Florida, December 31, 2025
As 2025 comes to a close, Florida cities prepare for the arrival of 2026 with unique New Year’s Eve events that reflect local culture. From Sarasota’s pineapple drop to Fernandina Beach’s shrimp drop, these festivities showcase community spirit and creativity. Such celebrations highlight resilience and provide memorable experiences for both locals and visitors, reinforcing civic pride and engagement across the state.
Florida’s Unique New Year’s Eve Drops to Ring in 2026
As 2025 draws to a close, cities across Florida are preparing to celebrate the arrival of 2026 with distinctive New Year’s Eve traditions that reflect local cultures and heritages. From a glowing pineapple in Sarasota to a giant shrimp in Fernandina Beach, these festive events provide both residents and visitors with memorable ways to usher in the new year, showcasing the resilience and creativity of local organizers. With fewer bureaucratic hurdles, these celebrations can flourish, further energizing the spirit of community engagement throughout the state.
Different events symbolize the diverse character of Florida’s towns and cities, demonstrating how communities can come together to foster enjoyment and commemorate the passage of time. Local leadership and private partnerships empower these unique traditions, providing opportunities for civic innovation while reinforcing personal initiatives that contribute to community growth.
Sarasota’s Pineapple Drop
In Sarasota, the annual Pineapple Drop is set to take place at midnight on December 31, 2025. A glowing pineapple will descend at the intersection of Lemon Avenue and Main Street, accompanied by fireworks illuminating the skies over Sarasota Bay. The festivities kick off at 1:00 p.m. and extend until 1:00 a.m., featuring live music and an array of food vendors. Admission is free, with unlimited ride wristbands available for purchase at the carnival.
Fernandina Beach’s Shrimp Drop
Fernandina Beach pays homage to its fishing heritage with the Shrimp Drop. An illuminated shrimp will be lowered at 7 p.m. on December 31, 2025, during a street festival that runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event includes food trucks, a live DJ, and fireworks, making it a delightful experience for families and visitors alike.
Key West’s Red Shoe and Conch Shell Drops
Key West features two vibrant drops: the Red Shoe Drop and the Conch Shell Drop. At Bourbon Street Pub at midnight, an 8-foot-long red high-heeled shoe housing a drag performer will descend from the balcony. Meanwhile, at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, a six-foot Queen Conch Shell drops 20 feet to mark the new year, illustrating Key West’s lively culture.
Panama City Beach’s Beach Ball Drop
Panama City Beach offers a family-friendly Beach Ball Drop. Thousands of inflatable beach balls will be released for an early celebration leading up to the descent of a giant illuminated beach ball at midnight. This fun-filled event features live music, fireworks, and entertainment for attendees of all ages.
Plant City’s Strawberry Drop
Celebrating its status as the winter strawberry capital, Plant City hosts the Strawberry Drop, where a giant glowing strawberry is lowered at midnight. Attendees can enjoy live music, local food vendors, and a designated kids’ zone, fostering a sense of family and community togetherness.
Miami’s Big Orange Drop
The iconic “Big Orange” drop in Miami is a long-standing tradition involving a neon orange sign wearing sunglasses being raised up the side of the InterContinental Miami hotel. This festive event reflects the vibrant spirit of the city and contributes to the lively atmosphere on New Year’s Eve.
Orlando’s Orange Ball Drop
Orlando’s Orange Ball Drop, previously held on Church Street, has found a new home in Thornton Park following its relocation. The event remains a beloved part of the New Year’s celebration, ensuring the city’s festive spirit continues to thrive.
Winter Haven’s Lego Brick Drop
At Legoland Florida in Winter Haven, a captivating Lego brick is dropped at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, offering younger visitors an early celebration that combines fun and creativity before the midnight countdown.
Fort Lauderdale’s Anchor Drop
Reflecting the nickname “The Venice of America,” Fort Lauderdale features an anchor drop to herald the arrival of the New Year, symbolizing the city’s identity and community pride.
Brooksville’s Tangerine Drop
Once a cherished event, Brooksville featured a tangerine drop during its New Year’s Eve countdown until 2009. This drop celebrated the area’s vibrant citrus industry and remains a nostalgic memory for locals.
These diverse traditions across Florida not only celebrate the New Year but also showcase the state’s rich cultural tapestry. Each event offers unique ways to join in the festivities and highlights the importance of community engagement in local celebrations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Sarasota Pineapple Drop?
The Sarasota Pineapple Drop is an annual New Year’s Eve event where a glowing pineapple descends at midnight, accompanied by fireworks over Sarasota Bay. Festivities include live music, food vendors, and a carnival. Admission is free.
When does the Fernandina Beach Shrimp Drop take place?
