When the clock strikes midnight on December 31, 2025, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, will light up with revelry as locals and visitors alike gather for a night of music, dancing, and time-honored traditions. But Murfreesboro isn’t alone in its enthusiasm—across the United States, cities and small towns are gearing up for a dazzling array of celebrations, each with its own quirky twist on ringing in the New Year.
For many, New Year’s Eve conjures images of the iconic Times Square ball drop in New York City, a tradition that dates back to 1907 when a 700-pound ball measuring five feet in diameter first descended before a cheering crowd. But why let New York have all the fun? As reported by the Associated Press, dozens of communities nationwide have put their own spin on the midnight countdown, dropping everything from giant cheese wedges to oversized sea creatures in a spectacle that’s as much about local pride as it is about welcoming 2026.
In Murfreesboro, the options to celebrate are as diverse as the city itself. At the Clarion Hotel’s Seasons of Murfreesboro Restaurant and Lounge, partygoers can experience the New Year’s Eve Party 2025, running from 5:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. The evening promises live music from two bands—The O’Donnels and Midnight Highway—a buffet catered by Chef Raymond, and all the trimmings of a classic celebration. According to Rutherford Source, “the ticket price also includes a bottle of champagne for each table to make a midnight toast, party favors and a balloon drop at the stroke of twelve.” Tickets range from $30 to $100 per person, making it a festive (and tasty) way to say goodbye to 2025.
If you’re looking for something with a philanthropic twist, the Fifth Annual New Year’s Eve Bash at Walnut House is the place to be. Located at 116 North Walnut, this party runs from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and benefits the Nourish Food Bank, which serves those in need throughout the community. Attendees can look forward to casino games (just for fun), dancing, bars on each floor, and heavy appetizers. The night is peppered with celebrations at 10:00 p.m. (Brasilia time), 11:00 p.m. (New York City time), and, of course, midnight local time, each marked by confetti, fireworks, a balloon drop, and a champagne toast. Tickets cost between $53 and $79 per person, with all proceeds supporting a worthy cause.
For those who crave a bit of mystery and glamour, The Velvet Room Speakeasy’s New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball offers a night of elegance and allure. Tucked away at 112 South Maple Street, this event runs from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and features appetizers, party favors, complimentary masks, and a champagne toast. The highlight? Live entertainment by Nashville jazz vocalist Blonde Bullet. At $100 per couple, it’s an evening designed for those who want to ring in the new year in style.
Not to be outdone, Hank’s Honky Tonk on Memorial Boulevard will host its own New Year’s Eve Bash, with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. and live music from Zach Neil & Friends kicking off at 8:30 p.m. The party lasts until 12:30 a.m., and tickets include a champagne toast at midnight and party favors. Organizers promise “an electric atmosphere and a full night of entertainment leading right into the New Year,” making it a popular choice for those who love country music and a lively crowd.
But Murfreesboro is just one dot on the map of American New Year’s Eve ingenuity. According to the Associated Press, cities across the country are preparing to drop a dazzling assortment of objects at the stroke of midnight—many with a distinctly local flavor. In Plymouth, Wisconsin, a giant cheese wedge will descend, while Las Cruces, New Mexico, will lower a chile pepper. Flagstaff, Arizona, favors a pinecone, and Key West, Florida, goes for a conch shell. Pennsylvania seems to have cornered the market on quirky drops, with Lebanon’s bologna, Dillsburg’s pickle, and Lewistown’s potato chip all making appearances as the clock ticks down.
Food-themed drops are especially popular. Miami’s “Big Orange” is a crowd-pleaser, while Sarasota, Florida, features a pineapple. Cherry drops take place in Milwaukie, Oregon, and Traverse City, Michigan, and Temecula, California, celebrates with grapes. Atlanta, not to be left behind, is rolling out a “digital drone peach in the sky” this year, replacing its traditional peach drop. In Boise, Idaho, a massive potato is the star of the show, and Whiting, Indiana, boasts a 10-foot pierogi. Mt. Olive, North Carolina, celebrates its pickle heritage with a glittery green pickle nearly six feet long.
Coastal communities get in on the fun with sea-themed drops. Brunswick, Georgia, hosts a shrimp drop, Easton, Maryland, lowers a crab, and Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, features an oyster. Port Clinton, Ohio, is home to Wylie, a 600-pound walleye fish—now made of fiberglass, but originally crafted from papier-mache three decades ago.
Some celebrations are just plain sweet. In Mobile, Alabama, revelers watch a 600-pound MoonPie make its descent, with slices of MoonPie cake available for those with a sweet tooth. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, drops a 400-pound Peep chick, a nod to the marshmallow treat’s local roots.
And for those who prefer their New Year’s Eve with a dash of the unexpected, there’s the infamous possum drop. While the tradition of lowering a live possum in western North Carolina ended in 2019 after years of protests and legal challenges, Tallapoosa, Georgia, keeps the spirit alive with a stuffed possum named Spencer. As the Associated Press notes, “all of these events are meant to be fun, boost civic pride and attract tourists.”
Beach towns have their own flair, too. Folly Beach, South Carolina, drops sparkly flip-flops, while Panama City Beach, Florida, ups the ante with 15,000 beach balls raining down on revelers before a giant beach ball descends from a tower at midnight. It’s hard to imagine a more colorful way to welcome the new year.
Whether you’re donning a mask at a masquerade ball, hitting the dance floor at a honky tonk, or watching a giant fruit, fish, or pastry plummet from the sky, America’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are as varied and vibrant as the nation itself. Each event, quirky or classic, is a testament to the creativity and community spirit that make these traditions so enduring—and so much fun to be part of.
As the final seconds of 2025 tick away, one thing’s for sure: wherever you find yourself on New Year’s Eve, there’s bound to be a party, a spectacle, or a heartfelt toast waiting to help you usher in a fresh start.