Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown
Revelers pack downtown for a vibrant street festival featuring live music and entertainment for all ages. Children can enjoy bounce houses, inflatables, face painting, games, contests, and dancing with a DJ alongside an early celebration. At midnight, crowds gather to ring in the New Year and watch the lighted anchor drop.
Thu, Dec 31, 2026 All ages Free admission.
See more Christmas parties near Fort Lauderdale
Plan Your Visit
Hours
4:30 PM - 1 AM.
Neighborhood
Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Parking
SW 5th Avenue is closed south of the parking garage entrance. Access to SW 2nd, 3rd and 4th Avenues south of Broward Boulevard is limited to residents and employees of businesses there.
Tips & Advice
- Plan your drive around the closures, since SW 2nd Street is shut from SW 5th Avenue to SW 1st Avenue from New Year's Eve morning until the next morning.
- Don't plan on driving down SW 2nd, 3rd or 4th Avenues south of Broward Boulevard, because access there is restricted to residents and employees of businesses on those streets.
- Bring the kids for the bounce houses, face painting, games and the special kids countdown, then stay on when live music for adults starts after dark.
- Stay downtown until the year turns over to watch the lighted anchor drop as the crowd rings in the New Year together.
- If you have a show at the Broward Center that night, use the eastbound lane of SW 2nd Street and follow the traffic attendants' directions.
Special Events & Promotions
- A special kids countdown gives younger revelers their own New Year's moment.
Links & Contact
Run by City of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Downtown Countdown good for kids?
Yes. Kids get bounce houses, inflatables, face painting, games, contests, dancing with the DJ and a special kids countdown.
What's the big moment of the night?
Crowds pack downtown to ring in the New Year and watch the lighted anchor drop.
What is there for adults?
When night falls, the party turns to the adults with live music.
Which roads are closed for the event?
SW 2nd Street from SW 5th Avenue east to SW 4th Avenue closes the morning before New Year's Eve. On New Year's Eve the closure extends east to SW 1st Avenue. SW 2nd Avenue south of Broward Boulevard, SW 4th Avenue south of SW 2nd Street and SW 5th Avenue south of the parking garage entrance also close. All roads reopen on the morning of January 1.
How do I reach the Broward Center during the event?
The westbound lane of SW 2nd Street between SW 7th and SW 5th Avenues is closed. Reach the Broward Center using the eastbound lane and follow the traffic attendants' instructions.
Browse Christmas in Fort Lauderdale
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.