8 New Year's Eve 2026 Events in Sarasota, Bradenton and Longboat Key
For New Year's Eve 2026, a family friendly option is the Holidays at UTC celebration with a 9 PM fireworks show. For a countdown, The Westin Sarasota's rooftop party and two St. Regis Longboat Key parties are dated Thursday, December 31, 2026, and are for ages 21 and over.
This list includes only listings dated for December 31, 2026. The City of Sarasota's Pineapple Drop page still showed the 2025 to 2026 edition when we checked, so we left it out until the 2026 details are posted.
1.The Mall at University Town Center
A family friendly New Year's Eve celebration with a 9 PM fireworks show at UTC.
The Holidays at UTC season page lists a family friendly New Year's Eve celebration with a 9 PM fireworks show. The season runs November 14 to January 3, and the page also lists a nightly light show from 6:30 to 9:30 PM.
- Know before you go
- The page does not say whether the celebration has an admission cost.
- Best time
- Thursday, December 31, 2026, with fireworks at 9 PM.
- Local tip
- The season page does not list other New Year's Eve details, so check it before you go.
2.Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota
Selby Gardens' black tie New Year's Eve Gala, with a champagne toast and bay fireworks view.
Selby Gardens presents its New Year's Eve Gala at the Downtown Sarasota campus as a black tie evening. The 2026 announcement lists private access to the holiday light show, a seated dinner, dancing and a champagne toast with a view of the fireworks over the bay.
- Know before you go
- Downtown Sarasota campus, 1534 Mound Street. The 2026 listing does not yet give the time, menu or ticket information.
- Best time
- Thursday, December 31, 2026. Details and tickets are still to be announced.
- Local tip
- Watch selby.org for the ticket release, since details were still to be announced when we checked.
3.The Westin Sarasota
A rooftop New Year's Eve Soirée with a midnight countdown to 2027, 19 stories up.
The Westin Sarasota's New Year's Eve Soirée is held at The Roof Bar & Eats, 19 stories above Sarasota. It has a live DJ and dancing, light bites from 9:00 to 11:30 PM, and a midnight countdown to 2027 with a champagne toast.
- Know before you go
- Ages 21 and over. Cocktails, wine and beer are sold at the rooftop bars, and the listing says views of local fireworks cannot be guaranteed.
- Best time
- Thursday, December 31, 2026, from 9 PM until about 1 AM.
- Local tip
- Lounge seating and high top tables are first come, first served.
4.Art Ovation Hotel
Keys to the New Year: a dueling pianos party in the Art Ovation Ballroom, all ages.
Keys to the New Year is a New Year's Eve dueling pianos evening in the Art Ovation Ballroom at 1255 North Palm Avenue. The agenda lists headliner The Copper Piano from 8:30 to 10:00 PM, food from 9 to 11 PM, and dessert and coffee.
- Know before you go
- The event is listed as all ages. The listing does not spell out everything included, so check the ticket page.
- Best time
- Thursday, December 31, 2026. Doors open at 8 PM and the event runs until 12:30 AM.
- Local tip
- The listing notes parking is paid, so plan for that.
5.The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
The Grand Finale at OSHEN: oceanfront rooftop party with a midnight toast and fireworks viewing.
The Grand Finale is a New Year's Eve party on OSHEN, the resort's outdoor oceanfront rooftop lounge. General admission lists food offerings, live entertainment, event bars, a midnight champagne toast and waterfront fireworks viewing.
- Know before you go
- Ages 21 and over, and a valid government issued photo ID is required for entry. At 1601 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key.
- Best time
- Thursday, December 31, 2026, 9 PM to 12 AM.
- Local tip
- General admission does not include seating or bottle service. Premium and table options add seating.
6.The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
Midnight Celebration at The St. Regis Bar, with a big band and a balloon drop.
The Midnight Celebration at The St. Regis Bar features live music from Matt Ragas and the Stable Geniuses Big Band, champagne service and a balloon drop at midnight. Table packages and a limited number of Golden Tickets are listed.
- Know before you go
- Ages 21 and over. At 1601 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key.
- Best time
- Thursday, December 31, 2026, starting at 9 PM and ending January 1, 2027.
- Local tip
- Tables are packaged with champagne and bottle service, so decide on a group size before you book.
7.Florida Studio Theatre
Resolution Rewind, Florida Studio Theatre's improv New Year tradition at Bowne's Lab.
Resolution Rewind is billed by Florida Studio Theatre as its New Year tradition, part of the FST Improv lineup. It plays in Bowne's Lab.
- Know before you go
- The events page gives no description or age notes beyond the title.
- Best time
- December 26 and 31, 2026, 7:30 PM.
- Local tip
- Book through Florida Studio Theatre's ticketing.
8.Sarasota Center of Light
A New Year's Eve afternoon session with breathwork, cacao and a sound bath.
The Conscious New Year Celebration is a two hour session with breathwork, guided movement, energy medicine, cacao and intention setting, and a crystal singing bowl sound bath meditation. It is a quieter way to mark the year before the evening events.
- Know before you go
- Listed as all ages. At 852 S Tuttle Ave, Sarasota.
- Best time
- Thursday, December 31, 2026, 4 to 6 PM. Doors open at 3:45 PM.
- Local tip
- Parking is free, per the listing.
Listings and tickets can change, so confirm on each page. Plan more of your holiday season on Wayfind at https://www.gowayfind.com.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sarasota Pineapple Drop happening on New Year's Eve 2026?
We could not confirm it. The City of Sarasota's Pineapple Drop page we found described the December 30, 2025 to January 1, 2026 edition, and no 2026 edition was posted. Check sarasotafl.gov for updates.
Where can families watch New Year's Eve fireworks in Sarasota in 2026?
The Holidays at UTC season page lists a family friendly New Year's Eve celebration with a 9 PM fireworks show at The Mall at University Town Center.
Is there a 2026 New Year's Eve gala at Selby Gardens?
Selby Gardens lists a black tie New Year's Eve Gala on December 31, 2026, at its Downtown Sarasota campus. Details and tickets were still to be announced.
Which New Year's Eve events are all ages?
The Keys to the New Year dueling pianos evening at Art Ovation Hotel and the Conscious New Year Celebration at Sarasota Center of Light are both listed as all ages.
Which New Year's Eve parties are 21 and over?
The Westin Sarasota rooftop Soirée, The Grand Finale at OSHEN and the Midnight Celebration at The St. Regis Bar are listed as ages 21 and over.
