Hillsborough County New Year’s Eve 2016: Fireworks, Events Ring In 2017

TAMPA, FL – People looking for ways to say goodbye to 2016 have plenty of options in Hillsborough County.

There are several New Year’s Eve celebrations happening around Hillsborough County, from family-friendly to classy, to help bring in the New Year.

For residents and out-of-town guests looking to welcome 2017, here’s a list of New Year’s Eve celebrations happening around Tampa and Hillsborough County:

2017 Outback Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade

Celebrate college football and the New Year with the 2017 Outback Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade and pep rally on Saturday, Dec. 31 starting at 5:30 p.m. along Seventh Avenue in Ybor City. The parade will feature about 20 marching bands, including both the Florida Gators and Iowa Hawkeyes marching bands. The pep rally will feature a battle of the bands and cheerleaders from the two universities. No coolers, glass containers or open alcohol are allowed on the streets.

Circles New Year’s Bash

Circles Waterfront at Lands End Marina, 1212 Apollo Beach Blvd. in Apollo Beach, will host Florida’s largest New Year’s fireworks show during its New Year’s Bash starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31. The event ends at 2 a.m. on Jan. 1. Rob Garguilo from the Mike Calta Show on 102.5 The Bone will be the host for the evening. The fireworks display is free to view.

Light Up Tampa Bay

Channelside Bay Plaza, 615 Channelside Drive, will host the city’s largest New Year’s Eve party, Light Up Tampa Bay New Year’s Eve Celebration and Block Party. This free event starts at 7 p.m. and features a custom ball drop, a fireworks display, two stages, LED televisions, entertainment, local vendors with a variety of food and drinks. The event also doubles as a Tampa Bay Lightning watch party, as they take on the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh. This is a standing-room only event with chairs and blankets permitted for the Tampa Bay Lightning watch party with limited space. There will also be 3,500 wristbands available for waterfront access with first come, first serve. No glass, seating, chairs or blankets are permitted inside the Channelside Bay Plaza or on the waterfront. Seating is limited to a specific area on a first come, first serve basis.

The Florida Aquarium New Year’s Aqua Eve

The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, will host its New Year’s Aqua Eve from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The event features complimentary food, beer and wine along with a champagne toast with a great view of Tampa’s fireworks display at midnight. The event is restricted to ages 21 and older. General admission is $130. Early admission, beginning at 8 p.m., is $150. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.flaquarium.org/.

The Rooftop Eve

For revelers looking for an upscale evening, Continental Wholesale Diamonds is hosting The Rooftop Eve, billed as the only New Year’s Eve party on top of a 10-story building in downtown Tampa, offering views of the skyline and fireworks. The party is set to take place on the top floor for the Fort Brooke Garage, 107 N. Franklin St, on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. on Jan. 1.

Tickets for the event are $200 or $225 at the door, and include a premium open bar with top-shelf liquor, beer and wine, a premium champagne bar, live entertainment and desserts by the Mini Doughnut Factory. This year’s theme is Rooftop Eve: In the Sky with Diamonds.

For more information, visit http://www.therooftopeve.com/.

New Year’s Eve at Busch Gardens

Experience the thrills of riding roller coasters at night during New Year’s Eve at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Music will be playing throughout the park, and there will be a park-wide countdown to the New Year, capped off with a fireworks display in Gwazi Park. Busch Gardens will be open until 1 a.m., and admission is included with paid admission to the park on Saturday, Dec. 31.

For more information, visit https://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa/events/new-years-eve-at-busch-gardens.

2017 New Year’s Eve After Party

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will host its 2017 New Year’s Eve After Party on Sunday, Jan. 1 from 12:15 a.m. to 3 a.m. Side Project – DJ and Drummer will perform live during the event. Tickets will be available at the door for $20. For more information, visit https://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/.

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