Florida law usually allows personal-use fireworks on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day -- two of only three days all year long when they are permitted. But a major rain deficit is shifting things a bit as we prepare to ring in 2026.

Dozens of places across the U.S. will ring in 2026 by dropping a quirky assortment of fruits, vegetables, sea creatures and balls of all shapes and sizes.

For the 10th year in a row, the Farah & Farah personal injury law firm is offering an option for getting a free safe ride home if you’ve had too much to drink on New Year’s Eve.

Expect a cold blast after the holiday weekend

Federal authorities have announced the arrests of four alleged members of an extremist anti-capitalist and anti-government group suspected of planning coordinated bombing attacks in Southern California.

As the clock nears midnight on New Year’s Eve, many African American churches and households across the country gather not to just ring in a new year, but to honor a powerful tradition rooted in freedom.

Police have arrested a total of six people in connection with a deadly explosion of illegal fireworks in a Honolulu neighborhood on New Year’s Eve.

Electric power has been restored to nearly all affected customers across Puerto Rico after a sweeping blackout plunged the U.S. territory into darkness on New Year’s Eve.

The recent St. Augustine Beach renourishment project gave New Year’s Eve spectators a never-before-seen view of the fireworks celebration.

A fight on New Year’s Eve near downtown Jacksonville caused some damage to the City Hall building after a fight broke out at James Weldon Park, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

On New Year’s Eve, a community gathering at the historic Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church honored the legacy of former slaves and commemorated the lives of the seven people who were killed in October after a gangway collapsed in southern Georgia.

The United Arab Emirates is hosting its New Year’s Eve celebration in Dubai at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s largest building.

Australia rang in the year 2025 with an awe-inspiring fireworks display that lit up the night sky over Sydney Harbour.

This time of year is among the most dangerous for drivers, with celebrations often leading to a spike in drunk driving incidents.

The year 2024 has finally ended, and it’s time to close this chapter and start planning for 2025. What better way to end 2024 than by celebrating and welcoming in the new year by watching fireworks?

Farah & Farah, a personal injury law firm based in Jacksonville, is continuing its annual tradition of offering free rides on New Year’s Eve to promote safety.

Do you want to keep your pets safe before fireworks start popping off in the sky on New Year’s Eve?

If you’re planning on ringing in the new year quietly at home, you’re not alone.

Final Jags Game Forecast

USA Today has nominated the Fernandina Beach Shrimp Drop for the best New year’s Eve celebration.

Sunny & breezy to end 2023, clear & chilly to start 2024

If you have big plans for New Year’s Eve, you might want to plan for the morning after, too.

Jax is ready: that’s the word from local officials as they gear up for an incredibly busy next couple of days.

2024 is right around the corner!

Today will be cloudy and cooler with afternoon showers, 20-30 percent. Rain will continue throughout the day.

Between family gatherings and popping the cork on New Year's Eve, the holidays can often lead to temptation for people struggling with sobriety.

The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen more than 2.5 million passengers each day during the Christmas and New Year holiday season.

A freeze warning is in effect for inland areas from 11 P.M. tonight until 8 A.M. Wednesday.

A local family said they are one step closer to healing after the driver who killed their loved one on New Year’s Eve in Middleburg was sentenced Tuesday to 11 years in prison for DUI manslaughter.

A 40-year-old Middleburg man is facing manslaughter charges after a fatal New Year’s Eve crash, according to an arrest report obtained by News4JAX.

St. Augustine Police are looking for two people they say attacked bouncers at the White Lion Bar & Grill on Cuna Street on New Year’s Eve.

Dr. Albers said to consider setting small, actionable, realistic goals that are concrete. Instead of saying, “I want to exercise more,” try being more specific, like, “I will work out for 20 minutes every day.”

Jacksonville residents highly anticipating the New Year’s Eve downtown fireworks show are excited to ring in the new year with a River City tradition.

Officials say at least one person has been killed and 14 others hospitalized as multiple blasts rocked Kyiv.

Do you want to watch the fireworks shows around Northeast Florida from the comfort of your own home?

New Year’s Eve is one of the three days a year when people can legally shoot off fireworks in Florida, and doing it safely is at the forefront.

