From comedy shows to parades to First Nights, Alabama knows how to bring in the new year. Alabama’s got no end to places where you can cozy up and reflect on this past year. If you want to do New Year’s Eve right, get the party started at one of these eight best New Year’s Eve celebrations in Alabama!
Known for its highly-anticipated moon pie ball drop, Mobile’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration typically sees 50,000 visitors. The evening starts with a cutting of the world’s largest moon pie, followed by a parade and live music. At midnight, guests can enjoy fireworks and a laser light show once the moon pie stops its descent. It’s the biggest NYE event of the state, and you won’t want to miss it!
If you want to watch the ball drop, you’ll be glad to know you don’t have to go all the way to Times Square. Just join the fun in downtown Fairhope, where you can listen to live bands, watch fireworks, and count loud and proud as the ball drops into the new year. Many of the nearby restaurants are staying open late to accommodate folks who want to hang out until it’s time to toast. The city will also have a few activities for the kids who want to stay up past their bedtime.
New Year’s Eve is the PERFECT opportunity to catch the Christmas Lights Festival at the Montgomery Zoo. Come between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m. and see the Winter Wonderland that your beloved zoo has become! There will be live entertainment and warm hot chocolate. A wonderful way to bring in the new year.
The Galaxy of Lights at the Huntsville Botanical Garden is a 2.5-mile-long light extravaganza with animated light displays! Perfect for all ages, this magical experience will be a great family and friend experience. There are special exhibits with wild animals, dinosaurs, and eve a magical icicle forest.
Dothan’s first New Year’s Eve Countdown last year was wildly successful, which is why they’re doing it again this year. They’ll be counting down the last seconds of 2024, in addition to hosting a family activity area, balloon release, live music, food, and the now-famous suspended peanut and fireworks show. If you missed it last year, don’t make the same mistake twice.
If you’re in the company of children for New Year’s Eve (or if you struggle to stay awake past 10 p.m.), Lulu’s is having their annual Noon Year’s Eve celebration that’s fun for all ages. There’s a beach ball drop at noon, combined with food, music, and kid-friendly fireworks.