As 2025 comes to a close, and travelers look for memorable ways to welcome the new year, these Florida hot spots are rolling out the red carpet for unforgettable celebrations. From front-row fireworks in the heart of Downtown Miami to cultural performances on Miami Beach and iconic festivities in Key West, each destination offers its own unique way to ring in 2026.
THINGS TO DO
The Betsy – South Beach
The Betsy – South Beach, ideally located within Miami Beach’s Art Deco District, is just steps from the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival’s captivating New Year’s performances. The festivities kick off with a New Year’s Eve string quartet, followed by a full orchestra leading up to a spectacular fireworks display at midnight. The hotel’s prime location allows for easy access to the Ocean Drive celebration while also providing a tranquil retreat. Dining at LT South Beach, led by award-winning Chef Laurent Tourondel, promises a culinary experience to remember alongside the lively ambience of The Piano Bar, known for its live jazz performances. The best part? There isno cover or minimum required!
Address: 1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Lummus Park
Ocean Drive Association invites locals to ring in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display over Lummus Park in Miami Beach. Countdown to 2026 and enjoy the show from one of the many al fresco cafes on Ocean Drive.
Address: Lummus Park, Miami Beach, FL 33139
New Year’s Day Orchestra Concert
To celebrate the new year, City of Miami Beach presents a free orchestra concert performed by Miami Beach Classical Music Festival at Lummus Park on 12th street on New Year’s Day at 6 p.m.
Address: Lummus Park, Miami Beach, FL 33139
WHERE TO STAY
Watch the Fireworks at The Elser Hotel
For a front-row seat to the fireworks, ring in 2026 at The Elser Hotel & Residences, a stunning 49-story tower in Downtown Miami. Located along Biscayne Bay, the hotel is known for its residential-style accommodations, floor-to-ceiling windows, sprawling balconies and sweeping, unobstructed views of Bayfront Park (Downtown Miami’s fireworks show location). This year, the hotel is offering exclusive VIP packages that cater to groups of 4-8, providing tables, loungers and dedicated bar service. Guests not interested in the VIP packages can choose the open-bar option, available in the main bar area and throughout the pool deck. All guests will be treated to DJ entertainment and live performances. As the clock strikes midnight, pick a spot on The Elser’s expansive sundeck to catch the epic fireworks show or enjoy it from the comfort of your hotel room or balcony. Packages are available for registered hotel guests and residents only, based on availability.
Ring in the New Year at Arlo Wynwood
Celebrate the New Year at Arlo Wynwood, nestled in the heart of Miami’s preeminent creative and cultural district. The 217-room hotel opened in November 2022 as the first in the neighborhood and now serves as a cultural hub for locals and travelers alike. To ring in 2026, Arlo Wynwood will be kicking off the New Year’s Eve celebrations at ART Wynwood, the hotel’s hidden rooftop bar perched above the street art with stunning views of the bay. The rooftop’s crown jewel is its 76-foot-long heated pool surrounded by comfortable chaise lounges and private cabanas complete with sofa seating, a mini fridge, TV and more. Guests can sip handcrafted cocktails poolside, groove to DJ beats and get a front row seat to dazzling fireworks displays across the neighborhood as the clock counts down to midnight.
Address: 2217 NW Miami Court, Miami, FL 33127
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort is the ideal destination for a New Year’s getaway, offering a front-row seat to Key West’s festivities. The hotel is located just steps from iconic Duval Street, where the famous conch shell drops at midnight at Sloppy Joe’s. The Marker also immerses guests in the holiday magic, as the Harbor Walk of Lights display shines brightly through New Year’s Eve. This waterfront resort offers luxurious accommodations, lush tropical grounds, three saltwater pools, and an open-air restaurant and bar for alfresco dining. Each of the 96 spacious guest rooms features a private balcony, offering a personal retreat amid the celebration.
WHERE TO DINE
ADRIFT Mare
ADRIFT Mare, located on the 25th floor of the Hotel AKA Brickell, is closing out the year with a Mediterranean celebration in the sky, pairing Biscayne Bay views with a polished four-course menu from “Gypsy Chef” David Myers. The night moves from an indulgent spread of focaccia, oysters, chorizo and caviar-topped bites into a choice of Charred Octopus or Truffle Gnocchi, followed by Prime Rib Roast or Grilled Black Cod, all designed to complement a chilled glass of Moët & Chandon as the countdown begins. Guests can elevate the experience with an over-the-top seafood platter loaded with lobster, prawns, oysters, crab and razor clams, served with a suite of bold sauces. Dessert brings either MARE Baklava or Olive Oil Cake before the party shifts fully into party mode with a live DJ, party favors and Miami’s unmistakable midnight energy. The four-course dinner is $150, with the seafood upgrade priced at $195. Guests may reserve via OpenTable.