After a very cold Christmas weekend, some huge changes are on the way to close out 2022.

Nearly 6.3 million Floridians are expected to hit the road this holiday season. Drivers could see travel times increase by 25 percent around major cities.

As fireworks fill up the sky on July 4th, police advise leaving guns out of the celebration. Celebratory gunfire in Florida is illegal and dangerous.

A Southside Jacksonville mother of three is thankful that she, her family and their pets were not harmed when a bullet came crashing through the roof of their home.

Two people have non life-threatening wounds after home invasion shooting

Light up Amelia and the City of Fernandina Beach will once again host the annual New Year’s Eve shrimp drop at 7pm

Many stores are open during regular or limited hours on New Year’s Eve, but some stores doors are closed to start off the new year.

Patchy fog under overcast skies will start the day.  A warm afternoon with near record highs today.  Inland showers possible, near and along I-75 and west of Ware county in southeast Georgia.  Cloudy, smoke-filled skies tonight as we ring in the New Year.

As the River City prepares to ring in 2022 with fireworks, others may think about shooting off something else. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has been warning people against shooting guns during New Year's Eve celebrations for years.

The big CES gadget convention held annually in Las Vegas is being trimmed from four days to three amid a jump in COVID-19 cases and the withdrawal of some well-known tech presenters.

With New Year’s Eve coming up, there will be plenty of celebrations and fireworks. And while it might be a party for you, it’s not so much for your pets.

COVID-19 cases continue to hit all-time highs across the country ahead of New Year’s Eve.

Many New Year’s Eve celebrations are still a go despite COVID-19 cases surging across the country.

You might think you know everything there is to know about New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but there’s actually some cool history behind the big days.

Airbnb has restrictions for guests who want to rent on New Year's Eve, but don't have a history of positive reviews.

2021 is coming to a close, and soon it’ll be time to ring in the new year.

If you’re planning to rent a home in central Florida over New Year’s Eve, you may be out of luck.

Les DeMerle and Bonnie Eisele continue sharing their passion for jazz with a New Year’s Eve bash at Story and Song Bookstore on Amelia Island. The sounds are centered around their recent CD release Hot Night in Venice with the band playing tracks from it along with a number of holiday tunes with international influences.

The nation’s second-largest city has called off its New Year’s Eve celebration, and its smallest state re-imposed an indoor mask mandate.

This year’s holiday season was supposed to be a do-over for last year’s subdued celebrations.

Want that holiday glow in time for Christmas and to look your best on New Year’s Eve? Beauty & Lifestyle Expert Noreen Young is back with her tips & tricks to get the look!

Mayors across Brazil are divided on whether to maintain end-of-year festivities and February’s legendary Carnival in spite of the ongoing pandemic.

Thousands of young people across England plan to dance the night away at “Freedom Day” parties as soon as it turns Monday.

The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl will be played on the morning of New Year’s Eve, the bowl game and ESPN announced the time on Thursday.

Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that nearly 350,000 seniors have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine since mid-December. So, last week was really the first full week where everyone was back in the saddle,” DeSantis said. “We are remaining proactive so that when additional doses come, our infrastructure will be able to process it,” DeSantis said. This means of the vaccines Florida has received, only 38% have been given. At his second press conference of the day in Niceville, DeSantis announced that it is expanding its vaccine partnership with Publix supermarkets.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, intensive care units in several parts of Texas were full or nearly full. India and Brazil trail behind the U.S. in coronavirus cases at over 10 million and 7 million, respectively. ___MILAN, Italy — Italy added another 462 virus deaths on Friday for a known pandemic death toll of 74,621, the highest in Europe. ___BANGKOK — The Thai capital is shutting down venues including schools and entertainment parks as coronavirus cases continue to spread. China on Friday reported a total of 19 new virus cases, including 10 that were brought from outside the country.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Today was lovely and warm, topping out at 80° at the airport, making it one of the top 10 warmest days on New Year’s Eve. Expect mild temperatures at midnight, with mid 60s expected. For perspective, our typical afternoon high this time of the year is in the mid 60s, so we are certainly warmer than normal. Expect Friday to be warm and breezy with partly cloudy skies and afternoon highs around 80°. Monday kicks off a chilly and sunny few days, waking up in the low 40s and warming into the mid to low 60s.

