The last night of the year is also the biggest night, so why not celebrate accordingly? Here are our picks for the best New Year’s Eve parties in Florida — from the outlandish to the sophisticated.
Key West New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Key West
Duval Street
Admission: Free
Capitalizing on its quirky culture, Key West is famous for its own funky “drop” traditions. Whether it’s the conch-shell drop at Sloppy Joe’s, the descent of Sushi the drag queen in her signature 8-foot red high-heel shoe on Duval Street, or the dropping of the pirate wench from a ship’s mast at Schooner’s Wharf, a New Year’s Eve in Florida’s southernmost city is always full of wild surprises. Details.
New Year’s Eve Black & White Masquerade Ball
Amelia Island
The Ritz-Carlton
Admission: $275
This posh party is everything a New Year’s Eve soiree should be, complete with lavish food, live music, dancing, open bar and fireworks. The one catch: you’ve got to wear black or white. Got an awesome party mask? Now would be a good time to bust it out. If not, they can provide one for you. Details.
Bayfront Park’s New Year’s Eve
Miami
301 N. Biscayne Blvd.
Admission: Free
Both MSN and USA Today have declared South Florida to be “One of the Top Places in the World to Ring in the New Year,” and it’s easy to see why. This famous (and free!) event is good for families or partygoers and has live music all evening, yummy food and fireworks show at midnight. Don’t miss the highlight of the night: watching The Big Orange make its grand descent in the final minutes of 2019. Details.
New Year’s Eve at Walt Disney World Resort
Orlando
Walt Disney World Theme Parks
All of the Orlando area theme parks have their own special New Year’s Eve celebrations. The theme parks and resorts of Disney are no exception. There’s a New Year’s Eve Dinner at the World Show Place Pavilion in Epcot, a Frontierland New Year’s Celebration Dance Party, special dining events every which way and of course fireworks to light up the sky. The specifics are all available online. Details
Beach Blast Off
St. Augustine
St. Johns County Fishing Pier and Pavilion
Admission: Free
Usher in 2020 at St. Augustine’s Beach Blast-Off from 4-10pm. Choose from 30 food vendors and a beer, champagne and wine tent. Local bands provide the music and a 65-inch TV keeps everyone up-to-the-minute with the New Year’s Eve festivities in Times Square and around the world. This year’s event features a mechanical bull, a photo booth, and carnival rides. The Kids’ Zone area includes several inflatables and activities such as face painting. The fireworks display takes place at 8:30 p.m., with the after-party continuing until 10:00 p.m. Details.
New Year’s Eve at Armature Works
Tampa
Admission: Starting at $185
Take part in Tampa’s most exclusive New Year’s Eve party at the hot spot Armature Works. Ticket price offers you the enjoyment of the champagne bar, top-shelf open bar, late-night hors d’ouevres, live music, and fireworks. If that’s not enough, upgrade your status with a table reservation or private couch to ring in 2020 VIP-style. Details.
Starlite New Year’s Eve Cruise
St. Pete Beach
3400 Pasadena Ave.
Admission: $139
Escape for the night (or at least 4 hours of it) on a luxury yacht and indulge with a sit-down dinner and complimentary premium open bar throughout the evening, and a champagne toast at midnight. Sorry, adults only. Details.
Mango’s Gala New Year’s Eve Party
Orlando
Mango’s Tropical Cafe
Admission: Starts at $50 (Varies by package)
Mango’s in Orlando is a non-stop party anyway, but on New Year’s Eve, they kick it up even higher. A Florida favorite, enjoy live entertainment all night long, with the Mango’s dancers guaranteed to inspire you to hit the floor as well. Details.
New Year’s Eve Annual Harbor Rockin’ Street Party
Destin
Harborwalk Village
Admission: Free
Fireworks, concerts, and northwest Florida’s one and only ball drop— this is one New Year’s Eve party you don’t want to miss. Choose which party is more your style (the Luxe Vegas Party or the Street Party) and rock out on the docks with live music, two fireworks shows and the big countdown to midnight. Details.
