Gatlinburg will welcome the arrival of 2024 in unique style with its annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks Show around the base of the Space Needle at traffic light #8 late December 31.

At the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2024, the ball will drop and fireworks will blast off the rooftop of the 400-foot tall Space Needle with special music choreographed for the fireworks show. The Space Needle has added rhythmic LED lights to the tower, making for a spectacular display.

Live music begins at 10 p.m. at the base of the Space Needle on Historic Nature Trail/Airport Rd. Beginning at 10:30 pm, Airport Road will close from Parkway to Cloverleaf Lane. At approximately 11:00 pm, a portion of the parkway will also close from Reagan Drive to LeConte Street.

Since 1987, this free, family-friendly celebration has been one of the largest organized New Year’s Eve events in the nation, and this year’s celebration is set to be a spectacular end to the year. Nearly 50,000 people will gather around the intersection of Parkway and Historic Nature Trail at the base of the Space Needle late Friday night, December 31 to ring in the New Year. Partygoers will be entertained with free concerts prior to the countdown and fireworks display.

Event organizers encourage those attending the celebration to arrive in Gatlinburg early to avoid traffic, find parking and an advantageous spot to watch the fireworks display.