Some call it amateur night. Others do it up big. If you're itching to get out to celebrate the New Year, there are both grown-up only and family-friendly options to enjoy. Whether you're out or in, CL wishes you a safe and happy Happy New Year!
Aqua-Eve Talk about a splashy event. Ring in the New Year at the Florida Aquarium with live entertainment from Trae Pierce and the T-Stone Band and others, complimentary food, beer and wine, and a champagne toast — and one of the best views in Tampa Bay for a fireworks display over the channel at midnight. Must be 21 to attend. Florida Aquarium, Tampa. VIP only is 8 p.m.- 9 p.m.; main event: 9 p.m.- 1 a.m. Aqua-Eve & Fireworks Cruise Combo Ticket available too. $100-$185. Wed., Dec. 31. 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. flaquarium.org.
Beach Bash at the Postcard Inn PCI is throwing a NYE party in classic Florida style — oceanfront with music and a bonfire (and of course booze). There will be live music by Tropical Disturbance and recording artist Dylan Cowles and the Crowknees. The party is free but you can celebrate VIP style for $100. Dec. 31, 9 p.m. Postcard Inn, 6300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. 727-367-2711. postcardinn.com.
Celebration of Janus Attend a party in honor of the Roman god of new beginnings, featuring acclaimed Latin, Exotica and Bossa guitarist Nate Najar and The Stolen Idols’ Drew Farmer sharing the stage. Hors D’oeuvres themed on the ancient feast of Janus, Midnight Champagne toast & drink specials, included. $25 at the door, $20 in advance. Wed., Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Mermaid Tavern, 6719 Nebraska Ave., Tampa. mermaidtaverntampa.com.
Cirque 2015 & Hard Rock After Party The Hard Rock will host a themed party for 21 and older partiers. Premium tickets are $100 per person. In addition the West Coast Toast NYE After Party, also for those 21 and up, is scheduled at the Hard Rock Cafe from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. Wed., Dec. 31. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is at North Orient Road and Hillsborough Avenue, between I-75 and I-275, about 10 minutes east of downtown Tampa. rocktampa.com.
Channelside Lights Up the Bay Gather at Channelside Bay Plaza to ring in 2015 with live music and DJs in the courtyard, dancing, a ball drop and fireworks at midnight. 11 p.m. Free admission. 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa.
2015 Apollo Beach NYE Fireworks Show It's the second year in the row that the sleepy East Hillsborough town claims to have the biggest budget for pyrotechnics in Florida to ring in the New Year. According to Vic Granowicz, president/owner of Circles at Lands End Marina, they have "blown last year's record apart" to raise $35,490. "Last year's Apollo Beach/South Shore NYE show actually beat out the City of Fort Myers for the state's largest NYE fireworks display," he said, adding that it was three times the size of the Channelside/Tampa NYE show at the port. This year's show will be choreographed to music and begin promptly at midnight on Jan. 1. The fireworks will be shot off of a construction barge floating in the center of Bal Harbor, right off Tampa Bay. Of course, the best view is from The best place to view the show is from Circles, which hosts a large-scale outdoor party from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. that is free to attend with a limited number of VIP tickets (60) that include food and champagne. Circles is at 1212 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach. circleswaterfront.com.
Ella’s New Year’s Day Hangover Brunch Recover from the madness at Ella’s with musician Dean Johanesen. They’ll have all your basic necessities for recovery: bloody marys, the always delicious munchies and jams to distract you from your hangover. Order food from noon-5 p.m. and enjoy music from 2-5 p.m. on Thurs., Jan. 1, noon-5 p.m. Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe, 5119 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa. 813-234-1000. ellasfolkartcafe.com.
FirstKids St. Pete's junior NYE festivities kick off at the First United Methodist Church with hat and mask making, the Second Time Arounders Musical Petting Zoo and Chihuly Noisemakers with the Morean Arts Center. St. Pete Makers will host an LED light making station and teach kids how to add a simple LED light to their NYE hats. There will be puppet shows from the St. Petersburg Library, Fire and Ice Shows and a Science Fun Station by Mad Science. It all caps off with a procession of Giant Sea Creature Puppets at 7:00 p.m. led by the Mount Zion Drumline and Color Guard, just in time for the Bubble Stomp and the First Fireworks at 8 p.m. Free admission. Wed., Dec. 31, 4-7 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 212 Third St. N., St. Petersburg.
First Night St. Pete The mission of this year’s downtown-wide First Night is to deepen our appreciation of the Burg's great arts presence via multiple events counting down the New Year. Dundu Dole and the Florida West Ballet perform. The popular Latin Dancing and Lessons at the Little Latin Quarter in front of the Museum of Fine Arts will again be featured, and New Year’s Resolutions can be made at the Resolution Bonfire and at the Resolution Fire Sculpture created by James Oleson. Much more — visit firstnightstpete.com.
Independent New Year’s Eve Bash & Hangover Brunch DJ Tollbeard is providing the music and the Independent provides the champagne toast. The best part? There is absolutely no cover. And when it’s time to nurse your hangover, the Independent has you taken care of. Their New Year’s Day Hangover Brunch will get your back on your feet. It’s $10 for brunch and $4 for mimosas, bloody marys and sangrias. Thurs., Jan. 1, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The Independent Bar and Cafe, 5016 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. 813-341-4883. independentbartampa.com.
Light It Up Clearwater Celebrate 2015 with fireworks over Clearwater Beach Dec. 31 at midnight. lightitupclearwater.com.
