Vote for your favorite New Year's Eve drop!
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Welcoming a new year means reflection, anticipation, and, most often, celebration for many people across the country. And one of the most popular traditions for this festive event is the New Year's Eve drop, which involves a large object descending at the stroke of midnight.
These 20 New Year's Eve drops have been nominated by an expert panel as the best in the United States, each offering their own spin on the occasion with unique items being lowered.
Which New Year's Eve drop would you most like to attend? Vote for your favorite once per day until Monday, December 9 at noon ET. The 10 winning events will be announced on Friday, December 13.
Read the official Readers' Choice rules.
Welcoming a new year means reflection, anticipation, and, most often, celebration for many people across the country. And one of the most popular traditions for this festive event is the New Year's Eve drop, which involves a large object descending at the stroke of midnight.
These 20 New Year's Eve drops have been nominated by an expert panel as the best in the United States, each offering their own spin on the occasion with unique items being lowered.
Which New Year's Eve drop would you most like to attend? Vote for your favorite once per day until Monday, December 9 at noon ET. The 10 winning events will be announced on Friday, December 13.
Read the official Readers' Choice rules.
Welcoming a new year means reflection, anticipation, and, most often, celebration for many people across the country. And one of the most popular traditions for this festive event is the New Year's Eve drop, which... Read More
Best New Year's Eve Drop Nominees
Blue Crab Drop
Easton, Maryland
In historic Easton, Maryland, the First Night Talbot celebration is an alcohol- and drug-free event that welcomes in the new year. The dropping of the area’s favorite crustacean, the blue crab, caps off the evening, and take place at both 9 p.m. and midnight EST.
Photo courtesy of Bogdan Kurylo / iStock Via Getty Images Plus
Droppin' of the Carp
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
There’s something fishy about the New Year’s drop in Wisconsin’s Prairie du Chien — but that's not a bad thing. This multi-day Carp Fest includes lowering a frozen carp by a crane to bring in the new year. The fish symbolizes the historical importance of the fishing industry in this city along the Mississippi River.
Fleur de Lis Drop
New Orleans, Louisiana
Naturally, the New Year's Eve drop in New Orleans comes in the shape of a fleur-de-lis. This cherished symbol descends down a 25-foot pole at midnight at Jackson Square and is accompanied by music and a spectacular fireworks display.
Photo courtesy of City of Temecula
Grape Drop
Temecula, California
One of Southern California’s somewhat under-the-radar wine regions, Temecula celebrates the new year with the grape drop. The event offers live music, food, and activities for kids, and features two drops — at 9 p.m. and at midnight, both Pacific Standard Time.
The Great Pinecone Drop
Flagstaff, Arizona
The Great Pinecone Drop at the Weatherford Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, features a 70-pound, 6-foot-tall metallic pinecone. The event takes place at noon, 10 p.m., and midnight, and was established in 1999 to celebrate the hotel’s centennial.
Idaho Potato Drop
Boise, Idaho
Idaho will forever be connected to the mighty potato, so you might not be surprised that Boise drops a glowing potato at midnight on New Year’s Eve. It's part of an annual celebration that also features fireworks, music, art performances, and sporting events.
Photo courtesy of AleksandarNakic / E+
Las Cruces Chile Drop
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Things get spicy in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on December 31. That’s when the city rings in the new year by dropping a 19-foot chrome chili pepper at the stroke of midnight. It's a hot event, which also features live music, food, and fun activities.
Ludington's New Year's Eve Ball Drop
Ludington, Michigan
Michigan embraces the holiday spirit each year with Ludington's New Year's Eve Ball Drop, an event that takes place on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. This festival invites Michiganders to kick back and enjoy wine and local craft beer as they marvel at colorful fireworks and a ball drop stage that's clad in thousands of flashing lights.
Photo courtesy of Visit Mobile
MoonPie Over Mobile
Mobile, Alabama
It’s sure to be a sweet new year if you celebrate New Year's Eve at Alabama's MoonPie Over Mobile. Indulge in the world’s largest MoonPie cake, enjoy live entertainment, and then watch a 600-pound electric MoonPie descend at the stroke of midnight.
