As Miami prepares to welcome a new year, the city will also celebrate a milestone that has become synonymous with New Year’s Eve in Downtown Miami: the 40th Anniversary of the Neon Big Orange Rise.
The Neon Big Orange was originally commissioned during the 1980’s “Next Miami” era. For four decades, the glowing orange has illuminated the skyline, transforming a simple symbol of Florida’s citrus heritage into a lasting emblem of Miami’s cultural identity and creative spirit.
This year’s theme, “Squeeze the Orange — From Fruit to Future,” highlights Miami’s evolution from its agricultural beginnings to its emergence as a global center for culture, innovation, and the arts. Florida’s farming industry has grown into agritourism and culinary traditions, eventually paving the way for a vibrant creative economy rooted in design, music, art, and technology.
The anniversary festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. at Bayfront Park with a ceremonial kickoff led by City of Miami Commissioner Damian Pardo and Monty Trainer, Chairman of the Greater Miami Host Committee. Joined by legacy partners and special guests, leaders will unveil a digitized City of Miami flag, activate the Neon Big Orange, and debut the official Laser Countdown Clock, synchronized to Greenwich Mean Time.
At 6:00 p.m., the Neon Big Orange begins its ascent from the InterContinental Miami, ultimately rising 400 feet at midnight to welcome 2026. Nearby, Bayside Marketplace will host a Neon New Year’s Eve celebration with DJ music from the 1980s, Neon Hora Loca, photo opportunities with a six-foot Neon Big Orange, and a tribute to neon as public art, including a salute to the Mr. Neon Museum of Neon Art. Guests are encouraged to wear white or neon attire in honor of Miami’s iconic neon era.
“For 40 years, the Big Orange has been more than a timeball — it has been Miami’s signature work of public art,” said Monty Trainer. Commissioner Damian Pardo added, “Downtown Miami is the birthplace of the Orange Economy, and we invite everyone to celebrate our journey from fruit to future.”
As the Neon Big Orange rises, it signals unity, creativity, and renewal — a reminder that when the Big Orange rises, all of Miami rises together.
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