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Countdown in the City Beautiful: The Best New Year’s Eve Celebrations Across Orlando

Photo courtesy of City Arts

As Central Florida prepares to welcome 2026, Orlando and the surrounding area are rolling out an impressive lineup of New Year’s Eve celebrations. From world-famous theme parks and family-friendly countdowns to elegant dinners, block parties and late-night bashes, there’s no shortage of ways to ring in the new year. Below is a comprehensive guide to New Year’s Eve events, dining experiences and celebrations happening Dec. 31 across the region.

Free New Year’s Eve Celebrations at Promenade at Sunset Walk

Location: Promenade at Sunset Walk, Kissimmee
Cost: Free admission; optional VIP upgrades available

Promenade at Sunset Walk will host a full day of complimentary New Year’s Eve festivities within its open-air entertainment district.

Happy Noon Year’s Kids’ Party

From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., families can enjoy live sing-alongs with children’s entertainer Mr. Harley, music by DJ Scotty B, complimentary party favors, bubble fun, the Pearl Express Train Tour and bungee trampolines. The celebration culminates in a noon confetti blast, offering a kid-friendly way to count down to the new year.

Rocking New Year 2026 Street Party

As evening approaches, the district transforms into a high-energy street party featuring live music—including Pandora’s Box: The Tribute to Aerosmith—along with LED performers, laser light shows, flame effects and a midnight fireworks display. VIP ticket options for guests 21+ include premium viewing, party favors, a champagne toast and VIP bar access.

Kings Orlando: Family Fun and Late-Night Festivities

Location: Kings Orlando, International Drive

Noon Year’s Eve Party

Time: Noon–5 p.m.
Cost: $35 per person; children 3 and under free

This family-focused event includes a kid-friendly buffet, cookie decorating, coloring stations, photo opportunities and a balloon drop with a sparkling cider toast at noon.

New Year’s Eve Party

Cost: Starting at $75 per person

Adults can ring in 2026 with open bowling and billiards, a premium buffet and passed appetizers, live DJ entertainment, arcade games, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.

New Year’s Eve at The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando

Location: Near Walt Disney World

Four-Course Dinner at Valencia Restaurant

Time: 7:30–10 p.m.
Cost: Starting at $60 per person

Guests can enjoy a chef-driven four-course menu featuring tomato bisque, BBQ Korean gochujang wings, braised beef short rib and indulgent desserts, capped with a complimentary champagne toast.

Element Lounge New Year’s Party

From 7:30 p.m. to midnight, Element Lounge offers dancing, celebratory music, televised NYC ball drop coverage and a complimentary champagne toast.

Theme Park New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Walt Disney World® Resort

Locations: Magic Kingdom® Park, EPCOT® and Disney’s Hollywood Studios®

All three parks will remain open until midnight on New Year’s Eve, offering special entertainment, festive surprises and dazzling nighttime displays to close out 2025.

SeaWorld® Orlando

SeaWorld will feature extended hours, themed food and drink offerings, and a midnight fireworks display during SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration™. Upgrade options include reserved seating for ice shows and fireworks or VIP happy hour experiences with waterfront views, specialty cocktails, tapas-style bites and a champagne toast.

Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure will remain open through 1 a.m., with select Universal hotels also hosting New Year’s Eve parties. Additional details are expected closer to the date.

LEGOLAND® Florida Resort

LEGOLAND’s Kids’ New Year’s Eve features an early fireworks display, DJ dance party and family-friendly entertainment, all included with regular admission during Holidays at LEGOLAND®.

Downtown Orlando and Neighborhood Celebrations

Midnight on Magnolia

Location: CityArts Gallery, Downtown Orlando

This art-forward New Year’s Eve party features live art activations, DJs, stilt walkers, confetti cannons and more. Tickets include passed hors d’oeuvres, party favors, a midnight toast and drink ticket options or VIP open bar access.

