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There’s no better way to welcome the New Year than with a spectacular fireworks show — and, in Philadelphia, there are not one but two opportunities to see the brilliant displays.
The Visit PA New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront help ring in 2025 with two free pyrotechnic spectaculars along the Delaware River on Tuesday, December 31, 2024: One at 6 p.m. and the other at midnight — each with a different to-be-announced theme. (Note that each show is rain or shine.)
The dazzling displays, launched from a barge on the Delaware River, draw residents and visitors all looking for that perfect viewing spot, from the waterfront and all its spectacular piers to fun parties near Penn’s Landing, all with great sightlines.
Read on for our guide on where to watch the New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Philadelphia for 2024/2025. Find more about New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in Philly here.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 | 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.
During this double New Year’s Eve celebration, the deck of the Battleship New Jersey on the Camden riverfront opens for stunning fireworks views with the Philly skyline as a backdrop. Included with tickets: live music, pay-as-you-go food, a bar and face painting for the kiddos. Or upgrade to the Admiral’s VIP package for complimentary barbecue-style eats, desserts, soft drinks and two drinks from the bar, plus views of the fireworks from the Admiral’s Cabin and the private Admiral’s Deck.
Where: Battleship New Jersey, 100 Clinton Street, Camden, NJ
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 | 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
It’s impossible to get closer to the New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront than from the water itself aboard a vessel from City Cruises Philadelphia. The three-hour cruise includes an open bar, buffet dining and DJ sets. The night ends with views of the waterfront fireworks show and a sparkling wine toast for guests over 21 years of age. Tickets are required and upgrades are available. A two-hour-long early version sets sail at 4:30 p.m. as well.
Where: City Cruises Philadelphia, 401 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 | 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Put those resolutions on ice, and send 2024 out in style. During two ticketed time slots — 5 to 8 p.m. (good for the kids!) and 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. — attendees get a front-row seat to the Visit PA New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront while gliding across the ice rink. Tickets also include a spin on the waterfront Ferris Wheel (always a crowd-pleaser), family-friendly entertainment and giveaways (while supplies last), plus access to Winterfest’s pay-as-you-go boardwalk games, arcade games, rides, food and drink.
Where: Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Get a front-row seat to the fireworks shows at Cherry Street Pier. The waterfront destination hosts two separate celebrations this year: the family-friendly New Year’s Eve Kids Countdown at 5 p.m., featuring make-and-take crafts, games and other activities with PopUpPlay; and the 21-and-older New Year’s on the Pier celebration, kicking off at 10 p.m. on the industrial pier with music and dancing. Tickets are required for each event, and food and drink are pay as you go.
Where: Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 | 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Located on Front Street just a few hundred feet from the Delaware River, the nearly two-century-old building housing the luxurious Penn’s View Hotel features some of the best up-close street-level views of the evening’s fireworks. Enjoy New Year’s Eve dinner at on-site restaurant Panorama with a special three-course prix-fixe menu offered over two seatings timed for each fireworks show, including a complimentary glass of prosecco.
Where: Penn's View Hotel, 14 N. Front Street, Philadelphia, PA
Welcome 2025 with arms spread wide on the starboard bow of the world’s oldest and largest four-masted tall ship during the Moshulu’s New Year’s Boat Bash. Multiple DJs, a full jazz band and a live acoustic duo keep the party going before the midnight fireworks show on the water. General admission begins at 9 p.m. with access to an open bar. VIP reservations are available beginning at 8 p.m. and include added perks like passed hors d’oeuvres and buffet stations.
Where: Moshulu, 401 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Beat the cold with this 21-plus New Year’s Eve reggaeton dance party. The party features two live DJs, two dance floors, four bars, an open patio and the hottest Latin and Top 40 beats. Plus, get prime views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the midnight fireworks show from both indoors and outdoors. General admission tickets are required — or you can upgrade to Silver or Golden tickets for late-night open bar access.
Where: Fringe Bar, 140 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Get the star treatment at this stylish party at the Pyramid Club, 500 feet above the streets of Center City. The annual, lavish gala — held inside the penthouse of the BNY Mellon building — features a five-hour open bar, buffet stations and DJ sets. Through the skyscraper’s 20-foot-tall floor-to-ceiling windows, take in sweeping views of local landmarks like City Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art and — maybe most importantly — the waterfront fireworks show.
Where: Pyramid Club, 1735 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Get glam and welcome the new year in style at this lavish waterfront hotel. The evening begins at 9 p.m. with dancing, DJs and an open bar, and ends with a champagne toast, screenings of the Times Square countdown and ball drop on the big screen, and stunning views of the Visit PA New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront.
