New Year's Eve in Savannah 2026: midnight fireworks on the river

Savannah's Waterfront sets off a 10-minute fireworks show from a barge on the river at midnight Thursday, Dec. 31. Where to watch, park and ride.

Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. The fireworks details come from Savannah’s Waterfront, which organizes the show; call (912) 234-0295 or email hello@savannahswaterfront.com.

Savannah rings in 2027 with fireworks over the river at midnight Thursday, Dec. 31. Savannah’s Waterfront launches a 10-minute show from a barge on the Savannah River, and it is free to watch from the riverfront.

New Year’s Eve at a glance

When: midnight, Thursday, Dec. 31, to about 12:10 a.m. Jan. 1

Where: a barge on the Savannah River off River Street

Watch from: Rousakis Riverfront Plaza, Plant Riverside District, Eastern Wharf or a downtown rooftop bar

Cost: free

The midnight fireworks

The New Year’s Eve Midnight Fireworks Show is the last event of the waterfront’s Christmas on the River season. The fireworks go up from a barge in the river at midnight and last about 10 minutes, reflecting off the water along the length of River Street.

Savannah’s Waterfront names four places to watch:

Rousakis Riverfront Plaza, the riverwalk in the middle of River Street
Plant Riverside District, at the west end of River Street
The Park at Eastern Wharf, at the east end
Downtown rooftop bars with a view of the river

Parties and dinners

Waterfront restaurants, bars and hotels hold their own New Year’s Eve parties with live music, dancing and special menus, according to the organizer. None has announced its 2026 plans yet. We list a venue’s party here, with its time and link, only once the venue posts it on its own website. The waterfront’s calendar of events collects the member parties as they are announced.

The Savannah Christmas Market at Plant Riverside District is still open on New Year’s Eve and runs through Sunday, Jan. 3, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. More on our holiday lights and Christmas events page.

Getting there and parking

From the waterfront’s visitor FAQ:

Driving: River Street is one-way, west to east. Take Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard north to River Street and turn right, or use the Barnard, Bull, Abercorn, Lincoln or East Broad Street ramps from Bay Street.
Garages: the Plant Riverside Garage at 500 W. River St. and the Eastern Wharf Parking Garage at 301 Passage Way are open 24 hours. Rates may change for special events, and they take credit and debit cards only.
Lots: three city lots and two private lots at the Barnard, Abercorn and Lincoln ramps.
Elevators down to River Street are at The Alida, 412 Williamson St.; between the Hyatt Regency and City Hall at Bull and Bay streets; and at the AC Hotel, 601 E. River St.
The Savannah Belles Ferry to Hutchinson Island runs until 10 p.m., so it will not be running at midnight, and it does not run on New Year’s Day.

New Year’s Day

Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, is a federal holiday. The River Street Visitor Information Center is closed that day. The City of Savannah and Chatham County have not published their 2027 holiday calendars yet; in 2026 the county closed its offices on New Year’s Day. Trash pickup moves to a later day when a city holiday falls on a collection day, so check your route’s 2027 calendar on the city’s collection schedules page once it is posted. More in our trash and recycling guide.

Frequently asked questions

Are there New Year’s Eve fireworks in Savannah in 2026? Yes, a free 10-minute show from a barge on the Savannah River at midnight Thursday, Dec. 31.

Where is the best place to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Savannah? Rousakis Riverfront Plaza, Plant Riverside District, Eastern Wharf or a downtown rooftop bar.

Where do I park for New Year’s Eve on River Street? The Plant Riverside and Eastern Wharf garages, open 24 hours, or the city lots at the Barnard, Abercorn and Lincoln ramps. Cards only, and event rates may apply.

Does the Savannah Belles Ferry run on New Year’s Day? No. It runs daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

What this means for you

Arrive early: River Street parking fills on the big waterfront nights.
Plan a ride home that does not depend on the ferry, which stops at 10 p.m.
If your restaurant, bar or hotel is holding a New Year’s Eve event open to the public, send the details through our contact page once they are on your website.