The city's midnight fireworks over the St. Johns River, last year's road and bridge closures, the Gator Bowl on Dec. 30 and what is closed Jan. 1, 2027.

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Sources: the City of Jacksonville’s New Year’s Eve page, the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, the city’s Solid Waste holiday schedule and the Duval County Tax Collector’s holiday schedule. Where the 2026 details are not out yet, we say which year a detail is from.

New Year’s Eve is Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026. The City of Jacksonville’s free fireworks show over the St. Johns River at midnight is the main event; the city says on its New Year’s Eve page to check back for this year’s details. The night before, Dec. 30, the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl brings a college bowl game to EverBank Stadium.

At a glance

  • Gator Bowl: Wednesday, Dec. 30, 11:30 a.m., EverBank Stadium
  • City fireworks: midnight going into Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, over the St. Johns River
  • Bridges: last year the Main Street and Acosta bridges closed about 15 minutes before the show
  • New Year’s Day: trash runs as normal; Tax Collector offices closed
  • City events line: 630-CITY (904-630-2489)

The fireworks: how it worked last year

For the show at midnight on Jan. 1, 2026, the city said:

  • Fireworks were launched from a barge on the St. Johns River just east of the Main Street Bridge and from Lot S at the Shipyards.
  • The show lasted about 12 minutes, starting exactly at midnight.
  • It was visible from both the Northbank and Southbank, from Brooklyn and from parts of Riverside. Construction on both riverbanks limited public viewing in places.
  • Boaters were not allowed on the river between the Acosta Bridge and the Main Street Bridge during the display.

The city had not posted launch sites or viewing areas for the 2026-27 show when we checked. We will update this page when it does.

Road and bridge closures (2025-26)

The city listed these closures for last year’s show. For 2026-27, check the city’s page and our road closures page before you drive.

Closure Detour the city gave
Independent Street, Hogan Street to Newnan Street None listed
Laura Street, Bay Street to Independent Street None listed
Main Street Bridge, both directions, from about 15 minutes before the show Northbound: Forsyth Street via I-95 North; southbound: San Marco Boulevard via I-95 South
Acosta Bridge, both directions, from about 15 minutes before the show Riverside Avenue and Water Street via I-95 North; I-95 South and Prudential Drive via Park Street

The Main Street Bridge also has one southbound lane closed for bridge work through Jan. 30, 2027, according to FDOT, as our Christmas parade page notes.

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, Dec. 30

The 82nd TaxSlayer Gator Bowl is Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Bill Gay Grounds at EverBank Stadium, according to the bowl’s website. The matchup is set after the college football regular season ends.

Parties and restaurants

We list New Year’s Eve parties, dinners and countdowns only when the venue announces them on its own site, and none in Jacksonville had posted a 2026 event when we checked in October. Venues can send details through our contact page. For year-round options, see live music and nightlife and date night in Jacksonville.

What is open and closed

  • New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1, 2027: the Duval County Tax Collector lists its offices closed, per its holiday schedule.
  • Trash and recycling: collected on the normal day. The city’s Solid Waste Division says only Thanksgiving and Christmas change the schedule.
  • Christmas week: Friday, Dec. 25, collection moves to Saturday, Dec. 26.

What this means for you

  • Plan to be parked and on foot downtown well before midnight; the bridges closed about 15 minutes before last year’s show.
  • Brooklyn, Riverside and both Riverwalks were the viewing areas last year.
  • Going to the Gator Bowl on Dec. 30? Kickoff details and tickets are on the bowl’s site.

Related: holiday lights and Christmas events, Fourth of July fireworks and Valentine’s Day.

Frequently asked questions

Does Jacksonville have New Year’s Eve fireworks?

Yes. The city puts on a fireworks show over the St. Johns River at midnight. For the show that welcomed 2026, it launched from a barge east of the Main Street Bridge and from the Shipyards, for about 12 minutes. The city had not posted 2027 details when we checked.

Where can I watch the Jacksonville New Year’s fireworks?

The city said last year’s show was visible from the Northbank and Southbank, Brooklyn and parts of Riverside. Boats were not allowed between the Acosta and Main Street bridges during the show.

When is the Gator Bowl in 2026?

The 82nd TaxSlayer Gator Bowl is Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at EverBank Stadium, according to the bowl’s website.

Is trash picked up on New Year’s Day in Jacksonville?

Yes. The city’s Solid Waste Division says only Thanksgiving and Christmas move collection; New Year’s Day pickup runs on the normal day.