Light It Up Clearwater is ringing in the new year

On By Littum

Every December 31st, AMPLIFY Clearwater rings out the old year and rings in the new with Light It Up Clearwater, a midnight fireworks display that lights up the sky over Clearwater Beach.

AMPLIFY President and CEO Amanda Payne says the chamber of commerce and business advocacy group always sees the annual fireworks show as a community celebration that gives a boost to restaurants, hotels and other beachfront businesses. The event takes on extra significance this year as these beach businesses and many of their employees are recovering from the double whammy of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Payne says. Light It Up is also a statement that Clearwater Beach is coming back strong with the hurricanes behind and the spring tourist season approaching.

The fireworks display starts from the northern edge of Sand Key Park (which will be closed to the public). While south Clearwater Beach offers the best vantage point, the fireworks can be seen from all over the beach and from the center of Coachman Park.

For more information, go to Light It Up Clearwater

More family-friendly New Year’s Eve

Here are more free, family-friendly New Year’s Eve events around Tampa Bay.

The city of St. Petersburg and Visit St. Pete Clearwater present NEW on the pier from 20.00 to 12.30. The celebration at St. Pete Pier will have a midnight fireworks display, live DJs on a stage with an LED wall, an oversized disco ball, food trucks and games.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m dinner on New Year’s Eve at Armature Works in Tampa includes a countdown to a daytime smoke fireworks display at noon, crafts, face painting, a DJ and roaming entertainment. There is a $20 fee for parking. Face painting, a bounce house bracelet and glitter tattoos are also available for purchase.

Treasure Island ring in the new year with a fireworks display on the beach. Fireworks launch at midnight near Gulf Front Park, 10400 Gulf Blvd.

In downtown Tampa, fireworks will light up the sky over the Hillsborough River.

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