Traverse City Prepares for CherryT Ball Drop, Supporting Student Aid

Downtown Traverse City will welcome 2026 with the 17th annual CherryT Ball Drop on Dec. 31, 2025, a community celebration that organizers say draws thousands of people each year. Festivities begin at 10:30 p.m., featuring live entertainment and culminating in a midnight countdown when a 600 pound illuminated cherry will descend to mark the start of the New Year.

Organizers request a suggested donation of five dollars from attendees, with proceeds directed to the North Ed Foundation. The foundation provides resources to students facing food insecurity, and the ball drop has become a central local fundraiser and public gathering that channels community energy toward that mission. Participation by businesses and civic partners underscores the event's institutional backing, with Boardwalk, Team Elmer’s, Traverse City Tourism, Leelanau Cellars and The North Bar listed among primary supporters. Additional sponsors include GFL, Sound Environments, GJ’s Rentals, Security Sanitation, Novum Productions and Northern DJ Connection.

For those seeking a different vantage point, The North Bar will host a heated rooftop celebration beginning at 9 p.m. with a thirty dollar entry fee. The rooftop provides an elevated, sheltered view of the crowd and the illuminated cherry descent for those willing to pay for a more curated experience.

Beyond the spectacle, the CherryT Ball Drop serves as a barometer for local civic engagement and the role of private charitable activity in addressing student needs. The event channels volunteer time, corporate sponsorship and public attendance into a fundraising stream for the North Ed Foundation. That model highlights how community institutions and municipal visitors bureaus work together to mobilize resources for social needs outside routine public budgets.

Residents planning to attend should expect large crowds and public programming in the downtown core. Organizers encourage participation and donation to support another successful celebration that also contributes directly to student support services. Additional details and updates are available at cherrytballdrop.org.