Washington’s Inaugural Crab Drop

11/23/2025

🎉 First Annual Crab Drop

Downtown Washington, NC — December 31, 2025

Ring in the New Year with something uniquely coastal and totally memorable! Join us in beautiful downtown Washington for the First Annual Crab Drop on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, starting at 6:00 PM at Mac “Bear” Hodges Festival Park (124 Water St.).

What to expect

6:00 PM: Food trucks, DJ music, glow-mini-golf, face painting and other family-friendly fun.
8:00 PM: The big moment — our inaugural crab drop! Watch a large crab pot descend as we count down together, followed by fireworks over the waterfront.
All ages welcome. Come early for the best views and to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Warm up, dress in layers (winter waterfront evenings can be crisp) and bring your holiday spirit.

Why you should be there

This is the first time Washington is doing the crab drop — a fun twist on the classic New Year’s Eve “ball drop” that fits our coastal identity. It’s the perfect way to celebrate locally, support community-event energy, and create memories with friends and family right here in our waterfront hometown.

Mark your calendar, invite your crew, and get ready to usher in 2026 with style, sparkle, and a nod to crab-pot charm.

See you December 31 in Downtown Washington!

As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, The Washington Harbor District Alliance is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities that share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All Main Street America™ Accredited programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by Main Street America.

Washington is a North Carolina Main Street community, designated by the N.C. Department of Commerce Main Street & Rural Planning Center. The Washington Harbor District Alliance is charged with administering the program at the local level and building public-private partnerships to spur economic development that achieves measurable results such as investment, business growth, and job creation.