Your guide to New Year’s Eve fireworks, events, open restaurants in Hilton Head, Beaufort, Bluffton
Ready to ring in 2026?
Residents and holiday visitors across the Lowcountry will have several chances to celebrate the New Year with events, ball drops, dinners and waterfront fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
From Hilton Head Island to downtown Beaufort, communities are offering family-friendly events to welcome the year ahead.
Here’s a running list of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day festivities taking place across Beaufort County:
Hilton Head Island
Harbour Town Ball Drop
One of the area’s most popular New Year’s Eve celebrations, Harbour Town’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop.
Taking place at 149 Lighthouse Road, this event features entertainment, food and music. To celebrate the start of 2026, an illuminated ball will drop twice — once at 7 p.m. for families with younger children and again at midnight to welcome the New Year. The $9 Sea Pines gate fee is needed for entry.
In addition to the onshore festivities, guests can celebrate from the water aboard the New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise with Vagabond Cruise. The cruise runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and departs from the Harbour Town Yacht Basin. Dinner is included and reservations are required. Tickets are $109 for adults and $70 for children aged 3 to 12.
Beaufort
New Year’s Eve Waterfront Fireworks
For those in search of fireworks, in Beaufort, the New Year will be welcomed with a fireworks display over the Beaufort River at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.
Set against the backdrop of Beaufort’s historic waterfront, the display is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m., lighting up the sky with colorful bursts over the river.
Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and arrive early to secure a good viewing spot along the waterfront. This event is free and open to the public.
Restaurants to visit for New Year’s Eve
Below is a list of restaurants serving prix fixe meals or hosting New Year’s Eve celebrations. Click on each restaurant to be directed to the webpage.
If we missed a spot, please email amiller@islandpacket.com to have it added:
Hilton Head
Bluffton
Beaufort & Port Royal
New Year’s Day events
Polar Plunge at Coligny Beach
Hilton Head Island will host its annual Polar Plunge at Coligny Beach on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
Held at 1 Coligny Circle, the event begins at 9:30 a.m. with activities and t-shirts. The plunge into the ocean is at 11 a.m. This event is free.
Pelican Plunge at Hunting Island
The 16th annual Pelican Plunge will take place on New Year’s Day at Hunting Island State Park, located at 2555 Sea Island Parkway.
Festivities begin with a costume parade at 12:30 p.m., followed by the official plunge into the ocean at 1 p.m. The event features prizes, food trucks and commemorative T-shirts for participants.
Tickets are required to take part in the plunge. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
This story was originally published December 30, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
