New Year's Eve 2026 on the Emerald Coast: fireworks, parties and Jan. 1
New Year's Eve is Thursday, Dec. 31. We track 2 celebrations in the Emerald Coast, from organizer and official sources. Next up: New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop (Thu., Dec. 31). Florida allows consumer fireworks only on Dec. 31, Jan. 1 and July 4 (Fla. Stat. 791.08), and local rules still apply on beaches and in parks. Public shows on the Emerald Coast are listed here by time, with free and family-friendly options marked.
New Year's Eve in the Emerald Coast is presented by: this guide has one sponsor spot, and it is open.
Ring in 2027 in 3 steps
- Pick your show Fireworks by time · Early shows for kids
- Plan parking or a ride Check the organizer's page for parking, and leave early: the last hour before midnight is the busiest.
- Plan your way home Getting home safe · Fireworks rules where you are staying
Celebrations by date
First Day Hikes on Jan. 1, 2027
Florida State Parks usually publishes its ranger-led First Day Hikes around Dec. 30. We list them here the day they come out.
First sunrise: 6:42 a.m. CST in Destin. Face east-southeast.
New Year's Day, Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, is a federal holiday: post offices and federal offices are closed, and banks generally follow the Federal Reserve calendar.
Can I shoot fireworks here?
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Santa Rosa County & Navarre Beach
Allowed, with limits
State holiday rule applies. Fireworks and sparklers are illegal in county parks and on Navarre Beach. HOAs cannot ban use on the three holidays.
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Walton County (South Walton & 30A)
Allowed, with limits
Use must follow Chapter 791. Displays south of Choctawhatchee Bay need a South Walton Fire District permit, issued only to licensed distributors.
Getting home safe
- Plan a sober ride homePolice add DUI patrols over the New Year's holiday. Pick a designated driver, book a ride or stay within walking distance of the party.
- Keep pets inside during fireworksFireworks scare many dogs and cats. Keep them indoors, with ID tags on. More ›
- Report illegal fireworksUse your town's non-emergency police line. Call 911 only for an emergency.
Plan the night
Restaurants Kids guide Pets guide Christmas events This weekend
Stay within walking distance of the fireworks
Compare hotels and rentals near the fireworks for Dec. 31, so nobody has to drive home.
Help us keep this guide complete
- Send us a fireworks show or party we missed: free listing once it is reviewed.
- Share your first sunrise of 2027: we credit you and you get a badge on Community contributors.
- Report a change: a show that moved, a rule that changed. Reader reports always appear apart from official information.
Open on New Year's Day or running a New Year's Eve special?
Questions people ask
Can you shoot fireworks on New Year's Eve in Florida?
Yes, on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 Florida law allows consumer fireworks (Fla. Stat. 791.08), but local rules still apply: Santa Rosa County bans fireworks and sparklers in county parks and on Navarre Beach, and shows south of Choctawhatchee Bay in Walton County need a South Walton Fire District permit.
What time is sunrise on New Year's Day in Destin?
About 6:42 a.m. Central on Jan. 1, 2027, rising to the east-southeast (NOAA solar equations).
Where are the New Year's Eve fireworks in the Emerald Coast?
New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop (Thu., Dec. 31, Panama City Beach); Seaside® New Year’s Eve Celebration (Thu., Dec. 31, 4 p.m., Santa Rosa Beach).
Are there early New Year's Eve celebrations for kids in the Emerald Coast?
Yes: Seaside® New Year’s Eve Celebration (Thu., Dec. 31, 4 p.m., Santa Rosa Beach).
Can I add these events to my phone calendar?
Yes. Each event has an "Add to calendar" link, and the full list is a calendar file: https://emeraldcoastdispatch.com/new-years-eve/calendar.ics
Is New Year's Day 2027 a holiday?
New Year's Day, Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, is a federal holiday: post offices and federal offices are closed, and banks generally follow the Federal Reserve calendar.