A peach drops in Atlanta's New Year's Eve Peach Drop tradition.
The Peach Drop is Atlanta, Georgia's signature public New Year's Eve celebration. A large illuminated peach is lowered at midnight as the crowd counts down to January 1. The peach represents Georgia's nickname, the “Peach State,” and connects the celebration to a familiar symbol of the region.
Atlanta's first Peach Drop took place in 1989. The event later became associated with Underground Atlanta, a downtown shopping and entertainment district, although locations and arrangements have changed over time. Live music and a public countdown have commonly accompanied the descent.
The Peach Drop is sometimes confused with New York City's Times Square Ball because both involve a large illuminated object descending at midnight. Their symbols are different: New York uses a crystal ball, while Atlanta uses a peach. The event's exact format can vary in different years, but the peach is the defining object.