Seattle celebrates New Year's Eve with a fireworks display at the Space Needle.
The Space Needle is Seattle's most recognizable landmark and a focal point for the city's midnight celebration. Fireworks are launched from and around the tower, creating a display visible across the downtown area and from viewpoints around Lake Union and Elliott Bay. The tower's illuminated observation levels make it easy to identify in photographs and broadcasts.
The Space Needle was built for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair and stands 605 feet tall. Its futuristic design became a symbol of the Pacific Northwest city and remains separate from Seattle's other landmark, the Pike Place Market.
The event is sometimes described as a fireworks show “over Seattle,” but the distinctive landmark involved is the Space Needle. Weather, safety rules, and event arrangements can affect viewing locations from year to year.