TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Thousands gathered at Cascades Park Wednesday night as Tallahassee rang in 2026 with its annual New Year’s Eve celebration.
- The event featured live music, local food trucks, and a fireworks display.
- Organizers say events like this help boost the local economy downtown.
- Watch the video below to learn how much Tallahassee visitors spend on average during the New Year's holiday.
Thousands celebrate New Year's Eve at Tallahassee's Cascades Park with fireworks and live music
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Tallahassee celebrated the new year Wednesday night, with thousands turning out for the city’s annual New Year’s Eve event.
I’m neighborhood reporter Lentheus Chaney at Cascades Park with a look at the celebration and the impact it brought to the capital city.
Wednesday night’s New Year’s Eve celebration features live music, local food trucks, and fireworks, drawing thousands of people.
Neighbor Alan Raynor moved to Tallahassee in 1985 after Hurricane Kate.
He says this is his fourth year attending the event.
“I like to come here, like to watch the fireworks. I like to go home early, so I can bring in New Year when I get home. And I also like to see the music and see everybody, and I like to see people be happy,” Raynor said.
City officials expected around 4,000 to gather in Cascades Park Wednesday night.
For some, this New Year’s Eve celebration is extra special.
Neighbor Cheryl Meeks came out to celebrate her daughter Kelli’s 17th birthday.
“Well, it’s my birthday too. I gave birth to her, right?" Cheryl said. "So I’m older, so I’m not in the house. I get to mingle with people, eat the food, and listen to live entertainment,” Cheryl added.
Kelli says this birthday comes with a specific New Year’s resolution in mind.
“My resolution is to start preparing for SAT and start looking into colleges to apply for. I am planning to go to Santa Fe College in order to pursue a nuclear medicine technician degree,” Kelli said.
It’s unclear exactly how much money this event generates for the local economy, but data from the Office of Economic Vitality shows each visitor spends an average of $519.
In downtown Tallahassee, I’m Lentheus Chaney, ABC 27.
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