Despite storms at the start of the evening, crowds gathered at the Inner Harbor on Tuesday night for Baltimore’s New Year’s Eve celebration.

At midnight, fireworks filled the sky above the Inner Harbor for nearly 15 minutes, erupting in a dazzling display reflected off the water as the crowd recorded the show with phones and celebrated the start of 2025.

Earlier in the night, a brief period of heavy rain and wind delayed the start to the pre-firework festivities. But people began to trickle into area as The Experience, a live band, took the stage at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater around 8 p.m.

The crowd grew, and people in the amphitheater jammed alongside them, with some dancing and others rocking their heads near the downtown ice skating rink.

Anam Anjum, 36, and Muhammad Hussain, 38, waited out the rain from their nearby downtown Baltimore home. Originally from Pakistan, the couple moved to the States in January and decided to celebrate their first American New Year’s Eve with music and fireworks.

Anjum said they decided to come out for the DJ show and to be together with others for the celebration, even if the crowd was sparse to start. She and her husband planned to take a break at home in between festivities before heading back around midnight for the fireworks, the portion of the night they were most looking forward to.

Those that came without New Year’s gear could grab hats, light-up headbands, glasses and more at a table just before the main event area.

They live in Severn now, but Nicki Abbott and Kevin Ruggerio are Baltimore born and raised — saying they met in the city when they were 10 years old. The couple and their three kids sat in chairs directly facing the amphitheater’s main stage that Abbott wiped dry with a diaper.

”It brings back memories for us,” said Ruggerio, 38. “We used to come down here all the time before we had kids.”

The couple planned to watch the show from their seats and then walk toward Federal Hill for the fireworks. On New Year’s Day the family is heading to Port Discovery for their youngest son’s first birthday.

More people gathered near the downtown ice skating rink, with kids, teens and adults all strapping on skates for a few spins against the backdrop of The Experience’s performance.

Among them was Shelby Lee, 29, sporting a black-and-white New Year’s Eve paper tiara. She was getting ready to brave the ice on her own, as her friend and boyfriend, bundled in jackets, weren’t interested in joining her.

”It’s part of the fun,” Lee said. “It’s New Year’s Eve. Get out there and have fun.”

Lee and her group grabbed a bite at the Hard Rock Cafe before heading to the amphitheater. Lee, who loves fireworks, said she’s most excited for the end of the night countdown.

And as for 2025, she’s just excited to see what the next year brings.

”A new job, a house, maybe a marriage,” Lee said with a laugh and glance at her boyfriend. “We’ll see!”