Citrus County

• New Year's Eve
  Monday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m.
  Citrus Springs Community Center, 1570 W. Citrus Springs Blvd., Citrus Springs
  Enjoy dinner and dancing. Tickets are $35 for the dinner, which will be catered by Gruff's Elite Banquet and Catering.  A cash bar is also available.
• New Years Eve Bowling Party
  Monday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m.
  Manatee Lanes, 7715 W. Gulf-to-Lake Highway, Crystal River
  Each lane can accommodate up to six people for four hours of bowling. Includes a life DJ, party favors, snacks, pizza, hot wings and a free champagne toast.  Cost is $100 per lane.
• New Years Eve with Citrus 95.3
  Monday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
  The Plantation, 9301 W. Fort Island Trail, Crystal River
  Celebrate with a champagne toast at midnight, hear a professional DJ play music and enjoy hors d'oeuvres from 10 p.m. to midnight. Ticket is $39 per person. Special room packages are also available.
• New Year's Eve Gala
  Monday, Dec. 31 at 7 p.m.
  Citrus Hills Golf & Country Club, 505 E. Hartford St., Hernando
  A black-tie event featuring live entertainment, a dinner, midnight toast, party favors and a continental breakfast. Tickets are $75 for members and $85 for guests.  For more information, call 352-746-7633.

———————————————

Hernando County

• New Year's Eve Cabaret
  Monday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m.
  Temple Beth David, 13158 Antelope St., Spring Hill
  Enjoy a cabaret featuring Perry 'n Joy, snacks, a deli buffet, soft drinks, party favors and a continental breakfast after midnight. Tickets are $25.  Reservations are required. Call 352-686-7034.
• New Years Eve Camping and Chubby Carrier Concert
  Saturday, Dec. 29-Tuesday, Jan. 1
  Sertoma Youth Ranch, 85 Myers Road, Brooksville
  Camp all weekend at regular prices, then ring in the New Year with Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band.  Party starts at 8 p.m.  Tickets are $50 and include party favors and a low-country meal of shrimp, etoufee, mussels and andoule sausage.  Tickets available at lindentertainment.com.
• New Year's Eve with the Legends of Doo Wop
  Monday, Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m.
  The Palace Grand, 275 Della Court, Spring Hill
  Featuring Tony Passa of The Fascinators, Steve Horn of The Five Sharks, Frank Mancuso of The Imaginations and DJ Cadillac Kid. Tickets are $79.95 and include hors d'oeuvres, buffet, party favors, champagne toast and continental breakfast.  For reservations, call 727-863-7949.

———————————————

Hillsborough County

• Outback Bowl New Year's Eve Parade and Band Blast
  Monday, Dec. 31 at 5:30 p.m.
  Seventh Avenue, Ybor City
  The bowl game celebration features the Outback Bowl New Year's Eve Parade and a pep rally by the college marching bands and cheerleaders.  Get there early, as the streets fill up and parking becomes difficult.
• New Year's Eve at Busch Gardens
  Monday, Dec. 31 at 9 a.m.
  Busch Gardens, 3605 Bougainvillea Ave., Tampa
  Rides all night, DJ music and fireworks at midnight. Park stays open until 1 a.m.
• Noon Year's Eve
  Monday, Dec. 31 at 9:30 a.m.
  Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa
  Count down to noon with Radio Disney to celebrate the New Year with the entire family.  Take part in games, arts and crafts, live entertainment and more. Noisemakers and party hats for the kids, along with a juice toast.  Included with regular admission.
• Aqua Eve
  Monday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m.
  Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Dr., Tampa
  This 21+ party takes place inside the aquarium and features food, beer and wine, a champagne toast and fireworks. Cocktail attire required. Tickets are $100 through Dec. 29, then go up to $110 on Dec. 30-31.
• Old Lutz Schoolhouse Christmas House
  Dec. 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 26 and 27, from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
  Features decorated Christmas trees, model railroad displays, animated figures, nut crackers, lights and decorations. Local choirs may perform. Location is 18819 U.S. Hwy 41, Lutz. For info, send email to wwdw@verizon.net.
• Downtown on Ice
  Now through Saturday, Jan. 5
  Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa
  Enjoy the city's only outdoor ice rink, which will be open Monday through Thursday from 4-9 p.m., Friday from 4-10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The rink will be open for limited hours on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Christmas Day from 4-10 p.m.

