One of the most iconic markers of the new year in the U.S. is the famed New York City ball drop in Times Square.
But did you know that other states have their own, unique New Year’s Eve “drops”? Two of Florida’s (very Floridian) New Year’s Eve drops even made USA TODAY’s 2025 10Best list of the top 10 New Year’s Eve drops in the U.S.
Here are five Floridian New Year’s Eve drops worth seeing, and when and where they are held.
Does Florida drop anything on New Year’s Eve?
Of course Florida has its own ball drops! There are actually several throughout the state. Some cities, like Daytona Beach, drop a ball of lights in the middle of town at midnight.
But other cities have more tailor-made “only in Florida” experiences, like dropping an orange, a beach ball, a strawberry or even a shrimp.
Miami, which recently ranked as the 10th-best city in the U.S. to spend New Year’s Eve, used to have one of the most unique ball drops in the country. A 30-foot, 2,000-pound neon sign of an orange wearing sunglasses used to make a 400-foot trek to the top of the InterContinental Hotel before dropping at midnight. The physical orange ball hasn’t been dropped since 2020, but a virtual ball drop took its place.
In Panama City Beach, the town gathers to view an 800-pound beach ball drop, which is dropped from Celebration Tower, along with more than 10,000 regular-sized beach balls that rain down on the crowd.
And north of Jacksonville, on Amelia Island, there’s a yearly shrimp drop to ring in the new year.
Where is the ball drop in Panama City, Florida? What to know about 2025 NYE beach ball drop
There are two beach ball drops in Panama City Beach, Florida. One is geared toward kids and scheduled earlier than midnight. At 8 p.m., 15,000 regular-sized beach balls drop from above South Pier Park Drive and Aaron Bessant Park, followed by a fireworks display. The beach ball drop ranked as the eighth-best New Year’s Eve drop in the U.S. on USA TODAY’s 10Best list for 2025.
At midnight, a giant beach ball nearly 10 feet in diameter drops on a pole atop Celebration Tower that is 10 feet taller than the one in Manhattan, followed by another fireworks display.
The evening’s festivities include live music and DJs and kickoff at 4 p.m. Visit the city’s webpage of New Year’s Eve celebrations for a complete schedule.
What is the shrimp drop in Florida?
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, just north of Jacksonville, Florida, is known for its shrimping industry and is often called “the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry.” There’s an annual shrimp festival there, and on New Year’s Eve, a shrimp drop.
At midnight, a giant light-up shrimp is dropped at 7 p.m., at South Front Street in Fernandina Beach, followed by a fireworks display. The shrimp drop ranked as the ninth-best New Year’s Eve drop in the U.S. on USA TODAY’s 10Best list for 2025.
Plant City’s strawberry drop in Florida for New Year’s Eve
This is the second year that Plant City, Florida, will host the strawberry drop. Plant City is where most of the Sunshine State’s winter strawberries are grown, and the city hosts an annual strawberry festival.
The city started a new tradition last year to ring in 2025: dropping a large, glowing strawberry at midnight. The event’s Facebook page lists the strawberry drop location at 100 North Collins Street, Plant City.
“Gather your friends and family for a night of festive activities, live music, and delicious local eats,” the event page says.
“Our FREE Kid’s Zone is packed with inflatables and games with prizes — perfect for making memories that last a lifetime. Admission is free, so bring everyone out for a fun, family-friendly night!”
Sarasota’s pineapple drop in Florida for New Year’s Eve
In Southwest Florida, Sarasota hosts a pineapple drop at midnight on New Year’s Eve, complete with an all-day block party leading up to the main event. The countdown and drop take place at the corner of Lemon Avenue and Main Street in downtown Sarasota.
“The Pineapple Drop Block Party is the place to be on December 31st, with festivities running from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.,” the event’s Facebook page says.
“The main event? The iconic Pineapple Drop at midnight, where a giant, glowing pineapple will descend to ring in the new year!”
Key West’s conch and drag queen shoe drops in Florida for New Year’s Eve
Florida’s southernmost point, Key West, hosts a shoe drop and a conch drop.
On Duval Street, an 8-foot-long, red high-heeled shoe is dropped from the second-floor balcony of Bourbon Street Pub at 724 Duval St. The most unique part? The shoe holds a drag show performer!
“While waiting for midnight, she offers witty commentary and presides over world-class entertainment on a street-level stage,” the Visit Florida Keys website says.
“The evening leading up to the actual drop will include a stage full of beefy, chiseled male dancers, performances by colorful drag queens, and numbers by other stunningly talented entertainers.”
On the same street, there’s also a conch drop at Sloppy Joe’s Bar (201 Duval St.). No reservations are taken and tables are on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s no door charge.
“This year, the conch shell will drop for the 31st time at the corner of Duval and Greene Street. The idea and implementation of the conch shell is that of local artist Tobias McGregor,” the Sloppy Joe’s website says.
“Customers inside the bar will be able to view the dropping of the conch shell on Sloppy-Tron.”
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 5 ‘so Florida’ New Year’s Eve drops to ring in 2026, where to watch them
Reporting by Lianna Norman, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
