New Year’s Eve in Bradenton

2026 plans aren’t out yet. As of October 28, 2026, none of the organizers below have announced this year’s times. What you see is how each celebration ran last year (Dec. 31, 2025), so you know what to expect. We’ll update this page as details are posted.

The big countdowns at a glance

Last-year details from the Bradenton Herald, the City of Sarasota, ABC7 and Sarasota Magazine.

Downtown Bradenton: the Riverwalk

Bradenton’s free public party moved to Rossi Park on the Riverwalk last year, starting at 8 p.m. with a live band, food and drink vendors and a fireworks show over the Manatee River. The year before, it was on Old Main Street with a ball drop at midnight. Rossi Park is at 444 3rd Ave W; the free City Centre garage is a short walk away (see downtown parking on our sister site).

Dinner first? Old Main Street restaurants fill up early on New Year’s Eve, so book ahead. Our downtown Bradenton guide covers the area.

Bradenton Beach: the Oyster Drop on Bridge Street

Bridge Street is the island’s New Year’s Eve hub. Last year the Drift-In (120 Bridge St) held its first Oyster Drop: live music from noon, no cover, and a giant oyster shell lowered at midnight with a champagne toast. Bars up and down the street stay busy until well after midnight. Catch the 5:46 p.m. sunset on the beach at the end of Bridge Street first, then walk back up. Parking on Bridge Street is tight, so arrive early or get a ride. More on the island in our Anna Maria Island guide.

Lakewood Ranch: drone show at Waterside Place

Waterside Place ran a free family-friendly party last year from 7 p.m. to midnight, with live music, glow mini-golf and bounce houses, and a drone light show at midnight instead of fireworks. Earlier in the evening, Lakewood Ranch Main Street is the spot for dinner and a movie.

Downtown Sarasota: the Pineapple Drop

The region’s biggest street party. Last year’s Downtown Sarasota New Year’s Eve Block Party ran 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Main Street and Lemon Avenue, with three music stages, rides at Selby Five Points Park (a $37 unlimited-ride wristband), a pineapple dropped at midnight, and fireworks over Sarasota Bay. Entry is free.

Plan for road closures. Last year the city closed Main Street (Orange to Palm) and Lemon Avenue from 4 a.m. on Dec. 31 to 9 a.m. on Jan. 1, and parts of Pineapple Avenue, First Street and Central Avenue from 4 a.m. on Dec. 30. Cars left on closed streets were towed, and backpacks, coolers and outside alcohol weren’t allowed. Expect slow traffic on the Bayfront and the Ringling Bridge from about 6 p.m. (City of Sarasota).

St. Armands Circle added a Coconut Drop last year, organized by Cha Cha Coconuts. More on the area in our downtown Sarasota guide.

Dressed-up and ticketed parties

For a sit-down dinner and a view of the fireworks, last year’s ticketed options in Sarasota included the Selby Gardens New Year’s Eve gala (7 p.m. to 1 a.m.), rooftop parties at the Westin and Art Ovation hotels, and dinners at the Ritz-Carlton and the St. Regis on Longboat Key. Most sell out in December, so watch for tickets after Thanksgiving.

Shows that week

• Asolo Rep: Singin’ in the Rain runs through Jan. 2, and Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play through Jan. 3.
• Van Wezel: Straight No Chaser on Dec. 28 and Salute to Vienna on Dec. 30. Nothing is scheduled there on Dec. 31.
• McCurdy’s has held a late New Year’s Eve comedy show in past years; check its calendar in December.

See everything on our coming-up calendar.

New Year’s Day

Start 2027 with a cold splash: last year’s Shamrock Shiver plunge at Coquina Beach had costumes at 11:30 a.m. and the plunge at noon, followed by an afterparty at Clancy’s in Cortez. Lakewood Ranch’s Music on Main normally falls on the first Friday of the month, which is Jan. 1 this year; no lineup has been posted.

Getting home safely

• Plan a ride before you go. Taxi and ride-share wait times run long after midnight; our getting-around page has local taxi links.
• AAA’s free Tow to Go service ran over New Year’s last year at 1-855-286-9246 for anyone who shouldn’t drive.
• Thinking of backyard fireworks? Last year Manatee County banned private fireworks over New Year’s because of a drought burn ban. Check the county’s rules in late December.