New Year's Eve in Jacksonville 2024-2025

Jacksonville is a perfect place to ring in the New Year with a big bash and colorful blasts over the water. The largest city in Florida hosts the massive New Year's Eve firework display, which happens exactly at midnight.

NYE Fireworks in Jacksonville

Each year, Downtown Jacksonville becomes a lively hub as hundreds of thousands gather to celebrate the New Year. Jacksonville proudly hosts Florida's largest New Year's Eve fireworks display, lighting up the sky over the St. Johns River in a stunning show. The top viewing spots include both the South and North Banks along the Riverfront Area, where many bars and restaurants join in with festive parties and events on December 31. The fireworks officially start at midnight, ushering in 2025 with a burst of color. For even better views, rooftop venues around the city provide a spectacular vantage point of the show over the river.

NYE Events

In the larger Jacksonville area, many beachfront hotels and restaurants host special New Year's Eve events. At the same time, festive cruises, complete with champagne and live music, offer a unique way to ring in the New Year on the water. Just twelve miles east of downtown, the Beaches Town Center at the intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and the ocean—bridging Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach—is especially lively, featuring a variety of bars and restaurants. This spot offers everything from relaxed beachside hangouts to refined lounges, making it a perfect destination to celebrate in style by the shore.

Polar Plunge

A thrilling way to greet the New Year in Jacksonville is by joining the annual Polar Plunge, where hundreds of hardy participants dash into the brisk waters of the Atlantic Ocean on New Year's Day. This chilly tradition unfolds at 9 am on January 1 at the SeaWalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach.

Originating in 1990 with a small group of local WaveMasters club members and their families, the event has grown exponentially over the decades, now attracting nearly 1,000 people each year. It's a refreshing and exhilarating way to kickstart New Year's resolutions by taking a plunge out of the ordinary. All are welcome, making it a truly inclusive celebration—perfect for anyone daring enough to take on the cold waters to start the year with a splash!

New Year's Eve at the Nights of Lights

From the Saturday before Thanksgiving through the end of January, St. Augustine, an easy 40–45-minute drive from Jacksonville, shines with holiday splendor as its iconic buildings and landmarks are adorned with countless tiny white lights, illuminating the city from ground to rooftops.

For a unique New Year's Eve experience, visitors can book the 8:15 pm Nights of Lights cruise, which offers a fantastic view of the fireworks display at the "Beach Blast Off" event at the St. Johns County Pier in St. Augustine. This annual celebration, complete with fireworks beginning at 8:30 pm, offers revelers a magical evening on the water, with views of both the pyrotechnics over the beach and the shimmering lights downtown, creating a festive and memorable start to the New Year. Adult tickets are priced at $39.