New Year's Eve 2026 in Fort Lauderdale: the city's Downtown Countdown and anchor drop, holiday lights cruises, library hours and New Year's Day trash pickup.

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Dates and times come from each organizer’s own page, linked below. Where this year’s plans are not out yet, we say which year a detail is from. City events line: 954-828-8000.

New Year’s Eve is Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026, and New Year’s Day falls on a Friday, which makes it a long weekend. Fort Lauderdale’s big public celebration is the city’s free Downtown Countdown, which ends with a lighted anchor dropped at midnight. The city has not yet published its 2026 plans; last year’s details are below.

What this means for you

  • Downtown Countdown: 2026 date and hours not yet posted; in 2025 it ran 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
  • Libraries: close at 6 p.m. Dec. 31; closed Jan. 1.
  • Trash: no New Year’s Day interruption last year; 2027 notice not yet posted.
  • Getting home: plan a ride before you go out. Emergencies: 911. Police non-emergency: 954-764-4357.

The Downtown Countdown

The Orange Bowl and the City of Fort Lauderdale have hosted the Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown together since 2011, the Orange Bowl says on its event page, which calls it a free street festival for children and adults.

Last year (Dec. 31, 2025). The city’s Downtown Countdown page listed the festival from 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, centered on SW 2nd Street and SW 5th Avenue downtown, with:

  • Bounce houses, face painting, games, contests and a DJ for kids
  • An early kids’ countdown in the evening
  • Live entertainment and food vendors
  • The midnight drop of the city’s lighted steel anchor

This year. The city had not posted the 2026 edition on its event calendar when we checked. We will add the date, hours and the road closures around SW 2nd Street as soon as it does. The festival area sits beside the Riverwalk; see our getting around guide for downtown parking and the Brightline station.

Holiday lights cruises

Water Taxi’s Holiday Lights Cruises run from Dec. 4 to Jan. 3, with 90-minute trips at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on select dates, leaving from Stop 1 between Stranahan House and the Riverside Hotel, 335 SE 6th Ave. Water Taxi lists no cruises on Dec. 12, 24 or 25, so New Year’s week is on the schedule; dates still open show at checkout. Details: Holiday Lights Cruises.

Fireworks

We have not confirmed a public New Year’s Eve fireworks show in Fort Lauderdale for 2026 from an organizer. We will list any show here once a city, hotel or venue announces a time and place.

Setting off your own fireworks: Florida Statute 791.08 allows the use of fireworks on Dec. 31, Jan. 1 and July 4. The law says it does not override local rules, and a homeowners association’s recorded covenants can still ban them.

Restaurants and parties

Restaurants and bars post New Year’s Eve dinners and parties in December. We list only what a venue announces on its own website, and will add them here. For year-round options, see our date night guide and our live music and nightlife guide.

What is open and closed

Service New Year’s 2026-27
Broward County libraries Close 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31; closed Friday, Jan. 1
City trash and recycling No interruption on New Year’s Day 2026; 2027 notice not yet posted
Broward County Public Schools Winter break, Dec. 21 to Jan. 1; Jan. 4 is a teacher planning day and classes resume Jan. 5
Live holiday trees Curbside on yard waste days; last season Jan. 1-20

Sources: Broward County Library’s holiday schedule, the city’s collection programs page and our schools guide. More on pickup days in our trash and recycling guide.

Also this season

Frequently asked questions

What is the Downtown Countdown in Fort Lauderdale?

It is the city’s free New Year’s Eve street festival downtown, held with the Orange Bowl since 2011, ending with a lighted anchor dropped at midnight. Last year it ran from 4:30 p.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. around SW 2nd Street and SW 5th Avenue.

Is the Downtown Countdown on in 2026?

The city had not posted its New Year’s Eve 2026 plans when we checked on Oct. 8. We will add the date, hours and road closures here once it does.

Is trash picked up on New Year’s Day in Fort Lauderdale?

For New Year’s Day 2026 the city said there were no service interruptions. Christmas Day is the only holiday with no city pickup. The city had not posted its Jan. 1, 2027, notice yet.

Are Broward County libraries open on New Year’s Eve?

Broward County libraries close at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026, and stay closed Friday, Jan. 1, 2027.