Many New Year's Eve 2025 fireworks shows in NYC canceled due to weather
NEW YORK -- Away from the crowds of the New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square, New York City typically rings in the new year with fireworks displays from Central Park to Coney Island. But for 2025, some had to cancel or change their plans due to ongoing drought conditions.
With the city under a drought watch, Mayor Eric Adams previously announced the fireworks would be banned in parks. But conditions have since improved, and the ban has been lifted.
"While we've received enough rain in the five boroughs to lift our fireworks and open flame ban, but I want to be clear, we're nowhere near out of the woods yet," Adams said in a statement on Dec. 9 before downgrading the drought warning to a drought watch on Dec. 16. "New Yorkers who get permits for these activities should enjoy them, but we need you to use the utmost levels of caution to prevent fires and keep our parks safe. And the rain we've received isn't nearly the additional foot of rain we'd need to replenish our upstate reservoirs, so we need all New Yorkers to continue conserving water whenever you can."
Nonetheless, the parks are pivoting their plans this year. Meanwhile, rain picked up right in time for the midnight countdown.
New Year's Eve fireworks canceled in Central Park
The New York Road Runners planned to kick off 2025 with their annual Midnight Run in Central Park which is usually lit up by fireworks overhead. Due to lightning strikes in the area, however, both the run and the fireworks were canceled this year.
NYRR initially said they would celebrate with a small drone show for the runners instead. But the organization later scrapped the show altogether following a drone accident that injured a child in Florida.
Prospect Park New Year's Eve celebration canceled
Tuesday evening, Prospect Park announced its annual New Year's Eve Celebration has been canceled due to the expected high winds and potential lightning.
A "festive light show" and live entertainment had been planned to start at 10 p.m. Organizers said it was the first time in 44 years there would not be a fireworks show over Grand Army Plaza.
Fireworks will still light up Statue of Liberty
Good news for diehard fireworks lovers, the show will go on from a barge in New York Harbor, with the Statue of Liberty setting up an iconic backdrop.
Liberty Cruise lines has New Year's Eve tickets advertising the chance to "clink your glass of champagne and ring into 2025 right under the New York New Year's Eve fireworks!" Online ticket prices range from $249 to $399.
Circle Line cruises also has tickets for a New Year's Eve party with "once-in-a-lifetime" views of the fireworks. A standard adult ticket costs $279.00.
No fireworks planned for Coney Island
Luna Park is currently hosting its second annual "Frost Fest," with a Candy Cane Chute and Santa's Wonderland, from Nov. 23 through Jan. 1.
While this year's festivities don't list any New Year's Eve fireworks, Coney Island will still hold its annual Polar Plunge at 1 p.m. on New Year's Day.
CBS News New York will have live coverage of the ball drop countdown starting at 10:30 p.m.
