New Year's Eve 2026 in Norfolk: NYE Live at Waterside District from 7 p.m. Dec. 31 (21+), Garden of Lights through Jan. 3, and Friday trash moves to Jan. 2.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from Waterside District, Norfolk Botanical Garden, Nauticus and the city’s 2026 holiday collection schedule. Restaurant plans are added only when the restaurant announces them.

New Year’s Eve is Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026. The biggest announced party in Norfolk is NYE Live! at Waterside District, from 7 p.m., for ages 21 and older. For families, the Garden of Lights is open through Jan. 3. No public fireworks show had been announced when we checked.

Who to call

  • Police, not an emergency: 757-441-5610
  • Trash and city services: Norfolk Cares, 757-664-6510
  • Emergency: 911

NYE Live! at Waterside District

From 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, on the downtown waterfront. Waterside’s event page lists:

  • Gold admission: all first-floor venues, three drink tickets, food stations, karaoke, silent disco, five DJs, acoustic acts, party favors, a champagne toast and balloon drops filled with cash and prizes.
  • Platinum: adds a VIP section, more drink tickets, a buffet, red carpet check-in and coat check.
  • Tickets are sold through AXS. Must be 21 or older. Waterside says details may change.

Lights on New Year’s Eve

  • Dominion Energy Garden of Lights, Norfolk Botanical Garden, 6700 Azalea Garden Road, runs to Jan. 3, 2027. Tickets are required for ages 3 and up; dogs are welcome on Wednesday and Sunday nights (garden).
  • Winterfest on the Wisconsin at Nauticus had not announced 2026 dates. Last season it ran through Dec. 31, and the free Winterfest Riverwalk along the waterfront was lit nightly from 5 to 11 p.m. through New Year’s Eve (Nauticus, 2025). See our holiday lights guide for updates.

Restaurants

No Norfolk restaurant had posted a 2026 New Year’s Eve menu when we checked in October. Restaurants usually post holiday menus in late November and December; we will list them here, from the restaurants’ own pages, as they appear.

Getting home safely

  • Plan a ride before you go out. Downtown has public parking garages; see our getting around guide for garages and The Tide light rail.
  • Hampton Roads Transit posts holiday service on gohrt.com; check the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day schedules before you rely on a late train or bus.

New Year’s Day trash

From the city’s holiday schedule:

Day Collection Bulk requests due
Thursday, Dec. 31 No change 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 (for Jan. 2)
Friday, Jan. 1, 2027 (New Year’s Day) Moves to Saturday, Jan. 2

See trash and recycling for your day.

What this means for you

  • Buy NYE Live tickets early if you plan to go; Waterside says Platinum packages sell out.
  • Put Friday trash out on Saturday, Jan. 2.
  • For the rest of the holidays, see holiday lights and Christmas events.

Related guides: Black Friday and holiday shopping, Valentine’s Day in Norfolk and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

Are there New Year’s Eve fireworks in Norfolk?

No public fireworks show had been announced for Dec. 31, 2026, when we checked on Oct. 19. We will add one here if the city, Norfolk Festevents or the Downtown Norfolk Council announces it.

What is NYE Live in Norfolk?

Waterside District’s ticketed New Year’s Eve party, from 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, with DJs, karaoke, silent disco, a champagne toast and balloon drops with cash and prizes. It is for ages 21 and older.

Is trash picked up on New Year’s Day in Norfolk?

No. Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, routes move to Saturday, Jan. 2. Call in bulk items by 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31.

Is the Garden of Lights open on New Year’s Eve?

The 2026 season runs Nov. 6 to Jan. 3, 2027, and the garden’s anytime tickets are good any evening through Jan. 3. Check the garden’s calendar for New Year’s Eve hours.