Your Guide to New Year’s Eve on the Water
Last Updated on December 10, 2024 by Boatsetter Team
Key takeaways
- Americans will celebrate NYE locally with only 9% planning on traveling for the holiday (1).
- New Year’s Eve 2024 events is a trending topic with a 70% increase in searches (2).
- Waterfront celebrations draw millions of Americans to coastal cities each New Year’s Eve, with historic harbors like Baltimore’s Inner Harbor hosting firework displays that date back to 1977 (3).
Looking for a unique way to ring in 2025? Learn about trends, unique on-water NYE events, the most popular resolutions and how to kick-off the new year with intention and purpose.
Explore boat rentals for the New Year near you
The most unique on-water NYE events of 2024
On Dec. 31, U.S. coastlines will light up with New Year’s Eve festivities. From waterfront traditions to harbor celebrations, here are the most unique on-water New Year’s events of 2024.
1. Bayfront Park fireworks show in Miami
The Bayfront Park fireworks show is the South’s version of Times Square on New Year’s Eve, just with mega-yachts and scenic water views. Get on Biscayne Bay to join people all over the world ringing in the New Year in Miami.
2. Marina del Rey NYE festivities & fireworks
Every New Year’s Eve, locals come to Marina del Rey to spend the final moments of the year in family and fun. Consider getting on the water to evade large crowds, especially around popular firework viewing spots.
3. Waikiki Beach fireworks & Makahiki customs
Makahiki, or the New Year, is a period of peace and prosperity. In preparation for the new year, locals engage in a series of Makahiki customs including fireworks at Waikiki Beach to ward off negativity and renew optimism for the new year.
4. Nighttime cruise on Tampa Bay, plus downtown fireworks
For $50 per person, a group of 9 friends can enjoy a private boat cruise through the heart of Tampa followed by unmatched views of downtown’s firework display.
New Year, New Me
What you do on January 1 is just as important as where you are at midnight. Based on the top three New Year’s resolutions, here are three ways to kick-start your year with intention and purpose.
Resolution #1: Manage stress
According to scientists, just two hours a week outdoors can significantly boost mental health (4). Aim for a weekly 2-hour cruise, or treat yourself to a full day on the water once a month.
Resolution #2: Start a new hobby
With many expert-led on-water experiences, there are plenty of new hobbies to discover through Boatsetter. Learn how to sail with a pro sport sailor, or lock-in a boat rental with fishing gear and cast a wide net.
Resolution #3: Spend more quality time with loved ones
Away from screens and out in nature, a boat trip provides the ideal space to make more core memories with family and friends. Make it a more regular group activity by splitting the cost of a boat trip.
About us
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1. According to a CivicScience survey, 9% of US adults will travel to a vacation destination for New Year’s Eve, with 4% traveling domestically and 5% traveling abroad. This is down from 12% of adults who traveled for New Year’s Eve the previous year.
2. Percentage according to a Google Trends search around “new year’s eve 2024 events near me” with date range from 12/6/2023 to 12/6/2024.
Gabriela dos Santos is an experienced Editor known for her insightful and engaging writing. Gabriela has been working in editorial writing for 3 years, with a background in writing for magazines and media outlets. In 2022, she joined the Boatsetter Team, bringing her dedication, passion for storytelling and factual accuracy to the Boatsetter Blog. She is always on the lookout for stories of connection and community; to inform, to entertain, to inspire! In her free time, Gabriela loves traveling and spending time by (or on) the water.
