Are you looking for the best things to do on New Year’s Eve in Orlando?
Look no further, I have everything you need to know and more!
When it comes to ringing in the New Year, there’s no better place to be than Orlando when the clock strikes midnight.
With wild midnight countdowns, spectacular fireworks, VIP experiences, and unforgettable theme park parties, let’s just say Orlando knows how to throw some of the best New Year’s Eve parties.
So, let’s get this celebration started! Here’s my Orlando New Year’s Eve guide to the best things to do in Orlando on New Year’s Eve, to help you kick 2026 off with a bang.
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1. Ice Masquerade: A New Year’s Eve Celebration at ICEBAR Orlando
If you’re looking to get into the frosty festive spirit this New Year’s Eve in Orlando, ICEBAR Orlando is the perfect place to raise a world-famous ice glass.
ICEBAR Orlando is serving up a Frost Bite Cocktails menu featuring cool drinks like Snow Cosmos, ICEBAR’s signature cocktails, Shotskis, and even mocktails for those skipping the alcohol.
The night features a champagne bar, midnight buffet celebration, party favors, raffle entry, and more for one of the coolest things to do in Orlando on New Year’s Eve.
What makes this New Year’s Eve Event in Orlando special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Buy an Ice Package and have full access to the Open Premium Bar from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Upgrade to VIP with reserved VIP seating in the Fire Lounge, champagne table service, and early access to the Midnight Celebration buffet
- Remember your New Year’s in Orlando with free digital souvenir photos
Details of this Orlando New Year’s Eve Event:
- Hours: 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- Cost: Starting at $50
- Location: 8967 International Dr., Orlando, Florida 32819
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2. Sunset Walk’s Rocking New Year
The Promenade at Sunset Walk is rocking the New Year in with a non-stop street party of music, dancing, and lots of entertainment.
This Orlando New Year’s Eve celebration has a lineup that will keep the party going all the way to the countdown.
The celebration features Pandora’s Box: The Tribute to Aerosmith, Project: DJ Slam!, special guest DJ Flatline, and it will all be hosted by Scotty B.
Then the skies light up for a spectacular midnight fireworks show, and best of all, it is a free Orlando New Year’s event.
What makes this New Year’s Eve Event in Orlando special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Get up close with VIP main stage viewing, complimentary midnight champagne toast, New Year’s Eve party favors with LED glows with their limited VIP tickets
- Enjoy the LED street performers, confetti storm, laser light shows, flame, and special effects
Details of this Orlando New Year’s Eve Event:
- Hours: 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- Cost: General admission is free, and limited VIP tickets are available for purchase
- Location: 3251 Margaritaville Blvd, Kissimmee, Florida 34747
3. Fireworks Celebration at SeaWorld Orlando
Even on New Year’s Eve, SeaWorld Orlando remains in full holiday mode, with the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration running from November 7, 2025, through January 5, 2026.
This Orlando theme park will be glowing with more than 3 million twinkling lights and festive décor, and with extended hours until 1 a.m., ringing in the New Year here feels extra special.
There is the Sesame Street Christmas Parade, snow flurries at The Waterfront, and an extra late performance of Winter Wonderland on Ice at 11:30 pm at Bayside Stadium.
As the night wraps up, a fireworks celebration takes to the skies, which you can see from multiple areas around the park, or you can upgrade for VIP viewing.
What makes this New Year’s Eve Event in Orlando special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Buy exclusive reserved seating for the Winter Wonderland on Ice show with a finale synchronized to the midnight fireworks
- Reserve a VIP fireworks spot on the private waterfront patio that includes alcoholic beverages, premium tapas, and midnight champagne
- Dance the night away at Wild Arctic, Sharks Plaza, the Waterfront, and Sesame Street Land, where the DJs will be playing late into the night
Details of this Orlando New Year’s Eve Event:
- Hours: The park opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 1 a.m.
- Cost: Included in park admission
- Location: 7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando, Florida 32821
4. Ring in the New Year at Universal Orlando
Holidays at Universal Orlando takes place from November 21, 2025, to January 4th, 2026, which means Orlando New Year’s falls right in there to keep your spirits bright.
So you can expect Universal Orlando to still be wrapped in holiday cheer with festively themed food, Grinchmas, and Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Throughout Universal Islands of Adventure meet and greets with your favorite characters will be popping up, and there will be plenty of music with a live DJ in the Port of Entry.
Over at Universal Studios Florida, the New Year’s Eve festivities will be warming up around 6:15 p.m. at the Music Plaza Stage with a live DJ.
