If you’re lucky enough to be celebrating New Years on Hilton Head Island, you’re already off to a great start. Here are some events to celebrate as well as other things to do that’ll ensure your luck keeps on going for 2026!
New Year’s Eve Events
New Year’s Eve Celebration at The Sea Pines Resort
December 31, 2025 | 6:00pm-12:30am
Harbour Town
149 Lighthouse Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Head to Harbour Town to wave goodbye to 2025. Enjoy a festive atmosphere with food, entertainment and live music throughout the night, and of course, the iconic count down until midnight with Sea Pines’ very own ball drop from the top of the Harbour Town Lighthouse. Traveling with little ones? There will actually be two ball drops, with the first one being at 7pm so you can celebrate and have your kiddos in bed at a reasonable hour. We won’t tell!
New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise
December 31, 2025 | 5:00-7:00pm
Harbour Town Yacht Basin
149 Lighthouse Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Join the Vagabond Cruise crew aboard the Spirit of Harbour Town for the seasonally inspired New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise! Get the best view of Harbour Town’s holiday lights and the 7pm ball drop from this dinner cruise, and choose between dining indoor our outdoors for the duration of the trip. The cabin has panoramic windows all around, so indoor tables will still get a great view of the festivities! This is a family-friendly cruise, and dinner will be prepared by the award-winning chefs of the Sea Pines Resort.
Reserve your spots as soon as possible, as space is limited!
New Year’s Eve Gala–The Noel Friedline Quintet featuring Maria Howell
December 31, 2025 | 5:45pm & 8:45pm
The Jazz Corner
1000 William Hilton Pkwy, C-1, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
One of the island’s favorite New Year’s Eve traditions, the Jazz Corner offers a night of world-class entertainment as well as a delicious 4-course dinner, champagne toast, and of course, party favors. For this special night, Maria Howell, vocalist and actress with roles in The Color Purple, Criminal Minds, The Blind Side, and many more, will sing alongside the Noel Freidline Quintet, led by the accomplished Noel Freidline.
This year’s showtimes have sold out. Take a look at The Jazz Corner’s other scheduled dinner shows.
Annual NYE Party at Hilton Head Comedy Magic Cabaret
December 31, 2025 | 8:00pm, Door Time: 7:15pm
Comedy Magic Cabaret
843 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Attend Comedy Magic Cabaret’s annual NYE Party with Kerry Pollock and special guest to enjoy the main show in addition to special close-up magic performances in the Backstage Theater. There will be champagne for the early countdown, party favors, gifts, and door prizes, as well as hors d’oeuvres, desserts and more included in your ticket. Bar tabs are not included.
Seating is limited and this party always sells out, so grab your tickets now!
New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party at The Rooftop Bar
December 31, 2025 | 8:00pm
The Rooftop Bar at Poseidon
38 Shelter Cove Ln, #120, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Ring in the new year at the island’s top late-night spot! Doors open at 8pm with the hottest DJs spinning Top 40, today’s hits, and will even take your requests starting at 9pm. Enjoy a complimentary champagne toast at midnight as you celebrate the New Year in style. This event is 21+ will multiple ticket options such as general admission, reserved tables for six partygoers, and a VIP booth for ten.
January 1st To-Do List
Just as there are traditions and superstitions for New Year’s Eve, there are specific things to do on January 1st, and other things that you need to stay clear of!
Polar Plunge at Coligny Beach
January 1, 2026 | 10:30am
Coligny Beach
1 Coligny Cir, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
The first-ever recorded Polar Bear Plunge took place in Boston, Massachusetts in 1904. Since then, jumping into an ice-cold pool or freezing lake is a tradition for many on New Year’s Day. Some might think it’s a crazy thing to do, but not only is the freezing swim said to be good for your immune system, but many of these events benefit charities.
Leave the Cleaning for January 2nd
If you’re on vacation, cleaning probably isn’t on your radar as it is. Just to be safe, make sure to leave those coffee cups in the sink and refrain from any sweeping or dusting. You don’t want to wash or sweep away any luck that’s headed your way!
What’s for Dinner?
Here’s a southern tradition that’ll bring you luck and prosperity in 2024: make sure to eat a dinner that includes black-eyed peas. The black-eyed peas themselves represent coins, and they’re typically served with some sort of greens to symbolize paper money. A common dish that’s served for dinner on New Year’s Day is called Hoppin’ John.
If you want to learn more about Hoppin’ John and its ties to the Lowcountry and Gullah culture, here is a great article by Discover South Carolina that includes a recipe from one of Charleston’s top chefs, Chef BJ Dennis.
