Clarendon is Arlington's New Year's Eve hub, with road closures from 10 p.m. Metro ran free from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. last year. Libraries close at 5 p.m. Dec. 31.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from Arlington County’s 2025 New Year’s Eve traffic alert and New Year’s Day schedule, the library’s holiday closings and Metro’s holiday service notice. Where 2026 plans are not out yet, we say which year a detail is from.
New Year’s Eve is Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026, and Clarendon is where Arlington goes out. Arlington County police close Clarendon’s two main boulevards to traffic late in the evening and send rideshare pickups to Washington Boulevard. Arlington has no county fireworks show or public countdown on its calendars. For towed cars or trouble on the night, call police non-emergency at 703-558-2222.
What this means for you
- Clarendon closures (2025): Clarendon and Wilson boulevards, North Highland Street to Washington Boulevard, 10 p.m. Dec. 31 to 3 a.m. Jan. 1. No street parking from 8 p.m.
- Rideshare: pickups and drop-offs on Washington Boulevard.
- Metro (2025): free bus and rail 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.; rail open until 2 a.m.
- Libraries: close at 5 p.m. Dec. 31; closed Jan. 1.
Clarendon on New Year’s Eve
Clarendon’s bars and restaurants line Wilson and Clarendon boulevards near the Clarendon Metro station. The county’s traffic alert for 2025 set out the plan police used:
| 2025 plan | |
|---|---|
| Closed to traffic | Clarendon Boulevard and Wilson Boulevard, North Highland Street to Washington Boulevard |
| Closure hours | 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, to 3 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1 |
| Parking | No street parking on both boulevards from 8 p.m.; cars may be ticketed or towed |
| Rideshare | Pickups and drop-offs on Washington Boulevard |
| Buses | Metrobus ran without interruption |
Police said they may close other roads on the night and asked people to expect a larger police presence and heavy foot traffic. If your car is towed, look it up on the AutoReturn portal or call 703-558-2222. We will add the 2026 plan when the county posts it, usually in the last week of December.
We do not list bar and restaurant New Year’s Eve parties unless the venue has announced them on its own site. Venue addresses and links are on our live music and nightlife guide and our date night guide.
Getting home
- Metro. On New Year’s Eve 2025, Metro ran a regular weekday schedule with rail open until 2 a.m., two hours later than usual, and bus and rail were free from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Some stations had last trains before 2 a.m. Parking at Metro lots was free from 8 p.m. and on New Year’s Day. Metro’s information line is 202-466-3876 (202-GO-METRO).
- SoberRide. The Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s SoberRide program with Lyft gave free rides home nightly from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., Dec. 19 to Jan. 1, in the 2025 season, according to the county.
- ART buses run holiday schedules, posted on the county’s ART holiday schedule page.
More on the Metro stations and bus lines is on our getting around guide.
New Year’s Day: what is open and closed
New Year’s Day 2027 is Friday, Jan. 1. It is a county holiday, so county offices are closed.
| Service | Thu. Dec. 31, 2026 | Fri. Jan. 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| County government offices | Open | Closed |
| Public libraries | Close at 5 p.m. | Closed |
| Arlington Public Schools | Winter break | Winter break |
| Parking meters | Regular rules | Not enforced (county holiday) |
Arlington Public Schools’ 2026-27 calendar has winter break from Dec. 23 through Jan. 1, with classes back Monday, Jan. 4.
Trash and recycling
On New Year’s Day 2026, a Thursday, the county’s holiday notice said:
- No curbside trash, recycling or organics collection on New Year’s Day. Thursday routes ran Friday, Jan. 2, and Friday routes ran Saturday, Jan. 3.
- Brush, metal and e-waste pickups shifted the same way.
- The Household Hazardous Materials and Electronics Recycling Center and the Earth Products Recycling Yard were closed.
New Year’s Day 2027 falls on a Friday, so expect Friday routes to move. Check the county notice in late December, or call the DES Customer Contact Center at 703-228-5000. Christmas tree pickup starts in January; see our trash and recycling guide.
Related guides: holiday lights and Christmas events, things to do this month and free things to do.
Frequently asked questions
Are roads closed in Clarendon on New Year’s Eve?
In 2025, Arlington County police closed Clarendon and Wilson boulevards between North Highland Street and Washington Boulevard from 10 p.m. Dec. 31 to 3 a.m. Jan. 1, with parking banned from 8 p.m. The 2026 notice usually comes the week before.
Is Metro free on New Year’s Eve?
On New Year’s Eve 2025, Metro ran free bus and rail from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., kept rail open until 2 a.m. and made parking free. Metro posts the 2026 plan in late December.
Is trash picked up on New Year’s Day in Arlington?
Not in 2026: there was no curbside collection on Thursday, Jan. 1, so Thursday routes ran Friday and Friday routes ran Saturday. New Year’s Day 2027 is a Friday; check the county’s notice in late December.
Are Arlington libraries open on New Year’s Eve?
Arlington Public Library branches close at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026, and are closed Friday, Jan. 1, 2027.
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