Watch CBS News

South Florida Getting Ready To Ring In The New Year

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Thursday marks the last day of the year and the parties are being prepared to welcome 2016.

Miami will hold their annual New Year's Eve Celebration at Bayfront Park beginning with free concerts at 8:00 p.m.

That will lead into the night's featured performance by the 305's very own Pitbull, which begins at 11:50 p.m. until midnight, when the Big Orange Ball drops amid the fireworks show.

Just a little north, Ft. Lauderdale will ring in the new year with the Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown.

This street festival starts at 4:30 p.m. between S.W. 2nd Street and S.W. 5th Street and offers fun for both children and adults, from bounce houses and face-painting to line dancing with country music star Amber Leigh and fist-pumping with Adam Foster, named New Times Best DJ of 2014 and the "King of the Las Olas Dance Scene."

This year's midnight countdown will also feature the debut of the city's new, larger-than-life illuminated anchor. The anchor will descend down from 100 feet in the air above the event's main stage as the final seconds of 2015 tick down.

The Sun Trolley Las Olas Link will operate from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fares are $1 each way or $3 for an all-day pass. You can track the Sun Trolley in real-time by downloading their app.

There will be two designated pick-up/drop-off areas for Taxi cabs, Uber and Lyft vehicles:

  • S.W. 5th Avenue south of Broward Boulevard
  • S.W. 1st Avenue south of Broward Boulevard.

Any other locations used for pick-up/drop-off will be strictly prohibited and citations will be issued.

Additionally, Uber is offering users a free ride (up to $20) to or from Downtown Countdown.

Follow these steps to get $20 off your ride:
1) Download the free Uber iPhone/Android/Windows app (or sign up at http://t.uber.com/NYEFTL)
2) Enter your information in the Uber app and use promo code "NYEFTL" when you sign up.
3) Request a ride 5-15 minutes before you need one. $20 will be applied towards your first ride on uberX, uberXL, LUX, or LUX SUV.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.