Photo by Cherry T-Ball Drop

New Year's Eve CherryT Ball Drop in Traverse City

December 31st, 2025 (Tentative)

Downtown Traverse City bustles with party goers for the annual CherryT Ball Drop held on New Year’s Eve. The gates open at 10:30pm and the event ends at 12:20am. Cost is a $5 donation that benefits a different charity each year. The beneficiary for 2024 was Project Feed the Kids which plays a critical role in ensuring children and their families have access to nutritious meals. Just over $15,573 was raised for the organization at the 2024 event.

CherryT is a play on words for Charity and the cherry, a symbol of the Traverse City region, which grows about 75% of the nations tart cherry crop each year.

The celebration takes place at the downtown intersection of Front Street and Cass Street. The family-friendly event sees crowds estimated at 8,000 to 12,000 people. The non-profit organization in charge raises money and collects non-perishable food items while people party for a purpose in Traverse City’s own version of Time Square. 

Local acts and a DJ on the lit stage help bring in the new year. Right before midnight, the large illuminated cherry is lowered to usher in the coming year, courtesy of Team Elmers & North Michigan Concrete Asphalt Excavation Crane & Rigging. A short fireworks display follows the ball drop.

Sponsors for the 2024 event were Traverse City Tourism, Leelanau Cellars, Team Elmers, North Michigan Concrete Asphalt Excavation Crane & Rigging, Delamar Traverse City, DoorDash, North Bar TC, and UpNorthLive.

For more information on the New Year’s Eve CherryT Ball Drop, please contact the event organizer:


cherrytballdrop.org

Stay tuned for information on the 2025 CherryT Ball Drop!

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