New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Florida Keys traditionally feature balmy temperatures and a warm welcome for revelers fleeing colder climates.
From beachside fireworks where bulky coats and gloves aren’t allowed (because they’ve never been needed!), to wacky takeoffs on the traditional ball drop in New York City’s Times Square, you’ll find a terrific choice of warm-weather ways to celebrate 2016’s arrival.
Four New Year’s Eve “drops” take place in Key West to celebrate the arrival of the new year — including the “conch shell drop” at Sloppy Joe’s Bar. (Photo by Presley Adamson, Florida Keys News Bureau)
For example, a water’s-edge fireworks display will ring in the New Year at the head of the Florida Keys in Key Largo — illuminating the sky above Blackwater Sound with an extravaganza of color and light. The sparkling display is hosted by bayside restaurants Sundowners, Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill, Señor Frijoles, Cactus Jack’s, Gus’s Grille at the Marriott Key Largo Bay Resort and the legendary Caribbean Club — all located near mile markers (MM) 103-104. (Tables fill fast, so arrive early!)
Revelers in Islamorada can find equally appealing offerings. Every full moon, the Morada Bay Beach Café at MM 81.6 bayside hosts a popular beach party with bonfires in the sand, live music and a Bahamian junkanoo parade — and New Year’s Eve is no exception. Savor a specially planned beach barbecue and signature cocktails while marveling at the performers and fireworks. VIP tables and couches include a bottle of champagne and a private server for the evening (perfect for welcoming the New Year with that special someone).
And at Islamorada’s elegant Cheeca Lodge & Spa, MM 82 oceanside, the New Year’s Eve celebration includes three gourmet dinner seatings to choose from, live music from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., dancing on the property’s gorgeous Atlantic Ocean beach and a midnight fireworks display. For more information, costs and reservations, call 305-517-4580.
Drag queen “Sushi” stars in New Year’s Eve festivities while perched high above the crowd in a giant replica red high heel outside the Bourbon St. Pub. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)
Four southernmost spinoffs on the New Year’s Eve “drop” tradition are planned in Key West as midnight approaches Dec. 31 — and thousands of spectators are expected to gather on world-famous Duval Street for the arrival of 2016.
Among them is the “drop” of a gigantic manmade conch shell, the symbol of the Florida Keys, staged each year on the roof of Sloppy Joe’s Bar, 201 Duval St. Emceed by a rooftop host starting at 10 p.m., the frivolity features dancing in the street (why not?), with the countdown to midnight displayed on a huge clock. At midnight the shell descends to the roof as confetti, streamers and cheers erupt. And don’t miss the great performers on Sloppy Joe’s indoor stage until 2 a.m. No reservations or tickets are taken, but a door charge is required to party inside the bar.
For 17 years, Key West revelers have welcomed the new year with the annual “red shoe drop” starring a sensational drag queen called Sushi. Dressed in a dazzling gown and perched in a supersized red high-heel shoe suspended above the crowd, Sushi presides over the festivities at the Bourbon St. Pub/New Orleans House complex at 724 Duval St. After performances by talented female impersonators and other entertainers, Sushi is lowered in her high-heel “chariot” from the balcony of the complex as midnight strikes. VIP balcony tickets are available, but space is limited for this don’t-miss spectacle.
A “pirate wench” is lowered from the mast of a sailing vessel at the Schooner Wharf Bar to celebrate the arrival of the new year. (Photo by Daniel Kolbe, Florida Keys News Bureau)
And what would New Year’s Eve be without a cocktail or two? At the Ocean Key Resort & Spa, 0 Duval St. on Key West Harbor, plans call for a huge replica of a Key lime wedge to splash down into a larger-than-life margarita glass as crowds greet the new year on the property’s Sunset Pier. This is a free event featuring live local entertainment by Patrick and the Swayzees. For more information, call 305-295-7005.
Finally, piratical partiers can salute Key West’s rowdy seafaring roots in the island’s Historic Seaport — when a pirate wench descends 75 feet from the top of the mast of the tall ship America 2.0 at midnight, “rigging in” the new year. Scallywags in attendance can expect celebratory cannon blasts, live music throughout the day, and dancing and festivities without a cover charge at the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St.
Want to experience more Florida Keys festivities? Check out the complete calendar of events here.