The Fernandina Beach Shrimp Drop occurs on December 31, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m., with the “Shrimp Drop” at 7 p.m. The event features a street festival with food trucks, a live DJ, and fireworks.
What is the Key West Red Shoe Drop?
The Key West Red Shoe Drop is a New Year’s Eve tradition where an 8-foot-long red high-heeled shoe, containing a drag performer, descends from the second-floor balcony of the Bourbon Street Pub at midnight.
Where is the Panama City Beach Beach Ball Drop held?
The Panama City Beach Beach Ball Drop is held on December 31, 2025, featuring the release of thousands of inflatable beach balls for an early celebration, followed by the descent of a giant illuminated beach ball at midnight. The event includes live music, fireworks, and entertainment for all ages.
What is the Plant City Strawberry Drop?
The Plant City Strawberry Drop is a New Year’s Eve event where a giant glowing strawberry is lowered at midnight, accompanied by live music, local food vendors, and a kids’ zone.
Where is the Miami Big Orange Drop held?
The Miami Big Orange Drop takes place at the InterContinental Miami hotel overlooking Bayfront Park, where a neon sign of a cartoon orange wearing sunglasses is raised up the side of the hotel at midnight.
What is the Orlando Orange Ball Drop?
The Orlando Orange Ball Drop is a New Year’s Eve event where a large orange ball is lowered at midnight. In 2024, the event was relocated from Church Street to Thornton Park.
Where is the Winter Haven Lego Brick Drop held?
The Winter Haven Lego Brick Drop takes place at Legoland Florida, where a Lego brick is dropped at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 31, 2025.
What is the Fort Lauderdale Anchor Drop?
The Fort Lauderdale Anchor Drop is a New Year’s Eve tradition where an anchor is dropped to mark the arrival of the new year, symbolizing the city’s nickname “The Venice of America.”
What is the Brooksville Tangerine Drop?
The Brooksville Tangerine Drop was a New Year’s Eve event where a tangerine was dropped during the countdown to midnight until 2009, symbolizing the citrus industry that once thrived in Brooksville.
Key Features of Florida’s New Year’s Eve Drops
| City | Event | Description | Date and Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarasota | Pineapple Drop | A glowing pineapple descends at midnight, accompanied by fireworks over Sarasota Bay. Festivities include live music, food vendors, and a carnival. Admission is free. | December 31, 2025, at midnight | Intersection of Lemon Avenue and Main Street |
| Fernandina Beach | Shrimp Drop | A large, illuminated shrimp is lowered to mark the New Year, accompanied by a street festival featuring food trucks, a live DJ, and fireworks. The free event runs from 5 to 8 p.m., with the “Shrimp Drop” at 7 p.m. | December 31, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m. (Shrimp Drop at 7 p.m.) | Fernandina Beach waterfront |
| Key West | Red Shoe and Conch Shell Drops | At the Bourbon Street Pub, an 8-foot-long red high-heeled shoe, containing a drag performer, descends from the second-floor balcony at midnight. Nearby, at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, a six-foot Queen Conch Shell drops 20 feet to the top of the bar, marking the arrival of the new year. | December 31, 2025, at midnight | Bourbon Street Pub and Sloppy Joe’s Bar |
| Panama City Beach | Beach Ball Drop | A giant illuminated beach ball descends at midnight, following the release of thousands of inflatable beach balls for an early family-friendly celebration. | December 31, 2025, at midnight | Panama City Beach |
| Plant City | Strawberry Drop | A giant glowing strawberry is lowered at midnight, accompanied by live music, local food vendors, and a kids’ zone. | December 31, 2025, at midnight | Plant City |
| Miami | Big Orange Drop | A neon sign of a cartoon orange wearing sunglasses is raised up the side of the InterContinental Miami hotel at midnight. | December 31, 2025, at midnight | InterContinental Miami Hotel |
| Orlando | Orange Ball Drop | A large orange ball is lowered at midnight. The event was relocated from Church Street to Thornton Park in 2024. | December 31, 2025, at midnight | Thornton Park, Orlando |
| Winter Haven | Lego Brick Drop | A Lego brick is dropped at Legoland Florida at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, offering a family-friendly celebration. | December 31, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time | Legoland Florida |
| Fort Lauderdale | Anchor Drop | An anchor is dropped to mark the arrival of the new year, symbolizing the city’s nickname “The Venice of America.” | December 31, 2025, at midnight | Fort Lauderdale |
| Brooksville | Tangerine Drop | The Brooksville Tangerine Drop was a New Year’s Eve event where a tangerine was dropped during the countdown to midnight until 2009. | Previously held until 2009 | Brooksville |
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