“Mississippi’s Dazzling Countdown: Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a Spectacular Ball Drop!”

If you’re looking to welcome 2025 with loved ones, there are various options throughout Mississippi where you can witness the ball drop — or perhaps a catfish, anchor, or crappie. Whether you seek New Year’s Eve enjoyment with family or are simply interested in a fresh way to engage with the community, numerous venues are hosting festivities on December 31.

Certain communities drop a classic illuminated ball, akin to the renowned one that descends yearly in Times Square, New York City. Others, however, bring their unique twist to the yearly celebration.

Discover where you can go to witness an NYE drop. Alternatively, check out enjoyable events for families that provide an opportunity for kids to celebrate earlier in the day.

Observe the ball drop in Mississippi

Jackson

Hal & Mal’s New Year’s Eve Catfish Ball is a longstanding custom in Jackson. This year, the establishment will serve a three-course dinner at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Catfish Ball commencing at 8 p.m. Each year, they lower the crystal catfish at midnight. Ticket prices for the ball are $20 for advance tickets or $25 on the day. VIP ball tickets cost $75. Tickets for the prix fixe dinner are priced at $82.80. For additional details, please visit online.

Bay St. Louis

Participate in the yearly oyster drop at 200 North Beach Restaurant and Bar. The Chee-Weez will commence live music at 8 p.m., and fireworks will occur at midnight. The event is complimentary for the public.

Pascagoula

Witness the anchor drop in downtown Pascagoula. The event is open to all at no cost, with entertainment featuring Mississippi Moonlight and Kings of Neon.

Hattiesburg

The city will drop the Hub Sign at midnight. Activities for children will take place in Pocket Museum Alley, including a Confetti Countdown balloon pop at 8 p.m. The evening’s musical performances will feature: Holley Rumbarger and the Hopeless Romantics, DJ Kujho, and Five Mile Brass Band. The celebration will welcome 2025 with a dual fireworks display.

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Ocean Springs

Explore The Drop on Government in Ocean Springs. The celebration commences at 8 p.m., with a luminous LED-lit ball descending from approximately 60 feet as the new year approaches. Performances feature 1 Accord and Red and the Revelers.

Tupelo

The city of Tupelo is organizing a community New Year’s Eve celebration beginning with family-friendly activities, culminating in a ball drop and fireworks display as midnight arrives. The festivities kick off at 6 p.m. with DJ Gucci Girl, followed by fireworks for the children at 8 p.m. Live performances carry on until 12:15 a.m. Featured acts include Soul Shockers, 8 South Band, Memphis Jones Trio, Shotgun Billys, and Peabody Rocket.

Water Valley

The excitement in Water Valley begins at 11 p.m. at The Pocket Park on Main Street. Food vendors will start serving at 10:30, and the ceremonial burning of the burdens is set for 11:45, concluding with the drop of a 7-foot metal crappie.

Family Fun in Mississippi for New Year’s Eve

Noon New Year’s Eve in Jackson and Meridian

The Mississippi Children’s Museum will present Noon New Year’s Eve in Jackson. Children can greet 2025 with countdowns at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 11:30 a.m., while the primary countdown occurs at noon, featuring a balloon drop. Admission prices are $13 for individuals over one year old. In Meridian, attendees can engage in activities and enjoy a grand confetti burst at noon. Tickets are $10 for individuals older than 12 months.

Evening Fireworks in Natchez

Natchez Bluff will host Fireworks on the River at 6:30 p.m.

Ongoing Holiday Events Until Jan. 1

Light Garden in Olive Branch

The Light Garden in Olive Branch remains open until Jan. 1, featuring fireworks on New Year’s Eve, light exhibits, live performances, and various activities. Visit the ticket page for information on special event pricing. General admission is $14 for adults and $9 for kids.

50 Nights of Lights in Cleveland

Downtown Cleveland continues to dazzle with over a million lights that visitors can either walk or drive through at no cost. 50 Nights of Lights will be available until Jan. 1.

