New Year’s Eve: Where to watch fireworks and celebrate in Maryland

Looking for somewhere to ring in the new year?

Despite some rainy weather predicted for New Year’s Eve across Maryland, there are several public celebrations and fireworks shows happening Saturday night across the state, some quirkier than others.

In Frederick, a large, lit-up key will descend from Unity Bridge to mark the clock turning to midnight. In Harford County, a foam duck will drop 100 feet.

And in Baltimore, fireworks will return after a two-year hiatus.

Marylanders can get a $20 Lyft credit from the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office, so that they can enjoy New Year’s Eve without driving impaired.

The Baltimore Banner has compiled some festivities across the state to help plan for New Year’s Eve. Or, in the case of Annapolis, New Year’s Day.

New Year’s Eve Spectacular, Baltimore

The Inner Harbor will feature New Year’s Eve fireworks again this year, after they were canceled in 2020 and 2021, the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts confirmed earlier this month.

Fireworks will start at midnight and last 12 to 15 minutes.

BOPA said Thursday that festivities planned for earlier in the evening, including a performance by the band Soul Centered and a countdown to midnight, have been canceled due to inclement weather.

Winterfest of Lights and Fireworks Display, Ocean City

In Ocean City, fireworks will be displayed over the bay at midnight. Visitors can watch at Northside Park. An Ocean City town spokesperson confirmed Thursday the fireworks will go on as scheduled despite the weather forecast.

The park will have other festivities. The Winterfest of Lights, a walking tour featuring thousands of holiday lights, will be open until the park lets in its last visitors for the year at 11:30 p.m.

DJ Kutt Dance Party will also perform starting at 10 p.m.

The beach town will offer free bus service on New Year’s Eve. Learn more here.

Drive-In Movie and Fireworks Display, Ocean City

There will be a separate fireworks display at the Ocean City Inlet Parking Lot, according a December press release.

The fireworks will start at midnight, the release said, but visitors can arrive early for two drive-in movie showings.

At 7 p.m., there will be a showing of “Encanto,” followed by “a kid-friendly countdown” at 9 p.m. “Top Gun: Maverick” will be shown right after the countdown at 9:30 p.m.

Local vendors and food trucks will also be on hand.

Annual Duck Drop and Fireworks, Havre de Grace

Festivities will take place at Concord Point Park in Havre de Grace from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

A live DJ will begin at 10:30 p.m., followed by the “duck drop” at midnight, a more than two-decadeslong tradition. Havre de Grace is home to a museum on the area’s heritage of producing decoy ducks.

A duck made out of foam and decorated with lightbulbs will be dropped around 100 feet from the Susquehanna Hose Company’s ladder truck, according to The Aegis.

A fireworks display is scheduled to follow the drop, but there’s a possibility it will be canceled due to weather, Havre de Grace Mayor Bill Martin told the newspaper.

New Year’s Eve Key Drop, Frederick

In Frederick, New Year’s Eve festivities will be held from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Carroll Creek Park, where there is an installation of lighted and decorated boats displayed on the water, according to Jake Wynn, marketing and communications manager at Visit Frederick.

There will be live music and food trucks for visitors beginning at 9 p.m., Wynn said.

At 10 p.m., visitors will be able to light floating candles and place them in the water, Wynn said.

And at midnight, there will be the annual “key drop,” acknowledging “The Star-Spangled Banner” songwriter Francis Scott Key’s history in Frederick. A large, lit-up key will be lowered off of Unity Bridge at the center of Carroll Creek Park.

Merriweather Symphony of Lights, Howard County

The Merriweather Symphony of Lights is scheduled to host a walk-through tour of its display and a fireworks show at 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, according to its website.

There will also be food trucks and entertainment.

However, organizers said Thursday afternoon they are continuing to monitor the weather forecast.

Annapolis Harbor New Year’s Eve Fireworks

The Annapolis New Year’s Eve fireworks have been postponed until 5:30 p.m. on New Year’s Day, the city announced Wednesday, due to weather and safety concerns.

“The family-friendly New Year’s Eve performances planned for Saturday at City Dock are canceled and will not be rescheduled,” the city said.

cadence.quaranta@thebaltimorebanner.com