Uchiko
Ring in the New Year at Uchiko Miami Beach with a one-night-only dining journey crafted for celebration. Beginning November 30, guests can reserve Uchiko’s exclusive New Year’s Eve Omakase, a ten-course experience designed for two and featuring elevated holiday expressions such as Masu Crudo with Tasmanian ocean trout, blood orange zu, and mint; Hot Oysters with champagne butter, trout roe, and chive; and a rich New York Strip finished with miso bordelaise and brown-butter mushrooms—available New Year’s Eve only.
Address: 1759 Purdy Ave, Suite 102, Miami Beach, FL 33139
J’Adore Miami Beach
This New Year’s Eve, step into the heist of the century at J’Adore Miami Beach with Ocean’s Eleven—A New Year’s Eve Affair, where the glitz of Las Vegas meets the allure of South Beach. Located fittingly on the corner of Ocean Drive and 11th Street, J’Adore transforms into a world of high-stakes glamour and cinematic celebration inspired by Ocean’s Eleven. The evening begins with a cocktail hour where guests will mingle with cast members and be immersed in pop-up performances. As the lights dim, the curtain will rise for an Ocean’s Eleven take on the Grand Cabaret Show. The night’s theme unfolds through dazzling performances evoking the golden age of Vegas and the suave confidence of the Rat Pack. When the clock nears midnight, the energy will ignite into a glittering after-party featuring live DJs, surprise acts and a champagne countdown. RSVP via OpenTable.
Address: 1060 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Donna Mare Italian Chophouse
Donna Mare Italian Chophouse, located adjacent to the historic Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, is ringing in the New Year with an Italian prix-fixe celebration on Miami Beach. Led by Executive Chef Luigi Iannuario, Donna Mare invites guests to welcome 2025 with a four-course menu that offers authentic coastal Italian flavor. The evening begins with a complimentary Aperol Spritz and an abundant Antipasto Tray featuring Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, marinated artichokes and confit tomatoes. Guests will choose from refined first-course options such as Steak Tartare topped with caviar, Amberjack Crudo with pomegranate glaze or a vibrant Roasted Baby Beet Salad. For the main course, highlights include Paccheri ai Frutti di Mare in a zesty tomato and white wine seafood sauce, Wagyu Filet Mignon with wild mushrooms and Alba white truffle whipped potatoes, Roasted Chilean Seabass with crispy Brussels sprouts or a vegetarian Roasted Butternut Squash with truffle accents. The experience concludes with a roaming dessert cart filled with pastries, pies and tarts for a sweet sendoff into the New Year. Guests may also enjoy The Lobby Bar’s NYE specials, including assorted canapés and tartines, caviar bumps, mini sweet treats and the traditional Italian Cotechino e Lenticchie for good fortune. Set within the Mediterranean-inspired ambience of the Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Donna Mare offers the perfect setting for a celebratory evening filled with warmth, flavor and Italian hospitality. Reservations are available 5- 9 p.m. The prix-fixe menu is $125 per guest with credit card authorization required.
Address: 3921 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33140
Bottomless New Year’s Day Brunch at Laurel Miami Beach
Start 2026 on a high note at Laurel Miami Beach with a New Year’s Day brunch built for lingering. Served Thursday, Jan. 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the experience features an endless buffet spread throughout the dining room, plus an in-house DJ set. Expect a lineup that runs from fruit platters, charcuterie and Mediterranean spreads to breakfast favorites and sweets, with juice bar selections including orange, grapefruit, apple, cranberry and pineapple. Guests can add a signature main course such as Westholme Steak & Eggs with fries or Alaskan salmon fillet with cauliflower gratin and lemon sauce. Brunch is $55 per person for the endless buffet with juice bar and drip coffee ($28 for kids under 12), or $75 per person with a signature main course. Two-hour beverage packages are available, including Sunny Sips ($28) with beer, wine, mimosas and bellinis, and Spritz & Savor ($48) with beer, wine, brunch cocktails, Aperol spritzes and espresso martinis. Reserve your spot HERE.
Address: 350 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Capodanno Due Volte (Double Midnight Celebration) at Donatella Restaurant
This New Year’s Eve, Donatella Restaurant evidences living la dolce vita with “Capodanno Due Volte,” a double–midnight celebration that toasts to New Year’s twice. The restaurant’s three-course New Year’s Eve menu is paired with a playful two-timezone ritual: an early-evening salute at 6 p.m., when the Italian Mediterranean has already welcomed 2026, and a second, classic Miami countdown at midnight. Guests can choose the Italian-Mediterranean seating from 5:30-7:30 p.m., which includes a Prosecco toast timed to Italy’s New Year, or the Miami seating from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., complete with a midnight Prosecco raise as the Magic City ushers in the new year. The menu remains the same for both seatings, but the rhythm of the night shifts with each celebration, creating an elegant way to ring in 2026 twice without ever leaving Miami Beach. The tradition of doubling the moment invites a broader reflection on how cultures mark time, and how celebration stretches to fit the shape of our imaginations.
Instagram: @donatella.miami
Address: Donatella Boutique Hotel, 1350 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139