New Year's Eve 2026 in Columbus: Georgia's fireworks hours, city offices and METRA on Jan. 1, trash pickup and the events announced so far.

Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Events are added only when the venue or organizer announces them on its own page.

New Year’s Eve is Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026, and New Year’s Day is Friday, Jan. 1, 2027. As of today, no Columbus venue, the city or Uptown Columbus has announced a 2026 New Year’s Eve event or public fireworks show. What is settled: Georgia’s fireworks hours run to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1, and city offices and METRA buses stop for New Year’s Day.

Date What Details
Thursday, Dec. 31 Consumer fireworks allowed Until 1 a.m. Jan. 1, under state law
Friday, Jan. 1 New Year’s Day City offices closed; no METRA buses
Friday, Jan. 1 Trash pickup Watch for the city’s holiday notice

Who to call

  • City services, trash and recycling: 311
  • METRA transit: 706-225-4673
  • Emergency: 911

Events announced so far

None for 2026 yet. Last year, Pineapple Jack’s in Columbus sold tickets for a New Year’s Eve party from 8 to 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2025 (last year’s listing). Check the Visit Columbus events calendar and Uptown Columbus’ events; this page adds each event, with the venue’s own link, as it is announced.

Fireworks: the rules

Georgia permits adults 18 and older to buy and use consumer fireworks. Under Georgia Code section 25-10-2, fireworks may be used between 10 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on most days, subject to local noise rules, and on New Year’s Eve the state extends that to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1. State law also:

  • Bans fireworks on roads, highways and railroad rights of way
  • Bans them within 100 yards of a hospital, nursing home, gas station or other critical facility
  • Bans them in state parks and on other state property
  • Makes it a crime to set them off while under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Call 911 for a fire or an injury.

What is open and closed on New Year’s Day

City government. The Columbus Consolidated Government lists New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, as a holiday on the Public Works page. Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24, and Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25, are also on that list.

METRA buses. No bus service Friday, Jan. 1, on METRA’s FY2027 holiday schedule.

Schools. Muscogee County students are on winter break from Dec. 21 through Jan. 1, and the second semester begins Jan. 5, 2027, on the district calendar.

Trash pickup changes

The city has not yet posted its New Year’s notice. On last year’s holiday schedule, New Year’s Day routes were collected on the Wednesday before the holiday. The 2026-27 notice will be posted on the Public Works page. Call 311 if a cart is missed.

Frequently asked questions

Can you shoot fireworks on New Year’s Eve in Columbus, Georgia? Yes, for adults. Georgia law allows consumer fireworks on Dec. 31 and extends the hours to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1, but not on roads or within 100 yards of a hospital, nursing home or gas station, and never while drinking.

Are Columbus city offices open on New Year’s Day 2027? No. The Columbus Consolidated Government lists New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, as a city holiday.

Do METRA buses run on New Year’s Day? No. METRA runs no buses on Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, according to its holiday schedule.

Is there a public New Year’s Eve fireworks show in Columbus? No public show has been announced for 2026. This page adds events as organizers post them.

What this means for you

  • If you set off fireworks, stop by 1 a.m. and stay off the street.
  • Plan New Year’s Day trips without METRA.
  • Bookmark this page; events are added as venues announce them.

Related: holiday lights and Christmas events, Valentine’s Day in Columbus and things to do this weekend.