Countdowns, confetti and cheers: Baldwin County rings in the New Year with family fun and festivities

By WHISPER EDWARDS
Editorial Assistant
whisper@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 12/26/24

From confetti drops at noon to dazzling fireworks at midnight, Baldwin County has your New Year's Eve plans covered.

Whether you're celebrating with camel rides and bubble parties for the kids, …

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Countdowns, confetti and cheers: Baldwin County rings in the New Year with family fun and festivities

Posted

From confetti drops at noon to dazzling fireworks at midnight, Baldwin County has your New Year's Eve plans covered.

Whether you're celebrating with camel rides and bubble parties for the kids, savoring a waterfront dinner with live music or counting down with a Bushwacker in hand, there's something for everyone.

With events ranging from the whimsical Kids Confetti Drop in Orange Beach to a nostalgic 70s party in Gulf Shores, this year's festivities promise unforgettable moments to welcome 2025.

SPARKS & SOUNDS

What: Kick off New Year's celebrations with Sparks & Sounds, featuring live music, fireworks and a beach ball drop at 7 p.m. Activities include glow stilt walkers, dining specials and a photo opportunity at the light-up marquee letters. For details, visit https://visitowa.com/sparks-and-sounds/

When: Saturday, Dec. 28, 4-9:30 p.m.

Where: Downtown OWA, 100 N. OWA Blvd, Foley

Price: Free

Graphic Provided
Graphic Provided

BUBBLES & BEATS KIDS STREET PARTY

What: Close out the year with a kid-friendly street party featuring bubbles, music and activities like a Disco Dome Party, a Bubble Truck, live DJ music and a Soda Pop Toast at 5:30 p.m. Activities include New Year's Bingo, caricature artists and a bubble hunt. For more details, visit https://visitowa.com/bubbles-and-beats/.

When: Sunday, Dec. 29, 2-6 p.m.

Where: Downtown OWA, 100 N. OWA Blvd, Foley

Price: Free

Graphic Provided
Graphic Provided

HAPPY NOON YEAR

What: Celebrate a "Prehistoric Noon Year" at the Exploreum with Dino DNA labs, chemistry experiments, a volcanic eruption and a countdown to noon in the Prehistoric Courtyard. Enjoy activities, frozen treats from Holly Jolly Snow Cones and the Amazing Castle exhibit. A special showing of The Land Before Time will take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets for movies must be booked in advance. General admission for non-members is $12.

When: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: The Exploreum, 65 Government St, Mobile

Price: Free for members, $12 for non-members

Graphic Provided
Graphic Provided

LULU'S NOON YEAR'S EVE

What: A kid-friendly celebration featuring face painting, a sandcastle contest, arts and crafts, live music and a countdown to noon with a beach ball drop. Admission is free, and activities are fun for the whole family

When: Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: LuLu's Gulf Shores, 200 E 25th Ave, Gulf Shores

Price: Free admission

KIDS CONFETTI DROP

What: The annual Kids Confetti Drop presented by Beachball Properties is the perfect event for families with young children to ring in the New Year early. Enjoy inflatables, face painting ($10), camel rides ($5), a balloon artist and more. The highlight of the event will be the confetti cannons going off at noon. Free admission and parking; some activities range $5-10.

When: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: The Wharf, 4751 Main St, Orange Beach

Price: Free admission and parking

Graphic Provided
Graphic Provided

NEW YEAR'S EVE BASH

What: Celebrate the New Year with two fun-filled sessions at The Gulf Bowl & Captain's Choice Sports Bar & Grill in Foley or Eastern Shore Lanes in Spanish Fort. Each session includes unlimited bowling with shoes, two admissions to laser tag and a $10 arcade card for $25 per person. Door prizes include a Solo Stove, Smart TV, Stanley Cup and gift cards. Purchase a pass during either session to enter. Drawings will be held Jan. 2; winners will be contacted.

When: Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7 p.m.-1 a.m.