Thornton Park New Year’s Eve Block Party

Hosted by local bars in Thornton Park, this outdoor celebration includes DJs, dancing, cocktails and food, followed by the iconic Orange Ball Drop at midnight.

New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball at Grand Bohemian

Location: Downtown Orlando

This upscale masquerade event features a luxe open bar, decadent hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment and VIP package options.

Mills 50® District Highlights

Tori Tori New Year’s Eve Bash

The MICHELIN Recommended cocktail bar hosts a swinging celebration with open bar options, hors d’oeuvres, DJ music and a champagne toast.

Black & Gold New Year’s Eve at Zymarium Meadery

An intimate celebration featuring light bites, a grazing table, hourly raffles, a photobooth and mead crafted on-site. Tickets are available with or without open bar access, plus a complimentary Champagne Miel du Miel toast at midnight.

International Drive, ICON Park® and Pointe Orlando

NYE Live! at Pointe Orlando

This multi-venue event spans Palm Tree Club, Shark Bar, PBR Cowboy Bar and Still Lounge by Dre & Snoop, with DJs, party favors, a midnight ball drop and optional all-inclusive upgrades at Sports & Social.

ICON Park® Beach Ball Drop

ICON Park will host its first-ever New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop, starting at 7 p.m. with DJs, dancing and drinks. Separate ticketed parties will also take place at Tin Roof and Ole Red.

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar

Guests can choose from an a la carte dinner, late-night party or an all-inclusive celebration featuring a grand buffet, DJ dance party, party favors, champagne toast and reserved seating.

ICEBAR Orlando: Ice Masquerade

Celebrate inside a literal ice bar with thermal gear included, a champagne bar, midnight buffet, DJ sets in the Fire Lounge and VIP upgrade options.

Mango’s Tropical Cafe

Mango’s brings its signature energy with live entertainment, DJs, handcrafted cocktails and a complimentary champagne toast upon arrival.

Family-Friendly and Alternative Celebrations

Fun Spot America

Fun Spot Orlando offers rides and a free midnight fireworks show, while Fun Spot Kissimmee hosts a New Year’s Eve drone show in partnership with Old Town.

Dave & Buster’s

International Drive locations offer both an early family celebration (4–7 p.m.) and a late-night party (9 p.m.–1 a.m.) featuring gaming, food, drinks and midnight toasts.

Jazzberry Jammin’ Noon Year’s Eve at Crayola Experience

Located inside The Florida Mall®, this early celebration includes confetti countdowns, themed activities and creative fun throughout the day.

New Year’s Eve Glow Party at Crush Yard

This glow-in-the-dark pickleball party includes open play, DJ music, food, a dessert bar, arcade credit and a midnight champagne toast.

Early New Year’s Eve at the Asian Lantern Festival

Held at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, this event features DJ music, early countdowns and illuminated lantern displays from 5:30–8:30 p.m.

Special Ticketed Events

New Year’s Eve 2025: Neon Nights

Where: Enzian Theater, Maitland
When: Dec. 31, 8 p.m.
Price: $99

A retro, Miami Vice–inspired bash with an open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, dancing and a costume contest.

Main Event Orlando

When: Dec. 31, starting at 2 p.m.

This family-friendly celebration includes games, entertainment, food and giveaways. Adult tickets are $35 and include one free kids ticket (ages 12 and under).

Written by Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan is the Content & Creative Development Manager for Central Florida Lifestyle Magazine where she gets to collaborate on bringing new life into local happenings and tell the stories of the people who make Central Florida what it is. She has a bachelor's degree in Print and Digital Journalism from the University of Central Florida and has had her worked featured in Strike Magazine, The Charge, The Orlando Life, and Central Florida Lifestyle Magazine. As a born and bred Orlando native, Melissa enjoys putting her own spin on the daily life of The City Beautiful.

When she is not at her laptop writing her next piece, you can find Melissa traveling the world, watching rom coms on repeat, or indulging in a delicious bowl of pasta.

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