Mandan, North Dakota is gearing up for a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration with a record‑setting fireworks display, “New Year, New Light – Remember Our Veterans 2026.” Organizers aim to break a world record while paying tribute to veterans and supporting related causes.
Set to take place on December 31 at 10:00 p.m. in the Mandan High School parking lot, the pyro‑musical fireworks show will feature an anticipated 2.5 million Roman candle shots launched into the night sky, synchronized with a powerful soundtrack celebrating courage, sacrifice, and unity. Guinness World Records officials will be on site to verify the attempt.
The event is more than a dazzling visual experience — its message is rooted in community support. Organizers from the Mandan Progress Organization and Pegasus Illuminations have aligned the celebration with fund‑raising efforts for the Wounded Warrior Project, the Western North Dakota Honor Flight, and the Mandan High School Marching Band, which is headed to the London New Year’s Day Parade in 2027.
Tickets are available in advance, and many spectators are expected to watch from their vehicles in designated drive‑in viewing areas, combining safety with an immersive New Year’s Eve experience. The show also kicks off North Dakota’s official celebrations of the United States’ 250th anniversary with a message of hope and gratitude as residents and visitors welcome 2026. The ambitious display promises a memorable way to honor veterans, bring the community together, and attempt a place in the record books while lighting up the plains of Mandan for the first moments of the New Year.
