Lightship Overfalls to offer two anchor drops for New Year’s Eve

For the first time ever, the Lightship Overfalls, located in Lewes Canalfront Park, will host two New Year’s Eve Anchor Drop celebrations, made possible through collaboration between the Overfalls Foundation and the Friends of Lewes Canalfront Park.

This special partnership introduces a new, family-friendly Anchor Drop at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31, in addition to the long-standing traditional midnight countdown into the new year. Together, the two organizations are expanding this beloved Lewes tradition to welcome families, children and those who prefer to celebrate earlier in the evening.

The first Anchor Drop event will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Lightship Overfalls and the adjacent Monomoy Pavilion in Lewes Canalfront Park. Windscreens and standing heaters will be in use at the pavilion to provide weather protection for guests.

At 7 p.m., following a lively countdown, the ship’s iconic lighted anchor will be lowered down the mast, symbolically marking midnight in the United Kingdom, aligning with Lewes’ ongoing celebrations of the United States’ 250th anniversary.

This family-oriented event will feature a variety of free activities and amenities, including free hot chocolate and anchor-shaped cookies courtesy of American Legion Post 17 Auxiliary; free popcorn from the Popcorn Wagon, courtesy of the Friends of Lewes Canalfront Park; a coloring activity for kids and families; access to the Lightship Overfalls deck (weather permitting); and La Pinkeria taco truck on site from 5 to 7 p.m.

Two contests will offer attendees a unique opportunity to participate in the evening’s festivities; to enter either contest, participants should email their name to info@lewes250.com. Winners will be selected at 6:30 p.m., just before the 7 p.m. anchor drop.

For the Drop the Anchor contest, one winner will have the chance to board the lightship and assist the Overfalls crew with the 7 p.m. anchor drop. For the Have a Blast contest, one winner will have the opportunity to sound the ship’s authentic horn, historically used to guide and protect sailors in foggy conditions.

The evening’s second event is the traditional Lightship Overfalls 16th Annual New Year’s Eve Anchor Drop Celebration. It will begin at 11:30 p.m. at the Lightship Overfalls site. Guests are invited to gather for a countdown into the new year, culminating in the lowering of the anchor at 12 a.m.

Both events are free and open to the public, offering residents and visitors a unique opportunity to celebrate New Year’s Eve in a historic waterfront setting. The addition of the early Anchor Drop reflects the shared mission of the Overfalls Foundation and the Friends of Lewes Canalfront Park to create inclusive, family-friendly community events in the heart of Lewes.

For more information about future events, visit lewes250.com, lewescanalfrontpark.org, and overfalls.org.