Photo by Cherry T-Ball Drop

New Year's Eve CherryT Ball Drop in Traverse City

December 31st, 2023 (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 2022 was Goodwill Northern Michigan ‘s Food Rescue & Northwest Food Coalition.

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. A short fireworks display follows the ball drop.

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

cherrytballdrop.org

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