New Year's Eve in Harford County 2026: Family Countdowns, Fireworks & Where to Celebrate

by Josh Tessier

Header photo: “Havre de Grace aerial” by Mbinebri, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped.

Last updated: Oct. 21, 2026

For New Year's Eve 2026 in Harford County, kids can count down at noon at the Bel Air Library or run laps at the Running Club's free NYE Gala in Cedar Lane Park. Grown-ups can dance at a $65 party in Havre de Grace. The Duck Drop with midnight fireworks ran Dec. 31, 2025. Its 2026 date isn't posted yet.

Part of my 2026 guide to Christmas events in Harford County.

What's on for New Year's Eve 2026?

Date	Event	Town	Time	Cost
Thu., Dec. 24, 2026	Joppatowne Christmas Eve luminaries* (rain date Dec. 31)	Joppa	6-7 p.m.	Order kit by Dec. 4
Sat., Dec. 26, 2026	Kwanzaa Celebration	Havre de Grace	11 a.m.-3 p.m.	Not posted
Thu., Dec. 31, 2026	NYE Gala & Run, Cedar Lane Park*	Bel Air	11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.	Free
Thu., Dec. 31, 2026	Noon Year's Eve, Bel Air Library*	Bel Air	11:30 a.m.-noon	Free
Thu., Dec. 31, 2026	New Year's Eve Party with Eclipse, American Legion Post 47*	Havre de Grace	7:30-11:59 p.m.	$65
Dec. 31	Duck Drop & fireworks, Concord Point Park	Havre de Grace	2025 listing: 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m.	2025 date, 2026 not yet announced

* Posted only by the host so far. Confirm before you go.

Where can kids count down to New Year's early?

Two free options in Bel Air on Thu., Dec. 31, 2026:

Noon Year's Eve at the Bel Air Library: 11:30 a.m. to noon in the children's area at 100 E. Pennsylvania Ave. The library says to stop by and count down "at noon." Confirm before you go.
Harford County Running Club NYE Gala & Run: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Cedar Lane Park, 1100 Cedar Lane. You get 50 minutes to run as many laps as you want. Then there's a kid-friendly noon countdown. The sign-up page shows $0, and registration closes at 11:30 a.m. that day. Confirm before you go.

Both are great if your kids won't make it to midnight. Nobody's grumpy at 12:01 p.m.

Where can adults celebrate?

New Year's Eve Party with Eclipse: Thu., Dec. 31, 7:30-11:59 p.m., hosted by the Sons of the American Legion at Joseph L. Davis Post 47, 501 St. John St., Havre de Grace. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the band, Eclipse, starts at 8. It's ages 21+. Tickets are $65 and include entry, food, party favors and a champagne toast. The host says space is limited. It's a fundraiser for the Sons' youth programs. Confirm before you go.

Restaurants and bars usually post their own plans in December. I'll add the ones that post dates.

Is there a Duck Drop in Havre de Grace this year?

Not confirmed yet. The Duck Drop ran Dec. 31, 2025, its 26th year. It's a free party at Concord Point Park with a DJ, a big duck that drops at midnight, and fireworks over the water. The city's 2025 listing said 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

As of Oct. 21, 2026, the city hasn't posted the 2026 Duck Drop. I'll update this page when it does. See my Havre de Grace Christmas guide for the rest of December there.

New Year's Eve 2026 key dates in Harford County, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 events — *Key dates as of Oct. 21, 2026. Times can change, so check before you go.*

Graphic: joshtalksharford.com. Background photo: "Havre de Grace aerial" by Mbinebri, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped, text added.

What are the Joppatowne luminaries?

On Christmas Eve, Joppatowne residents light luminaries on their sidewalks and driveways from 6 to 7 p.m. The Joppatowne Lions Club runs it.

Order by: Dec. 4, 2026
Pick up: Dec. 12, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., or Dec. 17, 6-8 p.m., at the Lions Club building in Copenhaver Park
Rain date: New Year's Eve

Confirm before you go.

What's happening the week before New Year's?

Kwanzaa Celebration: Sat., Dec. 26, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Havre de Grace Colored School Museum & Cultural Center.
Bel Air's Winter Wonderland lights: The organizers say the lights stay on until Jan. 2. More in my Bel Air Christmas guide.
Library heads-up: All Harford County Public Library branches are closed Dec. 24-27.

Want to see more lights before they come down? See our list of Harford County winter light displays.

For winter break, The Harford County Mom has a guide to indoor things to do with kids in Harford County.

What about New Year's Day outside?

Maryland's state parks usually hold First Day Hikes on Jan. 1. Harford County has Susquehanna State Park and Rocks State Park. The 2027 hikes aren't posted yet. I'll add them when the state posts them.

How do I get home safe?

Plan your ride before you go out. Pick a sober driver or use a rideshare. Dress warm for outdoor events. It's cold by the water at midnight.

Where should I live to be close to the fun?

Havre de Grace and Bel Air both have walkable downtowns. Joppa has the luminaries and is close to both. Questions about any of them? Call or text me at (443) 617-2099.

FAQ

Are there New Year's Eve fireworks in Harford County?

Havre de Grace's Duck Drop at Concord Point Park has had midnight fireworks, most recently on Dec. 31, 2025. The city hadn't posted the 2026 event as of Oct. 17, 2026.

Where can kids celebrate New Year's Eve early in Harford County?

At the Bel Air Library's Noon Year's Eve (11:30 a.m. to noon, Dec. 31, 2026) or the Running Club's NYE Gala at Cedar Lane Park (11 a.m. run, noon countdown). Both are free. Confirm with the hosts before you go.

Is there a New Year's Eve party for adults in Harford County?

Yes. The Sons of the American Legion host a New Year's Eve Party with Eclipse at Post 47 in Havre de Grace, Dec. 31, 2026, 7:30-11:59 p.m. Tickets are $65.

What is the Havre de Grace Duck Drop?

A free New Year's Eve party at Concord Point Park with a DJ, a duck drop at midnight, and fireworks over the water. The city's 2025 listing ran 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.