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New Year's Eve in the Southeast
Midnight Countdowns, Gala Events, First Night Celebrations and More

By Sheridan Alexander, About.com

From grand gala events and elegant getaways for two to college football, midnight countdowns and family friendly events, the Southeast welcomes the New Year with an array of special celebrations. Popular events book up early in the season so try to make your reservations as soon as possible.

Atlanta, GA - New Year's Eve Parties, Peach Drop, Chick-Fil-A Bowl and More

Photo of Atlanta's Peach Drop: Courtesy Underground Atlanta / Atlanta Convention & Visitors BureauPhoto of Atlanta's Peach Drop: Courtesy Underground Atlanta / Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
Atlanta welcomes the New Year in style with parties galore, college football, the popular countdown and Peach Drop, family fun and more. Visit New Year's Eve in Atlanta to find out about several of the top Atlanta celebrations and events, plus some travel tips to help you plan your New Year's Eve visit.

New Year's Eve in More Cities of the Southeast


- Charleston, South Carolina
Welcome the New Year with a five-course dinner at Circa 1886 or enjoy a gala celebration at the Aquarium's Grand Ball New Year's Eve or the Woodland Resort's annual New Year's Eve Gala.

- Charlotte, North Carolina
New Year's Eve Culinary Adventure Package: A delicious way to ring in the New Year.

- Memphis, Tennessee
Countdown on Beale: Enjoy live music at Handy Park or an array of New Year's Eve festivities along Beale Street.

- Nashville, Tennessee
New Year's Eve Masquerade Gala at Gaylord Opryland Nashville: This popular gala celebration features a four-course dinner and dancing to live orchestra music.

First Night Celebrations

First Night Celebrations offer a wonderful family-friendly alternative to traditional New Year's Eve celebrations. Welcoming the New Year though the arts, these celebrations are alcohol-free public festivals. Find out more about which Southern cities offer First Night Celebrations.

Unique New Year's Eve Countdowns and Ball Drops in the Southeast

Photo: Courtesy of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau

Raleigh Drops an Acorn, Atlanta drops a giant peach and Mt. Olive drops a giant pickle, to mention just a few of the unique New Year's Eve countdowns in the Southeast. Embracing the tradition of Time Square's annual New Year's Eve Countdown and Waterford Crystal Ball Drop, several cities and small towns throughout the Southeast have created their own countdown and ball drop celebrations, each with a special local twist. Find out more about which Southern cities and towns offer unique New Year's Eve countdown celebrations.

College Football Bowl Games

Fifteen College Football Bowl Games, including the BCS National Championship, take place in the Southeast. This is a highlight for college football fans and tickets usually sell out fast. Two popular games, the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl in Nashville and the Chick-Fil-A Bowl (formerly the Peach Bowl) in Atlanta, are played on New Year's Eve. New Year's Day brings four games to the Southeast, the Outback Bowl in Tampa, the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl in Jacksonville and the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

For information about the schedules, tickets, hotels and flights for the bowl games in the Southeast, visit College Football Bowl Games in the Southeast.

New Year's Eve Celebrations at the Slopes

Several of the ski resorts in the Southeast will ring in the New Year with special celebrations. Choices include parties for all ages, fireworks on the mountain, moonlight ice skating, a gala celebration and more.

For more information, visit New Year's Eve Celebrations at Ski Resorts in the Southeast.

Black-Eyed Peas: A Southern Tradition for Celebrating the New Year

Photo of Black-Eyed Peas:  © 2006 George Alexander, licensed to About.com, Inc.Photo of Black-Eyed Peas: © 2006 George Alexander, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Whether attending a gala gourmet dinner or a small casual gathering with friends and family, if you are planning to celebrate the New Year in the Southeast, chances are that you will be offered black-eyed peas in some form, either just after midnight or on New Year's Day.

Find out more about this popular Southern tradition.

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