Everybody agrees that the two top places to ring in a new year are Times Square in New York City and anywhere in Las Vegas.
But there are some other interesting, free, even quirky New Year’s Eve celebrations in the USA, from a cheese party in Wisconsin to a pickle party in Mount Olive, North Carolina and an M&M drop in the New Jersey town where they are manufactured.
Here are some interesting alternatives to spending the evening with a couple of million of your closest friends in Times Square or on The Strip, compiled by Trip Advisor:
Pickle Party in Mount Olive, North Carolina
The annual pickle drop is a fun-filled and free event which entails dropping a glowing, three-foot long pickle into a large jar at the Mount Olive Pickle Company.
The pickle proceedings are at 7 p.m., or midnight Greenwich Mean Time, so the event can be perused by pickle fans in Europe, where the drop is just after midnight.
There’s also pickle tasting and a polka party preceding the pyrotechnics, and a livestream for those who can’t be there in person.
M&M Drop in Hackettstown, New Jersey
M&Ms have been produced here since 1958, so it’s only natural that the town celebrate its famous confection with an annual NYE drop of giant candy, which is lit by 1,000 LED bulbs.
It happens at 12:30am, 30 minutes into the New Year, giving residents enough time to see the Ball Drop in NYC on TV or streaming service and get downtown for this one.
Three’s a Charm in Key West
Florida’s southernmost point offers three distinct—and eccentric— events.
Celebrate the annual conch shell drop at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, watch as a “pirate wench” is dropped from the top mast of a historic ship at Schooner Wharf Bar, or head to The Bourbon Street Pub where the drag queen, “Sushi” is lowered in an oversized, red high-heeled shoe to ring in the start of 2026.
Fishy Festivities in Port Clinton, Ohio
This outpost, also known as the “Walleye Capital of the World,” celebrates New Year’s Eve with the exciting Walleye Drop.
This celebration includes games, fireworks and the dropping of a 20-foot, 600-pound walleye fish named Wylie at midnight. Attendees can warm up with walleye-themed food and drink, including walleye chowder, and a local wine specialty called, “Walleye White.”
Rockin’ Around the Clock in Memphis
New Year’s Eve is celebrated rock ‘n’ roll style starting at 8 p.m. in the heart of downtown Memphis.
Get into the groove with live music from the band Rock Sugar and enjoy the festivities on famous Beale Street.
At midnight, event-goers huddle at the Hard Rock Cafe to catch a glimpse of the 10-foot Gibson guitar dropped from the evening sky.
The Giant Peach in Atlanta
For more than twenty years, Atlanta has drawn a crowd of more than 100,000 onlookers for its New Year’s Eve Giant Peach Drop.
At midnight, a massive 800-pound peach descends from 138 feet in the heart of downtown, and afterward, the party continues at Atlanta’s Underground, where clubs and nightlife throb until dawn. www.atlanta.net
Orange You Glad in Miami
This citrusy New Year’s Eve celebration draws nearly 250,000 people annually to watch the 35-foot neon Big Orange drop 400 feet from the Hotel Intercontinental downtown.
That’s followed by fireworks and a laser show over Biscayne Bay. www.miamiandbeaches.com
Say Cheese! in Plymouth, Wisconsin
Cheddarheads and fans enjoy the midnight drop of an 80-pound cheese wedge down a 100-foot ladder truck. The celebration takes place in the town’s Creamery Building parking lot, and features live music from local bands.
A Nutty Time in Raleigh, North Carolina
Some 20 years ago artist, David Benson created a 1,200-pound acorn out of steel and copper in honor of Raleigh, “The City of Oaks.” Ever since, the acorn is dropped on New Year’s Eve at City Hall Plaza, and not just once.
The first drop is at 7 p.m., for families with young children, and then again at midnight for those who are out until the clock reaches twelve.
Where are you celebrating New Year’s Eve and the arrival of 2026?
Wherever, and however, don’t drink and drive, and my best wishes to you and yours for the new year.
This article was first published in 2011 and is updated and re-published in odd years to fit the theme of the odd celebrations.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is an award-winning journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is President Emeritus of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA).
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter also is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter
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