Suppose you have not yet experienced New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas along with hundreds of thousands of your fellow revelers, watching the country’s largest and loudest fireworks display, as rousing rock ’n’ roll music ricochets down The Strip— say, for example, the Scorpions’ “Rock You Like A Hurricane.”
Good thing it’s not too late to figure out how to get yourself here on Dec. 31, for the 25th anniversary celebration of the memorable spectacle known as “America’s Party” — which promises to be a kick-off like no other to 2026.
“All eyes are on Vegas — this is the largest performance of its kind. Every year we try to make it new and exciting,” says Phil Grucci, CEO and Creative Director of Fireworks by Grucci, Inc., the mastermind behind the event, which this year will be themed as “Rockin’ into 2026 – Vegas Style.”
“It’s an important year for America that we’re coming into — [and] we’re bringing it in with a bang,” the peerless pyrotechnic wizard explained, saying that the upcoming show, a full twelve months in the planning, has been designed to ring in the occasion of the country’s 250th birthday.
Grucci promises a range of thrilling updates on the already epic happening, where the sixth-generation family-owned and operated outfit will draw on the 3,600 types of fireworks in their vast arsenal to create an unforgettable experience.
This year, there will be no fewer than ten launch sites atop ten iconic resort properties, with the notable addition of the Palms Casino Resort, the first off-Strip location. And for the first time on New Year’s Eve, there will be a Drone Light Spectacular, creating a massive, multimedia performance that will add an entirely new dimension to the already eye-popping smoke show.
“The drones will be leading the countdown,” Grucci teased of the brand-new addition to the experience. “A minute and a half before midnight, we’ll put an image up in the sky to get everyone’s attention.”
Headed to the Strip to celebrate New Year’s Eve? Here’s everything you need to know about the kick-off to 2026.
What’s new for this year’s Las Vegas New Year’s Eve fireworks?
This year’s show promises to be louder and longer than ever, Grucci says.
What happens on the Las Vegas Strip on New Year’s Eve?
Every year on Dec. 31, more than 400,000 people gather on the Las Vegas Strip to ring in the New Year, after the iconic boulevard closes to traffic between Russell Road and Sahara Avenue early in the evening, remaining closed into the early hours of Jan 1. Parking lots are expected to fill up early in the evening, and some will not be accessible until well after the end of the event.
This year, there will be a first-time-ever New Year’s Eve drone show complimenting an eight-minute fireworks show at midnight, launched from ten resort properties (from the south, heading north): MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, ARIA Resort and Casino, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Caesars Palace, Palms Casino Resort, Treasure Island Las Vegas (TI), The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Resorts World Las Vegas and The STRAT. The entire event will be orchestrated from a command center at the Rio Las Vegas.
“It’s the longest stage on New Year’s, if you look at the length and width of the show, all the launch sites, when you see all that massive space that’s being covered,” he explains — and now, with the addition of the Palms launch site west of the Strip, it’s getting even bigger.
And louder. With this year’s rock rock ’n’ roll roll theme, expect “an acoustic cavern from an audible perspective,” Grucci teases. “We’re going to be bringing some noise into it.”
After the traditional “Auld Lang Syne,” at midnight, the windows will be sure to rattle along with “Rock You Like a Hurricane” by Scorpions and “Rock of Ages” by Def Leppard, the two rousing tunes chosen to open the show.
Just before that comes one of the most anticipated additions for the year—a multi-media performance led by a small army of cutting-edge UAVs, taking flight to create a massive, multi-media performance that compliments the already gargantuan display.
Where are the top places to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks on the Las Vegas Strip?
“Anywhere you have a view above those 10 buildings, of the sky — any place on the strip you’re going to get at least 4-5 launch locations,” Grucci promises. For those looking to get a serious edge, he recommends any spot with a 45-degree angle vantage point on one of the launch sites — and also points out that many locals enjoy viewing the event from further out in the valley, to take in the entire scene.
When does The Strip start shutting down to traffic?
Expect entry points to Las Vegas Boulevard between Russell Road and Sahara Avenue to begin closing as early as 5:30 p.m., finally shutting down entirely by 8 p.m., typically fully reopening again by 2 a.m. on Jan. 1.
Some hotels will require a room key to enter the property as the clock ticks closer to midnight—make sure you bring yours with you if you head out onto the Strip.
Overall, the pyro pro emphasizes, the main thing is to just be there.
“Las Vegas—it’s a really special place to be,” he says. “We produce many programs around the world, but when you see the Strip come together [for New Year’s], see the community come together to celebrate the New Years, it’s something special.”
Those taking in the view from farther afield can tune into the soundtrack for the event on Las Vegas radio stations KOMP 92.3 and 97.1 The Point.
How to get around on the Las Vegas Strip on New Year’s Eve
Driving to the Strip is not recommended, as parking garages will often fill up early and some will be closed as long as Las Vegas Boulevard remains off-limits to cars. The city will offer free bus transportation beginning at 6 p.m., detouring around the usual Boulevard stops. The Las Vegas Monorail is expected to run all night long, connecting the areas of the Strip inside the road closure.
Where to party on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas
For a full guide to the best parties and viewing spots, read Visit Las Vegas’s “How to Spend New Years in Las Vegas” guide. https://www.visitlasvegas.com/experience/post/how-to-spend-new-years-in-las-vegas/
