By Shaneeva Yassin
New Year's Eve is fast approaching but don’t be left out in the heat. There’s no place like Miami and the Beaches to ring in the New Year, and you may even do so with some celebs in attendance.
Voted one of the Top 10 Places to Ring in the New Year by USA Today, the free concert under the stars with the energy of downtown Miami is the place to be. Bayfront Park’s annual FREE New Year’s Bash, including a DJ dance party with Tony the Hitman and midnight fireworks display is a great way to ring in the New Year. The pre-show festivities begin at 7 p.m. and the main show starts at 8 p.m. In addition, countdown to midnight with Miami’s own “Big Orange,” this year known as “La Gran Naranja.” At the south end of the park, the New Year’s Eve icon will slowly ascend the side of the InterContinental Hotel, reaching the top at midnight in conjunction with a grand display of fireworks shot over beautiful Biscayne Bay.
Want to party with Mr. 305 himself? Pitbull and his special guests will be kicking off 2013 in true Miami style with a concert at AmericanAirlines Arena at 9 p.m. Tickets range from $70.65-$197 at Ticketmaster.
Join The Vagabond for their New Year's Eve “A Family Affair” party featuring live performances by Arboles Libres and Ketchy Shuby. Break it down to the sounds of multiple DJs, including Brad Strickland, Ryan Evans, Andrew Ward, Carmel Ophir, Sweetswirl, Wasabi and Ess & Emm. Enjoy complimentary champagne toast and party favors at midnight. Table reservations are also available.
Safi Restaurant & Gourmet Market at 20th and Biscayne is hosting a special Circus de Soleil-inspired event filled with specialty entertainment, cocktails, food and fun. “Midnight at Cirque du Monde” is a culmination of flavors, sounds and visual experiences from all over the world. The venue boasts state of the art technology in sounds and lighting with the addition of an outdoor terrace, featuring interactive performances featuring fire, light and aerial acrobats. Tickets range from $50 and up based on package.
In Midtown, just north of downtown Miami, count down to a champagne toast at midnight along with a live stream of Times Square festivities at Ricochet Bar & Lounge. Enjoy beats from DJ Turk. Admission is complimentary. Party packages and bottle service is available.
Break out the nosiemakers at Aqualina Resort's New Year’s Eve Party in Sunny Isles. “An Evening on the Mediterranean” includes dinner, dancing and celebrations. Acqualina is offering three choices including an al fresco party with open bar, dancing and a midnight countdown to celebrate the New Year from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. There’s even a Children’s Mad Hatter Bash for hotel guests and local patrons with dinner reservations at their restaurants II Mulino or Piazzetta. Hosted from 8 p.m.- 12:30 a.m., the kiddies can ring in the New Year with their very own New Year's Eve Bash with live DJ, games, organized dances and even design their own top hats.
“I’m on a Boat!” That's right. Party in style aboard the $40 million, 228' megayacht, SeaFair. With a prime location in the heart of Downtown Miami, next to the Intercontinental Hotel at Bayfront Park, you’re bound to celebrate the New Year in a unique way. Enjoy front row views as the Big Orange ascends at the Intercontinental Hotel and the midnight fireworks display over the Bay. General admission and VIP packages are available as you party from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. All admission prices include a VIP ticket to the Opening Night of the Miami International Art Fair – MIA – aboard SeaFair.
In Miami Beach, the weather is perfect; the nightlife is eternal and everyone’s up for a great time. Want to be in the middle of it all? Then the place to be is the City of Miami Beach New Year’s Eve Party. Gather on the beach near Ocean Drive and 8th street and be entertained by live musical performances. The highlight of the night: the city’s free fireworks celebration at midnight.
Those wanting to party the night away will find a number of Miami Beach night clubs and venues willing to provide the entire entourage with a great time, most include an open bar and some even provide dinner. SOBE Live is one such event. Ring in the New Year hip hop style as you celebrate with a three-hour open bar, buffet meal, champagne and balloon drop as the clock strikes 12.
Want to party in an ‘It’s So Miami’ way? Then Nikki Beach’s Venetian Carnival is the party to attend. Count down to the New Year on the sand with this carnival-inspired soiree! Enjoy Signature Nikki Beach Entertainment, a New York-style ball drop, complimentary champagne toast, party favors and Nikki Beach’s very own fireworks display on the beach. General admission tickets are $75. VIP table packages and dinner packages are also available. Guests interested in booking bottle and table service are highly encouraged to do so in advance.
Party with Dancing with the Stars’ Karina Smirnoff as she hosts the Studio 54 New Years Eve Celebration at The Catalina Hotel. For $95 and beginning at 8 p.m., enjoy a 4-hour premium open bar, dinner, endless entertainment and complimentary champagne toast and favors as you ring in the New Year. The Studio 54 party from the 70s will be recreated within three unique venues throughout The Catalina Hotel. The Catalina lobby will be transformed into a Disco Dance Room with an LED dance floor. On the top level of the adjacent property will be a Starlit Dorset Rooftop area, featuring a Live DJ and entertainment. Those in need of a break and to cool off from the disco fever will enjoy the Groovy Cocktail Lounge within Maxine’s Bamboo Pool area, complete with bars that will be serving a variety of funky cocktail creations. With eight bars throughout this venue, the drinks will be plenty as you celebrate with the sounds of local favorite Spam Allstars.
Bamboo Nightclub is also celebrating the New Year in a big way. The party includes a premium open bar from 9 p.m. to midnight, complimentary champagne toast at midnight and surprise guests and performances that will keep you entertained into the morning.
Those who know Miami Beach know Mansion Nightclub. Party the night away at Mansion in style with British house music DJ and producer Carl Cox. With an open bar until midnight, you’re bound to be in a good mood to celebrate 2013. VIP and table reservations are also available.
If you’re a Kaskade fan, you’re in for some good news. He’ll be performing at Story Nightclub on New Year’s Eve. While the ticket price includes a three-hour open bar from 9 p.m.-midnight, the party continues until 7 a.m.
Join Drake at the Fontainebleau poolside for a memorable party as you soak up Miami Beach’s unforgettable weather from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Drinks will be flowing from the premium open bar from 9 p.m. to midnight. If DJ Calvin Harris is your guy then join him at the Fontainebleau’s LIV as he performs for hundreds of partygoers. The LIV party includes a premium open bar from 9 p.m. to midnight, but feel free to party until 7 a.m.
The James Royal Palm’s New Year's Eve Bash includes a party with Australian sisters Mim and Liv Nervo, better known as NERVO. Known for making serious noise in the Dance world and becoming one of the hottest DJ duos on the circuit, NERVO will get you in the mood to flash those dance moves you’ve been practicing all year long.
Swedish DJ and music producer Otto Knows will be spinning the beats at WALL at the W Hotel. The party comes on the heels of the lounge's three-year anniversary and recent renovations. A slew of local DJs will kick off the party with an electric mix of house beats, followed by special guest DJ, Otto Knows. Party from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
