New Year's Eve 2026 near North Charleston: the Festival of Lights' last night, New Year's Day 5Ks, mall hours and the Jan. 1 trash delay.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from each organizer’s own page, linked below. Restaurant and bar New Year’s Eve plans are added only when the venue announces them on its own site.

New Year’s Eve is Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026. As of Oct. 12, no New Year’s Eve fireworks show or countdown had been announced in North Charleston. The nearest big night out is the last night of the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park, and two 5Ks start New Year’s Day morning in Charleston and Summerville.

Who to call

  • Trash pickup: North Charleston Public Works, 843-745-1026
  • Holiday Festival of Lights park office: 843-406-6990
  • Emergencies: 911

New Year’s Eve

Holiday Festival of Lights, closing night. Charleston County Parks’ light show at James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive, about 15 miles south, is open 5:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, its last night of the season, the festival page says. Tickets are per vehicle of up to 15 people, cheaper online than at the gate; prices by night are on our holiday lights page.

Park Circle lights. The city’s holiday lights around Park Circle, 4800 Park Circle, stay on until New Year’s Day, according to the city’s Christmas activities page. They are free to walk or drive past.

Fireworks. The city’s own fireworks show is the Fourth of July at Riverfront Park. We will add any New Year’s Eve show here if the city or an organizer announces one.

Restaurants and bars. We list New Year’s Eve dinners, parties and countdowns at North Charleston venues once each venue posts the details on its own website. Venues can send theirs through our contact page. Year-round options are on our live music and nightlife page.

New Year’s Day runs

  • Race the Landing New Year’s Day Pajama Run, Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, at Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, 1500 Old Towne Road in Charleston. The kids fun run starts at 8:30 a.m. ($15) and the 5K at 9 a.m. ($30); prices rise after Oct. 15, and pajamas are welcome, the race page says.
  • First Day 5K, Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, in Cane Bay near Summerville. The race starts at 9:27 a.m. from the Cane Bay Elementary School parking lot and loops the paved multi-use trails, according to its race page.

What is open and closed

Service New Year’s 2026-27
City garbage and trash No collection Friday, Jan. 1; Friday pickup runs Saturday in Dorchester County
Charleston County recycling Delayed one day for New Year’s Day
Northwoods Mall 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 (mall hours)
Charleston County schools Winter break Dec. 21 to Jan. 1; teacher workday Jan. 4; students return Tuesday, Jan. 5 (district calendar)

Trash dates come from the city’s 2026 sanitation holiday schedule; Charleston County had not published its 2027 recycling holiday dates when we checked. Details are on our trash and recycling page.

Getting home safely

CARTA bus routes in North Charleston are on our getting around page. Plan a ride home before the night starts.

What this means for you

  • For lights on the last night of the year, the festival closes at 10 p.m. Dec. 31.
  • Friday garbage on Jan. 1 waits a day in the Dorchester County part of the city.
  • Register for a New Year’s Day 5K early; the Charleston race raises its price after Oct. 15.

More: holiday lights and Christmas events, Valentine’s Day and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

Are there New Year’s Eve fireworks in North Charleston?

The City of North Charleston had not announced a New Year’s Eve fireworks show for 2026 when we checked on Oct. 12. The city’s big fireworks night is the Fourth of July at Riverfront Park.

Is the Holiday Festival of Lights open on New Year’s Eve?

Yes. Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026, is the festival’s last night, open 5:30 to 10 p.m. at James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive.

Is trash picked up on New Year’s Day in North Charleston?

No. The city has no garbage collection on Friday, Jan. 1, 2027; Friday pickup runs Saturday in the Dorchester County part of the city. Charleston County says recycling is delayed one day for New Year’s Day.

When do Charleston County schools go back after winter break?

Students return Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027. Winter break runs Dec. 21 to Jan. 1, and Monday, Jan. 4, is a teacher workday.