MIAMI — Steve Carpenter, better known as Mr. Neon, is proud of being part of Miami’s New Year’s Eve tradition with the 35-foot-tall Big Orange, which weighs about 2,000 pounds, in Downtown.

The city will welcome 2026 by dropping the artist’s glowing orange at midnight from the top of the InterContinental Hotel, at 100 Chopin Plaza, with new lighting effects this midnight.

“It’s amazing! When I first built it and designed it, I didn’t know it was going to become an icon,” Carpenter said. “I just thought we would do it for New Year’s [Eve] maybe one or two years. I never dreamed it would be going on 40 years.”

Kae Peterson, a tourist from Canada, arrived early at the 32-acre Bayfront Park, at 301 Biscayne Boulevard. She said she was looking forward to Flo Rida’s performance. Colombian tourists were looking forward to seeing Nicky Jam on stage.

EDM star Marshmello, Cuban reggaeton duo Gente de Zona, and Dominican merengue star Toño Rosario were also in the diverse lineup.

Michael Hankerson, better known as the Miami Heat’s favorite DJ M Dot, will be the host of “The Countdown Miami at Bayfront" by the Bayfront Park Management Trust, which counts on Miami Commissioner Miguel Ángel Gabela as the chairman.

Entry is “first-come, first-served.” To keep up with the party goers, Miami’s Metromover and Miami-Dade County’s Metrorail will be operating through midnight until 2 a.m. on Jan. 1.

TRAFFIC

The Miami Police Department is implementing heightened security measures that include road closures.

WATCH IT LIVE

Local 10 News livestreams start at 11 p.m. with the local South Florida countdown and the Coast-to-Coast NYE 2026 celebrations -- including New York City’s Times Square and the main party at Las Vegas.

New Year’s Eve parties: Here is everything you need to know about Miami’s Big Orange drop

Local 10’s livestream countdowns start at 11 p.m. Marshmello is among the performers

About The Author

Aaron Maybin

Andrea Torres