Washington City New Year's Eve Fireworks

Washington City Rings In the New Year

On December 31, Washington City puts on a public fireworks show to close out the year. The city lists it on its page of community celebrations, and it gives the east side of the St. George area an organized, public way to mark the turn of the year without a reservation or a late night.

The fireworks are launched from the city's Baseball/Softball Complex, next to the Washington City Community Center. The show is free to watch.

Where to Watch

The city's own advice is simple: the best view in town is from the Community Center parking lot or the neighboring Softball Complex. The Community Center building itself is closed on New Year's Eve, so there is no indoor space, restroom access inside the building or warm-up room to count on. Plan to watch from the lot or the complex.

Because the viewing areas are the parking lots, the practical approach is to arrive early, park once, and watch from your spot. Expect the lots to fill before the show and traffic to be slow leaving afterward, as everyone departs at once.

A New Year's Eve That Works for Families

The show happens hours ahead of the midnight countdown, and that timing is most of its appeal. Families with young children can see real fireworks and still get everyone home and to bed at a reasonable hour, and adults with later plans can catch the show first and move on.

Desert nights in late December get cold once the sun goes down, and you will be standing or sitting outdoors in a parking lot. Bring coats, blankets or camp chairs, and consider watching from the car if small children are along. A thermos of something hot goes a long way while you wait for the first shell.

Washington City in December

Washington sits just northeast of St. George along I-15, and the complex is an easy drive from anywhere in the valley. New Year's Eve closes out a busy December for the city. The Christmas in Dixie tree lighting takes place at Veterans Park on the first Monday after Thanksgiving, and the city holds an annual Pearl Harbor and USS Utah remembrance on December 7 at Heritage Hall.

Newcomers can read up on the neighborhoods around Washington City's ballfields before the drive over.

Making a Night of It

Pair the fireworks with a lights display earlier in the evening. The Christmas lights at the St. George Temple and the holiday lights at Red Hills Desert Garden are both a short drive from Washington, and together they make an easy outing before the show. Winter break has more to fill than one night, and kid-friendly outings around St. George run right through January.