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Visit PA New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront
New Year’s Eve in Philadelphia is always twice as nice.
During the Visit PA New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront, attendees get to ring in 2025 with not one but two (!) fireworks shows.
The FREE rain-or-shine fireworks displays along the Delaware River light up the night on December 31, 2024 at 6 p.m. and midnight, drawing folks from all over to the Delaware River waterfront to mark the occasion in booming and beautiful style.
While the shows are centered at (ticketed) Independence Blue Cross Riverrink Winterfest — conveniently located within a short walk of Old City, Society Hill and South Street — the fireworks are visible up and down the waterfront.
An added bonus: KYW Newsradio has the soundtrack for both shows, so tune in to 1060 AM or 103.9 FM from wherever you’re watching.
Fireworks Show Times: 6 p.m. & Midnight
Philly knows how to put on a good show — and New Year’s Eve is one of the city’s most highly anticipated holidays.
The Visit PA New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront features bright bursts of color exploding in the night sky against a beautiful backdrop of the illuminated Benjamin Franklin Bridge or, if viewed from Camden, the Philadelphia skyline.
Fireworks as seen from Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest — Photo by M. Stanley for the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation
But why wait until midnight? Families with young kids — and anyone else looking to catch the fireworks a little early — are in luck: The first fireworks show kicks off at 6 p.m. on the Delaware River waterfront.
Then for those looking to officially ring in 2025, head to the Delaware River waterfront shortly before midnight to snag a great viewing spot for another spectacular fireworks display.
Want to check out both? The pyrotechnics for each show feature a completely different theme, soundtrack and choreography. Show themes are still TBA.
The Delaware River waterfront — on both the Philadelphia and New Jersey sides — features fantastic views of the fireworks displays.
Get front-row views from ticketed events like New Year’s Eve Parties on Ice at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Battleship aboard the Battleship New Jersey, the New Year’s Eve Big Latin Bash at Fringe Bar, or the kid-friendly New Year’s Eve Kids Countdown and adults-only Party on the Pier at Cherry Street Pier.
Spectators can also post up for free viewing at Pier 68, Washington Avenue Pier, Race Street Pier and many more spots up and down the waterfront.
Fireworks as seen from Cherry Street Pier — Photo courtesy Delaware River Waterfront Corporation
For our complete guide on where to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Philly for 2024/2025, click the button below.
Visitors not already in the neighborhood can catch an Uber or Lyft to the waterfront with ease.
Alternatively, hop on SEPTA’s Market-Frankford subway line to 2nd Street in Old City. From there, it’s approximately a five-minute walk to Penn’s Landing.
For guests who must drive, there are multiple parking lots along Columbus Boulevard. Head to the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation’s official parking page for rates and locations of parking lots.
Visitors should arrive with time to pick out their spot to watch the fireworks display, but dress for the weather — December is usually chilly!
For more information about the Visit PA New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront, click the button below.
The fireworks shows are just one way Philly rings in 2025.
For more New Year’s Eve festivities happening in the City of Brotherly Love — including live performances, adults-only parties and kid-friendly celebrations — click the button below.
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.