2010 New Year's Eve Events in the Tampa Area

We've done various things on New Year's depending upon the opportunities that have come our way and whatever else we may be doing at the time. One year, before I was married, friends invited me to their New Year's party. Another year, while our son was still home, we went to a New Year's BBQ and had our own fireworks show. Not long ago, after my foster father's memorial I spent New Year's with my foster mother and we ate special treats, talked and watched the NY New Year's celebration on TV.

Most often while our son was still home, we ate Hoppin John with greens and had our own fireworks party alongside with the entire neighborhood. Since our son moved out into his own life our New Year's tends to be quietly spent in front of the TV and hearing the neighbors light up their fireworks unless I'm preparing for a trip, then I'm busy tending to lists and running in and out of rooms packing, while watching TV.

In this article you will find listings of various venues offering a variety of activities to celebrate the coming in of the New Year. At the end of this list you'll also find a few activities planned for New Year's Day:

12/31/2009:

New Year's Eve Parties:

Approximately 80 New Year's Eve parties are listed on ClubZone.com. They're being put on by local clubs, cafes, hotels, a beach resort, a dance studio, the Ford Amphitheater, Channel Side, Raymond James Stadium, Ruth Eckerd Hall and St Pete Forum. They' re located all over the Tampa area, in Hyde Park, Channel Side, Ybor City, Downtown Tampa, Clearwater and St Pete. Each listing has a link to more information on their event and for purchasing tickets.

"Light Up Tampa Bay":

This is the premier event in the area which many other activities are centered around. Channelside will "Light Up Tampa Bay" on New Year's Eve with live entertainment from 8:00pm to 3:00am, a midnight fireworks show and ball drop at the downtown Tampa waterfront. The event itself is free. Channelside Plaza is the best location for viewing the action. There are, also, several restaurants and night spots at Channelside where you can view the fun. Call Channelside at (813) 223-4250 for more information. Call Cab Plus at 813-288-8888 if you've had too much to drink.

"Claws for Celebration":

Enjoy Aqua-Eve at the Florida Aquarium For an unusual New Year's Eve party from 9pm to 1am right next to Channelside. There'll be live entertainment, food, free beer and wine, and one of the best locations to view the fireworks display in Tampa.

Tickets are $90, December 7 to 20 and $100 after December 20th. You can purchase tickets by calling 813-273-4568 or on-line at www.FLAquarium.org.

Yacht StarShip Celebration Cruise:

Usher in 2010 on a Yacht StarShip Celebration Cruise. The 2 hour cruise includes an open bar, food buffets, entertainment, party favors and champagne toast at midnight. You'll have a great view of the midnight fireworks show at Channelside.

Participants must be 21 years or older to cruise. The price is $125.00+.

"Salute to Vienna":

Celebrate the New Year with Salute to Vienna as it returns for another performance. Influenced by Vienna's New Year's Concert, Salute to Vienna brings the same uplifting performance to North America with music, song and dance. There's a new cast of over 75 musicians, European singers and ballet and ballroom dancers with a
new program featuring operettas, waltzes, polkas and marches.

Salute to Vienna will presented at Ruth Eckerd Hall, on 1111 McMullen Booth Rd. in Clearwater. Tickets are $52.
http://www.visitflorida.com/events/taggroup.Clearwater_Beach/event_id.1490

Fireworks at The Pier in St. Petersburg:

A Fireworks display will be presented at Spa Beach Park in St. Petersburg at 9:00pm and at midnight. There will be dancing in the Courtyard from 9:00pm to 1:00am to the music of the "Rock 'n' Chair Band".

St Pete Coliseum, "Swingin The New Year 2010":

This is a New Year's celebration for all ages with a midnight countdown, balloon drop, swing dance celebration with dance performances, a vintage fashion photo shoot and contest. Party favors, chocolates and prizes will be given out.

The party runs from 9pm to 1am, with an introductory swing-dance lesson 8 to 9pm. You don't need a partner. The doors will open at 7:30pm. There's also a cash bar and free parking. It will cost $15-$22.

