Atlanta's Peach Drop in 1999. Ten years later, that 800-pound peach is ready to drop again. AJC file photo

If you’re planning to head downtown for the annual New Year’s Eve Peach Drop celebration, prepare youself for frigid temperatures and a huge crowd that sticks around, rain or shine. Peach Drop regulars will pack Underground Atlanta early, but the Chick-fil-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome will let out in plenty of time for that crowd to join the fun before midnight, too.

Peach Drop regulars, please share your tips to have a fun, safe and warm experience in the comments!

Here are more details about the Chick-fil-A Bowl, and here’s what you need to know before you go to the Peach Drop:

When and where: People begin gathering for the Peach Drop early on December 31, but the crowd in Underground Atlanta really starts to grow around 5 p.m. Here’s the full entertainment lineup.

• Kids entertainment and activities run from noon-6 p.m.
• Kenny’s Alley will have live entertainment from 11:45 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and will be open till 4 a.m.
• Main stage entertainment begins at 6 p.m. Here’s the schedule: 6 p.m.-Stellate, 7:15 p.m.-Ben Deignan, 8:30 p.m.-Sun Domingo, 9:45 p.m.-The WannaBeatles, 11:15 p.m.-Morris Day & The Time.

Food and drink: Organizers say attendees aren’t allowed bring their own food or drinks to the Peach Drop, but vendors, bars and restaurants in Underground Atlanta will sell it. The event is open to people younger than 21, but for those that are, Underground clubs will be open till 4 a.m. If you’re planning on eating dinner at a restaurant there, you’d be wise to make reservations.

What not to bring: No pets, bags, backpacks, coolers, picnic baskets, recording devices, roller blades, bikes, skateboards, lawn chairs, weapons or alcoholic beverages.

How to get there: New Year’s Eve is a busy time downtown, between the bowl game and parade, the Peach Drop and all the other New Year’s parties. Here’s some info about how to get there, where to park and what roads will be closed.

• By car: Parking is available in the Underground Atlanta garages on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Other pay lots are available, as well. Here’s the Central Atlanta Progress parking map. Here are directions.
• By transit: With the Chick-fil-A bowl game and parade and the Peach Drop going on downtown, MARTA is the best way to avoid gridlock. Get off at Five Points station for the quickest access to Underground Atlanta, or consider the Georgia State or Peachtree Center stops, if you’re willing to walk  more. Remember, MARTA fare prices recently went up. A single one-way fare now costs $2. Here’s info on the train schedules, including the times of the final run times.
• By taxi: Cabs will be available on-site throughout the Peach Drop.

Road closings: There will be downtown road closings early on Thursday because of the Chick-fil-A Bowl parade. Peach Drop road closings will start around 4 p.m. Roads closed include Peachtree Street from Auburn Avenue to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Pryor Street from Decatur Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Wall Street from Central Avenue to Peachtree Street.

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