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Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Celebrations in Sarasota
2026 is coming up fast, and so are all of the New Year's celebrations happening around Sarasota. Our brokers are ready to party – are you? If so, we've got all the details you need to plan a night out that your whole family will enjoy. Check out these family-friendly NYE events happening right here on the Gulf Coast.
Ring in 2026 at These Family-Friendly Sarasota New Year's Parties
Downtown Sarasota New Year's Eve Pineapple Drop
Address: 1 South Lemon Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236
Sarasota's annual New Year's Eve Pineapple Drop offers a uniquely Floridian twist on NYC's famous Times Square ball drop tradition. The celebration begins at 1 PM in Five Points Park on New Year's Eve with carnival rides and games, live music and dancing, and an infectiously joyful atmosphere.
The festivities continue throughout the night, culminating in an exciting countdown to the big finale. At exactly midnight, the pineapple will drop to the ground, signaling the start of a brand new year in Sarasota. Stick around for a spectacular fireworks show over Sarasota Bay!
New Year's Eve Gala at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Address: 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
Send off 2025 in style at the New Year's Eve Gala at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. This glamorous gathering is one of Sarasota's most high-profile year-end events. Starting at 7 PM, guests will:
- Tour the gardens' gorgeous Lights in Bloom holiday display before it gets taken down for the year
- Savor a four-course dinner and hors d'oeuvres from some of Florida's top culinary talent
- Watch a special dance performance by the Margaret Barbieri Conservatory
- Enjoy a round of champagne for a toast at midnight (adults only, of course)
Tickets cost $450 per person or up to $6,000 for a group of 12.
New Year's Eve at Waterside Place
Address: 7500 Island Cove Terrace, Sarasota, FL 34240
Lakewood Ranch's New Year's Eve at Waterside Place promises a night of fun the whole family can enjoy. This free community celebration at the Waterside Plaza starts at 6 PM when the live DJ turns on the music and opens the dance floor. The event also features:
- Gorgeous lights and decorations
- Food trucks and beer tents to keep you fueled up all night long
- A Kids Korner where children can enjoy their own private party
- A midnight drone show to mark the start of 2026
New Year's Eve Beach Bash at Sharky's on the Pier
Address: 1600 Harbor Drive South, Venice, FL 34285
Sharky's on the Pier's New Year's Eve Beach Bash is a beloved Sarasota tradition, attracting huge crowds and often selling out long before the big day.
This year's event will feature live music by the Bay Kings Band, a popular local group known for blending classics and modern hits in their set lists. Guests of all ages can enjoy drinks (with or without alcohol) and dancing before watching a spectacular midnight fireworks show over the Gulf of Mexico.
The doors open at 7 PM, giving you a chance to settle in before the music starts at 8. The party tends to run a little late, so be ready to be out an hour or two past midnight. Ticket costs range from $41.93 for early-bird general admission to $287.41 for VIP upper-deck seating with a prix-fixe menu and open bar.
2025 was a big year for our real estate team, and we've got even bigger plans in the works for 2026. Think a new home might be in the cards for your family next year? Contact us today and let us help you make it happen.