Fireworks Are On; In-Person City Dock Events Are Off
ANNAPOLIS, MD - The City of Annapolis has announced the unfortunate cancellation of the in-person portion of the New Year’s Eve festivities at City Dock in order to protect the public health. The cancellations only apply to the performances by bands and DJs at City Dock, which tend to encourage large gatherings.
The fireworks, which can be viewed from vantage points around the City, will go as previously planned at 5:30 p.m. and midnight.
Mayor Gavin Buckley asks residents and businesses to do their part to slow the spread of COVID by moving gatherings out-of-doors where possible, requesting vaccination cards or negative tests for indoor events, and encouraging masking up in all crowded settings, both inside and outside.
“This wave of infections is putting a strain on resources in public safety and health care,” said Mayor Buckley. “We want people to celebrate, but to do so safely and in a way that doesn’t further tax hospitals and public safety personnel.”
The City of Annapolis traditionally hosts a New Year’s Eve celebration with fireworks that are set off on a barge in Spa Creek and events that include DJs, bands and giveaways. The fireworks can be viewed from land-based locations in Annapolis as well as by boat (maritime restrictions apply).
Maritime restrictions: Because of the potential for crowded conditions, boaters are urged to select their preferred viewing-area anchorage early and are also warned to avoid the 1,000-foot safety zone around the fireworks barge. The 1,000-foot safety zone covers all of Spa Creek from Susan Campbell Park to the Chart House. You will not be able to transit that entire portion of Spa Creek from 4 p.m. to midnight. Please note: Immediately after the fireworks, the barge will be underway to clear the harbor. All boaters are urged to heed the instructions of safety and law enforcement officials including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police, the Annapolis Police, the Annapolis Fire Department, the Annapolis Harbormaster and others.
City Closures: On Friday, December 31, 2021, City of Annapolis offices will be closed in observance of New Year’s. Pip Moyer Recreation Center will be open until 1 p.m. on Friday, but be closed on New Years Day. The Stanton Center will be closed on both Friday and Saturday.
Annapolis Transit will run a regular weekday schedule on New Year’s Eve (Friday) with no evening Purple service. There will be no bus service on New Year’s Day, Saturday, January 1, 2022.