Where: The Gulf Bowl, 2881 S Juniper St, Foley, and Eastern Shore Lanes, 10460 Eastern Shore Blvd, Spanish Fort

Price: $25 per person

NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER AT ZEKE'S

What: Indulge in a waterfront dinner featuring a special New Year's menu, including oysters Rockefeller, lobster bisque, roasted quail, pan-seared halibut and Cajun Oscar. Desserts include a snickerdoodle blondie. Reservations recommended.

When: Dec. 31, 4-10 p.m.

Where: Zeke's Restaurant, 26619 AL-182, Orange Beach

Price: Prices vary; reservations required

Graphic Provided
Graphic Provided

REELIN' IN THE NEW YEAR

What: Join The Wharf's annual street party with live music, family activities, adult-centered fun and a fireworks and marlin drop at midnight. Enjoy performances by the Alan Mabry Duo and The Park Band plus kids' activities for $5-$10. Free admission and parking.

When: Dec. 31, 5 p.m.-midnight

Where: The Wharf, 4751 Main St, Orange Beach

Price: Free admission; some kids' activities $5-$10

NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER

What: Enjoy a special dinner menu with live music and breathtaking beachfront views to celebrate the New Year. Spots are limited, so reserve early.

When: Dec. 31, 5:30 p.m.

Where: COASTAL, 25722 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach

Price: Prices vary; reservations required

NEW YEAR'S PARTY @ AMERICAN LEGION POST #99 FOLEY

What: Ring in the New Year at American Legion Post #99 with live music from the Doc Johnson Band, drink specials and pizza available for $2 per slice or $10 for a whole pizza. Toast the New Year with $4 champagne chips and enjoy a light breakfast for $5 after midnight. Smoke-free and open to the public. Live streams available on TikTok and Facebook

When: Dec. 31, 6 p.m.-1 a.m.

Where: 2101 S McKenzie St, Foley

Price: Entry is free; food and drinks available for purchase

NEW YEAR'S EVE BUSHWACKER DROP

What: An early celebration featuring heavy hors d'oeuvres, party favors, $7 Bushwackers and a complimentary toast with a balloon drop at 8 p.m. Door prizes available. Reservations required.

When: Dec. 31, 6-9 p.m.

Where: Tacky Jack's, 240 E 24th Ave, Gulf Shores

Price: $50 per person

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY @ POST 44 GULF SHORES

What: Travel back to the 70s at this themed New Year's Eve party featuring costumes, 70s-inspired cocktails, delicious food and dancing to the hits of the decade. No tickets or cover charge required.

When: Dec. 31, 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

Where: American Legion Post 44, 6781 AL-59, Gulf Shores

Price: Free admission

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Graphic Provided

FAMILY NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY

What: Celebrate New Year's with a family-oriented party featuring food, drinks and a fireworks display at midnight. Everyone is welcome.

When: Dec. 31, 7 p.m.

Where: VFW Elberta Post 5658, 24230 US-98, Elberta

Price: Free admission

FAIRHOPE'S NEW YEAR'S EVE STREET PARTY

What: Join Fairhope for a New Year's Eve Street Party featuring live music from U.S. Band, children's activities and the much-anticipated ball drop and fireworks show at midnight. Local restaurants and businesses will offer celebration specials. For more information, call (251) 929-1474 or visit www.FairhopeAL.gov.

When: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

Where: Downtown Fairhope, corner of Fairhope Avenue and Church Street

Price: Free

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Graphic Provided

FLORA-BAMA POLAR BEAR DIP

What: Start the New Year by taking a plunge into the Gulf of Mexico with a crowd of fellow celebrants. Participants who fully submerge will receive a free draft beer and a New Year's lunch.

When: Wednesday, Jan. 1, Noon

Where: Flora-Bama, 17401 Perdido Key Dr, Perdido Key, Florida

Price: Free with participation

Graphic Provided
Graphic Provided