Emerald Coast New Years Events

There is an old wives’ tale that says your life in the new year is determined by how you spend your New Year's Day. Many of our Ocean Reef guests make a point to celebrate the beginning of the coming year along the sparkling white beaches of the Emerald Coast. This allows them to start the new year right and adopt our local motto...”Life is a beach!” It also heralds the arrival of our winter season which, (unlike up north), is the time of the year that the sun shines almost every day in a pristine, crystal blue sky. The temps are not bad either with average highs around 60 during bright, sunny days. It is the perfect time of year to enjoy a round of golf or tennis, take a peaceful walk along the beach, or just eat, drink and be merry! The sun sets over the Gulf this time of year, providing dazzling, almost other-worldly sunsets on the water which refreshes the spirit and soothes the soul. Firework extravaganzas light up the skies from Destin to Miramar Beach, down Scenic 30A in the Beaches of South Walton and all the way down to Panama City Beach in celebration of the New Year. It is truly a sight to behold!

At HarborWalk Village in Destin many people gather to enjoy waterfront dining, live bands and shopping in this picture perfect harbor locale. The marina nearby is the home of one of the largest private charter fishing fleets in the nation, all anchored in one place. Besides fishing adventures many visitors take dolphin or sunset cruises on the Southern Star which offers special discounts to Ocean Reef guests. Delicious dining, drinking and fun are to be had at over seven restaurants on the harbor here. They include the elegant Grand Vista on the towering pool deck above the marina at the Emerald Grande; Harry T's for unobstructed water views and family fare; the Crazy Lobster known for their steamed seafood bucket; the Dancing Iguana specializing in coastal Mexican food with Cuban and even Argentinean specialties; The Shed for award winning BBQ; Jester's for daiquiris and pizza; as well as the iconic, original Lucky Snapper. Other great restaurants nearby with good harbor views include AJs, (which is known as party central with two live bands), The Boat House, Dewey Destin's Harborside, and Fishermans Wharf.

This year, free live bands begin playing in the outdoor amphitheater at 7pm and go until midnight for the countdown of the third annual Destin Harbor Ball Drop. There will be a total of five groups playing throughout the evening including the popular Dread Clampett and Forrest Williams bands. Once the ball drops at 12am, a spectacular fireworks display shoots off over the water, complete with a choreographed sound track for maximum effect. Many private boats and yachts fill the harbor for this event, which is quite a show in itself as the boats bob up and down. Their running lights twinkle as the colorful fireworks display is simultaneously mirrored across the water. A celebratory blast of horns from all the boats traditionally signals the end of the fireworks grand finale!

For those of you staying in Miramar Beach, another great place for New Year’s celebration is at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. On the Gulf side, the resort has tickets for an entire evening of frolic, starting at 6:30pm with celebratory cocktails and hors dourves. This is to be followed by an elegant dinner at 8:00pm, decadent desserts, champagne,(of course!) and dancing entertainment by the renowned party band called Fabulous Expressions. Fireworks over the Gulf caps this affair at midnight. Over on the other side, in the magical Village of Baytowne Wharf, there are many charming restaurants to choose from as well as at the upscale Grande Boulevard in Sandestin's Town Center. Baytowne is like a large version of HarborWalk  but sits on Choctawhatchee Bay, with a long pier at the end of  the village, hence the name Baytowne Wharf. The 100 boat marina is connected to the village via an elevated, wooden walkway that meanders along the bay through  an unlighted forest, complete with tree houses!  Although there are many activities for kids, (including games and even ice skating), Baytowne is more like a “magic kingdom” for adults. Bars and restaurants abound here with lots of unique boutiques for shopping. The village straddles a lagoon with connecting bridges and lots of holiday lights casting a festive glow across the lush landscape. Festivities here include a live performance at the village green by the Shrimpboat Cowboys at 7pm. They will be followed by the local Emerald Coast Blues Brothers for nostalgic party music and BonJourneys a tribute band to Bon Jovi. At midnight, a spectacular fireworks display is launched over the lagoon with an Elton John/Billy Joel tribute.

In the Beaches of South Walton, down on Scenic 30A there will be celebrations at both Watercolor and Seaside. The Four Diamond Award Winning Fish Out of Water in Watercolor has a three course gourmet dinner planned from 7 to 11pm along with a jazz duo for entertainment. There is also a New Year's Eve party scheduled on the green here from 9pm to 1am with champagne, drinks and late night snacks after the fireworks show. Next door in Seaside, the original and world acclaimed town that was designed to look like the early 1900s, there are celebrations as well. Live music begins at the town's outdoor amphitheater at 7pm along with costumed street performers and kid activities. It ends with a fantastic, old fashioned fireworks display over the Gulf.

At the far end of the Emerald Coast, Panama City Beach has its own special celebrations planned. At Treasure Bay, a large interactive venue will provide guests with swash buckling entertainment for a pirate adventure while they feast. Don't be surprised if you get pulled into their fun as costumed actors provide the frolic. Besides the good food, you will be entertained by all sorts of costumed acrobats, trapeze artists and Cirque de Sole type characters. Tickets are $99 each which includes the dinner, entertainment and champagne at midnight. Another restaurant, The Breakers is offering a dinner special which includes celebrating a New Year's countdown TWICE. The action begins at 5:30pm with cocktails at an open bar and a champagne toast at 6pm to celebrate the New Year 's arrival across the Atlantic in Great Britain! Dinner and dancing follows with music by The Exceptions. This unique band plays a Big Band sound along with golden oldies and beach party favorites. The second countdown for the American (CST) arrival of New Year's, starts just before midnight with free flowing champagne. Another dance celebration is planned at the Spinakker's Beach Club with live music by Phar Fletcher, along with party favors and champagne. You may dance from before midnight until almost dawn at Club La Vela which comprises seven dance floors and bills itself as the largest New Year's Eve party in the Southeast! Yet another Panama City Beach New Year's is planned at Pier Park, the one million square foot retail, bar and restaurant complex which opened a couple of years ago. This place has something for everyone, sprawling from Highway 98 all the way out onto the long pier in the Gulf of Mexico. Lots of family activities start at 5:30pm with bounce houses for the kids, stilt walkers, painted faced street performers and party favors. There is even a kid's Beach Volley Ball game at 7:30. Nearby, among some other restaurants is one of the famous Margaritaville restaurants ala Jimmy Buffet. You will definitely know you are in Florida. Here the countdown to midnight coincides with the 100 foot drop of a multi-colored, 800 pound, giant, glowing beach ball followed by majestic fireworks display over the Gulf!

All that being said, there are a number of things to do both before and after New Year's Eve. After Christmas sales will be going full swing at Destin Commons, Baytowne Wharf, Grande Boulevard and the amazing Silver Sand's Designer Outlet, (the largest in the nation.) You may also take advantage of a free round of golf provided by Ocean Reef Resorts at either the Bluewater Bay Golf Club or the Hombre Golf Club in Panama City. And then, there's the beach. Remember, now that you plan to spend your New Year's on the Emerald Coast, you too can say “Life is a Beach!”