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Gatlinburg, Tennessee, will welcome 2027 in unforgettable style with its annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks Show at the base of the Gatlinburg Space Needle (traffic light #8) on Thursday, December 31, 2025.

A New Spectacle in 2027

Adding an exciting new element to the festivities, eventgoers can enjoy an illuminating drone show beginning around 11:50 p.m. The drones will light up the night sky above the Gatlinburg Convention Center, featuring displays that celebrate the area’s beauty and landmarks.

This spectacular drone show will seamlessly lead into a fireworks finale and the all-new 15-Foot Mega LED Ball Drop—the biggest and brightest New Year’s Eve ball in the world. Standing over 15 feet tall and nearly 50 feet in circumference, this massive ball will drop a total of around 200 feet, making it the longest ball drop in the world, creating a truly unforgettable midnight moment.

About the Event

Since 1987, this free, family-friendly event has grown into one of the nation’s largest organized New Year’s Eve celebrations. Thousands are expected to gather around the intersection of Parkway and Historic Nature Trail to enjoy live concerts, the new drone show, dazzling fireworks, and the iconic Mega LED Ball Drop to ring in the New Year.

Tips for Visitors

Event organizers recommend arriving early in Gatlinburg to secure parking, avoid traffic, and find a prime spot to view the drone show, fireworks, and the Mega LED Ball Drop.