Then stick around because at 10 p.m., CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular will be showing, and for the big countdown, a huge celebration will be going on near the Music Plaza Stage.
Even Universal Orlando’s 11 hotels are getting in on the New Year’s celebrations, and one of my favorites for incredible fireworks views is the rooftop party at Universal Aventura.
What makes this New Year’s Eve Event in Orlando special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Find a spot in the Port of Entry, Seuss Landing, and Toon Lagoon for fireworks
- Listen to live music and DJs at the Waterfront Stage and the Green and Red Coconut Club in CityWalk
- Join the midnight countdown celebration in Epic Universe’s Celestial Park with live entertainment and a special fountain show
- Get up close for photos to some of the incredible floats from Universal’s Holiday Parade that will be set up throughout Universal Studios Florida
Details of this Orlando New Year’s Eve Event:
- Time: Festivities begin at 6:15 p.m. and end at 1 a.m. except for CityWalk, which stays open til 2 a.m.
- Cost: Included in park admission
- Location: 6000 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32819, and Universal Epic Universe at 1001 Epic Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32819
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5. Walt Disney World’s New Year’s Eve
Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Orlando at the most magical place on Earth is iconic.
Walt Disney World Resort goes all out with over-the-top fireworks, high-energy dance parties and DJs, colorful parades, and entertainment everywhich way you turn.
The midnight countdown is exhilarating, the holiday-themed foods and treats are endless, special character appearances throughout the parks, and the holiday decorations are out of this world.
What makes this New Year’s Eve Event in Orlando special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Watch the New Year countdown fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Enjoy Luminous: The Symphony of Us at 6:30 p.m. and Cheers to the New Year: A Sparkling Celebration at 11:54 p.m. at EPCOT
- See Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at 12:00 p.m. and 3 p.m., and the new Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away at Magic Kingdom at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Details of this Orlando New Year’s Eve Event:
- Time: Disney Springs 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Disney’s Animal Kingdom 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Disney’s Hollywood Studios 9 a.m. to 12 a.m., EPCOT 9 a.m. to 1 a.m., Magic Kingdom 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- Cost: Included in your theme park admission
- Location: Walt Disney World Resort 1180 Seven Seas Drive Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
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6. New Year’s Eve at ICON Park
I love ICON Park because it has no age limit. It is a playground for all ages with 20 acres of non-stop fun.
The Wheel has mind-blowing views of Orlando, taking you 400 feet up into the air, restaurants galore, games for the young at heart, and everything you need for a night to remember.
What makes this New Year’s Eve Event in Orlando special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Dance your way into the new year with DJs and drinks at New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop
- Have a wild night at Pink Pony Club: New Year’s Eve at Tin Roof with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight
- Learn line dancing from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Ole Red, watch live entertainment on the main stage, grab your party favors, and watch the ball drop on their state-of-the-art screen
Details of this Orlando New Year’s Eve Event:
- Hours: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Cost: Free admission
- Location: ICON Park 8375 International Drive Orlando, Florida 32819
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Wrapping Up the Best Things to Do in Orlando for New Year’s Eve
As you can see, Orlando goes all out for New Year’s Eve, making it one of the best places to spend New Year’s in Florida.
If you’re still looking for more ways to ring in the New Year, here are a few more of my recommendations for the best places to spend New Year’s Eve in Orlando and nearby:
- Avalon Park, where there will be restaurant specials, live music, and a fireworks show over Avalon Lake at midnight
- NYE LIVE! Orlando’s Block Party is a multi-venue epic celebration with confetti blasts and balloon drops
- Kids’ New Year’s Eve at LEGOLAND where New Year’s comes at a kid-friendly hour
- New Year’s Eve Celebration at Busch Gardens Tampa with an all-new Holiday Skies Spectacular drone show, followed by a special fireworks finale
- Early New Year at the Central Florida Zoo’s Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild in Sanford, where there will be a family-friendly countdown at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
- Mount Dora New Year’s Eve Celebrations with a community party in Sunset Park and fireworks at midnight over the 4th Avenue docks
New Year’s Eve only comes around once a year, so make it one to remember!
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
Sarah Jordan is a solo traveler enthusiast, professional travel writer, and proud mama to her rescue dog Coconut.
With a love for destinations across the globe, she made Epcot her first theme park and still treasures her EPCOT World Showcase passport to this day.
After finally following her inner wanderlust, she discovered the freedom and empowerment that solo travel brings.
