Cheers to 2018.
From hiking to dancing to devouring delicious food, Northwest Florida has plenty of opportunities to ring in the New Year. Celebrate New Year's Eve and New Year's Day at these events.
FORT WALTON BEACH
• Blingin’ in the New Year
When: 6 p.m. Dec. 31 to 1:30 a.m. Jan. 1
Where: Fort Walton Beach Landing Park, 139 Brooks St. SE
Cost: Free admission
Celebrate the New Year throughout downtown Fort Walton Beach and at Landing Park. New Year’s Eve will begin with the Blingin’ in the New Year 5K and Fun Run at 6 p.m. followed by children’s activities, New Year’s Eve specials at restaurants and bars and DJ entertainment from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The New Year’s Eve DJ countdown will include the annual Treasure of the Emerald Coast Treasure Chest Drop and fireworks at the stroke of midnight. Visit https://www.facebook.com/DowntownFWB/.
• Neon Paint Party
When: 7 p.m. to midnight Dec. 31
Where: Fort Sk8, 202 Racetrack Road NW
Cost: $30 admission includes ticket, skate rental, dinner and an event T-shirt.
Here's a party for the kids. Fort Sk8, the skating rink in Fort Walton Beach, will host a Neon Paint Party featuring skating, neon glowing paint, balloon drops, giveaways and more. Visit www.fortsk8.com or call 850-863-1223.
• New Year’s Eve Party
When: 9 p.m. Dec. 31 to 2 a.m. Jan. 1
Where: Green Door Music Hall, 158 Miracle Strip Parkway SE
Cost: $5 cover charge
Ring in the New Year with authentic reggae music from Top Celebrity Crew.
• Total TAPAS Experience
When: 5 p.m. to midnight Dec. 31
Where: Taste Tapas and Wine Bar, 196 Miracle Strip Parkway SE
Cost: $25 includes a glass of champagne, cold bar buffet and hot tapas
Enjoy live jazz music at Taste. To reserve a seat, call 850-226-7417.
DESTIN
• Grande Gala New Yea’s Eve Celebration
When: 8 p.m. dinner Dec. 31
Where: Emerald Grande Ballroom
Cost: $125 a person, reservation only
Experience the elegant Grande Gala at the Emerald Grande Ballroom on the Destin Harbor. The dinner begins at 8 p.m. and goes until midnight and includes a chef-selected menu, live music, champagne and a view of the fireworks and ball drop over the Destin Harbor. For more details or to make a reservation, call 850-424-0622.
• LuLu's Noon Year's Eve
When: 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 31
Where: LuLu’s Destin, 4607 Legendary Marina Drive
Cost: Free admission
Here's another event for those who have early bedtimes. LuLu's Destin presents its third annual Noon Year's Eve celebration. The festivities will include sandcastle building contests, arts and crafts, inflatable bounce houses, face-painting and entertainment from the Nashville family band Pelican 212. The event is free and a great way to celebrate 2018 with your kids. Visit www.lulubuffett.com/destin/ or call 850-710-5858.
• Party with I’MAGENE and Cormac McGuiness
When: 9 p.m. to midnight
Where: McGuire’s Irish Pub of Destin, 33 U.S. Highway 98 E
Enjoy a party with live music from Destin retro electro soul band I’MAGENE. Visit the McGuire’s Irish Pub of Destin’s Facebook page.
• Street Party
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 31
Where: HarborWalk Village, 10 Harbor Boulevard
Cost: Free admission
Enjoy live music from January Noise, fireworks at 8 p.m. and midnight and a ball drop countdown over the Harbor.
• Polar Bear Club
When: Registration starts at 10 a.m. Jan. 1; jump into Gulf at 10:30 a.m.
Where: James Lee Park, behind Crab Trap
The Destin Fire Rescue Foundation will hold its 12th annual Polar Bear Club. A $20 donation is requested. The first 100 people to register will get a free T-shirt. Lifeguards will be on duty for the event.
MIRAMAR BEACH
• Baytowne Countdown
When: 6 p.m. Dec. 31
Where: The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin, 9300 Baytowne Boulevard
Get ready for some New Year’s fun the whole family can enjoy. The Baytowne Countdown starts the festivities early at 6 p.m. with face-painting and kid’s activities and an early fireworks display at 8 p.m. The party continues with live music by Bantum Rooster on the Events Plaza Stage from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m. and another fireworks display at midnight.
• New Year’s Cruise
When: 7 p.m. to midnight Dec. 31
Where: The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin, 9300 Baytowne Boulevard
Cost: Reservations required
Impress your loved one with a New Year’s Eve cruise on the Solaris. Enjoy a three-course dinner aboard the yacht as well as live entertainment, party favors, a midnight champagne toast and a view of the Baytowne Wharf’s fireworks display. The cruise runs from 7 p.m. to midnight. To reserve a spot, call 850-650-2519 or visit www.sunquestcruises.com.
NAVARRE
New Year’s Eve Dance
When: 8 p.m. doors open, 9 p.m. to midnight music Dec. 31
Where: Holley Navarre Senior Center, 8476 Gordon Goodin Lane
Cost: $15 tickets
Seniors can enjoy a night of entertainment from The Joe Occhipinti Band. Bring some packaged snacks to share and enjoy soft drinks and party favors provided by the center. To purchase tickets, call 713-819-1980.
