Cocoa Beach Pier will welcome visitors for its annual New Year's Eve celebration on December 31. The event will feature a midnight fireworks display over the Atlantic Ocean, with live music and food vendors lining the pier. Local officials say the event has become a tradition for residents and tourists alike. "It's one of the most popular ways to ring in the new year here," said Cocoa Beach Mayor David Pendergraft. The pier will open at 5 p.m. with a cash bar and food trucks serving until midnight. Fireworks are expected to begin at 11:45 p.m. and last for 15 minutes. The event is free to attend, though parking in the Cocoa Beach downtown area will cost $10 per vehicle. Police and emergency personnel will be on site to manage crowds. The pier has hosted the event for over a decade, drawing an estimated 5,000 people last year. Organizers say they expect similar turnout this year. Weather permitting, the fireworks will be visible from the beach, the pier and surrounding neighborhoods. The event is part of a growing trend of waterfront celebrations in Brevard County. Nearby, the Port Canaveral cruise terminal also hosts New Year's Eve parties for ships docked in the area. Cocoa Beach Pier managers have partnered with local businesses to provide shuttle services from nearby hotels. The celebration will conclude with a countdown at midnight, followed by a champagne toast for attendees.