PANHANDLE, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -
Visit Panama City Beach invites visitors and residents to ring in the New Year at its annual New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop presented by Coca-Cola on December 31. The celebration promises fun for all ages with live music, fireworks and expanded family-friendly programming. There will be two simultaneous 8:00 p.m. beach ball drops at Pier Park Drive and Aaron Bessant Park.
Website: visitpanamacitybeach.com
Address: 500 W Park Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
Phone: 850-233-5070
Welcome in 2026 with a full menu and New Year’s Eve specials all night, a bonfire, fireworks show, champagne toast at midnight, and live music from Dothan, Alabama’s Glory Days.
Website: [email protected]
Address: 5121 Gulf Dr. Panama City Beach, FL 32408
Phone: (850) 235-3555
Join us at Magnolia Square in Blountstown, FL this New Year’s Eve for the 1st Annual Pine Cone Drop—a celebration rooted in community, laughter, music, and small-town charm. Bring your family, your friends, and your countdown spirit as we watch the giant pine cone drop at midnight and welcome a fresh new year together.
Website: historicblountstown.com
Address: Magnolia Square, Blountstown
The Gulf County TDC and The City of Port St Joe will be bringing you a spectacular firework celebration at 10 pm eastern on New Year’s Eve. You will be able to view the show from the Port St Joe downtown and George Core Park area.
Website: www.visitgulf.com
Address: 150 Captain Fred’s Place
Phone: 850-229-7800
Join us as we ring in 2026 with a family friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration! We’ll have something for the everyone in the family this year with college football bowl games on the Jumbotron, an early NYE countdown and beach ball drop! The ball drop will occur on stage with the DJ during halftime of the game that starts at 6:30 p.m. The exact timing of the countdown and ball drop will depend on the progression of the game.
Website: thebigchill.com
Address: 7000 E County Hwy 30A, Watersound
Phone: (850) 213-0782
This New Year’s Eve, Ara Rooftop turns up the heat — and the cool — with its Fire and Ice NYE Bash on Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Guests can ring in 2026 under the stars with handcrafted themed cocktails, gourmet bites from Ara’s newly curated menu, a live DJ and two spectacular fireworks shows at 8 p.m. and midnight. General entry is $65 plus tax and gratuity. Tickets are limited and available on Eventbrite below.
Website: eventbrite.com/e/fire-ice-a-new-years-eve-bash-at-ara-rooftop-tickets-1852659938749?aff=oddtdtcreator
Address: 1 Grand Sandestin Blvd, Miramar Beach
Phone: (833) 873-3343
Join us New Years Eve and buy tickets at the website below. Reserve your table for our buffet dinner and enjoy the dueling piano show and DJ DJK upstairs in the lift. Contact Dale today for reservations and more information at [email protected].
Website: rumrunners.com
Address: 130 Fisherman’s Cove, Miramar Beach
Phone: (850) 351-1817
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort invites guests and locals alike to ring in 2026 in spectacular style at the Baytowne NYE Countdown, the resort’s signature New Year’s Eve celebration. Join us Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. This beloved annual event blends family-friendly fun, high-energy entertainment and dazzling fireworks for an unforgettable night along the Emerald Coast.
Website: sandestin.com
Address: 9300 W Emerald Coast Pkwy, Miramar Beach
Phone: (800) 622-1038
Celebrate the beginning of a New Year at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island and count down to the 9 PM fireworks show on the beach.
Address: 1450 Miracle Strip Parkway Southeast Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32548
Phone: (850) 301-0959
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