ORLANDO — Times Square is renowned as the place to be on New Year’s Eve, watching the ball drop as the seconds tick toward midnight amid dazzling holiday lights and high-octane excitement.
Of course, it’s projected to be below freezing that night in New York City, around 27 degrees. If you’re not partial to cold weather or massive crowds, have you considered an alternative: New Year’s Eve in Orlando?
The City Beautiful will be enjoying temps in the mid-60s on New Year’s Eve, not exactly sweater weather for hearty northerners fleeing those winter snow and ice storms. But is there going to be anything to do in Orlando on New Year’s Eve?
The answer: Plenty!
Freeline Media has a preview of just a few of the fun options that locals, visitors, snowbirds and tourists alike have to choose from if they decide Orlando is the place to be on Dec. 31.
What’s Happening In Orlando on New Year’s Eve?
Central Florida is expected to be hopping on Dec. 31. Your options include:
New Year’s Eve at Icebar Orlando, 8967 International Drive, renowned for its 18-degree Icebar where tables, chairs, and even the glasses that drinks are served in are made of ice. Icebar has 70 tons of hand-carved ice; but if that sounds too cold, guests enter through a warm Fire Lounge that hosts DJs, dancing and food. Braving the arctic experience upstairs is up to you.
Icebar will be ringing in the New Year with a special event, The Ice Masquerade: A New Year’s Eve Celebration. Starting at 7 p.m., this will be a masquerade-themed evening with a live DJ and entertainment in the Fire Lounge, plus a midnight buffet, free digital souvenir photos, raffle giveaways and specialty cocktails.
How about New Year’s Eve on a riverboat, sailing along the St. John’s River? The St. Johns Rivership Co. in Sanford will host a New Year’s Eve bash on Dec. 31 on the Barbara-Lee cruise ship. There will be three cruises that day, each one featuring a 3 course dinner. The first one boards at 10 a.m. and sails from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The second boards at 3:30 p.m. and sails from 4-7 p.m., and there is a Late Night Celebration Cruise for those New Year’s Day revelers that boards at 9 p.m. and sails from 9:30 p.m. until 1 a.m.
“We offer three distinct cruises on New Years Eve, with a traditional lunch, dinner and midnight cruise available,” the Rivership company notes. “Enjoy a fun way to celebrate the beginning of the New Year with a relaxing river cruise!”
You can also secure your spot on Dec. 31 at Tori Tori, a trendy Japanese bar popular for its finger foods and meat skewers, cocktails, sake and outdoor seating, located at 720 N. Mills Ave. The New Year’s Eve bash will include an open bar, grooves from DJ Ricky Rico, Hors d’oeuvres, and a champagne toast and sparklers at midnight. Email toritoripub@gmail.com for VIP seating.
What’s Happening in Downtown Orlando?
Good question! The Downtown Arts District is bringing back its New Year’s Eve celebration Midnight on Magnolia at CityArts, 39 S. Magnolia Ave. in downtown from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
“This fun and fresh event — selling out in in its inaugural year — offers an elevated, artistic atmosphere, perfect for young professionals and the young at heart looking for a unique way to ring in the New Year in Orlando,” DAD notes. “With the Magnolia flower as its centerpiece, Midnight on Magnolia offers a refreshing alternative to the typical New Year’s Eve bar and club scene in Downtown Orlando. The glittering event showcases the vibrant culture and history of the Downtown Arts District. Attendees aged 21 and up will enjoy a welcoming, cosmopolitan environment — stylish yet comfortable, without being overly formal.”
Festivities will include live art experiences and entertainment, live music by the Blacklist Babes, confetti cannons, stilt walkers, a champagne toast at midnight, gourmet lite bites by Johnny’s Fillin’ Station, and more.
“After selling out our inaugural event last year, we’re thrilled to bring back our New Year’s Eve celebration, which we anticipate will sell out again,” noted Daniel F. Betancourt, chairman of DAD’s board of directors. “Whether you’re a local in The City Beautiful or visiting from out of town, this is the New Year’s Eve celebration not to be missed. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that the Downtown Arts District is proud to bring to our community.”
All that, and mild weather, too!
Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright, and author of the book A Christmas Eve Story. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.
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