Many South Africans will swap firecrackers for candles to mark New Year's Eve amid COVID-19 restrictions including a nighttime curfew responding to President Cyril Ramaphosa's call to light a candle to honor those who have died in the COVID-19 pandemic and the health workers who are on the frontline of battling the disease. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)JOHANNESBURG – Many South Africans swapped firecrackers for candles to mark New Year’s Eve amid COVID-19 restrictions including a nighttime curfew. Urging all South Africans to battle the virus, Ramaphosa called on the nation to celebrate New Year’s Eve in a different way. Instead, the mayor of South Africa's largest city will light a candle on the landmark Nelson Mandela Bridge. At midnight he will light a candle with his family and pray for everybody who has suffered from the pandemic.

The City of Jacksonville’s Animal Care and Protective Services (ACPS) suggests easy tips to help keep your pets safe this holiday. Prevent food and alcohol poisoning: Keep table food away from your pets. Update your pets’ tags and microchip information: Fireworks and other loud noises may frighten your pet, causing the pet to run away. Keep pets away from fireworks: Fireworks, such as sparklers, can burn pets. “With just a few simple steps, you can keep your pets happy and safe as you ring in 2021,” said Walter.

1 concern for many is the continued risk of encountering a drunk driver during or after New Year’s celebrations. With that, advocates are pushing harder for people to make plans for a designated driver before heading out to celebrate. News4jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson, a retired police officer, saw many people get arrested due to drinking and driving while celebrating the holidays. “If you’re drunk, or if you’ve had a drink, have a designated driver,” Jefferson said. By the same token, there was a drop in drunk driving fatalities in that same time frame.

Eating a good breakfast can also normalize your blood sugar levels, which could lessen your discomfort. One study found red ginseng reduced blood alcohol levels and hangover severity. Prickly pear extract decreased symptoms and cut the risk of hangover severity in half. Another trick to skip—the old “hair of the dog.” Drinking during a hangover can be dangerous. Interestingly, darker-hued drinks, such as bourbon, red wine, and rum, are more likely to cause a hangover because they contain higher concentrations of compounds called congeners.

(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)LAS VEGAS — Tens of thousands of people were walking on the casino-lined Las Vegas Strip on New Year’s Eve by early evening despite a plea from Nevada Gov. China on Friday reported a total of 19 new virus cases, including 10 that were brought from outside the country. ___LONDON — The coronavirus pandemic canceled London’s annual New Years’ Eve fireworks display, which usually draws tens of thousands of spectators. The nation’s most populated county has about 40% of California’s virus deaths. ___NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee ends the year ranked first in coronavirus cases per capita.

Fireworks and drones illuminate the night sky over London as they form a light display as London's normal New Year's Eve fireworks display was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic Thursday Dec. 31, 2020. As midnight rolled from Asia to the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the Americas, the New Year’s experience mirrored national responses to the virus itself. Some countries and cities canceled or scaled back their festivities, while others without active outbreaks carried on like any other year. In Chinese societies, the virus ensured more muted celebrations of the solar New Year, which is less widely observed than the Lunar New Year that in 2021 will fall in February. Initial reports about a mystery respiratory illness sickening people in the Chinese city of Wuhan emerged exactly a year ago.

The personal injury law firm Farah & Farah announced the return of Farah Free NYE Rides. Holiday party-goers in Jacksonville and St. Augustine can count on Farah & Farah for a free ride to and from their celebrations via a $50 Lyft credit, or a cab ride within a 40-mile radius via Clean Taxi and zTrip. Click here to claim a free voucherThe Farah Free NYE Rides credit will be available on Thursday, December 31, starting at 8 p.m. until 4 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Residents of Jacksonville and St. Augustine are encouraged to claim their free voucher at FarahandFarah.com/NYE and to share this opportunity to get home safe and sound (for free) with their local friends and family. “Despite the pandemic, millions of Floridians will be on the roads this New Year’s Eve, and our goal is to help keep them safe,” said Eddie Farah, founder, and managing partner at Farah & Farah.

