Greater Fort Lauderdale is welcoming 2026 in signature style—with a full day of New Year’s Eve experiences that stretch from family-friendly daytime fun to a globally televised waterfront countdown.
On December 31, the destination will showcase its unique blend of culture, community, and water-centric lifestyle through a series of events culminating in a live appearance on CNN New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, shining an international spotlight on Fort Lauderdale’s iconic waterways.
Family-Friendly Fun Kicks Off the Day
The celebrations begin early at the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS), where families can enjoy a New Year’s Eve event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Designed with younger revelers in mind, the daytime festivities include music, dance-offs, hands-on science experiments, and interactive activities throughout the museum.
A highlight of the afternoon is the museum’s noon beach ball drop, giving families a chance to count down to the New Year together—without staying up until midnight. Guests can also capture the moment at the New Year’s gallery wall, creating memories that mark the start of 2026 in a fun, accessible way.
A Waterfront Countdown Goes Global
As evening falls, the celebration shifts to Greater Fort Lauderdale’s waterways. Visit Lauderdale will partner with CNN for a live, three-minute broadcast segment airing from the newly opened Pier Sixty-Six, one of South Florida’s most anticipated redevelopments.
The live segment will be filmed aboard a Sanlorenzo yacht, highlighting the destination’s reputation as the Yachting Capital of the World while showcasing Fort Lauderdale’s waterfront lifestyle, marina views, and vibrant New Year’s Eve atmosphere. The broadcast aligns with Visit Lauderdale’s new global brand campaign, emphasizing the area’s energy, diversity, and unmistakable sense of place.
“There’s no better way to ring in the new year than by sharing Greater Fort Lauderdale’s energy, diversity, and joy with a global audience,” said Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “Our partnership with CNN allows us to highlight the destination’s distinctive water culture and introduce the world to our bold new campaign.”
Extending the Spotlight Beyond Midnight
To amplify the moment, Visit Lauderdale will also roll out digital out-of-home advertising in New York City’s Times Square, positioned outside CNN’s studio. The campaign will feature dynamic visuals from the destination’s new branding and will air during the New Year’s Eve broadcast, continuing in the weeks that follow to extend Greater Fort Lauderdale’s visibility to millions worldwide.
The live feature will include appearances by local personalities and capture the festive energy along the marina, reinforcing Fort Lauderdale’s reputation as a welcoming, vibrant place to celebrate life’s biggest moments.
A Destination Built for Celebration
With 24 miles of beaches, more than 300 miles of navigable waterways, and a year-round average temperature of 77 degrees, Greater Fort Lauderdale offers a New Year’s Eve experience unlike any other. From family-friendly science celebrations to a globally broadcast waterfront countdown, the destination proves there’s more than one way to welcome the New Year—under the sun.
For more information on New Year’s Eve events and Visit Lauderdale’s “Never Lose Your Splash” campaign, visit VisitLauderdale.com.
