Atlanta’s New Year’s Eve celebration is known as the Peach Drop.
The event takes place in Atlanta, Georgia, a state strongly associated with peaches. Instead of lowering a ball, organizers lower a large illuminated peach during the countdown to midnight. The tradition began in 1989 and became a signature public celebration in the city.
The Peach Drop has been held in different downtown locations over time, including Underground Atlanta and other central venues. Its scheduling and format can vary, particularly when authorities change plans for weather, construction, or public safety.
The event is often compared with New York City’s Times Square Ball Drop, but the object is different: Atlanta’s symbol is a peach. The name refers to the descending peach centerpiece, not to a separate fruit-eating custom.