If you’re looking for the perfect place to celebrate the holidays, look no further than Key West, Florida! Each year, the Key West Holiday Festival kicks off in late November and ends with an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration.
Key West New Years celebrations have long been known as a favorite for ringing in the holiday, mainly due to the party atmosphere that the area naturally exudes.
The popularity of being seen as an ideal location could also originate from the fact that not many other places in the US offer, on average, a typical temperature of 75 degrees! While the rest of the nation is still experiencing the frigid temperatures associated with December and January, the weather in Key West is the perfect temperature for outdoor celebrations.
Visitors flock to the area to enjoy the warm weather and the selection of celebrations Key West offers to ring in the new year. If you find you are looking for things to do to celebrate you will have several choices of locations. Even better, they are all within a short walking distance of one another, making it even easier to enjoy the festivities.
Schooner Wharf Bar Pirate Wench Drop
Old friends and new gather for the Schooner Wharf Bar’s celebration of their annual lowering of the Pirate Wench preceding the stroke of midnight. The nautical-themed celebration has been a long-held tradition for the Key West New Year’s Eve holiday.
The Pirate Wench is lowered from high up on the mast of the famous schooner, the America 2.0, docked in the Key West Bight in front of large illuminated numbers that countdown the minutes to the new year. At the final stroke of midnight, cannon fire, along with horns and noisemakers, will herald and usher in the new year.
Schooner Wharf, located on William Street, provides all partygoers with hats, favors, and horns so that everyone can join in the midnight festivities. Drink specials and live music are available throughout the day leading up to the countdown, and the party continues well into the night.
The New Orleans House Red High Heel Drop
Only at the Bourbon Street Pub, a local gay bar, during a Key West New Year’s Eve celebration, will you see a live Drag Queen dropped instead of the typical ball. A large, high-heeled, red shoe is lowered from the pub’s balcony, complete with a drag queen passenger.
Sushi, the infamous Queen, rides the red high-heeled shoe as it makes it decent while counting down the minutes to the new year. The event is so popular that CNN gives it national news coverage almost yearly.
Those attending the festivities throw confetti, dance, and go wild during the street celebration. All are welcome to the Key West New Year’s Eve celebration, located on Duval Street, counting down the moments and ringing in the new year at the Bourbon Street Pub.
Sloppy Joe’s Bar Conch Shell Drop
Sloppy Joes is considered one of the most famous bars to date in Key West. It has long been known that the bar was a favorite watering hole for Ernest Hemingway during his stays in the area. As it turns out, it was Hemingway that gave Sloppy Joes its name.
The location boasts a widely known and loved annual holiday tradition that features the dropping of the conch shell counting down each New Year’s Eve. The giant conch shell, being man-made, has become somewhat of a symbol for the Florida Keys, also known as the Conch Republic.
Partygoers gather on Duval Street to dance to music from the top of the bar as they celebrate. All in attendance can enjoy live music and dancing, with music ranging from rock to bluegrass.
The festivities begin at 10:00 p.m. and run well into the night.
Sunset Pier
Widely known for its amazing sunsets and delicious cocktails, Sunset Pier, located on Duval Street, is the perfect destination for a new year’s celebration in Key West.
Partygoers can enjoy the celebration on the water, listening to live music from several different bands. The free festivities begin at 8 p.m and include complimentary champagne provided at the stroke of midnight, marked by their annual tradition of a Key Lime Drop into a giant martini glass.
Plan Your Key West Vacation
Planning your dream vacation to Key West doesn’t have to be difficult! Whenever you book with Key West Vacation Homes, it’s simple! Just view our waterfront Key West vacation homes, reserve your favorite, and prepare for the vacation of a lifetime!
Other Holiday Events
If the above drop celebrations are not your style, there are plenty of other things to do during a Key West vacation.
Nothing says a holiday, and possibly romance, like sailing into the new year in style. Enjoy a slow-paced celebration, complete with appetizers and live music. There is even champagne at midnight on this perfect sunset cruise. Make your reservations early, though, as this is one event you will want to attend.
If you find that keeping your feet planted on dry land is more your style, try out the celebration of the final sunset at Mallory Square. The celebration has long been the official launching of all of the island’s holiday festivities. Gather with friends and loved ones, watch the year’s final sunset, and enjoy the celebrations well into the new year.
The island of Key West is so small you can’t go anywhere without being able to see and enjoy the fireworks show. The main show takes place on the side of Key West Harbor, at the White Street Pier. The location is a much better choice and option if you want to avoid the massive crowds on Duval Street.
Key West has long been known for its New Year’s Eve celebrations, including yearly coverage by CNN. The island offers four different drops to choose from, including a drag queen riding atop a giant red high-heeled shoe, a sunset cruise, and fireworks.
If a party is what you are looking for, then a Key West New Year’s Eve is your best choice. But you want to ensure that you have your plans in place if you wish to experience a Key West vacation that you will never forget. Find your Key West vacation home rental today and prepare for your best New Year’s experience to date!
Stay with Key West Vacation Homes
With a variety of vacation homes in Key West, Florida, you can find the perfect retreat to complement your Key West itinerary. Whether you prefer a cozy condo in the heart of Old Town or one of our luxurious waterfront Key West rentals with breathtaking views, our Key West vacation homes provide a tranquil and private escape after a day of exploring the island’s attractions. Enjoy the freedom and flexibility that comes with having your own space, allowing you to relax and recharge in between your Key West adventures.