The St.Petersburg Coliseum is on 535 4th Ave. N.in St. Petersburg.
http://www.stpete.org/coliseum/events.asp

"First Night", St. Petersburg:

This will be First Night St. Petersburg's 17th Annual New Year's Eve celebration for the arts from 5:00pm to 12m with various venues in downtown St. Petersburg. There'll be family oriented celebrations in art, music, drama, dance, entertainment, games and fireworks, etc.

Admission buttons can be bought in advance at one of the local outlets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 6 to 12.
http://www.firstnightstpete.com/tickets.html

Lowry Park Zoo, "Noon Year Eve":

This celebration will be offering games, arts and crafts, educational displays and live entertainment. Participants can watch a giant clock strike 12pm noon. The activities are included free-of-charge with Zoo admission. This will be 9:30am to 1pm.

Busch Gardens Africa:

Special nightly entertainment and New Year's fireworks will be celebrated December 27-31 from 9:00am to 8:30pm and until 1:00am on December 31.

This event comes with the daily park admission or a Passport membership.

Ybor City Parade:

Ybor City is the venue for The Outback Bowl New Year's Eve Parade sponsored by United Health Care Children's Foundation, Budweiser, 970 WFLA, 93.3FLZ Radio, 95.7 The Beat, 620 WDAE and City of Tampa. This is a free family event. Come early to find a good spot.

The Parade starts at 5:30pm and will go down 7th Avenue. No coolers, glass containers or open alcohol will be allowed on the streets for safety reasons.
http://www.outbackbowl.com/events/calendar.
http://blog.visittampabay.com/blog/visittampabay

01/01/2010:

Pregame Bowl Bash:

Bowl fans can get ready for the big game outside the stadium with live music and a pep rally which will be sponsored by Bright House, Coca Cola, The Tampa Tribune and 620 WDAE Radio. You can purchase food and drinks at this event which begins at 8:00am at the south plaza between gates C and D, though the location may change.

Spartan Staffing Pregame Show:

There will be a pregame show which is sponsored by Spartan Staffing. It includes high school and college bands and several other special events, such as a US Marine Corps flyover and skydivers delivering the game ball. You'll want to see this popular Outback Bowl tradition. The show begins at 10:15am.

Outback Bowl 2010:

The 24th Annual Outback Bowl will host the Auburn Tigers against the Northwestern Wildcats. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00am. The gates will be open at 9:30am.
http://www.floridasbeach.com/cms/index.php?id=353

Sources:

http://www.clubzone.com/nye1/tampa-new-years-eve.html

http://www.outbackbowl.com/events/calendar.html

http://www.flaquarium.org/cm/templates/planvisit.aspx?articleid=365&zoneid=41

http://yachtstarship.com/viewevent.asp?id=570&cruisetype=Dinner&loc=tpa

http://tickets.rutheckerdhall.com/tickets/production.aspx?performanceNumber=6015

http://tampabayswing.com/

http://www.stpete.org/coliseum/events.asp

http://www.firstnightstpete.com/about.html

http://www.firstnightstpete.com/tickets.html

http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/calendar_events.php

http://goflorida.about.com/od/eventsfestivals/a/newyearseve.htm

http://www.outbackbowl.com/events/calendar.html

http://goflorida.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=goflorida&cdn=travel&tm=177&gps=130_51_687_228&f=11&su=p284.9.336.ip_p531.50.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.outbackbowl.com/events/calendar.html

http://blog.visittampabay.com/blog/visittampabay

http://www.outbackbowl.com/events/calendar.html

http://www.813area.com/tampa/channelside/events/49898/new-years-eve-2010-channelside-tampa.htm

http://blog.placesaroundflorida.com/index.php/2009/12/08/new-years-eve-events-florida/

http://www.floridasbeach.com/cms/index.php?id=353

http://www.visitflorida.com/events/taggroup.Clearwater_Beach/event_id.1490