ATLANTA — Atlanta's favorite New Year's Eve celebration is close to returning to the Peach State.
The Peach Drop could soon be officially back after the Atlanta City Council approved a $650,000 agreement with Live Nation Entertainment.
That money will help go toward the desired production needs to stage the event at Underground Atlanta and be able to pair the New Year's Eve countdown with concerts featuring nationally known artists. The event typically attracts over 50,000 people and is widely known as the most popular New Year's Eve celebration in the Southeast.
Typically, an 800-pound peach falls from a 138-foot tower to help count down to a new year, bringing in people from all over the state to Atlanta as a festive tourist attraction.
The production of the event also includes having to secure and manage the stage and set-up, artists green rooms, VIP holding areas, credentials, audio/video, peach drop rigging, fireworks, rentals, labor and more that is associated with the $650,000 cost.
The Peach Drop was canceled in 2019 due to venue issues and then was pushed aside in 2020 and beyond due to ongoing issues from the coronavirus pandemic.
After taking a three-year hiatus, the Peach State staple made a comeback in 2022. Revelers gathered to welcome in 2023 with the Peach Drop at Underground in Atlanta.
The Peach Drop, however, returned to hiatus in 2023 after Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens' office pointed to the collection of other events and commemorations held this year that required resources as one reason for the decision not to stage the celebration.
