New Year's Eve in Augusta 2026: parties, closures, trash

Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. No 2026 New Year’s Eve events have been announced in Augusta yet; we add each one when the venue or organizer posts it, and list restaurant plans only where the restaurant announces them.

New Year’s Eve is Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026, and New Year’s Day is Friday, Jan. 1, 2027. The city of Augusta has not announced a New Year’s Eve event or fireworks; its big city show is on the Fourth of July. Below are last year’s parties, the ball drop next door in Aiken and what is closed on New Year’s Day.

Who to call

• City services and trash: Augusta 311, dial 3-1-1 or 706-821-2300
• Augusta Transit holidays: schedules and exceptions
• Emergency: 911

What ran in past years

These are past events, so you know what to watch for. The 2026 plans are not posted yet.

• New Year’s Eve at the Partridge Inn, 8 to 11:30 p.m. Dec. 31, 2025, at the Six South rooftop bar on top of the hotel at 2110 Walton Way, ticketed (event listing).
• Downtown bars and breweries. Visit Augusta’s New Year’s Eve guide points to Savannah River Brewing Co., Indian Queen and The Whiskey Bar for a toast, and the Miller Theater and Bell Auditorium for shows. Check each venue’s own calendar in December.
• Aiken’s ball drop. Neighboring Aiken, South Carolina, holds an annual New Year’s Eve ball drop downtown; for 2023 it was set for 11:15 p.m. at 203 Laurens St. SW, The Augusta Press reported. Check Visit Aiken for this year’s time.

More venues are on our live music and nightlife guide and date night guide.

Getting home safely

Book a ride before midnight or name a sober driver. Taxi companies are listed on our getting around Augusta page; Augusta Transit runs no buses on New Year’s Day.

Fireworks at home

Consumer fireworks have been legal in Georgia since July 1, 2015, according to the state Safety Fire Commissioner. Read the label, light them well away from people and anything that can burn, and ask the Augusta Fire Department, through 311, about local rules before you set any off.

New Year’s Day: what is open and closed

Trash. New Year’s Day is one of the six holidays Augusta Environmental Services observes. It falls on Friday, so Friday routes are collected Saturday, Jan. 2; other days run as normal (holiday schedule). For one cycle after the holiday the city takes extra garbage bagged next to the cart. Live Christmas trees go out as yard waste in the first two weeks of January.

Buses. New Year’s Day is on Augusta Transit’s list of holidays with no service.

City offices. The city’s 2027 holiday list is not out yet. In 2026 New Year’s Day was a city holiday (2026 holiday schedule).

Libraries. The Augusta-Richmond County Public Library closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 for New Year’s last season (closed dates); the new list will show this year’s dates.

Schools. Richmond County schools are on Christmas and winter break Dec. 23 to Jan. 5. Wednesday, Jan. 6, is a student holiday, and the second semester starts Thursday, Jan. 7 (2026-27 calendar).

Frequently asked questions

Does Augusta have New Year’s Eve fireworks? The city of Augusta has not announced a New Year’s Eve fireworks show for 2026. Its big city show is on the Fourth of July over the Savannah River.

Is trash picked up on New Year’s Day in Augusta? Pickup runs a day late. New Year’s Day falls on Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, so Friday routes are collected Saturday, Jan. 2.

Do Augusta Transit buses run on New Year’s Day? No. New Year’s Day is on Augusta Transit’s list of holidays with no service.

When do Richmond County schools go back after winter break? Break runs Dec. 23 to Jan. 5. Jan. 6, 2027, is a student holiday, and the second semester starts Thursday, Jan. 7.

What this means for you

• Watch this page in December for 2026 parties and any fireworks.
• Friday trash goes out Saturday, Jan. 2.
• No buses on New Year’s Day; plan your ride home in advance.

Related: holiday lights and Christmas events and Valentine’s Day in Augusta.