At a minute to midnight on 31 December, Tbilisi holds its breath. Glasses are filled, someone counts down in Georgian, and then the city goes up in light, not from one place but from everywhere at once.
New Year’s fireworks in Tbilisi are not a single show over a river. They are thousands of small ones, launched from courtyards, balconies, streets and rooftops across the hills. That is what makes them unforgettable, and it is also why where you stand matters so much.
How New Year’s Eve works in Tbilisi
For most Georgian families the night starts at home, around a long supra table: satsivi, roast pork, Gurian khachapuri, and gozinaki, the honey and walnut sweet of the New Year. At midnight everyone toasts with Georgian sparkling wine, and the fireworks begin.
Then the city comes out. Friends visit each other, and the first guest to cross your threshold after midnight is your mekvle. Families believe the mekvle brings the luck for the whole year, so the right person is chosen with care, and they step in right foot first with sweets and good wishes.
The fireworks come from every direction. The higher you are the more of the city you see.
Five places to watch
The park on the mountain above the city is the highest viewpoint in Tbilisi, reached by funicular. The widest view, and the coldest and windiest one.
The old walls above the Old Town look straight down on Abanotubani and the river, with the fireworks rising all around.
The old stepped street in the Old Town, below Narikala. Closer to the ground, quieter, and full of character.
Rike Park and the Bridge of Peace put you in the middle of it, with fireworks on the hills on both sides of the Mtkvari.
Whichever you choose, check how you will get up and back that night. Funicular and cable car hours on New Year’s Eve can change, and every viewpoint is busy around midnight.
Or watch from the 36th floor
New Year’s Eve at Dumas
The fifth place to watch is the warmest. Dumas, the highest French restaurant in Tbilisi, sits on the 36th floor of Axis Towers, and on 31 December the whole city spreads out below its windows. Panoramic views open up from every seat.
The gala dinner runs from 9 pm to 1 am: four courses, unlimited wine and Kelly Kelz singing live. When the night is over, there is no taxi to find, only a lift down to your room. See the New Year’s Eve gala dinner.
Before you go out
- It is loud. Fireworks go off close by in the streets for a long time after midnight. Bring ear protection for small children, and keep pets indoors.
- Keep your distance from people setting off fireworks, and do not stand under balconies.
- Dress for the hills. Viewpoints are colder than the city, often by a few degrees, and the wind cuts through.
- Book dinner early. Restaurants with a view fill up weeks ahead, and many close early on 31 December.
- Plan 1 January. It is a public holiday, as is 2 January, and many places stay closed. At our hotel, The Junction lobby bar is open until 1 am from 31 December to 3 January, and room service runs 24 hours.
A second chance on 14 January
Missed it, or want to see it again? Georgia celebrates the Old New Year on the night of 13 to 14 January, by the old calendar. There is one more festive table, and at midnight the fireworks go up once more, smaller and quieter this time. Read more in Tbilisi in December: weather and what to pack.
Questions
Are there fireworks in Tbilisi on New Year’s Eve?
Yes, and a lot of them. They are not one official show: people set them off all over the city, from streets, courtyards, balconies and rooftops. They peak at midnight and carry on well after it.
Where is the best place to see the New Year fireworks in Tbilisi?
Somewhere high, because the fireworks come from every direction. Mtatsminda and Narikala Fortress are the classic viewpoints. Bethlemi Rise in the Old Town is closer and quieter. If you would rather stay warm, a high floor with a big window works best: Dumas, our restaurant on the 36th floor, looks out over the whole city.
How do I get home after midnight on New Year’s Eve in Tbilisi?
Plan it before you go out. Taxis are hard to find around midnight and on 1 January, and fares go up. Stay within walking distance of where you celebrate, or stay the night where you dine.
Are there fireworks on the Old New Year too?
Yes. On the night of 13 to 14 January, the Old New Year, fireworks go up again at midnight. It is a smaller, quieter round, often enjoyed from home.
See 2027 arrive from the 36th floor
Dinner at Dumas, the city’s fireworks all around, and a room upstairs when the night is over.