Warm weather, oceanfront views and gentle sea breezes rustling palm trees against a starry sky might not be part of your typical New Year’s Eve celebrations. But Miami's temperate climate and vibrant nightlife scene make it one of the country’s top New Year’s Eve party destinations for locals, visitors and celebrities alike. Whether you prefer to watch Miami’s “Big Orange” drop when the clock strikes midnight from a swanky rooftop patio, sandy beach, bumping club, fine eatery or waterfront park, South Florida has something for you no matter your style.
Downtown Miami/Brickell
Norwegian Cruise Line Worldwide Food and Wine Party: Countdown to 2016 with Miami-resident, international superstar and "Mr. 305," Pitbull, at the Norwegian Cruise Line Worldwide Food and Wine Party. VIP and general admission ticket holders enjoy exclusive access to complimentary food, wine and spirits by Bavaria Haus, El Mercado de San Miguel and the Miami Culinary Institute at 4 pm, in addition to priority seating at the Bayfront Park amphiteater for Pitbull's concert. After 6:30 pm, general admission is on a first-come, first-served basis during the nationally-televised portion of the concert. The concert featuring spectacular fireworks and a star-studded lineup is free to those without at ticket. $99 general admission or a $500 VIP.
El Tucán: Bringing Havana to Miami, El Tucán brings you Cuba’s Tropicana with Grammy Award-winning Marlow Rosado & The Tucán Band this New Year’s Eve. Be entertained at this historic cabaret, complete with late-night DJ and a seven-course dinner. General admission ($90) includes welcome glass of champagne. Dinner seating begins at $350.
Island Queen New Year's Eve Party Cruise: Step aboard one of three luxury yachts, The Biscayne Lady, Venetian Lady or the Grand Floridian, for an all-inclusive dinner cruise featuring an open premium bar and buffet. After dinner, make your way either to the lounge, where a signature desert will be served, or the Sky Deck where music and dancing are accompanied by the spectacular skyline and fireworks display. Tickets start at $220.
Ball & Chain: Spice up the new year at this historic live music bar in the center of Little Havana. Dance the night away to performances by Pepe Montes and his Conjunto and DJ Danis La Clave. Entry in the main room is free and open to the public. You can also purchase tickets for a pivate VIP performance by Tito Puente Jr. followed by a surprise guest DJ on the Pineapple Stage, complete with open bar. $100 plus tax.
Miami Beach
Fontainebleau: Join chart-toppers The Weeknd and KYGO for a festively chill nightlife experience at Fontainebleau’s famous poolscape, while Steve Aoki headlines in LIV nightclub. Choose between Celebrate with a bird’s eye view of celebrities, VIPs and the beautiful crowd from private skyboxes and VIP tables, full-service bars and the lavish main dance floor. General admission tickets start at $325.
City of Miami Beach New Year’s Celebration: Party on the beach at 9th Street and Ocean Drive with fireworks planned for midnight. Free.
ICON Miami: Experience the Art Deco-inspired redesign of this legendary space, formerly Mansion, for an exclusive New Year’s Eve celebration with live performances and midnight champagne toasts. Celebrity sightings are on the menu, since ICON is a playground for the likes of Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Tiesto. Tickets must be requested via email to NYE@iconmiami.com.
Gale South Beach: Four party options are at your fingertips when you celebrate at Gale this New Year's Eve. Start the celebration at Bravo’s “Best New Restaurant” in 2015, Dolce Italian, with a five-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Paolo Dorigato. Two dinner seatings are available from 6–8 pm and 9:30 pm–midnight. The prix fixe menu is $150 for adults and $75 for children. After dinner, take your pick of parties on the Gale Rooftop, inside Rec Room or inside Regent Cocktail Club. Enjoy all three with a Gale Hotel All Access Pass for $250.
Gianni's at the Villa: Celebrate in luxury and style at The Villa, Casa Casuarina, formerly the Versace Mansion. Enjoy two seatings of a five-course meal featuring dry-aged New York strip steak, pan-seared Key West prawns, Wagyu filet mignon with foie gras, seared Florida spiny lobster and lamb cutlets all prepared by Executive Chef Thomas Stewart. Both seatings will feature house-made Louis Roederer Champagne sorbet to cleanse the palette between courses and a surprise dessert. After dinner, count down to midnight surrounded by the glittering gold tiles of the Million Mosaic Pool. The New Year’s Eve party includes a premium open bar from 11 pm-3 am. Reservations required. First dinner seating at 7-9:30 pm, $195 per person. Second seating at 10 pm–1 am, $295 per person. Party begins at 11 pm. Dinner guests can access the party for an additional $99. Admission to the party without dinner reservations is $199 per person.
