Flora-Bama’s Annual New Year’s Eve Bash
This establishment, located smack-dab on the beach of Perdido Key, is legendary for its exuberant parties, so you’ll want to hang on to your hat for its New Year’s celebration, complete with live music on three stages, food, party favors, and a midnight champagne toast. This event always sells out, so make sure to buy your tickets early.
Where: Perdido Key Web: florabama.com/new-years-eve
Panama City Beach 2022 New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop
Panama City Beach may be best known for fun in the sun, but one of Northwest Florida’s most exciting annual events happens after dark: The New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop. Enjoy not one but two ways to welcome in the New Year. The streets of Pier Park are closed off to traffic as thousands of revelers enjoy free live music, entertainment, fireworks, and good cheer.
For those too excited to wait until midnight, or for those fans of New Year’s Eve who want to conduct the countdown twice, there are separate Beach Ball Drops at both 8 p.m. and midnight. On the way to midnight, bands perform for the gathering crowd, anticipating the countdown to 2022 when a huge, glowing beach ball is lowered to signal the start of the New Year, and another great fireworks display.
Where: Pier Park, Panama City Beach
Light up the Night! Beach Fireworks
There’s nothing like fireworks on the water and this St. Augustine tradition is a perennial blast. Bring a blanket and gather with thousands of your best friends and neighbors to enjoy Light up the Night! one of the most magical fireworks displays of all time at the St. Johns County Ocean Pier.
Limited shuttle service will be provided from Anastasia Baptist Church to the three viewing locations on the beach. Public Parking will be available at City Hall, Ron Parker Park, Anastasia Square parking lot on the side close to Pope Road, and at the YMCA after 1 p.m. Best of all, it’s free! 8:30–10 p.m.
Where: St. Augustine Beach Pier Park Web: www.floridashistoriccoast.com/events/holidays/nye/
New Year’s Eve Shrimp Drop
A ball-drop is so yesterday. Amelia Island ups the ante by dropping a giant, illuminated shrimp. This free, family-friendly event boasts vendors, food, kids’ games, live music, dancing, fireworks and much more.
Where: Centre Street, Fernandina Beach Web: www.ameliaisland.com/Calendar/New-Year-s-Eve-Shrimp-Drop
Countdown Seaside: A New Year’s Eve Celebration
Seaside invites you to usher in 2023 under the stars in their annual New Year’s celebration. Bring a blanket or chairs and get prepared to ooh and aw at the fireworks over the Gulf of America. The lineup includes Arts & Crafts/Face Painting – 4 – 9 P.M. in Central Square, Monsters of Yacht (band) 5 – 9 P.M. on the Seaside Amphitheater Stage, and fireworks 9 P.M. Seaside will have shuttles running the County Lot on 283 from 6 A.M. – 12 noon to assist with parking.
Where: Seaside Amphitheater Web: https://homeownerscollection.com/events/holidays/new-years-eve-celebration
Noon Year’s Eve at LuLu’s Destin
Ring in the New Year at high noon with a Beach Ball Drop at LuLu’s, when hundreds of colorful beach balls descend on the soft sands of LuLu’s Beach. This fun-filled day, starting at 10 a.m., is perfect your little ones, with crafts, kid safe fireworks (bubble wrap) and a kids’ magic show. Face Painting, balloon animals, Captain Davy & His Pirate Crew, and an inflatable slide round out the pint-sized excitement.
Where: LuLu’s, Destin Web: allevents.in/destin/noon-year
