Columbia, South Carolina – The annual Capital City Fireworks show in Columbia will take place on Wednesday night, December 31, as the city gets ready to welcome 2026. The city’s long-standing New Year’s Eve tradition will light up the sky right after midnight, giving residents and visitors a chance to celebrate the start of the new year together in the heart of the capital.
The fireworks will go off near the South Carolina State House. The best place for the public to watch them is on the north side of the grounds, at the intersection of Gervais and Main streets. City officials describe the event as family-friendly. They want people of all ages to come downtown and join in the countdown to midnight.
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Before the spectacle, Columbia is trying to make itself a full New Year’s Eve destination. Visitors are invited to get there early, enjoy dinner, and check out the city’s entertainment options before settling down to watch the fireworks. The downtown area has a lot of different things to do, from vibrant nightlife areas to quieter restaurants. All of these things are within walking distance of the viewing area, so people can spend the whole night celebrating.
Several streets around the State House will be closed in phases during the evening to make sure the crowds are safe. On December 31, South Main Street will close between Pendleton and College streets at 6 p.m. and stay closed until 1:30 a.m. on January 1.
Pendleton Street and College Street between Assembly and Sumter streets, as well as Main Street between Lady and Gervais streets, will close again at 11 p.m. Gervais Street on the north side of the State House will also close at 11 p.m. to make room for people to watch the spectacle. It will reopen when the crowd has cleared following the show.
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During the holiday, parking will be free in city-owned garages and on-street metered spaces. Free parking starts at 5 p.m. on December 31. Garage doors will be open at several downtown locations until New Year’s Day. Normal parking will start up again early on Friday morning.
City officials advise everyone to plan ahead, give themselves extra time to get there, and have a safe and fun night as Columbia welcomes the new year under a sky filled with color.
For more information regarding parking, visit: https://parking.columbiasc.gov/downtown-parking-map/