Holly Jolly Holidays in Oxford

The fifth annual Holly Jolly Holidays at mTrade Park in Oxford features a Walk of Lights along with an ice skating rink. This event is open until Jan. 5, but be sure to check the website for specific timings.

Beyond Times Square: A giant Peep, a wrench, a crab. A look at the weirdest NYE drops.

Strange and Unique Ball Drops Across the US

Mississippi is not alone in showcasing a distinctive approach to a New Year’s Eve ball drop. Numerous states across the country provide local spins that celebrate their food, culture, and industries.

The Big Orange: Miami features a 35-foot neon sign of an orange wearing sunglasses. Currently, a digital projection is dropped.

Orange Ball: A gigantic orange descends in Orlando, Florida, honoring the state’s citrus trade.

Red Shoe Drop: Female impersonator Randy Roberts will descend in a colossal red high heel at midnight in Key West, Florida. This heel, which drops annually in front of the Bourbon St. Pub and New Orleans House, carried Sushi for 25 years until retirement in 2022.

Fleur De Lis Drop: The festivities in New Orleans never truly halt, but for a touch of NYE excitement, head to Jackson Square at midnight for the fleur-de-lis drop and a fireworks display.

Peach Drop: Atlanta drops a huge peach each year, part of a New Year’s celebration that attracts tens of thousands of attendees.

Chile Drop: In Las Cruces, N.M., voters can decide whether the giant chile pepper will light up red or green before it descends at midnight.

Sardine & Maple Leaf drops: The Tides Institute & Museum of Art in Eastport, Maine, hosts a two-part event! A large metal leaf descends at 11 p.m. ET, followed by “Oh, Canada!” to pay tribute to their northern neighbors. At midnight ET, the 8-foot sardine falls, with everyone joining in for “Auld Lang Syne.”

Possum Drop: This yearly celebration in Tallapoosa, Georgia, has always featured a stuffed possum. A similar event in Brasstown, North Carolina, once involved a live animal until PETA successfully intervened to halt the practice.

Beach ball: Panama City Beach, Florida, releases an 800-pound beach ball.

Giant Peeps: A 400-pound version of the marshmallow chick drops in Bethlehem, Penn., at an accessible time of 5:35 p.m. local time.

Bologna: Seltzer’s Smokehouse Meats drops lunch meat connected to a disco ball in Lebanon, Penn. The meat is
“`contributed to a rescue mission afterward.

Big kiss: In Hershey, Pennsylvania, they release a massive aluminum Hershey’s Kiss.

Giant Acorn: Raleigh, North Carolina, drops a 10-foot acorn during its festivities. It promises to be a challenging nut to break since it’s constructed from copper and steel.

MoonPie over Mobile: Mobile, Alabama, holds a noon MoonPie drop for children. Later, attendees can savor a slice of the world’s largest MoonPie. The day is filled with entertainment and music, culminating with the big MoonPie dropping again at midnight.

Potato: Boise, Idaho, drops a giant potato, the GlowTato, at midnight over the Idaho State Capitol. The festivities commence at 6 p.m. and feature ski and snowboard competitions. This event frequently ranks among USA Today’s top favorite ball drops, and VIP passes are priced at $150 in advance.

CherryT Ball Drop: A 600-pound illuminated cherry descends in Traverse City, Michigan.

Great Pinecone Drop: This has become a custom in Flagstaff, Arizona, since 1999.

Giant crab: Each year, the community drops a massive metal crab at 9 p.m. and midnight in Easton, Maryland.

Pickle Drop: Mount Olive, North Carolina, celebrates the New Year with a huge pickle, which falls at 7 p.m. This marks the 25th anniversary.

Shrimp Drop: A LED-lit shrimp descends at midnight on Amelia Island, Florida, followed by a fireworks display. It’s regarded as one of the top NYE drops in the nation, as per a USAT Today ranking.

Pierogi Drop: A 10-foot illuminated pierogi will drop 50 feet at midnight in Whiting, Indiana. It ranks No. 4 on this year’s best drops list from USAT.

Wrench Drop: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, releases a large wrench to honor the region’s heritage in mechanical work.

Reported by Mary Boyte and Mike Snider contributed to this article.