC | Waterfront fireworks; live music; kids’ activities; Queen Elizabeth II ship illumination. | Fireworks at 8:00 p.m.; event 6:00 p.m. – midnight on Dec 31, 2025 | State-level |
| Morehead City, NC (Crystal Coast) | Crab pot drop; waterfront fireworks; children’s activities. | 7:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. on Dec 31, 2025 | State-level |
| Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach, NC (Crystal Coast) | Spectacular cannon firing; live entertainment. | Cannon firing at 7:00 p.m.; event 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Dec 31, 2025 | State-level |
| Kure Beach, NC | Island of Lights Celebration; giant beach ball drop; epic fireworks display; DJ and dancing. | Event starts at 9:00 p.m.; beach ball drop & fireworks at midnight on Dec 31, 2025 | State-level |
| Cherokee, NC | Regional fireworks spectacle; ice skating; food trucks. | Fireworks at 10:00 p.m. on Dec 31, 2025 | State-level |
| Hendersonville, NC | Annual “Apple Rise” celebration; family-oriented activities; DJ; no fireworks at this specific event. | Apple rise at 7:00 p.m.; event starts 5:00 p.m. on Dec 31, 2025 | State-level |
| Raleigh, NC | First Night Raleigh; acorn drop for kids; live music; dance performances; fireworks. | Event starts 7:00 p.m.; acorn drop 7:00 p.m.; fireworks at midnight on Dec 31, 2025 | State-level |
| Fayetteville, NC | “A District New Year’s Eve Spectacular”; 18-foot star rise with fireworks. | Event 7:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.; star rise & fireworks at midnight on Dec 31, 2025 | State-level |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | Fireworks at Barefoot Landing, Broadway at the Beach, and Boardwalk; “Southern Times Square” mirror ball drop and drone show. | Various fireworks 7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m.; Market Common event 9:00 p.m. – midnight on Dec 31, 2025 | State-level |
| Conway, SC | Midnight fireworks display; DJ and food trucks. | Fireworks at midnight; DJ & food trucks open 10:30 p.m. on Dec 31, 2025 | State-level |
| Kiawah Island, SC | Family-friendly celebration (for guests/residents); dinner; live music; glow golf; fireworks. | Fireworks at 8:00 p.m.; event 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Dec 31, 2025 | State-level |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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