It’s nothing novel for New Year’s celebration to involve music, dancing, and fireworks, but what if we told you the Emerald Coast offers all of that, plus the most beautiful beaches in the world? Celebrating New Year’s in Florida, especially on the Emerald Coast, is an unbeatable way to end 2022. All you need is the perfect party, and you’re set for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve experience!
Read on to discover our top recommendations for New Year’s Eve celebrations on the Emerald Coast.
Firework Events on the Emerald Coast
If you’re in our part of the world for New Year’s Eve, we have plenty of fireworks events to close 2022 with a bang! After all, what is more, festive than fireworks? Better yet, many of the firework events on the Emerald Coast are on the beach, providing a spectacularly scenic backdrop for an epic close to 2022. Let’s get into our four chosen fireworks events on the Emerald Coast without further ado!
For those near Miramar Beach, The Baytowne Wharf New Year’s Fireworks(opens in a new tab) are a must! This iconic fireworks display is made even more enchanting by having two separate fireworks shows at 8:00 pm and midnight! Suppose you thought two firework spectacles weren’t enough. In that case, you’d especially enjoy that the fireworks display features the years’ top hits, as well as family-fun events from 6:00 to 8:00 pm such as kid’s activities and face painting, with live music from DJ TreVy. If you are attending with small children, keep in mind that after 10:00 pm, it’s a 21-and-over crowd, as everyone 20 and under must be with a legal guardian.
If you are in Destin for New Year’s Eve, you can’t miss the HarborWalk Village New Year’s Eve Fireworks(opens in a new tab)! Similar to the Baytowne fireworks show, there will also be two epic fireworks displays. The first fireworks will be at 8:00 pm, and the second fireworks (and ball drop!) will be at midnight. Bring your dancing feet to boogie 2022 away with live music from Shenanigans(opens in a new tab) at 7:00 pm and from The New Royals(opens in a new tab) at 9:30 pm. Our insider tip is to head to Norriego Point to get a prime view of the fireworks, where you can also find plenty of space and parking!
Next up are the spectacular fireworks on our very own Okaloosa Island Boardwalk(opens in a new tab)! Here on Okaloosa Island, we are proud firework fanatics, and during the summer months, we have fireworks every Wednesday, so it’s safe to say we know a thing or two about a good ole fireworks show! This year’s New Year’s Eve fireworks show will be at 9:00 pm, and you can watch the sparkly show from a restaurant on The Boardwalk or plop down on the beach for a front-row view!
Last but not least is the charming nearby resort town’s Seaside New Year’s Fireworks(opens in a new tab). This popular beach town does more than put on an unforgettable fireworks show. It even has activities such as arts & crafts, face painting, and a live performance by Monsters of Yacht(opens in a new tab), all leading up to an impressive fireworks display! Make sure you arrive at 4:00 pm when the activities begin and stay for the fireworks show at 9:00 pm!
Noon Year’s Eve at Lulu’s in Destin
New Year’s is a time for celebrating, saying goodbye to the past year, and welcoming a new one, but the celebration often involves staying up late, music, dancing, and adult drinks! Although this is loads of fun for the 21-and-over crowd, anyone with small children knows that this isn’t precisely a child-friendly type of event! But don’t fret as we’ve got just the event for you and your little ones! For those in the Destin area, Lulu’s Annual Noon Year’s Eve(opens in a new tab) starts at 10:00 am, the perfect time for a kid-friendly celebration! There will be tons of child-friendly activities during the event, such as a sandcastle contest, face painting, live music, and a beach ball drop at 12:00 pm! This is sure to be a New Year’s event your little ones won’t stop talking about!
2022 New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop
Panama City Beach has fantastic beaches (just like the rest of the Emerald Coast!) and is also known for its nightlife! It’s no surprise that they go all out for New Year, closing down the streets of Pier Park(opens in a new tab) for the 2022 New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop(opens in a new tab), an epic celebration you can’t miss! This event is unique because it’s both kid and adult friendly, as the beginnings of the festival start around 5:30 pm and are for small children. A few of the highlights from the child-friendly celebration include live music by Barry Fish Band(opens in a new tab) and the first Beach Ball Drop at 8:00 pm, featuring 10,000 inflated beach balls falling from above!
As for the 21-and-over crowd, the wait to midnight is extra exciting, with live performances from The Will Thompson Band(opens in a new tab) and the Great Grand Finale(opens in a new tab) on the main stage. The climactic beach ball drop at midnight does not disappoint especially as Panama City Beach’s tower is actually ten feet taller than the famous pole in One Times Square in Manhattan! If you thought a giant beach ball drop was enough, think again! The event closes with a literal bang, with a fireworks show from Russel-Fields Pier(opens in a new tab).
Turtle Plunge at Henderson Beach State Park
New Year’s is practically synonymous with resolutions, so what if you kicked off the New Year by participating in a fundraiser event for the Destin Junior Lifeguard program and The Friends of Emerald Coast State Parks? The 16th Annual Turtle Plunge at Henderson Beach State Park(opens in a new tab) is a unique way to ring in the new year on January 1st. The plunge will take place at 11:00 am at Henderson State Park, and the first one hundred registered “plungers” will walk away with a free turtle plunge t-shirt. Event registration opens at 8:00 am and closes at 10:00 am, and we recommend arriving early as you’ll need to register and sign a waiver before the big plunge!
There you have it, our list of epic New Year’s in Florida events to ring in the New Year in style on the Emerald Coast! If you think New Year’s in Florida is fun at this time of year, wait until you experience the warmer months on the Emerald Coast! Count on us as your go-to pontoon boat and jetski rental company(opens in a new tab) to provide you with the ultimate experience!