ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida is just hours away from ringing in 2026.
Preparations are underway ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations across the region.
What You Need To Know
In Orlando, the Orange Ball Drop will take place in Thornton Park for the second year in a row
Prior to last year, the iconic orange ball drop used to take place on Church Street but the tradition was canceled there amid many bar closures in the area.
The city of Orlando optimistic about its future plans for downtown, which has seen many bars close this year as well.
In Orlando, the Orange Ball Drop will take place in Thornton Park for the second year in a row.
Brian Minkel is the owner of the Classic Restaurant, which sits directly across from the Reindeer Room, where the orange ball will drop at midnight.
Minkel said it makes him happy to see Thornton Park play an active role in keeping this longstanding tradition alive.
Prior to last year, the iconic orange ball drop used to take place on Church Street but the tradition was canceled there amid many bar closures in the area.
instead, various bar owners in the Thornton Park area volunteered to maintain the tradition by playing host to the classic orange ball drop. He said he believes it helps bring traction to the area located just a short walk from downtown.
“There are a lot of people that consider Thornton Park Downtown, which we don’t really but I’m optimistic because it feels like the neighborhoods are starting to get busier,” said Minkel. “You know Ivanhoe, Mills 50, those things are, it’s sad to see our downtown doing as poorly as it is.”
The city of Orlando though is optimistic about its future plans for downtown, which has seen many bars close this year as well.
“Our DTO 2.0 plan which will two-way streets, add more park space in our downtown, we are implementing that,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “We want a walkable downtown; we want a mobile downtown.”
Minkel said New Year’s Eve is one of the classic’s busiest nights of the year and he believes tonight’s cold weather might actually encourage more people to come out for the block party.
But of course, safety must remain top of mind.
Minkel said business owners like him are required to have police on site and adds that they keep an eye out for each other.
As for what people can expect in terms of street closures: east Washington Street between Summerlin and James Avenue will be closed starting at noon today and will remain that way until 3 a.m. tomorrow.