New Year’s Eve Luau and Block Party The Sail Pavilion at the Tampa Convention Center, Tampa’s only 360-degree waterfront bar, hosts a celebration that offers family-friendly games and activities for kids along the RiverWalk. A variety of food trucks, including Hott Mess, Dochos, I Wanna Wok, Renny’s Oki Doki, Cajun in a Truck, Dude & His Food, Lizzie Cakes and Jimmy’s Slider Truck will be onsite. Lasting until 2 a.m., the party will also feature live entertainment and drink specials throughout the evening, including a wide variety of seasonal brews at the Beer Garden. Pets can even ring in the New Year too at this pet-friendly establishment. Free admission. Wed., Dec. 31. Sail Pavilion, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa. 813-274-7778. tampaconventioncenter.com.
New Year’s Masquerade Party Ring in the New Year with big brass bells immediately after Straz’s performance of The Phantom of the Opera. The party features Late Night Brass, complimentary champagne toast at midnight, complimentary hand-passed appetizers, complimentary coffee/dessert bar. Cash bar also available. Regularly priced tickets are $75. Wed., Dec. 31, 10 p.m. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827. strazcenter.org.
Noon Year’s Eve Ring in the New Year with your little ones at Lowry Park Zoo’s annual daytime celebration. The party starts with games, arts and crafts, live entertainment, educational displays and more. Noisemakers, hats and a juice toast will be provided. Wed., Dec. 31, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa. lowryparkzoo.com.
Outback Bowl and New Year's Eve Band Blast The Ybor holiday season comes to a close with a festive college foot-bowl tradition featuring the Outback Bowl New Year's Eve Parade and a pep rally presented by Tampa General Hospital. The parade along Seventh Avenue will feature floats and about fifteen marching bands including the two college bands. The Pep Rally features a battle of the bands and cheerleaders from both universities. Tampa General Hospital, Bud Light, 970 WFLA, 93.3FLZ Radio, 620 WDAE and the City of Tampa sponsor this free, family event. Arrive early to get a good spot. 5:30 p.m. Free. Wed., Dec. 31, 5:30 p.m. 813-874-2695. outbackbowl.com.
Passages: A Visual-Literary Love Letter to St. Pete Take a break from the First Night Festivities at the waterfront and parks downtown, to attend a debut NYE event for book lovers, which we hope will become a tradition. Keep St. Pete Lit has created a collaborative installation that will "transport you through land, sea, and air to a place where literary and artistic passions flourish, and birds on the wing carry love letters to our city." Representatives from Bluebird Books Bus, NOMADstudio and Friends of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve will offer free, hands-on creative activities during this joyous celebration of community. Wed., Dec. 31, 4-10 p.m. Free admission. 559 Mirror Lake Drive, St. Petersburg. 727-822-2083. stpeteshuffle.com.
Pied Piper's New Year's Eve 2015 Pied Piper Productions is throwing a 2015 party at Jackson's, Tampa Bay's. The venue offers a great view of the huge fireworks display in Tampa, special performances and plenty of music. $29.50, $59.50, $140. Wed., Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Click here for more info.
Rooftop Eve For folks who like to party swanky Tampa-style. This year's party's theme is "City Lights" and features a new location in the heart of Downtown Tampa while the roof at Hyde Park Village in undergoing improvements. Though not technically on a rooftop, the party should still be booming. Includes views of Channelside Fireworks. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. 415 S. Jefferson St., Tampa. therooftopeve.com.
Salute To Vienna New Year’s Eve Concert The Strauss Symphony of America, Austrian conductor Matthias Fletzberger, soprano Lara Ciekiewicz, tenor Brian Cheney and dancers from Europaballet in St. Polten, Austria, and International Champion Ballroom Dancers all converge to help you party like it’s 1899. $75, $50 and $35. Wed., Dec. 31, 8 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. rutheckerdhall.com.
Swingin’ the New Year Gussy up in your vintage duds to dance with music by Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88’s Band. Event includes a countdown to midnight and balloon drop, party favors, noisemakers, chocolates, prize giveaways, cash bar and festive decor — and a vintage fashion photo shoot and contest. $30. Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. stpete.org/coliseum.
Tampa Bay Club Sport’s New Year's Eve Party Ring in the new year with all-inclusive drinks, food and entertainment. A ticket gets you in the party, drinks and food and plenty of party favors. Celebrate 2015 in style with the Tampa Bay Club Sport at Clearwater’s Yard of Ale. Buy tickets online here. $90-$110. Wed., Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Yard of Ale Gastro Pub, 2675 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater. 877-820-2582. tampabayclubsport.wix.com/newyearseve.
Time Lord Ball Celebrate with fellow Whovians and sci-fi fans on New Year’s Eve. Tampa Bay Time Lord of Time Lords, Ken Spivey hosts a shindig featuring the Time Lord Rock Band, fan panels on Series Eight and the Christmas Episode. Plus trivia, free goodies, a Timey Wimey 1950s and ‘60s sock hop band. Sponsored by Creative Loafing. Tickets at eventbrite.com. $29.95 General Admission ($24.95 in Advance); $25.95 Student/Military Admission ($21.95 in Advance). Wed., Dec. 31, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. CL Space, 1911 N 13th St Suite W200, Tampa. facebook.com/CLSpaceYbor.
Time Square Webcast The Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment, co-organizers of New Year’s Eve in Times Square, have partnered with Ustream to offer an international, six-and-a-half-hour webcast of the Big Apple’s famous celebration. Host Allison Hagendorf and three correspondents will provide live, commercial-free coverage of the action in Times Square, including the hourly countdowns, ball raising ceremony, stage performances (including rock group O.A.R.and alt-rock group American Authors) and special guests. This webcast is available for free embedding, with details at timessquarenyc.org.
Click here for more events happening Dec. 31-Jan. 2. Special thanks to Emma Sims for assisting in this report.
