New Year’s Eve Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

The New Year’s Eve Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta is one of the city’s most recognizable year-end traditions. If you live in metro Atlanta or you’re visiting for the holidays, it’s often the go-to answer to “Where should we ring in the New Year?”

This guide explains how the Peach Drop works in Atlanta, what to expect at Underground, and how to plan your night so it’s fun, safe, and manageable.

What Is the Peach Drop?

The Peach Drop is Atlanta’s version of the Times Square ball drop. At midnight on New Year’s Eve, a giant illuminated peach is lowered to mark the start of the new year.

Key points:

• It’s typically a large, outdoor, public celebration.
• Events often include live music, DJs, food vendors, and entertainment leading up to midnight.
• The main countdown happens at Underground Atlanta, the historic downtown entertainment district.

The event has paused and restarted in various years, sometimes changing formats, so it’s always smart to confirm the current year’s details before you finalize plans.

Where the Peach Drop Happens: Underground Atlanta

Most years, the Peach Drop is hosted at:

Underground Atlanta
50 Upper Alabama Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Underground Atlanta is located in downtown Atlanta, near:

• Five Points MARTA Station
• The Georgia State Capitol
• The Atlanta City Hall area

The event footprint may include nearby streets and plazas, which are often partially closed to traffic for pedestrian safety.

Is the Peach Drop Happening This Year?

The Peach Drop is an annual tradition, but it has not occurred every single year. Organizers sometimes pause it or change venues based on:

• Event funding and sponsorship
• Construction or redevelopment at Underground
• Changes in city event planning and priorities
• Public health and safety considerations

Before you make firm plans, look for:

• Official updates from Underground Atlanta
• Announcements from the City of Atlanta or the Mayor’s Office of Special Events
• Local news coverage in late fall and early December

Because details can shift, treat any far-in-advance information as tentative until it’s confirmed close to New Year’s Eve.

What to Expect at the Event

If you’re planning to attend a year when the Peach Drop is running, here’s what the experience is typically like.

Atmosphere and Crowd

• Large, festive crowd: Expect families, groups of friends, and visitors from across metro Atlanta and beyond.
• Loud and energetic: Music, cheering, and countdown noise build up as midnight approaches.
• Outdoor, winter night: Atlanta winters are usually mild to cool, but it can still feel cold and damp, especially late at night.

Entertainment and Activities

While lineups change by year, the Peach Drop has commonly included:

• Live musical performances on an outdoor stage
• DJs and emcees leading the countdown
• Food and beverage vendors around the event area
• Street-level festivities with people taking photos and gathering around the main stage and peach

Some years emphasize bigger-name artists, while others focus more on local talent or a neighborhood-style celebration.

The Midnight Countdown

Near midnight:

• The illuminated peach is positioned high above the crowd.
• A digital or stage-based countdown begins.
• As the clock strikes 12, the peach slowly drops, signaling the start of the new year.
• Expect cheering, confetti-style celebrations, and a surge of people hugging, taking photos, and heading toward MARTA or their cars.

Getting to the Peach Drop: Transportation and Parking

Getting in and out of downtown Atlanta on New Year’s Eve can be busy. Planning ahead will make your night smoother.

MARTA: Often the Easiest Option

🚇 MARTA rail and bus are usually the simplest way to reach Underground Atlanta.

• Closest station:
  Five Points Station (served by Red, Gold, Blue, and Green lines)
  30 Alabama Street SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

From Five Points, it’s typically a short walk to Underground Atlanta. Follow posted signs, police directions, or the crowd flow.

Tips:

• Load a Breeze Card or Breeze Mobile ticket in advance to avoid lines after midnight.
• Check MARTA’s holiday schedules for extended or modified service on New Year’s Eve.
• If traveling with children, agree on a meet-up spot in the station in case you get separated.

Driving and Parking

If you choose to drive:

• Expect road closures and detours around Underground Atlanta.
• Plan to park in downtown garages or surface lots that are a comfortable walking distance away, rather than trying to park directly at the event.
• Be prepared for higher event-night parking rates in some facilities.
• Decide who will remain sober and drive, or arrange a rideshare pickup point away from the densest traffic.

