New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Happenings along the Gulf Coast

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Happenings along the Gulf Coast

Fireworks, live music and a refreshing dip into the Gulf. Can it get any better for 2012?

⇔ (The Wharf lighting up at Midnight).

NEW YEAR’S EVE

10am-5pm – Lulu’s High Noon Celebration in Gulf Shores.

Celebrate New Year’s at Noon at Lulus at Homeport Marina, Gulf Shores. The fun event is geared towards families to ring in the New Year with plenty of excitement. It all starts at 10am with clowns, face painting, and sand castle contests. And Patti Hall from the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo will have all kinds of critters to pet. With a special countdown to High Noon, families will be treated to a children friendly fireworks-like display of bubble-wrap ready for stomping. And the fun will continue throughout the afternoon with music by Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys.

Fire and Ice Party at The Hangout in Gulf Shores

8pm until ?

National recording artist Kristy Lee will headline an awesome line-up of music, and visual shows including Burlesque dancers at the beachside hot spot.Also performing at the NYE Fire and Ice Party is DJ Tony Skratchere from New Orleans with his signature mix of 80's smooth rock infused with a New Orleans bounce. Doors will open at 8pm. Admission is $20, and $15 with a Military ID. You must be at least 21years of age to join the party. There will be a Champagne Toast at midnight and free snacks.

New Year’s Eve at The Wharf in Orange Beach

10am-until ?

Live music, fireworks, and dancing in the streets are just part of the exciting action at The Wharf in Orange Beach on New Year’s Eve. The festivities begin at 10:00am with face painters, bounce houses, and fun contests for the entire family until 4pm. Once the kids are tucked away safe and sound at home, the entertainment lights up at 7:00pm with street dancers, fire breathers, live music on two stages and plenty of food and beverages. Performing on the Bud light stage from 6:00pm to 7:00pm will be local country music star Wes Bayliss. From 8:00pm-9:00pm, the rock’n group Foxy Igunas will take the stage, and from 10:00pm-11:45pm, the hard driving honky-tonk, Wayne Mills Band will usher in the New Year. Performing on Budweiser stage from 7:00pm-8:00pm will be the funky, blues/reggae Knee Deep Band, followed by Holli Mosley and her band from 9:00pm-10:00pm. Holli is an up and coming country star with an incredible voice and style similar to Faith Hill. And from 11pm to The MARLIN DROP AT MIDNIGHT and beyond will be Chad Bradford and the Damn Band with a country style of music with a hard guitar edge. As the New Year approaches, all eyes will be focused on the 14ft jeweled Marlin ready to drop to the ground at the stroke of midnight to a crescendo of fireworks. And you’ll actually get to celebrate New Year’s Eve multiple times; a huge, jumbo Tron will be set up to watch New York celebrate the Big Apple drop and you can head over to the Las Vegas Club at the Orange Beach Event Center where the excitement continues into the wee hours of the morning and celebrate again with Las Vegas on the Tron at midnight, Pacific Standard Time. 

Delve into ‘12 at Flora-Bama on Perdido Key

Delve into Twelve at The Flora-Bama Lounge! Ring in the New Year with great live music, a sumptuous buffet, party favors, a champagne toast and breakfast!  Tickets on sale here: http://tinyurl.com/FlorabamaNYE
$35 for 21+: $45 for 20-

Pelican Drop, Downtown Pensacola

The gala begins at 5pm in the heart of Downtown Pensacola among the twinkling Holiday lights and beautiful decorations adorning the intersection of Palafox and Government Streets.  Perched 100 feet in the air, the gigantic Pensacola Pelican sits eagerly awaiting it’s time to usher in 2012 amidst a rousing fireworks display.Throughout the evening, music will fill the evening air including a performance by singer songwriter Andy Grammer.  The MTV award winner said he is really excited to bring in the New Year with Pensacolians and perform his hit single “Keep Your Head Up.”  Grammer has recently been on tour with Colbie Caillat and says he is at his best, performing live.Joining Grammer will be the foot stompin’ group, the Alvarado Road Show. With recent performances on pinnacle stages such as the Grand Ole Opry and at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, “The Show” has carved out its original, energetic live performances replete with brother blended voices, superb picking, and a dynamic stage presence. The eleven member “Musical Fantasy” band is sure to have New Years Eve revelers dancing in the streets with their incredible mix of Motown, Hip Hop and Big Band sounds.And for the younger crowd, the rockin’ group MoJiles, a touring band throughout the South will be laying down some heavy metal guitar work all evening long.Organizers have also expanded the Kids’ area and feature a unique, kids' countdown at 8 p.m. with copious amounts of confetti, and the incredibly fun and humorous, "bubble stomp”.

Moon Pie Drop, Downtown Mobile

A colossal Moon Pie will drop from the sky at the stroke of Midnight to usher in 2012 in Downtown Mobile. The 60’s rock band, Three Dog Night will be the headliners for the free celebration. The events also include a Mardi Gras-style parade, a laser light show and fireworks.For the fourth year, a 12-foot-tall electronic Moon Pie will descend from the 34-story RSA Bank Trust building at midnight. Mobile uses the Moon Pie because the sweet concoction is a popular treat for the crowds at Mardi Gras parades.

NEW YEAR’S DAY.

New Year’s Resolution – a “Polar Bear Dip” at Florabama?

If you’ve never dipped into the Gulf to start off the New Year, perhaps this year might be THE YEAR? Either as a participant or an observer, you really have to catch the zany activity at high noon, on New Year’s Day at Flora-Bama on Perdido Key. In past years, there have been upwards of 100 hearty souls taking the plunge, some who have no doubt had a “few” for courage.The carnival-like atmosphere is sure to have you grinning. It’s a great afternoon of fun, live music, hot and cold beverages. And you get a free meal and beer if you survive the experience, but your hair as to be wet to prove you are one of the brave.

Slide In To the New Year at The Hangout in Gulf Shores

A 33ft Slip n Slide into the Gulf that is. Of course you can participate the more traditional way, but I can guarantee you the slide is the less intimidating way to partake. And even better yet, you can invite a friend or loved one to be right there beside you, because the slide has two lanes! Plus all participants will be treated to a free buffet afterwards thanks to The Hangout. There is no registration required or cost to participate, and prizes will be awarded for the best costumes and the best teams. The festivities begin at High Noon. And as you thaw out, the Hangout will have all the bowl games on huge screen TVs, and plenty of hot beverages and live music to warm your bones. And just think of the memories!