Clevelander South Beach’s GLOW New Year’s Eve 2016: Light up your night at the Clevelander's famous pool and patio. Immerse yourself in the glow of neon lights, live DJs and ocean front views of the New Year’s Eve fireworks. General admission tickets start at only $25 per person when you arrive before 10 pm.
Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails: At this beachside eatery and nightlife hotspot, choose from four seatings of a $75 prix-fixe menu featuring Chef Danny Elmaleh’s beloved pumpkin butter rolls, the delicious wasabi tuna tartare, mushroom gnocchi and the ninam ranch short ribs. Have a sweet New Year with the decadent blackout cake with peanut butter cream and roasted bananas for dessert. Then welcome 2016 with a set by DJ YSL right on the beach from 10 pm-2 am.
Greater Miami
The Rusty Pelican: Savor a five-course meal and bottle of Perrier Jouet as you watch the fireworks and enjoy a spectacular view of the city from your table at this unique waterfront seafood restaurant on Key Biscayne. Or party well into the new year at the “Masquerade Gala 2016” black tie event held in their grand ballroom with buffet and beverage, music, lights and star appearances. $175 per person.
Miccosukee Resort & Gaming: Dance the night away at this deluxe hotel to the hit tunes of Orquesta Guayacán, along with a three-course dinner, artist meet-and-greet, champagne toast, party favors and a balloon drop at midnight. $50 for general admission, $150 for VIP meet and greet.
West Palm Beach/Boca Raton
New Year’s Eve at CityPlace: Stay cool this New Year’s Eve at the West Palm Beach dining and entertainment district where snow falls starting at 6 pm. Enjoy live music from the band Quick Fix along with holiday dining specials and entertainment at area restaurants and nightlife hot spots. Free.
Noon Years Eve: Perfect for families who can’t stay up to see the ball drop, the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium present a dance party, science crafts, dino-themed activities, popcorn, snow cones and a dry ice apple cider toast at noon on New Year’s Eve. The event is included with paid admission to the Science Center and free for members. Event is included with museum admission and free for members.
Rock The Block New Year's Eve: Don’t miss this over-the-top, quarter-mile-long block party featuring live music by Grammy Award-winning musicians, indulgent cuisine, a private fireworks show and festive activities for all ages. Dig into an extravagant buffet including raw bar, sushi bar and premium carving stations along with bottomless champagne and a deluxe open-bar. Live musical performances include dance idol Robin S, recent Billboard star Dev and a finale by Grammy Award-winning Hip-Hop Hall of Fame group Naughty By Nature. The resort’s grand lawn will be transformed into a carnival complete with a 300-foot-long zip line, a Wipeout-style obstacle course, spider tower, balloon artists and carnival games. Tickets start at $115 for adults, $100 for teens and $70 for children ages 5-12.
Fort Lauderdale
Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown: Join close to 100,000 revelers on Himmarshee Street for one of the largest New Year’s Eve celebrations in Southeast Florida. This free, 11-hour street festival is great for both singles and families and culminates when the lighted orange ball to drops at midnight. Free.
Billy Joel at the BB&T Center: Sing along to legendary musician Billy Joel as he rings in 2016 with a spectacular concert featuring his greatest hits at the BB&T Center, home of Florida Panthers hockey. Ticket prices vary.
A Grateful Dead New Year’s Eve: See one of the top Grateful Dead tribute bands in the nation take the stage at Revolution Live as they jam in the new year with special guest Unlimited Devotion. $20 in advance, $30 day of show.
New Year’s Eve at Funky Buddha Brewery: Drink the other kind of bubbly to honor 2016 with Funky Buddha Brewery. Start the day by watching the Florida State University game at noon followed by all the college bowl games on the big screens. Drink the night away with special beer tappings and live music from El Dub. No cover charge.