Tampa Bay is a fantastic spot to celebrate New Year’s Eve this year. A Tampa Bay New Year boasts everything from ball drops, to fun bars and restaurants, and even fireworks celebrations.
There are several celebrations for you to pick from to ring in the Tampa Bay New Year. Start the New Year off right.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Potentially the best way to celebrate the Tampa Bay New Year is with fireworks. A warmer atmosphere gives the opportunity to sit or stand outside and enjoy a fantastic light show exploding in the sky. It’s unlikely you will have to worry about hiding in multiple players and holding earmuffs tightly to your face. A Tampa New Year’s Eve usually hovers around 60 degrees.
This spectacle is at the downtown Tampa waterfront.
You can also catch a great fireworks show at Cotanchobee Park. The display is a partnership with the Friends of the Riverwalk and the City of Tampa. The event usually takes place at Channelside but has been temporarily relocated this year to the Cotanchobee due to new construction. The show starts promptly at midnight.
New Year’s Eve Countdown Party
This fun and exciting event takes place just outside the convention center in Tampa at The Sail. It starts at 8 p.m. and the bash lasts well into the New Year. This fun party scene rings in the New Year with a midnight champagne toast, music and dancing, and a host of the area’s best food trucks. Like the Tampa fireworks, this event is also at the downtown Tampa waterfront.
Aqua Eve
Use the New Year to make a splash by visiting the Florida Aquarium. Aqua Eve is held from 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve into midnight at the aquarium and is one of the more unique ways to celebrate.
Here you’ll find live entertainment along with complimentary food and drinks. Not only is the inside of this event really wonderful, step just outside the aquarium and you’ll have a perfect view of the fireworks show over the Garrison Channel. It’s one of the best places to be for visitors bringing young children along.
Busch Gardens New Year’s Eve
Bring in the New Year with a bang by celebrating at one of the world’s best theme parks. You’ll be able to ride all the attractions offered at Busch Gardens and enjoy music blasting through the park all night. Get the thrill of the park in the dark and then enjoy a park-wide countdown to midnight topped off with an incredible fireworks show.
The park stays open for an hour into the New Year so you can start the first day of your fresh slate off with a thrilling and exciting time on your favorite rides.
Rooftop Eve
Head to the Fort Brooke Parking Structure starting at 9 p.m. and enjoy a big party counting down to midnight right in the heart of the city. This downtown celebration offers up music, fun, dancing and more. The party is close to many of the downtown vacation rentals, so it’s easy to get to and from the celebration safely.
At the end of the night you’ll enjoy a front row seat to the downtown waterfront fireworks.
With just this sample of amazing New Year’s Eve events happening in Tampa, you and your loved ones will be sure to find the perfect way to start the year off right. Leave a little piece of your heart, and your holiday, in Tampa.
