MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Fireworks return for New Year’s Eve at Space Needle in 2021, but no crowds

Dec 15, 2021, 4:39 PM | Updated: Dec 31, 2021, 11:51 am

space needle...

A general view of the Seattle Space Needle and skyline lit up in blue in 2020 to honor essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. (File photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

(File photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

Live fireworks will return to the Space Needle in Seattle to ring in 2022, but there will be additional special effects that can only be seen on TV or streaming online.

The Space Needle partnered with multimedia studios and digital artists to create the “first-ever live fireworks show to be augmented and broadcast live with exclusive special effects that can only be seen on TV or streaming online.”

People are encouraged to “stream in the new year” from home. While there will be fireworks, there will be no events and no public viewing at Seattle Center as crowds will not be permitted “in support of public health guidance.”

If you remember last year — though it certainly feels like more than a year has passed — the New Year’s Eve celebration to ring in 2021 was entirely virtual. The famous Seattle landmark was lit in T-Mobile’s signature magenta color but there were no fireworks. Further back, at the end of 2019, the New Year’s Eve show ended before it really began after strong winds forced the cancellation of the fireworks.

This year, to see the on-screen exclusive special effects for T-Mobile New Year’s at the Needle in 2021, tune in to KING 5 on your TV, stream it online at king5.com, or through the KING 5 mobile app. A list of watch parties at local establishments will be updated between now and NYE here.

While there are no non-ticketed, public events planned at Seattle Center, the area will have a few live events on New Year’s Eve where proof of vaccination is required. Those events include Patton Oswalt at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, Dave Chappelle at Climate Pledge Arena, and the INDULGENCE New Year’s Eve Bash at the Museum of Pop Culture.

The Seattle Center Armory will be open on Dec. 31, including the public restrooms. There will be an exclusion zone set up “for public safety purposes related to live fireworks.” Masks are required for everyone age 5 and up inside Seattle Center.

MyNorthwest News

SeaTac drug ring trafficking...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Man with decades-long history of domestic violence sentenced to 5 years for ‘vicious assault’

A Lummi Nation man with a decades-long history of domestic violence was sentenced to five years in federal prison for strangling his former partner.

14 minutes ago

Snohomish train car collision...

Jason Sutich

Car struck by train in Snohomish County after driver goes around crossing arms

A car was struck by a train in Snohomish County early Thursday morning after it drove around the lowered railroad crossing arms.

1 hour ago

bellevue i-405 i-90 ramp close...

Jason Sutich

Overturned semi-truck carrying garbage blocks NB I-405 ramp to EB I-90 in Bellevue

The northbound I-405 ramp to eastbound I-90 in Bellevue is fully blocked after a semi-truck carrying garbage overturned on the roadway.

2 hours ago

Andre Sayles (2) bite of seattle shooting suspect...

Charlie Harger

Harger: SPD described a Georgetown stabbing suspect down to his jacket. For the Bite of Seattle shooters? Nothing.

Here's what SPD has released about the shooters who opened fire into a crowd at the Bite of Seattle on July 26, killing two bystanders: nothing.

2 hours ago

Spokane fire clothes...

Madeline Ottilie, KIRO 7

Free clothes for women impacted by fires in Spokane area

Dress for Success Seattle has launched an emergency clothing relief response to support women affected by wildfires in the Spokane area.

2 hours ago

seattle mayor katie wilson recall...

MyNorthwest Staff

‘She’s failed this city miserably’: Seattle woman behind Mayor Wilson recall effort explains why she filed

Seattle resident files recall charges against Mayor Katie Wilson, citing public safety failures from the Bite of Seattle to the crisis on Aurora Avenue.

3 hours ago

Fireworks return for New Year’s Eve at Space Needle in 2021, but no crowds