Celebrate New Year's Eve in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Alabama with fun events for the entire family!
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New Year's Eve Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
We will be updating this post as more events are added to our calendar for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day!
There are so many great events for celebrating the end of the year and kicking off 2026.
Where to watch fireworks on NYE in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Firework shows will happen at The Wharf, Flora Bama, and Perdido Beach Resort.
Kid's Confetti Drop - The Wharf, Orange Beach
- Time 10 am - 2 pm
- Location - Main Street, The Wharf
Celebrate the end of 2025 with the entire family! The Kids Confetti Drop is perfect for little ones who need to be in bed before midnight.
The event includes inflatables, Face painting ($10), Camel rides ($10), balloon fun, and more! Look up and see confetti cannons burst at noon, celebrating the end of the year.
LuLu's Noon Year's Eve - Gulf Shores
- Time - 10 am - 2 pm
Celebrate Noon Year's Eve with a huge beach ball drop at LuLu's in Gulf Shores! Fun for the entire family includes live music, fun crafts, great food, and tons of fun.
Reelin' The New Year at The Wharf - Orange Beach
- Time - 5 pm to Midnight
- Location - Main Street, The Wharf
Join the annual Reelin' in the New Year Street Party at The Wharf! This NYE Party includes live bands, family-friendly fun including inflatables, balloon artist, camel rides, photo 360, and more.
The Marlin Drop Countown and fireworks finale to celebrate the New Year!
Tacky Jack's Gulf Shores - Bushwacker Drop
Tacky Jack's in Gulf Shores is hosting a Balloon Drop and Bushwacker Toast from 6 pm - 9 pm.
They will be serving a heavy appetizer buffet. Reservations needed as spots are limited. Live music from Double Stuff, party favors, and door prizes.
Flora Bama New Years Eve Bash
- Time - 6pm to 2 am
Celebrate New Year's Eve at the Flora Bama! This 21+ event includes live music, party favors, a dinner buffet (6-9 pm), free champagne split, and a breakfast buffet at midnight.
New Year's Eve Bash tickets are ON SALE NOW at florabama.com/tickets
Perdido in Pearls - Perdido Beach Resort NYE Event
Perdido Beach Resort is hosting a Perdido in Pearls event for NYE with a dine-around style buffet, champagne toast at midnight, photobooth, live music, and more!
Tickets are required for entry
NYE at The Hangout
Future Astronaut presents New Year's Eve at The Hangout. Doors open at 8 pm, ages 21+.
Music by Zewmob and special guests
Pirate's Cove NYE Party
Pirates Cove is hosting a fun NYE Party starting at 8 pm with a live band, a champagne toast
Villaggio Grille at The Wharf - Champagne toast dinner
Villaggio Grille is hosting a 3-course early dinner, along with a middle and late seating 4-course dinner.
Reservations are required to attend the dinner.
Coastal Orange Beach New Years Eve Beachfront Dinner
CoastAL Orange Beach is hosting a beachfront dinner with a special menu, live music, and gorgeous views of the gulf.
Tide and Table - New Year's Eve Celebration
Tide and Table at the new Embassy Suites Gulf Shores is hosting a New Year's Eve Celebration with a 4 course meal.
They have complimentary valet parking with a restaurant purchase. Reservations are needed.
January 1st events to celebrate the New Year
Kick off 2026 by taking the plunge into the Gulf! Wash away 2025 with hundreds of new friends as you run into the Gulf for a refreshing dip.
Polar Bear Dip - Gulf Place Beach
- Time - Normally 12pm
- Location - In front of The Hangout
Get ready to take the plunge into the Gulf on January 1st! This event is so much fun!
Flora Bama's Polar Bear Dip
- Time - 12 pm New Year's Day (Arrive EARLY)
Flora Bama's Polar Bear Dip is a great opportunity to plunge into the Gulf to kick off the New Year!
If you fully submerge in the Gulf you get a free draft beer and a free New Year's Lunch of ham, black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread.
We highly suggest arriving early for this event! It is a local favorite.
The Beach Club Fort Morgan - Polar Bear Dip
The Beach Club in Fort Morgan is hosting their 12th annual Polar Bear Dip on January 1 at 12 pm.
Arrive by 11:45, meet at the end of the Clubhouse Boardwalk.
Dauphin Island Polar Plunge - Pirates Bar & Grill
- Registration 9 am - 10:30am, Plunge 11 am
- Location - Behind Pirates Bar & Grill, Dauphin Island
The Dauphin Island Polar Plunge will be on the beach behind Pirates Bar & Grill. The first 2500 people who register receive a t-shirt.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tours
These are some of our favorite tours available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.
Dolphin Tours - Book a dolphin cruise here
Check out our experiences on Hammock Time Tiki Tours, Explorer Dolphin Cruise, Southern Rose Dolphin cruise, Cruise OB (Orange Beach), Sail Wild Hearts, Sunset Sail and Dolphin Tour, and the Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruise.
Slingshot Rentals - Use code GULFJOURNEY To save 10% off a Slingshot Rental with Gulf Coast Rental Co in Orange Beach
Pontoon Boat Rentals - Enjoy cruising the waters of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on a Pontoon. Check out the pontoon boats with slides for extra fun. Book your Boat Rental Here
Parasailing - Check out the epic views as you parasail in the Gulf of Mexico. Look for wildlife and you float high above the water. Book your Parasailing Trip Here
Jet Ski Rentals - Jet Ski Tours and rentals are a great way to explore the back bays of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Book your Jet Ski Rental Here
Click here to see all of the top rated tours and activities available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Lodging
If you are visiting and need to book accommodations, here are our recommendations. We have personally stayed at each of these lodging options (except Margaritaville, coming 2027!):
Use code GULFJOURNEY at checkout with Spectrum Resorts and Beachball Properties for an exclusive discount!
🏖️ Beachball Properties - Vacation houses and condos throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount. Book with Beachball Properties
🏖️ The Beach Club Resort and Spa (Fort Morgan) - Beachfront condos with amazing amenities, a spa, and the incredible Coast Restaurant on-site. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount with Spectrum Resorts. Book The Beach Club
🏖️ Turquoise Place (Orange Beach) - Our favorite resort in the area! Luxury amenities, epic Gulf-front views, and stunning condos. Truly unforgettable. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount with Spectrum Resorts. Book Turquoise Place
🏨 The Tides Hotel (Orange Beach) - Gorgeous beachfront hotel with a great breakfast buffet, outdoor pool, and top-notch customer service. Book The Tides
🏨 Island House Hotel (Orange Beach) - Right on the beach with epic views from every room. Book Island House
⛺ Timberline Glamping (Orange Beach) - Stay in an amazing glamping tent with a private bathroom, right next to Gulf State Park. Book Timberline
🏨 The Lodge at Gulf State Park - Beachfront Hilton hotel in Gulf State Park offering epic views, sustainable practices, and great on-site restaurants. Book The Lodge
🏨 Springhill Suites Orange Beach - Located next to The Wharf with a gorgeous pool. Perfect location for shopping and dining. Book Springhill Suites
🔜 Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach (Coming 2027) - The highly anticipated Margaritaville resort is coming to Orange Beach! The first phase opens in 2027 and will include beachfront cottages, bungalows, condos, pickleball courts, and an entertainment district.
The map below shows the current hotels and vacation rentals available in the area. You can select the dates you are visiting to see current availability.
Don't miss our other Gulf Coast destinations, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Bayou La Batre, Alabama, and so many more!
We also have articles on the Emerald Coast of Florida, including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Panama City Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, and more.
Keep an eye out for articles on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!
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