Where: Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing, 201 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
This boat is rocking right into 2025. All aboard the Ben Franklin Yacht for a New Year’s Eve celebration you won’t forget. Enjoy four hours of music, dancing, a premium open bar and 360-degree views of the stars as you wait for the waterfront fireworks show to set the sky above the yacht ablaze.
Where: Ben Franklin Yacht, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
The Holiday Inn Express Penn’s Landing offers spectacular views of the Delaware River waterfront from select rooms across the hotel’s 10 floors. Grab these spacious, well-furnished accommodations, watch a colorful night of fireworks and wake up to breakfast at the fully stocked complimentary buffet.
Where: Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia - Penns Landing, an IHG Hotel, 100 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Historic Franklin Square hosts an early family-friendly end-of-year celebration with the Kids’ New Year’s Eve Countdown. New Year’s crafts and festivities kick off the night. Then all eyes turn to the tippy-top of the on-site Squareburger for the countdown to the Times Square-style Square Drop, coinciding with the 6 p.m. fireworks show on the waterfront (visible from the park). Please note Franklin Square closes on New Year’s Eve at 8 p.m. Bonus: Don’t miss Franklin Square’s free Electrical Spectacle Light Show.
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Time to bust out the denim everything: This free dance party at Rivers Casino Philadelphia hits you with a New Year’s Eve rewind all the way back to ’90s. Catch live DJs on the Jack’s Bar + Grill stage spinning top hits from the decade — from ‘NSYNC to Snoop Dogg — and look forward to party swag, prizes, a pay-as-you-go bar and a midnight champagne toast. But keep the littles at home; This party is 21-and-over.
Where: Rivers Casino Philadelphia, 1001 N. Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
With its perfect position under the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Race Street Pier is always an amazing spot to view the New Year’s Eve fireworks. Eager pyrotechnics enthusiasts should arrive early as space tends to fill up fast. Be aware that alcohol is prohibited at the pier, but outside food and beverages are permitted, so why not ring in the new year the Philly way with a couple of hoagies and soft pretzels?
Where: Race Street Pier, Race Street & North Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
The South Street Pedestrian Walkway — the bridge over Interstate 95 that connects South Street at Front Street with Penn’s Landing — is a great spot to set up camp for fireworks viewing on New Year’s Eve. There are a few benches, so viewers will have a front-row seat if they get there early enough. Please note: This is not the vehicular South Street Bridge over the Schuylkill River to West Philly.
Where: South Street Pedestrian Walkway, South Street & Front Street, Philadelphia, PA
The seven acres of open green space and picnic areas at Penn Treaty Park provide a great vantage point from which to watch both fireworks shows. Bring along a blanket and a lawn chair to stay warm and comfortable throughout the evening.
Where: Penn Treaty Park, 1301 N. Beach Street, Philadelphia, PA
The entire length of Front Street between the South Street and Market Street bridges (running mostly parallel to Penn’s Landing) through Old City and Society Hill features prime fireworks viewing spots on New Year’s Eve. Or stay warm and mobile by strolling north along the half-mile strip during the show to take in a full experience.
Where: South Front Street, Philadelphia, PA
Opened in 2015, Pier 68 is a popular springtime public fishing pier, picnic spot and nature oasis jutting out into the Delaware River in Pennsport, marking the southern terminus of the Delaware River Trail. Grab a spot on the grass at the Picnic Grove or on one of the pathside and river-end hammock-style stone benches and gaze north to catch the fireworks display.
Where: Pier 68, Pier 70 Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Located at Pier 53, Washington Avenue Pier and adjacent Washington Avenue Green offer gorgeous panoramas of the Philadelphia skyline and across the river from along the 550-foot jetty. Take the short tree-lined path out to the pierhead for a stunning vista up the river toward the fireworks display. Get there early enough to snag a spot on the south side elevated walkway or up the 16-foot spiral staircase at the pier’s end that’s part of the 55-foot tall public art sculpture called Land Buoy.
Where: Washington Avenue Pier, Washington Avenue & South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Get a great view of the fireworks from the patio outside the Independence Seaport Museum on the waterfront. The historical museum maintains one of North America’s largest maritime collections, including the USS Olympia and USS Becuna anchored in the basin. Note that tickets are required to enter the museum — and the attraction closes at 3 p.m. on New Year’s Eve — but it’s free to watch the fireworks from outside.
Where: Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
The beautiful and ambling pedestrian pathway running along the Camden waterfront — the front lawn for the stretch of attractions on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River like Adventure Aquarium, Camden Children’s Garden, Battleship New Jersey and Freedom Mortgage Pavilion — provides a panoramic display of the two fireworks shows across the river. Great viewing spots include Cooper’s Poynt Waterfront Park, RCA Pier and Wiggins Waterfront Park. Please note not all attractions are open during the shows.
Where: Central Waterfront, Camden, NJ
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks.
Or maybe you’d prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Then book the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package.
Which will you choose?