Because conditions and closure patterns can change, look for updated guidance from:

• The City of Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT)
• Atlanta Police Department public advisories
• Event organizers’ announcements

Safety, Security, and What You Can Bring

New Year’s Eve events downtown typically include visible security and police presence. The specific rules can change by year, but there are consistent patterns you can use to prepare.

Common Security Measures

Expect:

• Bag checks or security screening at entry points
• Barricaded areas around stages and the main viewing space
• Clear signage and police or security officers directing pedestrian flow

Typical Prohibited Items

Policies vary, but large public events in downtown Atlanta often restrict:

• Weapons or anything resembling a weapon
• Large bags or backpacks
• Glass containers
• Outside alcohol and sometimes outside beverages in general
• Fireworks and similar items

If you need specific guidance for the current year’s Peach Drop, check official city or event postings rather than relying on older information.

Staying Comfortable and Safe

• Dress in layers: Atlanta weather can shift—from mild early evening to chilly after midnight.
• Comfortable shoes: You’ll likely spend hours standing and walking on pavement.
• Phone preparation: Charge in advance; consider bringing a small power bank.
• Plan a meet-up point: Choose a visible landmark in or near Underground Atlanta in case anyone in your group gets separated.

Families and Kids at the Peach Drop

Many Atlanta families bring children to the Peach Drop, but the late hour and large crowd aren’t ideal for everyone.

Consider:

• Age and temperament of children: Late-night crowds, noise, and standing in cooler weather can be tiring or overwhelming.
• Strollers: Helpful for younger kids but harder to maneuver through dense areas near the main stage.
• Ear protection: Useful for small children near speakers or loud music.
• Alternative timing: Some families arrive early in the evening to experience part of the event, then head home before midnight.

If you prefer a quieter option, you can always watch the Peach Drop coverage on local TV or online from home while still enjoying the “Atlanta” New Year’s tradition.

Food, Drinks, and Restrooms

Event offerings vary, but here’s how it usually works around Underground Atlanta:

Food and Drinks

• Nearby restaurants and fast-casual spots downtown may stay open later for New Year’s Eve.
• Event vendors or food trucks may be present, serving quick items like burgers, wings, or snacks.
• Alcohol is often available for purchase inside designated areas, but bringing your own is typically restricted or prohibited.

If you have dietary needs or prefer specific foods, eat beforehand or make a plan to visit a known restaurant before the main crowd builds.

Restrooms

• Large events may offer a mix of portable restrooms and access to nearby facilities, depending on arrangements for that year.
• Lines can get long near midnight, so plan restroom breaks earlier in the evening.

Peach Drop vs. Other New Year’s Eve Options in Atlanta

If the Peach Drop is paused for a particular year, or you decide the crowd isn’t your style, Atlanta still offers plenty of local ways to ring in the new year.

Common alternatives include:

• Neighborhood celebrations in places like Midtown, Buckhead, and East Atlanta Village
• Indoor events at hotels, music venues, and cultural institutions
• Family-oriented countdowns that wrap up earlier in the evening

For a local, Atlanta-specific feel, many residents:

• Watch the Peach Drop coverage on TV or online
• Host house gatherings while keeping an eye on downtown festivities
• Combine early-evening activities (dinner, light displays, or local attractions) with a quieter midnight at home

Quick-Glance Planning Guide for the Peach Drop

Who to Contact for Official Information

For the most accurate and up-to-date details for the current year’s Peach Drop and related logistics, look to:

• City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Special Events
  Atlanta City Hall
  55 Trinity Avenue SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

• City of Atlanta Police Department (APD) – for road closures, safety advisories, and crowd management information.

• MARTA Customer Service – for holiday transit schedules and station access details.

You can also monitor local TV stations, radio, and Atlanta-focused news sites in December for event confirmations, lineups, and transportation guidance specific to that year.

If you’re in Atlanta for New Year’s Eve, the Peach Drop at Underground—when it’s held—is one of the most distinctly “Atlanta” ways to welcome the new year, whether you head downtown in person or celebrate from home while watching the peach fall at midnight.