Happy birthday to us! Bring out the Champagne and raise a toast to 200!
Tallahassee is going big this year to ring in the big 2024 bicentennial on New Year’s Eve at Cascades Park.
Here’s a roundup of entertaining events around Tallahassee, culled from emails, the Council on Culture & Arts online listings and elsewhere.
City celebrations:What’s planned so far to celebrate Tallahassee’s bicentennial year? Find out here
1. Ring in Tallahassee’s Bicentennial with fireworks
Travel through the decades as Countdown Downtown returns to open Tallahassee’s bicentennial celebration from 6-10 p.m. Sunday, New Year’s Eve. The best party in 200 years will kick off at Cascades Park with two firework shows, two incredible bands, feats of strength, illuminated dancers, photo booths and over a dozen vendors and food trucks. The community is invited to the free, family friendly event.
Visit Tallahassee presents fireworks shows at 7:45 and at 9:45 p.m. and two bands will rock the night away. Brown Goose takes the stage 6-8 p.m. at Adderley Amphitheater with a set list that includes something for everyone from fans of Shrek to MGMT. Several of the members also play with the P-Funk. Lili Forbes will bring a brassy 12-piece band to play 8-10 p.m. The Department of State’s Folk Art award winning musician will have a full family affair with her talented twin sister.
Other activities include Iron Vault Strength from the Tallahassee Highland Games tossing a 200-lb. ball to celebrate 200 years of our community. Tallahassee Community College Dance Company will give two performances to light up Cascades Park. Visit the food trucks, bring chairs, blankets and your own food and beverages. Magic Moments will have 360 photo experiences and a photo kiosk and there will be a resolution wall and swag to commemorate the bicentennial.
Countdown Downtown will end at 10 p.m., so attendees can make it to another venue or home for the ball drop on TV.
Other restaurants in the area that will be celebrating include Charlie Park, The Edison, Hayward House, Poco Vino, 1903, Governors Club, Chucks Fish, The Huntsman, and Eve on Adams.
2. Go bluesy at New Year’s Eve Party with Johnnie Marshall
Champagne, party favors and New Year’s Eve with the Johnnie Marshall Band is long-standing Tallahassee tradition. BBC’s favorite son takes us into the new year with his true to blues form at BBC at The Legion, 229 Lake Ella Drive, starting at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Tickets are $35 advance, $40 day of show. Visit https://www.bbclegion.com/
3. Rock into New Year’s at House of Music
The Rhythm Remedy with the FZB Horns will be at the House of Music, 2011 S. Monroe St., for the New Year’s Eve Tuneup Rockin’ Soul Revue from 8-11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29. $15 at the door. The Rhythm Remedy is a mash-up from ACME R&B, Crooked Shooz, Roadhouse, Tallahassee Swing, and Deja Blu. Michael Brawer on bass, Mark Blair on vocals, Greg Moore on drums, Stephen Vangorder on keys, Kent Rodriguez on guitar, Bill Landing on saxes and Tom Buchanan on trumpet, playing music guaranteed to keep you dancing! Full menu, full bar, and local craft beers!
On Sunday, celebrate the New Year with Tallahassee’s biggest party band, The Rockitz. Blast off with rock ‘n’ roll, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a champagne midnight toast. Doors open at 7 p.m., music starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $30 general seating, $45 VIP. Visit houseofmusictally.com.
4. New Year’s Eve Dance Party
USA Dance club present the New Year’s Eve Dance from 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. at Women’s Club of Tallahassee, 1513 Cristobal Drive. Family friendly social dancing to ring in the New Year. Tickets are $25 for advance admission, $30 at the door; $150 – full tables of 6. Live band and midnight Champagne toast. Visit usa-dance-6010.square.site/
5. New Year’s Eve Pearl Drop Party in Apalachicola
Inspired by the iconic Ball Drop in NYC, Apalachicola is adding its own flair to the tradition with the debut of the New Year’s Eve Pearl Drop Party at the historic Gibson Inn. The Gibson Inn invites everyone to join in the festivities and welcome the New Year with style from 5 p.m.-midnight Sunday, Dec. 31, in the Gibson Inn Courtyard. It’s free.
Guests can look forward to a lively evening featuring live music, a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, and an exciting countdown to witness the New Year’s Eve Pearl gracefully descending from an oyster shell beneath the starlit sky in the courtyard. Visit gibsoninn.com.
The Franklin Café, located at the Gibson Inn, offers a special New Year’s Eve dining experience with a Prix Fixe menu. Priced at $125 per person, including a bottle of wine per couple. After dinner, head over to the Gibson courtyard for the Pearl Drop Party.
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Other New Year’s Eve events
Amicus Brewing: Celebrate history at the Old City Waterworks with Amicus craft beer, glow bracelets, tiaras and party horns. 10 p.m.-midnight Sunday, Dec 31, 717 S. Gadsden St.
Brick & Brass: New Year’s Eve at Bricks & Brass, 316 W Tennessee St., dance, laugh, and make memories starting at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31.
Island Wings Company: New Year’s Eve Dueling Pianos on The Island, 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, 1370 Market St. The piano stage will be located just outside the rollup doors. $10 for general admission. Seating is NOT reserved and is 1st come 1st seated and could be standing room only. This is a 21+ event only. Tickets $15 at the door on event day starting at 7 p.m. if available.
New Year’s Eve Sound Journey with Trine: Presented by Unity Eastside Church at Unity Eastside Church, 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, 8551 Buck Lake Road. Join musical group Trine to say goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024 with a soulful New Year’s Eve Sound Journey. $50; or $65 at the door, cash only. Visit experiencetrine.com.
The Sound Bar: Performance by the Ben Flournoy Trio on stage at 9 p.m. $25 cover which includes free champagne at midnight. 1105 W Tharpe St.
OTHER EVENTS
All Saints Cinema: Tallahassee Film Society presents “The Station Agent” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, 918 1/2 Railroad Ave. The life of train aficionado and downcast little person Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) takes an unexpected turn when his boss dies and wills him a railroad depot in New Jersey. He decides to relocate to the small town, where he befriends talkative food vendor Joe Oramas (Bobby Cannavale) and his unhappy wife Olivia Harris (Patricia Clarkson). Tickets are $7. Visit tallahasseefilms.com.
Oyster City Brewing: 4 Sticks, Oyster City pre New Year’s Party. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29. 603 W. Gaines St.
Have an event coming up? Email details to limelight@tallahassee.com.
