Ring in the New Year with Capital City Fireworks

The City of Columbia will hold the annual “Capital City Fireworks” display to ring in 2026 on Wednesday, December 31st. The fireworks display will begin right after midnight, and the best public viewing area will be on the north side of the South Carolina State House at Gervais and Main Streets.

This family friendly event promises New Year’s excitement for everyone.  Citizens and visitors are encouraged to make plans to spend New Year’s Eve in the Capital City for the fireworks display. Columbia is a definite destination with a variety of great dining experiences and dynamic entertainment venues. Plan to spend a fun-filled evening in the City, and then stay to watch the sky light up at midnight with vibrant colors.

To find out more information about restaurants and entertainment venues in our hospitality districts, please visit the links below:

Bull St. District | https://bullstreetsc.com/
Devine St. | https://devinestreetcolumbiasc.com/
Five Points | https://fivepointscolumbia.com/
Main St. District | https://mainstcolasc.com/
NOMA | https://nomacolumbia.com/
Rosewood | https://rosewoodmerchants.org/
The Vista | https://www.vistacolumbia.com/
Experience Columbia SC | https://www.experiencecolumbiasc.com/

Several roads will be closed around the State House for the fireworks display. Visitors are encouraged to use free on-street meter parking or complimentary parking in our downtown parking facilities.

Road Closures

South Main Street between Pendleton and College streets will be shut down at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31st. The road will not reopen to traffic until 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 1st.

Pendleton Street and College Street will be closed to traffic between Assembly Street and Sumter Street beginning at 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31st. Main Street between Lady Street and Gervais Street will also be closing at 11:00 p.m. on December 31, 2025.  The roads will not reopen to traffic until 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 1st.

Gervais Street along the north side of the State House between Assembly Street and Sumter Street will also be closed to traffic at 11:00 p.m. for the fireworks viewing area. The street will open back up when the viewing area is cleared after the firework display concludes.

Parking

The City of Columbia is offering complimentary parking for the New Year’s Eve holiday, Wednesday, 12/31, starting at 5:00 p.m. gates will be raised (Lincoln, Park, Lady, Sumter) through Thursday, January 1, 2026. The gates will be lowered for normal operations at 2:00 a.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026.

For more information regarding parking, visit: https://parking.columbiasc.gov/downtown-parking-map/