Harris Vacations Staff Writer | December 18, 2024
Ring in the New Year on the Flora-Bama line! Gulf Shores, Alabama, is situated just a stone’s throw from Pensacola, Florida, and boasts some of the best NYE parties on the Gulf Coast. We’re talking daytime bubble bashes fit for the whole family alongside wild and crazy beach parties that will have you celebrating until the wee hours of 2025.
Our beachfront vacation rentals offer the perfect cozy getaway where you can attend the best NYE events and then retire to the iconic white sands. Here’s what to expect when you plan a visit to Gulf Shores this New Year’s Eve.
Photo Credit: Impact Photography
Here’s a collection of all the best New Year’s Eve events happening in and around the Gulf Shores area.
This 21and over event is the biggest party in Gulf Shores. If you’re looking for great music, a lively party, excellent food, and a large crowd to ring in the new year, this is the event for you. Tickets should be purchased in advance as they usually sell out! Your $75 ticket includes full access to the dinner buffet, three stages of live music, champagne, party favors, and, at the stroke of midnight, access to the breakfast spread as the party continues all night long.
Put on by Pepsi & Miller Lite, this New Year’s Street Party is fun for the whole family. A staple of the Alabama Gulf Coast, this festival is filled with family-friendly activities in the daylight hours before shifting to a full-on White Claw-fueled party at night. Kids will love the rock climbing wall, camel rides, and a 10 AM kids confetti drop.
After dark, you can expect a full firework display, live music, and the iconic “marlin drop” that makes this unique New Year’s celebration so popular.
Lulu’s has got you covered if you’re looking for a family-friendly countdown to New Year’s Eve celebration. There is no need to keep the kids up until midnight when the colorful beach ball drop happens here at NOON. Enjoy face painting, a sandcastle-building contest, arts and crafts, kid-safe fireworks (by which I mean bubble wrap), and more!
Yet another spectacular event put on by the Flora-Bama crew. This “polar plunge” isn’t exactly polar bear-level frigid, but it is undoubtedly a crisp swim meant to shock the New Year’s Eve hangover straight out of you. Come frolic in the wintertime waters of the Gulf of Mexico and hang out on the sand in fun, festive costumes or your favorite swimsuit. The event itself is totally free and is a fun tradition that many locals attend every single year. It’s also a precursor to a fun, sun-filled beach party to kick off January the right way.
Photo Credit: Namwlan
These are actually two events rolled into one. On Saturday night, at around 8:45 PM, the annual Sparks and Sounds kick off the NYE festivities with live bands and a spectacular fireworks show.
This lively party is for those who wish to celebrate on the weekend rather than New Year’s Day itself. Sunday is a family-friendly Bubbles and Beats street party starting at 2 PM and continuing until 5 PM. Kids will love the music and the giant bubble pools!
While New Year’s Eve celebrations are likely to occupy your weekend, here are a few other wintertime attractions you can enjoy throughout the duration of your stay.
Photo Credit: Maria Moroz
Nearby Orange Beach offers the illusion of a winter wonderland with a classic Ice rink to glide on from late November to late January. Grab your skates or rent a pair on-site at the Wharf during your next visit to Gulf Shores during the Christmas season.
Photo Credit: GaudiLab
While the Gulf State Park and other nearby recreation areas offer plenty of bike trails and walking paths, the Fort Morgan Road Trail is often overlooked and an excellent addition to your wintertime itinerary. This 5-plus-mile coastal trail cuts through the urban territory and offers a scenic stroll through the heart of the community.
Photo Credit: Danny E Hooks
Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge is a lovely place to connect with nature in Gulf Shores, Alabama, even during the chilly winter months! Here, you can watch the seasonally migrating birds come in to nest or walk the scenic paths through the dunes, enjoying the natural landscapes of Alabama.
Tis’ the season for celebration! Gulf Shores has no shortage of foodie destinations to grab a comforting slice of pizza, a beer at one of the local breweries, or a platter of delicious locally sourced seafood. Whatever the mood of your crew, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from.
Photo Credit: Mikael Damkier
While the sport is most popular during the balmy summer months, it’s often more enjoyable with a chilly winter breeze. There are plenty of golf courses around Gulf Shores to choose from, or you can head to the mini-golf links for some family fun.
Fishing in Alabama is a year-round attraction. With a wide variety of species to catch and plenty of serious fishermen around to take you out to sea, this is a great wintertime attraction for those looking to explore the local’s favorite pastime. Book a guided fishing tour and try your hand with the world class deep sea fishing the region offers!
While you might not be inclined to throw on a swimsuit this time of year, the picturesque sands of Gulf Shores are well worth a visit. You can enjoy the sunset, take a morning stroll through the silky white sand, or just sit out and enjoy the sunshine.
These are some of our favorite Gulf Shores beaches:
The Gulf Coast is blessed with a mild winter season. No snow to worry about here! But the otherwise balmy hot temperatures do drop a little this time of year. In fact, you can expect daytime temperatures to sit in the mid-50s. Here are a few essentials that you should be sure to pack with you before heading to the Gulf Coast for New Year’s.
Whether you choose the boozy late-night bashes of the Flora-Bama Bar or the chilled-out, kid-friendly daytime activities, Gulf Shores has plenty of events to help you ring in the new year right.
Our vacation rentals perched on the silky white sands of the Gulf Coast offer the best night’s sleep in the area. This will allow you to recuperate from the late-night festivities and enjoy all the other lovely wintertime attractions on offer in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area.
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