Greater Fort Lauderdale will take center stage in the United States’ New Year’s Eve celebrations as CNN’s “New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen” broadcasts live from the city, showcasing its iconic waterfront as the destination welcomes 2026.

Visit Lauderdale, the region’s official tourism marketing agency, confirmed that the area will host a full day of festivities designed to appeal to families, visitors, and a global television audience. Daytime celebrations will begin at the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS), where families can enjoy music, dance-offs, hands-on science experiments, and interactive exhibits from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A festive beach ball drop at noon will allow early revelers to take part in the New Year’s spirit.

As night falls, the focus will shift to Greater Fort Lauderdale’s renowned waterways. In partnership with CNN, Visit Lauderdale will present a live, three-minute nationally televised segment from the newly opened Pier Sixty-Six. The broadcast will take place aboard a luxury Sanlorenzo yacht, highlighting the destination’s vibrant marine culture, lifestyle, and festive atmosphere.

“There’s no better way to ring in the new year than by sharing Greater Fort Lauderdale’s energy, diversity, and joy with a global audience,” said Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale.

To further amplify the city’s visibility, Visit Lauderdale will launch bold digital advertising in New York’s Times Square during CNN’s New Year’s Eve telecast, extending the destination’s reach to millions of viewers worldwide.

The live broadcast positions Greater Fort Lauderdale as a premier global destination, blending family-friendly entertainment, waterfront glamour, and international media exposure to welcome 2026 in style.