Atlanta's New Year's Eve tradition involving a giant illuminated peach is called the Peach Drop.
The Peach Drop is Atlanta's counterpart to the better-known Times Square Ball Drop. A large peach descends at midnight during a public celebration, reflecting Georgia's nickname as the Peach State and the fruit's importance to the state's cultural identity.
The first Peach Drop took place in 1989. Over time, the event became associated with downtown Atlanta, live entertainment, fireworks, and large public gatherings. Its location and format have changed during some years, so descriptions should not assume that every edition uses precisely the same stage or route.
The name is sometimes confused with a generic “peach ball” celebration, but Peach Drop is the established title of Atlanta's event. The falling object is a peach-shaped centerpiece rather than a real piece of fruit.