Today was cloudier and mild, with temperatures topping out in the low 70s and a few passing light showers. Thursday will be warm and partly cloudy, with temperatures topping out in the upper 70s. Winds will be out of the south between 7-12 mph. There is only a small chance for an isolated shower, mainly over inland areas to the north of I-10. For New Year’s Eve we will be around 65°

We wake up in the upper 50s and warm up into the upper 70s under mostly sunny skies. We wake up in the mid to low 60s and warm up into the upper 70s, near 80° for the afternoon. Expect partly sunny skies and breezy southerly winds around 15 mph. Friday night our chances for showers starts to build, expect 50% chances for showers and thunderstorms overnight under mostly cloudy skies as temperatures dip into the low 60s. Sunday will be sunny and chilly, starting out around 50° and only warming into the low 60s.

KEY WEST, Fla. – The city of Key West is scaling back its normal New Year’s Eve celebrations following recent surges in the spread of coronavirus. Key West Mayor Teri Johnston signed an emergency order Friday that sets an island-wide curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 p.m., running Thursday, Dec. 31, through Sunday, Jan. 3. The curfew does not apply to unincorporated Monroe County, which includes the remainder of the Florida Keys, said county mayor Michelle Coldiron. Duval Street typically attracts tens of thousands to celebrate the New Year and watch a giant red shoe with the drag queen inside drop at midnight. Health officials continue to stress that residents and visitors should wear facial coverings, which are mandatory in the Keys, practice social distancing and wash hands frequently.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Jacksonville Beach leaders decided Monday to postpone the annual Fourth of July fireworks show. Staffopolous said other communities in Florida are also choosing to cancel or postpone the Fourth of July events. Evanoff said even though she’ll miss the fireworks this year she understands the reason for postponing. “It’s definitely another impact, another thing we have to lose out on but we have to do it for the community to be safe,” Evanoff said. Jacksonville and St. Augustine are still debating their fireworks decisions.

The State Attorney’s Office informed him it intends to seek the death penalty. Liza Dukes, a mother of three, and Jay Wooten were killed in the Dec. 31 shooting on Lori Loop Road. Keri Lewis, Dukes’ sister, said she feels the punishment that the state is seeking is appropriate. “I’m OK with the death penalty," Lewis told News4Jax by phone on Monday. Scifo and Hill were taken into custody after they crashed a neighbor’s vehicle during a police chase on State Road 11 in nearby Bradford County.

A missing Chihuahua was reunited with its family Saturday, after he ran off during a car crash on New Year’s Eve, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives returned to the crash site every day to search for the dog, named Max, and leave him food. On Saturday, he was finally there. As soon as his owner got to the scene, Max ran up to him and gave him some puppy love. In the video you can hear the owner say, “Oh my god, I can not believe this.”

This could be the last New Year’s Eve that fireworks are illegal in FloridaPublished: December 30, 2019, 5:58 pmMany fireworks displays you’ll likely see or hear this New Year’s Eve are technically illegal in Florida.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Many fireworks displays you’ll likely see or hear this New Year’s Eve are technically illegal in Florida. These are all illegal in Florida, but I purchased them because I signed this form that says I’m using them for some exemption under Florida law,” Dennis said. It would allow fireworks to be sold and used three times a year -- on Memorial Day, Independence Day and New Year’s Eve. But with or without the bill, fireworks are readily being sold and used under current law. If the bill becomes law, you’ll have to be 18 or older to purchase fireworks.

NEW YORK, NY – You can ring in the New Year with Post Malone: The rap-pop star will perform at “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2020” in New York City on Dec. 31. Dick Clark Productions announced Tuesday that K-pop group BTS, country singer Sam Hunt and singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette — joined by the cast of Broadway’s “Jagged Little Pill” — will also perform at the event, which will air live from Times Square on ABC at 8 p.m. Eastern. The annual New Year’s Eve affair will include celebrations from multiple cities. Performers from Hollywood include Green Day, Paula Abdul, Dan + Shay, Dua Lipa, Megan Thee Stallion, Salt-N-Pepa and Ciara, who will host the event. Usher, Sheryl Crow and “Pose” star Billy Porter — who will host — will perform in New Orleans.