NICEVILLE
First Day Hike
When: 10-11 a.m. Jan. 1
Where: Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, 4281 S.R. 20, Niceville
Join a park ranger for a first day of the year hike. This will be a one-half-mile hike down the Red Cedar nature trail. There will be many plants and critters to see along the way. Osprey and bald eagles are known to nest within the area. Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes. Sunscreen, bug spray, and bringing water for hydration recommended. Park admission fees are waived for participants. Call 850-833-9144.
OKALOOSA ISLAND
Pelican Plunge
When: 10:30 a.m. pre-registration Jan. 1; 11:30 a.m. plunge with post-plunge party
Where: The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island
Cost: $20 participation fee will benefit the Emerald Coast Foundation
Participants will feel freezin’ for a reason, with the $20 participation fee benefiting the Emerald Coast Foundation, a charitable organization committed to investing in the youth of Northwest Florida. Plungers are encouraged to pre-register online at www.theboardwalkoi.com where the first 100 registrants will receive an exclusive Pelican Plunge long-sleeved shirt. After the dip, plungers (and spectators) can continue to celebrate New Year’s Day with specials at participating Boardwalk restaurants.
PANAMA CITY BEACH
Beach Ball Drop
When: 5:30 p.m. festivities begin, 8 p.m. ball drop Dec. 31
Where: Pier Park, 600 Pier Park Drive
Cost: Free admission
New Year’s Eve festivities begin with the family celebration at 5:30 p.m. with live music from The Barry Fish Band, street vendors, balloon artists, face painters and more. Enjoy a special kid’s countdown at 8 p.m. that features a drop of 10,000 beach balls onto Pier Park Drive. Terry Brock and Friends will perform at 8:15 p.m. and 12 South will perform at 10 p.m. The fun continues with more live music, and a midnight fireworks display. Be sure to see the 800-pound LED illuminated beach ball.
PENSACOLA
New Year's Eve concert with Pensacola Symphony Orchestra
When: 7-9 p.m. Dec. 31
Where: Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St.
Cost: $23-$99 tickets
Start your New Year’s Eve off in style with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. Music Director Peter Rubardt will lead a swing- and blues-inspired performance. The evening will feature Dee Daniels singing the music of the great ladies of swing, including Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. Purchase tickets online at pensacolasymphony.com or call 850-435-2533.
SOUTH WALTON
• Countdown Seaside Celebration
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 31 to 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1
Where: Seaside Amphitheater, Central Square
Cost: Free admission
The annual Countdown Seaside celebration will feature crafting festive hats and face-painting while Future Thieves and The High Divers perform on stage. It will conclude with a fireworks show over the Gulf of Mexico. Visit seasidefl.com.
• South Walton Fire District Polar Plunge
When: 11 a.m. registration Jan. 1; 1 p.m. plunge
Where: Gulf Place, 45 Town Center Loop, Santa Rosa Beach
Cost: $20 donation for ages 12 and older
For the fifth year, Gulf Place Community will host the South Walton Fire District annual Polar Bear Plunge. On Jan. 1, registration will open at 11 a.m. on the corner of South County Highway 393 and Scenic Highway 30A at Gulf Place. The plunge will start promptly at 1 p.m. at Ed Walline Beach Access, which is directly across the street. Before the plunge, attendees are invited to take part in the event’s costume contest. A $20 donation is suggested, as all proceeds will benefit the SWFD Department Relations Committee. The DRC purchases fire- and life-safety items for community based educational programs. This event is open to all ages, and attendees are encouraged to bring a change of clothes. After the plunge, guests will enjoy food, music and a bonfire.
• Topsail Hill First Day Hike
When: 9-11:30 a.m. or 2-3:30 p.m. Jan. 1
Where: 2018 Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, 7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach (main entrance .25 mile south of U.S. Highway 98)
Cost: Free with regular park admission
Enjoy the first day of the New Year leisurely exploring with a Ranger to learn about the park and its wildlife. Participants attending at 9 a.m. will enjoy a longer four-mile round-trip hike. Participants attending at 2 p.m. will enjoy an easier mile-and-a-half walk. Both trails are relatively flat with roots, rock and dirt. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toed shoes. Bring a water bottle, hat and sunscreen. Check in at the Ranger Station for starting location. Program is free with regular park admission. Visit www.floridastateparks.org/park/Topsail-Hill.
• Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant
When: Four seatings — 5, 6:30, 8 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31
Where: Seaside
Cost: Make reservations at 850-231-5900.
Guests can order dinner off the regular menu. Special live entertainment will be Lucky Town. No cover. They will take the stage from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. There will be party favors at each table downstairs and there will be a complimentary glass of champagne at midnight.
• New Year’s Eve Firework Display
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 31
Where: Pensacola Beach Boardwalk
Cost: Free admission
Look toward the Pensacola Beach skies at 8 p.m. for a free firework display along the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk overlooking the Santa Rosa Sound. For more details, visit the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
• Polar Bear Plunge
When: 2 p.m. Jan. 1
Where: Pensacola Beach
Cost: $15 a person
Plunge into the New Year with a dive into the Santa Rosa Sound at the annual Polar Bear Plunge. Paradise Bar & Grill will host hundreds of dippers and spectators — many in costume. All proceeds will benefit the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce. Participants will receive an event T-shirt. Visit the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.