Is Atlanta’s Peach Drop Still Happening? Here’s What to Know Now

If you’ve spent any time in Atlanta around New Year’s Eve, you’ve probably heard about the Peach Drop—the city’s longtime tradition of lowering a giant peach at midnight. Many people now wonder: Does Atlanta still do the Peach Drop?

The short answer: The Peach Drop is no longer a guaranteed, every-year event. In recent years it has been paused, brought back, and then paused again, so whether it’s happening depends on the year and the city’s plans.

Because the event has changed so much, it helps to understand how it works, what’s happened recently, and what your options are now for ringing in the New Year in Atlanta.

What Is (or Was) the Atlanta Peach Drop?

The Peach Drop was Atlanta’s signature New Year’s Eve celebration, modeled loosely after the ball drop in New York City but with a Georgia twist—a giant peach.

Traditionally, the Peach Drop:

• Took place in Downtown Atlanta
• Included live music, DJs, and other performances
• Featured food and drink vendors
• Built up to a countdown and lowering of a large peach at midnight
• Drew large crowds of locals and visitors

For many Atlanta residents, it became a New Year’s Eve tradition, especially for people who wanted a big outdoor celebration without leaving the city.

Does Atlanta Still Host the Peach Drop Every Year?

No, the Peach Drop is not currently a consistent, every-year event.

In recent years, the event has:

• Been canceled for some years
• Returned for a single year or limited run
• Been relocated from its original longtime home at Underground Atlanta
• Been affected by city priorities, redevelopment, budgets, and crowd management concerns

Because of this, Atlanta residents can’t assume the Peach Drop will automatically be held each December 31 like it used to be.

Why the Peach Drop Has Been On and Off

Several practical factors have influenced whether the Peach Drop happens in a given year:

• Location changes and redevelopment downtown
• Event costs, including security, staging, and cleanup
• Crowd safety and logistics, especially around large outdoor gatherings
• Shifting city plans for how to celebrate New Year’s Eve

City leaders periodically revisit whether and how the event should return, but those decisions tend to be made year by year rather than as a permanent commitment.

How to Find Out If the Peach Drop Is Happening This Year

If you’re in Atlanta or planning a visit, the only reliable way to know the status for this year is to check official local sources closer to New Year’s Eve.

Here’s where to look:

• City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
  Often shares information on major city-supported festivals and public gatherings.

• City of Atlanta general information line

  • Main City Hall: 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main phone (information desk): (404) 330-6000
    You can ask to be directed to the department handling New Year’s Eve events or public celebrations.

• City and county event calendars

  • City of Atlanta event or community calendar
  • Fulton County government community listings
    These tend to highlight large downtown events that affect traffic, transit, and public safety.

• Local Atlanta news outlets
  Major Atlanta TV news and radio stations typically announce weeks in advance if the Peach Drop is returning, being canceled, or replaced by another large event.

If you don’t see the Peach Drop clearly advertised by official city channels or well-established local news, it’s usually safer to assume it’s not happening in the traditional form that year.

Where Is the Peach Drop Held When It Happens?

Historically, the Peach Drop is most closely associated with Underground Atlanta, a historic downtown entertainment district.

When the event has been active:

• The giant peach has been mounted on a tower or structure near Underground Atlanta.
• Streets in the immediate area have often been closed or restricted for crowd safety.
• MARTA stations such as Five Points and nearby stops have been key access points for attendees.

Because the site has gone through redevelopment and ownership changes, the Peach Drop has faced questions about where and how it should be staged. In years when it’s been brought back, local announcements typically include specific location details, routes, and transportation tips.

What to Expect If the Peach Drop Returns

If the City of Atlanta announces the Peach Drop for a future New Year’s Eve, you can usually expect some combination of:

• Live performances from national or local artists
• A large outdoor crowd, especially closer to midnight
• Street vendors, food options, and possibly nearby restaurants extending hours
• A countdown and peach lowering at or just before midnight
• Increased presence of Atlanta Police Department and public safety personnel
• Street closures and rerouted traffic around the event area

If you plan to attend:

• Arrive early to navigate crowds and find a good spot
• Use MARTA instead of driving if possible (parking downtown on New Year’s Eve can be limited and expensive)
• Dress for the weather; Atlanta can be chilly or rainy in late December
• Follow city guidance on what you can and cannot bring (bags, chairs, outside alcohol, etc.)

Alternatives: New Year’s Eve in Atlanta Without the Peach Drop

Even in years when the Peach Drop doesn’t happen, Atlanta still offers plenty of ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Other Large or Family-Friendly Events

While specific events can change each year, common Atlanta-area New Year’s options include:

• Downtown and Midtown hotel parties
  Large hotels often host ticketed New Year’s Eve parties with DJs, food, and champagne toasts.

• Neighborhood celebrations
  Areas like Midtown, Buckhead, Old Fourth Ward, and Inman Park tend to have bar crawls, restaurant specials, and smaller outdoor gatherings.

• Attractions with special New Year’s programming
  Major attractions sometimes host early countdowns or family events, which can be useful if you’re celebrating with kids.

Because event details change year to year, check:

• Event calendars from City of Atlanta and Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Schedules on major local attractions’ official announcements closer to the date

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

Practical Tips for Planning New Year’s Eve in Atlanta

Whether the Peach Drop is on or not, a little planning goes a long way:

• Check early, then verify again in December.
  Plans can shift; confirm closer to New Year’s Eve.

• Use public transit when possible.

  • MARTA Customer Information: (404) 848-5000
  • Consider MARTA rail into downtown or Midtown instead of driving.

• Watch for street closures and safety advisories.
  If there is a large downtown event (including a potential Peach Drop), the City of Atlanta and Atlanta Police Department usually share maps and guidance.

• Have a backup plan.
  Even if you’re hoping for a big public gathering, it’s worth identifying a second option (such as a neighborhood event or restaurant reservation) in case the Peach Drop isn’t held or weather affects outdoor activities.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• Atlanta no longer guarantees a Peach Drop every New Year’s Eve. The event has been on and off and depends on year-specific decisions.
• Always confirm current-year plans through official city channels, local news, or tourism information before assuming it’s happening.
• If the Peach Drop returns, expect a large downtown celebration with a midnight peach lowering, live entertainment, and major crowds.
• Even without the Peach Drop, Atlanta offers many other ways to celebrate—from hotel parties and neighborhood events to family-friendly attractions.

If you’re in or coming to Atlanta, treat the Peach Drop as a “maybe, if announced” event, not a guaranteed tradition—and plan your New Year’s Eve with flexibility in mind.