Photo courtesy of bernardbodo / iStock Via Getty Images Plus
Mushroom Drop
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Midnight in the Square in this Pennsylvania town culminates with the annual Mushroom Drop. That’s because Kennett Square produces more than half of the country’s mushrooms. A 700-pound electric mushroom is lowered at midnight while the crowd sings, ringing in the new year.
Music Note Drop
Nashville, Tennessee
Music and Nashville go hand in hand, which is why Music City celebrates the arrival of the new year by dropping a giant music note at midnight. It's part of Nashville’s Big Bash, which also includes performances by well-known musicians.
Photo courtesy of Visit Panama City Beach
New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop
Panama City Beach, Florida
Every December 31, Panama City Beach, Florida, closes the streets of Pier Park and gets the New Year’s party started. The public is invited to watch two beach balls drop — one at 8 p.m. EST for the early birds, and the second at midnight. There’s also live music, entertainment, and fireworks.
Photo courtesy of phive2015 / iStock Via Getty Images Plus
New Year's Eve Pineapple Drop
Sarasota, Florida
Long renowned for its balmy weather, the Sunshine State city of Sarasota pays homage to its roots with the New Year's Eve Pineapple Drop. Guests can also enjoy live music and a wealth of food kiosks while the event draws crowds to watch the midnight festivities.
Photo courtesy of Kanawa_Studio / E+
New Year's Eve Shrimp Drop
Amelia Island, Florida
Just north of Jacksonville, Florida, Amelia Island is a top destination for seafood lovers, and the annual Shrimp Drop is just one of many events that celebrate this legacy. In lieu of a typical ball, this picturesque Florida island invites visitors to marvel at a vibrant shrimp instead, which drops from its lofty perch at midnight while fireworks crackle in the distance.
Photo courtesy of PEEPS Brand
PEEPS Chick Drop
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
It will be a sweet new year after watching a giant, illuminated, 400-pound PEEPS Chick drop at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It descends not at midnight, but at 5:30 p.m. on both December 30 and 31, and it's accompanied by a fireworks display.
Perry Buzzard Drop
Perry, Georgia
Head to Perry, Georgia, to ring in the new year with the dropping of Bob the Buzzard. The celebration includes live music, food, spirits, and a kiddie countdown at 8 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Kirk Pullen Photography
Pickle Drop
Mount Olive, North Carolina
Start celebrating the new year early by watching a glowing pickle drop into a giant pickle jar at 7 p.m. on New Year's Eve in Mount Olive, North Carolina. Attendees can enjoy live music, food, fireworks, and free pickles.
Pierogi Drop
Whiting, Indiana
The town of Whiting, Indiana, drops a giant pierogi at midnight. The pierogi descends over 50 feet into a boiling cauldron, and the event includes music, fireworks, and more in celebration of the region's Eastern European heritage.
Photo courtesy of skynesher / E+
The Possum Drop
Tallapoosa, Georgia
No possums are harmed in the annual New Year's Eve possum drop — the possum used in the drop passed in a road accident, was discovered by a local taxidermist, and is now affectionately referred to as Spencer. The celebration takes place in Tallapoosa, Georgia, which was once named Possum Snout after a local Native American chief, and features plenty of live entertainment alongside the possum drop.
Times Square Ball Drop
New York City, New York
The Times Square Ball Drop needs no explanation. The masses have been gathering since 1907 to watch the 12-foot geodesic sphere, which is covered in 2,688 crystals, descend the pole atop the One Times Square building. Around a million people watch the ball drop in person each year, and millions more watch the broadcast.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Derek Perry
Derek Perry is the Communications Director for the... Read More
Derek Perry is the Communications Director for the world's largest ride enthusiast group, American Coaster Enthusiasts. Derek first joined ACE as a kid with his parents and twin brother on a roller coaster-riding road trip after unexpectedly being at a park the same day as an ACE event. In addition to his love of travel, he is one half of The Perry Twins, a DJ and music production duo with his brother, Doug. They have written, produced and remixed many songs, including their original songs that topped Billboard Magazine’s dance chart. He has been lucky to combine his love of amusement parks with traveling for DJ gigs and has ridden over 1,200 unique roller coasters around the world and share their adventures on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Derek Perry
Derek Perry is the Communications Director for the world's largest ride enthusiast group, American Coaster Enthusiasts. Derek first joined ACE as a kid with his parents and twin brother on a roller coaster-riding road trip after unexpectedly being at a park the same day as an ACE event. In addition to his love of travel, he is one half of The Perry Twins, a DJ and music production duo with his brother, Doug. They have written, produced and remixed many songs, including their original songs that topped Billboard Magazine’s dance chart. He has been lucky to combine his love of amusement parks with traveling for DJ gigs and has ridden over 1,200 unique roller coasters around the world and share their adventures on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a... Read More
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Jenny Peters
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los... Read More
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, editor and party columnist specializing in travel, entertainment, film, food, wine, fashion and the other good things in life. She is a founding/voting member of the Critics Choice Association, who present the Critics’ Choice Awards every January. Her favorite places to be are on the beach in Southern California playing volleyball, scuba diving with the sharks in warm tropical waters or strolling the streets and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world's great cities (New Orleans and Florence are her favorites).
