Baltimore's Inner Harbor rings in 2026 with music and fireworks

Baltimore rang in the new year on Wednesday in style, with its annual New Year's Eve Spectacular at the Inner Harbor, where visitors were entertained with ice skating, music, food, and fireworks.

"We wanted to be in the city where the fireworks are," said Baltimore County resident April Hawkins. "We're right across the street at the Renaissance Hotel, so we just came out to see everybody ice skating, getting ready for the new year."

Once the clock struck midnight on 2025, fireworks lit up the Baltimore sky.

The fireworks were set off from barges located between Point Park and Domino Sugar in the Inner Harbor Channel, making the show visible from the Canton, Federal Hill, Fells Point, Harbor East, and Locust Point areas in Baltimore.

"I came tonight because I always wanted to come to experience this, and today's my first time," said Baltimore resident Innocent Mwaibungu.

"Me and my bestie wanted to, you know, just explore and check it out for a new year and a different state," said Pauline Nissan, from California.

Those celebrating at the Inner Harbor are hoping for bigger and brighter days in 2026.

"Gonna execute those in addition to what we're doing to be even greater than what we have done in 2025," said Washington D.C. resident Billy Sanders. "2025 has been a great year. We want to be greater, so we're gonna execute."

"Be a better me, and more peace in the city, less violence," added Baltimore resident Lee Thompson. "We need less violence."

New Year's Eve fireworks in Annapolis

The City of Annapolis hosted its own New Year's Eve fireworks show on Wednesday over Spa Creek.

The city had family-friendly events throughout the day and live entertainment.

The city also says New Year's Eve was the last day that visitors could park at downtown meters for two hours for free.