New Year's Eve Ball Drop at Pier Park The festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m on Thursday, 12/31 with exciting activities for the entire family including live entertainment, street performers, bounce houses, stilt walkers, face painters, and airline ticket give-aways each hour compliments of Southwest Airlines.  Closed to vehicular traffic the streets of Pier Park will make way for a fantastic street festival with live music, food, festivities and more.  The family fun will include an early countdown celebration at 8:30 p.m. complete with fireworks and the launch of over 7000 beach balls on to the streets of Pier Park.

The New Year's Eve main countdown celebration starts at 9:00 p.m. with more live entertainment as acclaimed recording artist, Vertical Horizon, takes the stage at 10:45 p.m., leading up to the highly anticipated Beach Ball Drop at midnight.  Marking the start of the New Year, the larger-than-life illuminated beach ball will begin its slow descent at the stroke of midnight.  The evening will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display over the Gulf of Mexico.

Event is FREE and open to the public.

"BEACH BALL DROP" EVENT SCHEDULE AND LINE-UP:

Thursday, December 31^st

Streets of Pier Park closed to vehicular traffic, pedestrian traffic only

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.          All Ages Entertainment Begins

The Barry Fish Band in the Promo area

Stilt Walkers, Balloon Artists, Mascots & "Prize Zone"

5:30 p.m. - 12 a.m.    Steve Youngblood performs on Boardwalk Stage

6:00 p.m.                    Southwest Airlines Ticket Giveaway

7:00 p.m.                    Southwest Airlines Ticket Giveaway

8:00 p.m.                    Southwest Airlines Ticket Giveaway

8:30 p.m.                   Family Countdown Celebration includes the "drop" of over 7000 beach balls on streets.

9:00 p.m.                   Main Countdown Celebration begins

Nothing Short of Pure performs on Countdown Stage

10:00 p.m.                   Southwest Airlines Ticket Giveaway

10:45 p.m.                   Vertical Horizon performs on Countdown Stage

11:59 p.m.-12 a.m.     Main Countdown, Beach Ball Drop, Fireworks Display Over the Gulf of Mexico