Jenny Peters
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, editor and party columnist specializing in travel, entertainment, film, food, wine, fashion and the other good things in life. She is a founding/voting member of the Critics Choice Association, who present the Critics’ Choice Awards every January. Her favorite places to be are on the beach in Southern California playing volleyball, scuba diving with the sharks in warm tropical waters or strolling the streets and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world's great cities (New Orleans and Florence are her favorites).
Kristin Luna
Kristin Luna is a Nashville-based travel writer... Read More
Kristin Luna is a Nashville-based travel writer who has contributed to Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, USA TODAY, Southern Living and many more. You can follow her adventures via her blog Camels & Chocolate or on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Kristin Luna
Kristin Luna is a Nashville-based travel writer who has contributed to Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, USA TODAY, Southern Living and many more. You can follow her adventures via her blog Camels & Chocolate or on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Melody Pittman
Melody Pittman is the owner and creator of Read More
Melody Pittman is the owner and creator of Wherever I May Roam Blog and is co-owner of the Southern Travelers Explore annual conference, in its 4th year, which brings CVBS and writers/influencers together from all over the country. She is a digital influencer and writes for both online and print publications, such as Travel Awaits, Charleston Home and Living Magazine, Matador Network, She Buys Travel, and more. Melody has worked with major brands during her nine-year career, such as Viking River Cruises, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Disney, hundreds of tourism boards, and GO RVing. Melody’s first book “100 Things to Do in West Virginia Before You Die” was released in the spring of 2023. She has a podcast, 100ThingsWV, and social channels to go along with the book. Melody loves road trips, small towns, cruising, and sharing lesser-known destinations with her followers via TikTok, Youtube, IG, and FB. After a year of full-time RV travel, she now resides in Mesquite, Nevada.
Melody Pittman
Melody Pittman is the owner and creator of Wherever I May Roam Blog and is co-owner of the Southern Travelers Explore annual conference, in its 4th year, which brings CVBS and writers/influencers together from all over the country. She is a digital influencer and writes for both online and print publications, such as Travel Awaits, Charleston Home and Living Magazine, Matador Network, She Buys Travel, and more. Melody has worked with major brands during her nine-year career, such as Viking River Cruises, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Disney, hundreds of tourism boards, and GO RVing. Melody’s first book “100 Things to Do in West Virginia Before You Die” was released in the spring of 2023. She has a podcast, 100ThingsWV, and social channels to go along with the book. Melody loves road trips, small towns, cruising, and sharing lesser-known destinations with her followers via TikTok, Youtube, IG, and FB. After a year of full-time RV travel, she now resides in Mesquite, Nevada.
Nikky J
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The... Read More
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide, the founder and owner of ThemeParkHipster.com, a wishful Food Critic, coffee enthusiast, and a lover of life! She currently resides in Orlando, Florida where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two little girls while discovering the beautiful attractions of Florida. You can watch her on YouTube or listen to her podcast.
Nikky J
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide, the founder and owner of ThemeParkHipster.com, a wishful Food Critic, coffee enthusiast, and a lover of life! She currently resides in Orlando, Florida where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two little girls while discovering the beautiful attractions of Florida. You can watch her on YouTube or listen to her podcast.