Atlanta drops a giant peach at midnight for its annual New Year's Eve event, known as the Peach Drop.
The Atlanta Peach Drop was inspired by the city's nickname and Georgia's association with peach production. A large peach descends during the countdown in downtown Atlanta, creating a local counterpart to New York City's ball drop.
The event began in 1989 and became a long-running civic celebration featuring live entertainment, food, and a midnight countdown. Its exact location and format have changed over the years, and weather, public-health rules, or city decisions can affect whether a particular edition occurs.
Atlanta's peach symbol is also visible in the city's identity, sports culture, and tourism branding. The Peach Drop should not be confused with Georgia's annual peach harvest or with Atlanta's Peachtree Road Race, a separate Independence Day event held on July 4.