Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Key West (2025)
2026 is almost here, and with beautiful beaches, warm weather, and one-of-a-kind New Year’s celebrations you won’t find anywhere else, Key West is the perfect place to welcome it!
From restaurants, bars, and nightclubs hosting special events, to street parties and sunset cruises, you’ll find New Year’s Eve celebrations around nearly every corner in Key West. And when the party’s over, there’s nothing better than retreating back to your vacation home to unwind in your own private heated pool.
Ready to plan your perfect New Year’s getaway? Pack your dancing shoes, put on your party hat (or don’t — you’ll find them everywhere down here!), and get ready to watch the Red High Heel Drop in true Key West style!
From the famous Conch Shell Drop to pirate parties, here’s what Key West has in store for New Year’s Eve 2025!
The 32nd Annual Dropping of the Conch Shell at Sloppy Joe’s Bar
- 201 Duval Street, Key West
- sloppyjoes.com/events
A Key West New Year’s Eve tradition for over 30 years, watching the Conch Shell Drop over arguably the most famous bar in the Florida Keys is a must-do if you’re in town for the holiday!
It’s an all-day party at Sloppy Joe’s Bar with live entertainment, food, drinks, and more, but as midnight approaches, revelers pack the streets and start the countdown to ring in the New Year with the Conch Shell Drop. You can also watch the Conch Shell Drop inside Sloppy Joe’s Bar on its famous “Sloppy-Trons” if you prefer a smaller crowd.
The Conch Shell Drop at Sloppy Joe’s Bar is Key West’s version of Times Square — without the freezing temperatures! But just like Times Square, the streets outside Sloppy Joe’s fill up fast on New Year’s Eve, so plan to arrive early to stake out your spot.
The Red Shoe Drop at Bourbon Street Pub
- 724 Duval Street, Key West
- bourbonstpub.com
Another iconic New Year’s Eve event, the Red Shoe Drop at Bourbon Street Pub has all the fun of Times Square, with lots of unique Key West flair! Enjoy live music, cocktails, drag performances, and one big party that spills out onto the street.
And of course, as the New Year approaches, spectators gather outside to watch the famous Red Shoe Drop — a giant, glittery red high heel shoe that drops from the balcony at midnight. The only thing more fabulous than the shoe itself is who’s inside it! This year’s headliner is Mulan Alexander, a famed drag performer and winner of the “If The Shoe Fits” national drag competition.
It’s a night of fun, fashion, and overall fabulousness!
The Key Lime Drop at Sunset Pier
0 Duval Street, Key West
What’s a New Year’s Eve celebration in Key West without the island’s most famous fruit? If you’re looking for a more laid-back, island-style party, there’s nothing better than ringing in the New Year at Sunset Pier, watching the Key Lime Drop.
Party the night away on a breezy dock while enjoying live music, champagne, performances by fire dancers, and of course, at midnight, you’ll see the famous Key lime wedge drop into a massive margarita glass — what could be more Key West than that?
The Lowering of the Pirate Wench at Schooner Wharf Bar
- 202 William Street, Key West
- schoonerwharf.com/special.htm
If you thought conch shells, giant glittery shoes filled with drag queens, and Key limes were all that Key West had to drop on New Year’s Eve, think again! For something a bit different, but still delightfully Key West-coded, check out the Lowering of the Pirate Wench at Schooner Wharf Bar.
Enjoy an epic pirate-themed party with live music, food, and champagne at this famous dockside bar. And when the clock strikes midnight, party-goers pack the docks to watch the “Pirate Wench” drop from the mast of the Schooner America 2.0 — complete with cannon fire.
And if you’re looking to elevate your evening, you can purchase tickets to climb aboard the ship and enjoy an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, music, and VIP viewing of the Lowering of the Pirate Wench. Pirate attire isn’t required, but it is encouraged!
Great Gatsby NYE Party at First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery
- 301 Whitehead Street, Key West
- eventbrite.com/e/great-gatsby-nye-2026
If you’re looking to “put on the ritz” this New Year’s Eve, the annual Great Gatsby NYE Party at First Flight Island Restaurant and Brewery is a glamorous good time.
You’ll dress to impress, enjoy live entertainment, open bar, hors d’oeuvres, champagne toasts, and, for something truly unique that will take you back to the days of glitz and glam, a replica Pan-Am plane “drop” at midnight.
Tickets for the Great Gatsby NYE Party tend to sell out, so reserve yours early if you plan to attend.
New Year’s Eve Sunset Cruise with Fury Water Adventures
- 631 Greene Street, Key West
- furycat.com/key-west/new-years-eve
If you want to celebrate early, are looking for a more family-friendly event, or just want an activity that still leaves time to make it to the Conch Shell Drop or New Year’s Eve parties on Duval Street, a New Year’s Eve Sunset Cruise is a great way to kick off the evening.
Fury Water Adventures offers three different experiences to choose from, including a family-friendly glass-bottom boat reef tour, a romantic sunset sail with champagne, or a more upbeat party cruise with live music and cocktails. There’s something for everyone.
Whichever cruise you choose, be sure to book early; these fill up fast.
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Azur
- 425 Grinnell Street, Key West
- azurkeywest.com/new-year-menu
Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot to start the night or dinner is your New Year’s Eve celebration, the New Year’s Eve Dinner at Azur never disappoints.
Indulge in a multi-course, Mediterranean-inspired meal featuring specialties like imported burrata, housemade gnocchi, fresh seafood, filet mignon, and much more. It’s the perfect meal to celebrate New Year’s Eve with.
Reservations are highly recommended for dining at Azur on New Year’s Eve.
NYE with Spread the Dub at Green Parrot Bar
- 601 Whitehead Street, Key West
- greenparrot.com/key-west-live-music
For a more laid-back, but still lively New Year’s Eve celebration, The Green Parrot Bar is a great spot to groove to some live music and enjoy a pint or two with friends.
This year’s lineup features the self-proclaimed “Good Time Reggae” band Spread the Dub, which will be playing three 90-minute sets at 5:30 PM, 9:00 PM, and 11:00 PM.
The Green Parrot is a favorite low-key spot to ring in the New Year among locals and visitors alike, and while it typically doesn’t get as crowded as some other venues, we recommend arriving early if you want to snag a spot by the stage for midnight.
Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square
- 400 Wall Street
- mallorysquare.com/sunset-celebration/
While the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square is a good time any night of the year, on New Year’s Eve, it’s especially popular.
You’ll find all the traditional fun of Mallory Square with live music, street performers, and various vendors, but on New Year’s Eve, they’re pulling out all the stops. You might see performers on stilts, swallowing swords, and even jumping through fiery hoops.
And after the sun sets, Mallory Square offers the perfect gateway to all the local bars and restaurants. You can grab a bite to eat, go bar-hopping, or just hang outside to enjoy the live music and festive atmosphere.
Ready to Ring in The New Year in Key West?
With warm weather, friendly vibes, and tons of fun and unique events to choose from, Key West is the perfect place to ring in the New Year.
Whether you want to party the night away on Duval Street or keep it low-key with dinner or a sunset cruise, you can enjoy all the best the island has to offer by booking your NYE stay with Vacation Homes of Key West.
Enjoy a fully-furnished vacation home with luxury amenities like private pools and hot tubs, full kitchens, BBQ grills, and much more. And with rentals available right in the heart of downtown Key West, or within walking distance to Duval Street, you’ll be just steps away from all the best New Year’s Eve celebrations!
