PHOTOS: Atlanta welcomes 2026 with fireworks, drone show

News

PHOTOS: Atlanta welcomes 2026 with fireworks, drone show

Instead of the Peach Drop tradition from past years in Atlanta, this New Year’s Eve saw a citywide fireworks and drone display.

A fireworks show is seen from The Rooftop at Hotel Clermont in Atlanta on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced in December that the traditional annual Atlanta Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta would be replaced this New Year’s Eve by a citywide fireworks and drone display. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

The Atlanta city seal, created by drones during a show above the city, is seen from The Rooftop at Hotel Clermont on New Year’s Eve in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

A fireworks show is seen from The Rooftop at Hotel Clermont in Atlanta on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, as the city welcomed in the new year. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

New Year’s Eve revelers gather at The Rooftop at Hotel Clermont in Atlanta on Wednesday Dec. 31, 2025. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced in December that the traditional annual Atlanta Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta would be replaced this New Year’s Eve by a citywide fireworks and drone display. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Rochelle Poe and Nathan Davis celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Rooftop at Hotel Clermont in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. A synchronized drone display was followed by synchronized fireworks across multiple sites for this year's Atlanta New Year's Eve celebration. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Couples kiss as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve at The Rooftop at Hotel Clermont in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. This year Atlanta welcomed the new year with a drone display and fireworks visible across the city. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Rio Hernandez and Joel Requena have their photo taken with a Polaroid camera while celebrating New Year’s Eve at The Rooftop at Hotel Clermont in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Xiamora Shaw and David Newman wait for the drone display and fireworks show from The Rooftop at Hotel Clermont in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Johnny Benavides and friends play a game while celebrating New Year’s Eve at The Rooftop at Hotel Clermont in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. A synchronized drone display was followed by synchronized fireworks across multiple sites for this year's Atlanta New Year's Eve celebration. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

1/10

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

A fireworks show is seen from The Rooftop at Hotel Clermont in Atlanta on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced in December that the traditional annual Atlanta Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta would be replaced this New Year’s Eve by a citywide fireworks and drone display. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Today's Gallery Headlines

NYE revelers ring in 2026 watching Digital Drone Peach in the Sky

PHOTOS: Atlanta welcomes 2026 with fireworks, drone show

Photos of AJC’s final run

PHOTOS: The final print run of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

123125 sugar bowl parade

PHOTOS: Sugar Bowl Parade

aajc 123025 team media day sugar bowl

Photos: Georgia football players, coaches during Sugar Bowl team media day

More Galleries

aajc 123025 team media day sugar bowl

Photos: Georgia football stretches, does yoga during media viewing portion of Sugar Bowl practice

AJC Photojournalist Curtis Compton--Photos of the Year, 2013

PHOTOS: AJC's Super 11 through the years

As Atlanta expands AP classes, more students earn college credit

AP classes

Atlanta Falcons vs Los Angeles Rams

PHOTOS: Falcons defeat Rams for third straight win