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 2025!
New Year’s Eve Events
New Year’s Eve Celebration at The Sea Pines Resort
December 31st, 2024 | 6:00pm-12:30am
Harbour Town
Head to Harbour Town to wave goodbye to 2024. 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 31st, 2024 | 5:00-7:00pm
Harbour Town Yacht Basin
Leave the cooking to us this New Year’s Eve and join the crew aboard the Spirit of Harbour Town for the seasonally inspired New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise! There is no better view of the Harbour Town lights than from the Spirit of Harbour Town. At the end of the cruise we will pull into the harbor to watch the 7 PM ball drop from the top of the Harbour Town Lighthouse.
Choose from dining inside on our lower level climate controlled cabin with panoramic windows all around, or dine outside on our upper level in the open air with a canopy for shade. You can’t go wrong with either choice, as you will have the best views of the Lowcountry at every turn.
To view the menu prepared by Sea Pines Resort chefs, to learn more about this cruise or to book your table, click here. Reserve your spots as soon as possible, as space is limited!
New Year’s Eve Gala – The Noel Freidline Quintet featuring Maria Howell
December 31st, 2024 | 5:45pm & 8:45pm
The Jazz Corner
SOLD OUT – Set a reminder now to get your tickets for next year’s New Year’s Eve Gala!
Celebrate the end of 2024 with good company, a delicious four-course dinner, and the awe-inspiring talent of Maria Howell. Best known for her role as the choir soloist in the 1985 Oscar-nominated film, “The Color Purple,” Maria Howell is the perfect combination of artistry and entertainment. At either show, there will be a champagne toast and party favors to celebrate the New Year.
More Information & Full Schedule
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
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.
The start time of the annual Polar Plunge at Coligny Beach is still TBD, but we’ll give you a time as soon as possible!
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.
