New Year's Eve in St. Pete: the city's midnight fireworks over the downtown waterfront, the free NYE on the Pier party and the Coliseum's swing dance.

Last checked 2026-10-10. Facts come from nyestpete.com, the City of St. Petersburg calendar and each organizer’s own page. Where 2026 details are not out yet, we say which year a fact is from. This page is updated each year.**

New Year’s Eve is Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026. St. Petersburg’s big night is on the water: the city’s fireworks show at midnight over the downtown waterfront, with a free party on the St. Pete Pier’s Spa Beach Park from 8 p.m. The St. Petersburg Coliseum has held a ticketed swing dance on the night for 16 years.

Plan ahead

  • NYE on the Pier questions: message the organizer through nyestpete.com
  • Pier parking and directions: getting here and parking
  • City information line: 727-893-7111
  • Police non-emergency: 727-893-7780
  • Emergency: 911

Fireworks

The City of St. Petersburg’s New Year’s Eve fireworks start at midnight, weather permitting. For the show that welcomed 2026, the city calendar said it would last about 20 minutes and be visible from the St. Pete Pier and along the downtown waterfront parks. The city has not posted its 2026-27 listing yet; we will update this page when it does.

The city and the organizer both name the St. Pete Pier, Spa Beach Park and the downtown waterfront parks as places to watch.

NYE on the Pier

  • When: 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Dec. 31
  • Where: Spa Beach Park on the St. Pete Pier, 800 2nd Ave. NE
  • Cost: free general entry; paid Reserved Area tickets
  • What: live DJs on a main stage with an LED wall, food vendors, games, a full bar and a champagne bar for midnight toasts

The organizer’s page says the event goes ahead rain or shine, and fireworks may be delayed or launched early in bad weather. The Reserved Area ticket buys a fenced viewing zone with prime fireworks views, its own bar and restrooms, and one bubbly or nonalcoholic toast. The page as of Oct. 10 described the most recent party, run by Pier Events LLC; 2026 details had not been posted.

Parking: Pier lots charge $2.50 an hour for up to six hours, according to the organizer’s FAQ. If they are full, it suggests the Sundial Garage, two blocks from the Pier entrance.

Swingin’ the New Year at the Coliseum

Swingin’ the New Year held its 16th annual New Year’s Eve dance at the St. Petersburg Coliseum, 535 4th Ave. N, on Dec. 31, 2025: doors at 7:30 p.m., a swing dance lesson from 8 to 9 p.m., then the Ten O’Clock Big Band until 12:30 a.m. It was all ages and smoke-free, with free parking. Tickets are reserved seating. The 2026 date and lineup are not posted yet.

Restaurants and bars

We list New Year’s Eve dinners and parties only when a St. Petersburg restaurant or venue announces them on its own site. None had by Oct. 10. Venues can send details through our contact page.

New Year’s Day

  • City trash pickup: the city publishes its 2027 holiday schedule late in the year. On New Year’s Day 2026, Thursday pickup moved to Wednesday, and city brush sites close on New Year’s Day. See trash and recycling.

What this means for you

  • Want the fireworks without the crowd? Any downtown waterfront park has a view.
  • Arrive early if you plan to park on the Pier; the organizer says parking is limited.
  • Fireworks and dogs: the organizer allows dogs but warns they may be frightened.

Related: holiday lights and Christmas events, Fourth of July fireworks and getting around St. Petersburg.

Frequently asked questions

Does St. Petersburg have New Year’s Eve fireworks?

Yes. The City of St. Petersburg’s fireworks show starts at midnight, weather permitting, and lasted about 20 minutes last year. It is visible from the St. Pete Pier and the downtown waterfront parks.

Is NYE on the Pier free?

General entry is free. The organizer also sells Reserved Area tickets for a fenced viewing zone with its own bar and restrooms. The party runs 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Spa Beach Park, 800 2nd Ave. NE.

Where do I park for New Year’s Eve at the St. Pete Pier?

Pier parking costs $2.50 an hour for up to six hours, the organizer says, and fills early. The Sundial Garage, two blocks from the Pier entrance, is the suggested backup.

Can I bring my dog to the New Year’s Eve fireworks?

The Pier party allows dogs, but the organizer warns they may not like the fireworks.