———————————————

Manatee/Sarasota County

• The Pineapple Drop
  Monday, Dec. 31 at 1 p.m.
  Main Street, Lemon Avenue and State Street in downtown Sarasota
  This party features a family-friend carnival that stays open until 1:30 a.m., live entertainment that runs all night and drinks available from vendors and local restaurants and bars.  The midnight celebration features a pineapple drop.

———————————————

Pasco County

• New Year's Eve Gala
  Monday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m.
  Saddlebrooke, 5700 Saddlebrook Way, Wesley Chapel
  Black-tie optional party begins with an hour-long cocktail party, then move to the Tropics Restaurant for a gourmet dinner.  Admission also includes dancing, a cash bar, champagne toast at midnight and a balloon drop.  Price is $135 and reservations are required.
• New Year's Night Hike
  Saturday, Dec. 29-Sunday, Dec. 30
  Upper Cotee Preserve, 17135 Minneola Drive, Spring Hill
  Welcome the new year with a cool winter hike at night. For more information, call 727-847-2411 ext. 8333.

———————————————

Pinellas County

• First Night St. Pete 2013
  Monday, Dec. 31 at 5 p.m.
  Multiple venues, downtown St. Petersburg
  This citywide family-friendly event features live entertainment, fireworks and more. Make New Years Eve hats, enjoy a musical petting zoo and a bonfire and go ice skating. Admission is $10.
• New Year's Eve Fireworks
  Monday, Dec. 31 at midnight
  Clearwater Beach
  For the first time in several years, Clearwater Beach will be putting on a fireworks show on the beach.  In addition, a party will be held at the Holiday Inn and Suites Clearwater Beach with appetizers, music, dancing, a champagne toast and a front row seat to see the fireworks. Tickets for the party are $65.
• 2013 New Year's Eve Bash at Jannus Live
  Monday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
  Jannus Live, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg
  Take part in a silent disco, where partiers will receive headphones that play music from a DJ onstage.  A line-up of DJs will keep the party going until fireworks go off.  Tickets are $20 or $25 for people under 21.
• New Year's Eve Party at Shephard's
  Monday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m.
  Shephard's Beach Resort, 619 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater
  Three parties under one roof with open premium bar, two live bands, two DJs, champagne toast at midnight, party favors and Vegas-style gaming tables.  Available packages include upgrades with buffet with wine and soft drinks, reserved nightclub seating with bottle service.  Tickets range from $59-$500. Call 727-441-6875 for more information.
• New Year's Eve in Dunedin
  Monday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m.
  Chic-A-Boom Room, 319 Main St., Dunedin
  Two venues join forces for one party with live music by the Black Honkeys and DJs Gus and Truth.  Includes a champagne toast at midnight, party favors and a prize-filled balloon drop.  Tickets are $15.
  
• The Lights of Lake Park Estates
  Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve, starting at 6 p.m. nightly
  Neighborhoods decorate their homes with over three miles of lights and decorations. Donations accepted at Suncoast Hospice Cart, which is located along the route.
• Holiday Lights in the Gardens
  Friday, Nov. 23 through Jan. 1 from 5:30-9:30 p.m.
  Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Rd, Largo
  The botanical gardens will be lit with more than 500,000 environmental friendly lights. Admission for the event is a recommended minimum donation of $2. Children under 12 are free.

———————————————

Polk County

• Kid's New Year's Eve
  Dec. 26-31 at 2 p.m.
  Legoland Florida, One Legoland Way, Winter Haven
  Kids can count down to the New Year with a live action show at the Pirate's Cove and a fireworks show at 6 p.m. that can be seen through special effects glasses.  On the last night, watch the giant LEGO brick drop at 6 p.m.  Includes fireworks and a DJ dance party.
• Backwoods Challenge's Muddy New Year
  Saturday, Dec. 29 at 12 p.m.
  Backwoods Challenge, 16000 Rock Ridge Rd., Polk City
  Runners will encounter 25 obstacles in 3.1 miles, including walls, tunnels, barbed wire, swamps, creeks, slides and more.
  
• Holiday Home Tour at Pinewood Estate
  Nov. 23 - Jan. 6, Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday: 12-5 p.m.
  Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales
  Tour the 1930s Mediterranean-style winter retreat, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Combo admission is $20 for adults and $8 for children ages 5-12.