New Year's Eve 2026 in Winston-Salem: Noon Year's Eve for kids Dec. 31, the midnight Running of the Lights at Tanglewood, Jan. 1 closings and trash changes.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Events come from the City of Winston-Salem calendar, Forsyth County Parks and the organizers; closings from the city’s holiday schedule. City questions: CityLink, 311 or 336-727-8000.

New Year’s Eve is Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026, and New Year’s Day falls on a Friday, so many people get a three-day weekend. As of Oct. 11, Winston-Salem’s confirmed plans are a children’s countdown at noon and a midnight race through the Tanglewood lights. No city fireworks show has been announced.

What this means for you

  • Families with young children: the city’s Noon Year’s Eve wraps up by 1 p.m.
  • Want to be out at midnight? The Running of the Lights starts at 12 a.m. at Tanglewood.
  • No WSTA buses on New Year’s Day; Friday trash goes out Saturday, Jan. 2.

Confirmed New Year’s Eve events

When Event Where
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 Noon Year’s Eve South Fork Community Center, 4403 Country Club Road
6 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 Tanglewood Festival of Lights Tanglewood Park, Clemmons
Midnight, Friday, Jan. 1 Running of the Lights Tanglewood Park, Clemmons

Noon Year’s Eve. Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks’ WePLAY events team holds a midday countdown for children at South Fork Community Center, listed on the city calendar. Questions go to WePLAYevents@cityofws.org.

Tanglewood Festival of Lights. The drive-through light show is open 6 to 11 p.m. every night through Jan. 1, including New Year’s Eve. Thursday is a weekday rate: $20 cash or $23 by card for a family vehicle, according to Forsyth County Parks. The entrance is off N.C. 158 (Clemmons Road). More on our holiday lights and Christmas events page.

Running of the Lights. The race “begins at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day” and runs through the Festival of Lights, with a 5K(ish) run or walk and a 1.75-mile fun run or walk, followed by hot chocolate and snacks, according to the race page. There is also a virtual option.

Restaurants and parties

Downtown restaurants, bars and venues usually announce New Year’s Eve dinners and parties in December. We list only what venues announce on their own pages and will add them here as they do. For places to go any night, see live music and nightlife and date night.

New Year’s Day closings

Friday, Jan. 1, 2027
City of Winston-Salem offices Closed
WSTA buses and Trans-AID No service
Hanes Mall 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
City garbage and recycling Friday routes collected Saturday, Jan. 2

The city lists Jan. 1, 2027, as a holiday on its holiday schedule. WSTA does not provide transportation on New Year’s Day, according to its holiday schedule. Hanes Mall’s hours are from its hours page; on Dec. 31 it is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Trash and recycling

From the city’s collections page (a blue recycling week):

  • Garbage: Tuesday through Thursday as normal; Friday collected Saturday, Jan. 2.
  • Recycling: Monday through Thursday as normal; Friday collected Saturday, Jan. 2.
  • Yard waste carts: normal schedule Monday, Dec. 28, through Thursday, Dec. 31.

Getting home safely

Plan a ride home before you go out; WSTA buses do not run on Jan. 1. In an emergency, call 911; for a non-emergency police matter, call 336-773-7700, according to the city’s Telcom page.

More: Christmas parade and tree lighting and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

Are there fireworks in Winston-Salem on New Year’s Eve?

The city had not announced a New Year’s Eve fireworks show as of Oct. 11, 2026. We will add one here if the city or an organizer posts it.

What is there for kids on New Year’s Eve in Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks holds a Noon Year’s Eve from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at South Fork Community Center, 4403 Country Club Road.

What is the Running of the Lights?

A 5K or 1.75-mile run or walk through the Tanglewood Festival of Lights in Clemmons that starts at the stroke of midnight on Jan. 1, 2027.

Is trash picked up on New Year’s Day 2027 in Winston-Salem?

No. Friday garbage and recycling are collected Saturday, Jan. 2. Monday through Thursday that week run as normal.

Are Winston-Salem city offices open on New Year’s Day?

No. Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, is a city holiday, and WSTA buses do not run on New Year’s Day.