Space Needle cancels New Year's Eve fireworks for 2021; will go virtual instead amid COVID-19

It's an event that usually brings thousands of Seattleites to viewpoints like Gas Works Park to view the spectacular pyrotechnics over the Emerald City. But for the second year in a row, the Space Needle will not be hosting its annual New Year's firework display due to COVID-19.

Instead, residents can expect a broadcasted virtual light show they can enjoy right from their own home to ring in the new year.

Using sky-mapping technology and real video footage, the new virtual display will feature "striking visuals in a wondrous display of digital effects, engineered to bring viewers bigger thrills than ever before."

While viewer's screens at home will show a dazzling, 3-D light show, in reality, the Space Needle will be lit up in the magenta hue of sponsor T-Mobile.

Event organizers are hoping that the show will set a hopeful tone for the year to come.

"The year 2020 is one that will stand out for all of us over our lives for both public and personal reasons, and we hope the official beginning of 2021 will be an optimistic pivot point for our community," said Ron Sevart, Chief Executive Officer of the Space Needle. "This special broadcast brings together several groups to channel the message and place this year in context with our history and a hopeful future."

The move to a fully virtual show was likely made to avoid crowding at the Space Needle amid a fall surge of the virus.

In what may have been a harbinger for the unprecedented year to come, the fireworks were also canceled in 2020 due to high winds, prompting safety concerns. A 12-minute choreographed light show replaced the fireworks.

"T-Mobile New Year’s at the Needle," will be air locally on December 31 on KING 5 starting at 11:35 p.m. and online at spaceneedle.com/newyears. Before the virtual light show at midnight, expect to see musical performances, celebrity cameos, a "celebration of our community's resilience in 2020," and more.