Celebrate the arrival of 2026 with Seattle’s iconic fireworks show! At midnight on Wednesday, December 31, fireworks will light up the sky above the Space Needle as the city rings in 2026. Before the countdown, Seattle Center will host a full evening of free entertainment, making this a fun and affordable way to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
Read on for all the details!
The festivities kick off at 8:00 p.m. at Seattle Center with live music. From 8:00 p.m. until just before midnight, a live band will perform on the Armory Stage. This year’s featured act is Northwest favorite The Blue Wave, bringing their signature soulful sound to the evening.
At 9:00 p.m., the celebration expands to the International Fountain with the Fountain of Light Dance Party. This free event includes music from a DJ along with a colorful video and light display projected onto the fountain itself.
Starting at 10:00 p.m., a lights-only preshow will begin illuminating the night sky. The main fireworks display launches shortly before midnight at 11:53 p.m. According to event organizers, this will be the largest structurally launched fireworks show in North America.
In addition to fireworks, hundreds of drones will be part of the production. Fireworks fans can rest easy—the drones are designed to enhance the show, not replace the traditional fireworks display.
Alaska Airlines is returning as the presenting sponsor for this year’s event.
For the best views, plan to watch from the Seattle Center campus, as the fireworks will be launched just north of the Space Needle. Prime viewing areas within Seattle Center include Fisher Pavilion and the International Fountain, and arriving early is strongly recommended.
(Note: The Space Needle will close at 8:30 p.m. on December 31, so the observation deck will not be available for fireworks viewing.)
Can’t attend in person? The fireworks will be broadcast live starting at 11:30 p.m. PT on KING 5 and KONG in Seattle, KGW 8 in Portland, KREM 2 in Spokane, and CW 8.2 in San Diego. The show will also stream on KING5+, KGW+, KREM2+, and CBS8+. Viewers in the region can tune in to HITS 106.1 in Seattle for a live simulcast of the show’s soundtrack.
If you’re watching from elsewhere in the city, you may still catch great fireworks views from these spots in Seattle:
- Gas Works Park in Wallingford
- Kerry Park in Queen Anne
- Ella Bailey Park in Magnolia
- Seacrest Park in West Seattle
- Hamilton Viewpoint Park in West Seattle
- This New Year’s Eve cruise on Elliott Bay (ages 21+ only)
Happy New Year, Seattle!