Plan Ahead for New Year's Eve in Downtown Atlanta

December 29,2011

The Downtown area will be the busy center of many New Year’s Eve festivities on Saturday, and the Atlanta Police Department is working to ensure the safety of all event-goers and issuing some public safety reminders in advance.

Events expected to draw crowds estimated close to 180,000 will fill Downtown beginning at 10 a.m. until past the midnight Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta.

There will be numerous street closings around these events throughout the day. Anyone planning to attend these events, or any other activities in Downtown Atlanta, should consider alternative modes of transportation such as MARTA to avoid expected heavy traffic and street closings.

Vehicular traffic around Underground Atlanta will be restricted beginning at 4 p.m. around a perimeter formed by:

Central Avenue – Peachtree Center Avenue on the East
Spring Street – Walton Street – Forsyth Street on the West
Martin Luther King Jr. on the South
Ellis Street – Carnegie Way on the North

A pedestrian corridor will be set up around Underground Atlanta and bag checks will be conducted beginning at 5 p.m. for security purposes. Bags, backpacks, coolers, alcoholic beverages, weapons, pets, picnic baskets, bikes, inline skates, and skateboards will not be permitted in the event area. In order to ensure a smooth process at the checkpoints, event-goers are encouraged to refrain from attempting to bring those items into the venue. For more information on the Peach Drop, visitors can refer to www.PeachDrop.com.

Street closings are also expected in the streets around the Chick-Fil-A-Bowl parade, which begins at 12:30 p.m. on Peachtree Street, near Ralph McGill Boulevard (route below under event information).

While major crimes in the city are down this year, the APD reminds people to always be mindful of their surroundings and use other common sense measures to reduce the chances of becoming the victim of a crime. Thieves have recently been targeting personal handheld electronics (smart phones and tablet computers) so take care to safeguard those during your visit.

Thefts of valuables from vehicles are an easily preventable crime. Adhere to the department’s “Clean Car Campaign,” and leaving nothing of value in your motor vehicle when unattended.

We also encourage anyone to report suspicious activity to dial 9-1-1. Suspicious activity may also be reported to the many on and off-duty Atlanta police officers that will be working the numerous venues throughout the city.

“We encourage everyone to come Downtown and enjoy the many great events the City of Atlanta has to offer,” said Atlanta Police Chief George Turner. “The Atlanta Police Department will be out in force to ensure everyone has a safe, and happy, New Year’s Eve celebration.”

Click here for a full listing of New Year's Eve happenings in Downtown Atlanta.