A New Year's Eve 5K and 10K starts at 8 a.m. Dec. 31 at Mid-Lothian Mines Park; the county's free First Day Hike at Dutch Gap is 10 a.m. Jan. 1.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Details come from Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation, each organizer’s own registration page and the county holiday schedule. Restaurants and venues are added only once they announce their own New Year’s Eve plans.

New Year’s Eve falls on Thursday, Dec. 31, and New Year’s Day on Friday, Jan. 1, 2027. Midlothian has no public fireworks show or ball drop. What it does have is an early race at Mid-Lothian Mines Park on New Year’s Eve morning and a free county hike on New Year’s Day. Chesterfield County Public Schools are on winter break from Dec. 21 through Jan. 1.

What this means for you

  • Fireworks: all consumer fireworks are illegal in Chesterfield County, sparklers included
  • County offices: closed Friday, Jan. 1
  • Convenience centers: close at noon Dec. 31; closed Jan. 1
  • Police, non-emergency: 804-748-1251; emergency, 911
  • Parks and Recreation: 804-748-1623

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day events

Date Event Where Cost
Thursday, Dec. 31, 8 a.m. New Year 5K and 10K Mid-Lothian Mines Park, 13301 N. Woolridge Road See race page
Thursday, Dec. 31, 2 to 5 p.m. SwimRVA New Year’s Challenge SwimRVA, 5050 Ridgedale Parkway $65 on Oct. 19
Friday, Jan. 1, 10 a.m. to noon First Day Hike at Dutch Gap Meets at Henricus Park, 251 Henricus Park Road, Chester Free
Saturday, Jan. 2, 8 a.m. New Year 5K and 10K Mid-Lothian Mines Park See race page

New Year 5K and 10K, Mid-Lothian Mines Park

US Road Running runs small, low-key races on the loop at Mid-Lothian Mines Park many Saturdays, and adds one on New Year’s Eve morning, plus a second on Saturday, Jan. 2. The organizer says it usually has one or two staff at each race, no EMS on site, and water only at the end of each lap and at the finish. Finishers get a medal.

SwimRVA New Year’s Challenge

The aquatic center on Ridgedale Parkway holds a three-hour lap challenge on New Year’s Eve afternoon. Swimmers pick a goal and an interval and repeat 100-yard swims; there is no first or last place. On Oct. 19, registration was $65 with 46 early spots left, rising to $75 after the first 50 entrants and again after Oct. 31.

First Day Hike at Dutch Gap

Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation starts the year with an easy 3-mile hike through the Dutch Gap Conservation Area, the county’s first conservation area, along bottomlands, wetlands and the old river channel. It is free and open to all ages; register through the county link.

Virginia State Parks also hold First Day Hikes, including at Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield, and post them on the First Day Hikes page in December.

Fireworks and noise

Chesterfield County reminds residents that all consumer fireworks are illegal in the county, sparklers included, under the state fire code; see our Fourth of July fireworks page for the details. Report fireworks or a noise complaint to police non-emergency at 804-748-1251.

Restaurants and parties

No Midlothian restaurant or hotel had published a 2026 New Year’s Eve dinner or party when we checked. We add each one with its time and booking link once the venue posts it on its own site. Venues can send us their plans.

What is open and closed

Thursday, Dec. 31 Friday, Jan. 1
County offices Open Closed
County convenience centers Close at noon Closed
Chesterfield County Public Schools Winter break Winter break
Curbside trash Your hauler’s schedule Your hauler’s schedule

Curbside pickup in Midlothian comes from private haulers, which set their own holiday schedules. See our trash guide.

Frequently asked questions

Are there fireworks in Midlothian on New Year’s Eve?

No public New Year’s fireworks show had been announced for Midlothian as of Oct. 19, 2026. Chesterfield County says all consumer fireworks, sparklers included, are illegal in the county.

Is there a First Day Hike near Midlothian on New Year’s Day?

Yes. Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation leads a free First Day Hike at Dutch Gap Conservation Area from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, an easy 3-mile walk that meets at Henricus Park.

Is there a New Year’s Eve race in Midlothian?

Yes. US Road Running holds a New Year 5K and 10K at Mid-Lothian Mines Park, 13301 N. Woolridge Road, starting at 8 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31.

Are Chesterfield County offices open on New Year’s Day?

No. New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, is a county holiday. The county convenience centers close at noon Dec. 31 and are closed Jan. 1.