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 - The New Year's Eve Peach Drop and Chick-Fil-A Bowl
Photo of Atlanta's Peach Drop: Courtesy Underground Atlanta / Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
The annual Chick-Fil-A Bowl is played at the Georgia Dome. Pre-game events include the Chick-Fil-A Bowl Parade, which begins downtown at 12:30 p.m., followed by the Chick-Fil-A Bowl FanFest, a giant indoor pep rally, including cheerleaders, games, live music, great food and traditional pre-game team walks. More about College Bowl Games in the South
More about other New Year's Eve events in Atlanta from About.com's Atlanta City Guide.
New Year's Eve in More Cities of the Southeast
- Charleston, SC
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, NC
Studio B New Year's Eve Celebration: Ballantyne Resort celebrates New Year's Eve in the 1970s style of the Studio 54 nightclub scene. - Memphis, TN
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:- First Night Macon
Entertainment begins at 7 p.m. in various downtown Macon, Georgia venues with a fireworks finale at midnight. - First Night Raleigh
Fayetteville Street, Bicentennial Plaza and other nearby streets are the center of First Night festivities in Raleigh, North Carolina. A Main Stage countdown begins at 10:30 with fireworks at midnight. An earlier Children's Celebration will be held from 2 - 6 p.m. - Virginia - First Night Celebrations
First Night celebrations are held in eight Virginia cities and towns, including Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, Leesburg, Charlottesville, Warrenton, Williamsburg and Winchester.
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.
