JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Say goodbye to 2025 and ring in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display over the St. Johns River.
Make your way down to the waterfront on Dec. 31 with friends or family before midnight to snag a great seat for the festivities.
Fireworks will begin exactly at midnight and will be launched from a barge on the St. Johns River just east of the Main Street Bridge, as well as from Lot S at the Shipyards.
Viewing 🎆
The fireworks presentation, which will last about 12 minutes, will be visible from both the North and South riverbanks, as well as from Brooklyn and portions of Riverside.
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Please note that due to active construction zones along both riverbanks, public viewing access may be limited in certain areas.
Boaters will not be permitted to access or remain on the St. Johns River between the Acosta Bridge and the Main Street Bridge during the fireworks display.
Traffic, parking, road closures 🚗
Watching the fireworks is the easy part. Getting downtown and finding parking might be the hard part.
RiversEdge, a new spot that opened in November, gives people more room to watch from the Southbank, but parking is still expected to be tight.
Several major roads and bridges will close for the fireworks, and city officials say traffic could be heavy for hours.
Parking could fill up quickly, and two major bridges—the Main Street Bridge and the Acosta Bridge—will both close in all directions starting around 11:45 p.m. and reopen after 12:30 a.m.
If you’re looking for parking, garages are your best bet. The map below shows several options, including the Water Street Garage, Ed Ball Garage on North Hogan, Yates Garage on East Adams, and the Duval Street Garage. There are also some surface lots to try.
Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and follow posted detour signage and directions from law enforcement.
The city said that to ensure public safety during the New Year’s Eve fireworks display, the following road and bridge closures will be in effect:
Riverfront Plaza Area
- 10 p.m.–12:30 a.m.
- Independent Street closed from Hogan Street to Newnan Street
- Laura Street closed from Bay Street to Independent Street
Main Street Bridge (Northbound & Southbound)
- 11:45 p.m.–12:30 a.m. All lanes closed beginning approximately 15 minutes prior to the fireworks show
- Affected segments include:
- Main Street (northbound) from Riverplace Blvd. to Bay Street
- Detour: Forsyth Street via I-95 North
- Main Street (southbound) from Bay Street to Museum Circle
- Detour: San Marco Blvd. via I-95 South
- Main Street Bridge on-ramp (southbound) from E. Independent Drive to Museum Circle
- Detour: San Marco Blvd. via I-95 South
Acosta Bridge (Northbound & Southbound)
- 11:45 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. All lanes closed beginning approximately 15 minutes prior to the fireworks show
- Affected roads and detours:
- I-95 North Downtown exit
- Mary Street
- Museum Circle
- Detours for the above: Riverside Avenue / Water Street via I-95 North
- Water Street
- Riverside Avenue
- Detours for the above: I-95 South / Prudential Drive via Park Street
Earlier event
If you’re looking for something earlier—and more family-friendly—there’s a celebration happening during the day.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, the city is hosting a Noon Year’s Eve event at Friendship Fountain, with food trucks, face painting, bubbles, dancing, a live DJ, and a countdown at noon so kids can welcome 2026 early.