5 Great Ways to Ring in the New Year in Miami
We know how to party here in Miami, and not just at clubs until three in the morning. When New Year’s Eve rolls around, there are plenty of epic celebrations going on for people of all ages. So, if you’re not sure where to take your family for New Year’s Eve, we’ve got you covered with some of the most exciting family-friendly events in Miami.
Here are five great ways to ring in the new year in the Magic City:
Bayfront Park NYE
For the most epic New Year’s Eve celebration in town, Bayfront Park NYE is hard to beat. This roaring outdoor festival features performances from more than 30 major recording artists, including Latin Grammy-winning icons Willy Chirino and Arturo Sandoval.
Come midnight, attendees can watch the big orange Miami ball drop down the side of the InterContinental Hotel, followed by the most dazzling firework display you’ve ever seen. Did we mention general admission tickets are free? No wonder thousands of people attend Bayfront NYE every year.
New Year’s Eve Celebration at Miami Children’s Museum
If your little ones aren’t old enough to stay up until midnight, there’s a special NYE party just for them at Miami Children’s Museum. The party starts at 11am, and the official children’s edition of the NYE countdown starts an hour later. There might not be any champagne or fireworks, but you won’t want to miss the ultra grown-up chocolate milk toast before confetti cannons fire away and balloons rain down from the ceiling.
Before the countdown, the museum’s Theater Troupe will be hosting an array of pre-show activities and giving out dress-up accessories for kids. The celebration lasts until 4pm when the museum closes for the night.
NightGarden Grand New Year’s Eve
When it comes to New Year’s events for all-ages, NightGarden’s Grand New Year’s Eve at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables has something for everyone. In addition to delicious food and drinks, the night features multiple light and sound shows and installations spanning across 23 acres of land. There’s even an interactive, augmented reality portion of the show that kids are sure to love.
The celebration starts at 6pm and concludes at 1230 am on January 1st, with an awe-inspiring fireworks show taking place at 930pm. You’ll want to set aside a couple of hours (at least) to see everything NightGarden has to offer.
Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown
Widely regarded among the best New Year’s Eve celebrations in all of Florida, the Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown is a free street festival for people of all ages. Beginning at 430pm, kids can enjoy bounce houses, slides, face painting, dancing, games, contests, and even free caricatures from a team of sketch artists. This is proceeded by an early NYE countdown at 7pm, when a larger-than-life anchor descends 100 feet through the air down to the event’s main stage.
At 745 pm, live music kicks off on the main stage so the real, adult party can begin. Whether you’re looking for classic rock, oldies, funk, or house music, get ready to dance the night away until 1am the following morning.
Mallory Square Sunset Celebration
If you’re looking for a more low-key family-friendly NYE, head on down to the Florida Keys for the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration in Key West. Mallory Square holds a Sunset Celebration every night, but the last one of 2024 is a pretty big deal. For the adults, there will be live music, stand-up comedy, and plenty of delicious food from local vendors. For the kids, there will be an array of stunt performers such as sword swallowers, unicyclists, jugglers, and even death-defying high-wire acts! As far as NYE celebrations for adults and children, you’d be hard-pressed to find another event that satisfies all parties equally.
