New Year's Eve in Florida 2006

Florida is a great place to celebrate the New Year, there are so many places to go. According to priceline.com in 2005, Florida took six of the top 20 spots when it comes to Americans celebrating New Year's Eve and 2006 should be no different.

Thousands flock to the major theme parks like Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Busch Gardens and coastal resorts like Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Key West.

Most local communities and hotels hold First Night New Year's Eve parties.

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year in Florida so it is important to make sure you arrive at the parks early as often they will close when they reach capacity and it also makes sense to make dinner reservations well in advance. If planning on going to Walt Disney World, do not think about park hopping, you need to plan on staying in the park all day.

SeaWorld

SeaWorld are celebrating the lead up to New Year's Eve with "Baywave - Seaside Jazzfest" featuring guitarist Ken Navarro on December 26, a "soulful Christmas" with Brian Culbertson, Bobby Caldwell, Warren Hill, Ray Parker Jr. and Eric Darius on December 27 to 28 and a "Peter White Christmas" with Rick Braun and Mindy Abair on December 29 to 30.

On December 31, Michael Andrew and The Atomic Big Band will ring in the New Year at the Waterfront with a fireworks display at midnight.

The park closes at 1:00 am and the shows are included in the normal admission charges.

Busch Gardens

Between December 27 and 30, Busch Gardens are throwing a special fireworks party and then on New Year's Eve there is a live concert on Gwazi Field .

The night ends with a dazzling midnight firework display. You can also experience the thrills of the SheiKra, Florida's tallest roller coaster in the dark.

All the entertainment is included in the standard park admission and the park will stay open until 1:00am.

Other Venues

In Jacksonville, there is a big celebration downtown culminating in a firework display. During the day there are Toyota Gator Bowl pep rallies, the Winn-Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade at 3:00 pm (this year's theme is "Still Rockin' At 60") plus food, beverages and live entertainment.

There is a free concert performance and midnight fireworks display in Miami in Downtown's Bayfront Park.

St. Petersburg celebrates First Night St. Petersburg with fireworks, food and games; an alcohol free event for all the family, starting at 2 pm and going on into the night.

In Ybor City the TECO Energy Parade & Band Blast features twenty marching bands and floats. The parade starts at 5:30 pm with a firework finale at 8:15 pm.

In nearby Tampa, the Florida Aquarium and Channelside celebrate "Light Up Tampa Bay" with live entertainment and a midnight Fireworks Show and Ball Drop.

Not to be outdone, down in The Keys, they go one better with a wench drop at Schooner Wharf, a conch shell drop at the famous Sloppy Joe's Bar and a red high heel drop with drag queen Sushi at Bourbon Street Pub/New Orleans House.

The daily Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square in Key West will be extra special with a beautiful sunset and fireworks.

See sidebar for other New Year's Eve venues or click here for the dates of all the seasonal celebrations in Florida in 2006 and 2007.