New Year's Eve in Key West 2024-2025, Key West & Florida Keys

Key West is a tropical paradise where you can enjoy a beach party even on New Year's Eve. The island city is famous for its massive all-night celebrations to welcome the upcoming year. You can start your evening with a romantic sunset yacht cruise or a seafood dinner in a waterfront restaurant and then attend one of the ball-drop parties in some of the most popular bars and clubs.

Lowering of the Pirate Wench

Schooner Wharf Bar in Key West hosts one of the city's most famous New Year's Eve parties, featuring the dramatic "Lowering of the Pirate Wench" and a booming cannon blast at midnight. This beloved waterfront tradition unfolds with Evalena Worthington, owner of Schooner Wharf Bar, descending from the towering mast of the tall ship America 2.0, docked just in front of the bar at the Key West Bight.

As Worthington—everyone's favorite pirate wench—lowers against illuminated countdown numbers, the stroke of midnight is met with a thunderous cannon blast and the celebratory sounds of horns and noisemakers from the crowd. The spectacle is complete with the ship's crew dressed in full pirate regalia, adding a perfect nautical touch to welcome in 2025.

Red Shoe Drop

The New Orleans House on Duval Street, renowned for its LGBT-themed New Year's Eve celebrations, hosts the annual Red High Heel Drop. In this unique tradition, a drag queen descends from the balcony in a giant red stiletto while the crowd counts down to midnight.

For 25 years, the beloved drag queen Sushi captivated audiences by "dropping" in the red high heel from the Bourbon St. Pub/New Orleans House complex. In 2023, Sushi retired from the role, and the famous female impersonator Christopher Peterson took over to ring in 2024. As the countdown to 2025 begins, the fabulous Randy Roberts from La Te Da will take the stage, ready to descend in the iconic oversized red heel to the cheers of the crowd below.

Street viewing for this vibrant event is free and open to the public, with a limited number of VIP tickets available each year for a balcony party overlooking the stage. NYE celebration schedule starts with the free show on the Duval Street Stage at 9 pm.

Annual Dropping of the Conch Shell

Duval Street is renowned for its annual Conch Shell Drop at Sloppy Joe's bar, one of Key West's largest and longest-standing New Year's Eve traditions, with several decades of history. This year marks the 31st drop of the iconic conch shell at the corner of Duval and Greene Street.

The idea originated in 1993 when local artist Tobias McGregor suggested the concept to Sloppy Joe's management as a way to unify the New Year's countdown. Before this, people would simply celebrate along Duval Street when their watches hit midnight, often out of sync. The first Conch Shell was a simple setup on a frame, lowered by hand, with the timing guided by someone's watch or by watching Times Square's countdown through a nearby window. In 2005, McGregor redesigned the conch shell to create the version seen today.

For those looking to combine New Year's Eve festivities with a stunning sunset experience, learn more about the Key West Sunset Celebration here.