City of Gulfport New Year’s Eve Fireworks: Williams Pier closes to the public Thursday to prepare for Gulfport’s annual fireworks display. The best viewing is available in Veterans Park and from Gulfport Beach. Free parking is available on Shore Boulevard. Enter via 58th Street. Free. 7 p.m. Friday. Gulfport Beach Park, 5730 Shore Blvd. 727-893-1000.
City of St. Pete Beach New Year’s Eve Fireworks: The City of St. Pete Beach closes Upham Beach at sundown to prepare to launch fireworks directly from the beach. Good viewing is available all along the beach. Free. 8 p.m. Friday. Upham Beach, Gulf Boulevard and 68th Street, St. Pete Beach. 727-363-9274.
Light It Up Clearwater: Enjoy Clearwater Beach’s annual fireworks display. Free. 11:59 p.m. Friday. Clearwater Beach, 1 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater. 727-442-5107.
First Night St. Pete: The 29th annual family-friendly New Year’s Eve outdoor party includes music, interactive exhibits, literary art, fire jugglers and more, with fireworks displays at 8 p.m. and midnight and a bubble stomp. The purchase of a First Night St. Pete button is required. $5-$20. 4 p.m. Friday. Near South Straub Park, 250 Bayshore Drive NE, St. Petersburg. 727-823-8906.
![Cirque Italia brings nightmares to life in "Paranormal."](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 746 497"/%3E "Cirque Italia brings nightmares to life in \"Paranormal.\"")
Paranormal Cirque New Year’s Eve Party: Cirque Italia rings in the new year with a show. A “Clown Castle” tent houses acrobats, illusionists, freaks and mysterious creatures. Age 13 and older only. $80-$150. 10 p.m. Friday. There will also be shows Jan. 6-17. $10-$50. Call or go to paranormalcirque.com to learn more. Riviera Dunes Marina, 102 Riviera Dunes Way, Palmetto. 941-704-8572.
Outback Bowl Beach Day: Join the teams, marching bands and cheerleaders from Penn State and Arkansas on Clearwater Beach for a day of live music, sky divers, a tug-of-war and other contests. Free. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday. Stick around for Sunsets at Pier 60. Next to Pier 60, 7 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach. 813-874-2695.
![Members of both Outback Bowl teams and their cheerleading squads will compete in a tug-of-war at the Outback Bowl Beach Day next to Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach on Thursday.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 5205 3576"/%3E "Members of both Outback Bowl teams and their cheerleading squads will compete in a tug-of-war at the Outback Bowl Beach Day next to Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach on Thursday.")
Outback Bowl: NYE Parade: The parade, which starts at 5:30 p.m., runs along historic Seventh Avenue in Tampa’s Ybor City and features floats and marching bands representing Penn State and Arkansas. There’s also a pep rally with a battle of the bands and cheerleader challenge. Coolers and open alcohol containers are prohibited. Free. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday. E Seventh Avenue and N 14th Street, Tampa. 813-874-2695.
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Outback Bowl: Penn State and Arkansas square off on the gridiron. $80-$170. Noon Saturday. Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. 813-874-2695.
Skate by the Ocean: Postcard Inn turns the beach into a Winter Wonderland with 2,000 square feet of ice skating. Sessions are 60 minutes and include skate rental. $15. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Postcard Inn, 6300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. 727-367-2711.
Holiday Magic: Magician and illusionist Adam Trent has starred in his own TV series, The Road Trick, as well as the Broadway hit The Illusionists. $28.75-$53.75. 7 p.m. Thursday. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. 727-791-7400.
Cinderella: The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine presents a two-act performance of Cinderella. $38.50-$68.50. 3 p.m. Sunday. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. 727-300-2000.
![Expect live cannon firings at the Dade Battle Reenactment this Saturday and Sunday.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 2346 1452"/%3E "Expect live cannon firings at the Dade Battle Reenactment this Saturday and Sunday.")
Dade Battle Reenactment: Commemorating the 186th anniversary of Dade’s Battle of 1835, the beginning of the Second Seminole War, this reenactment includes period soldier, Seminole and civilian camps, period vendor trade fair, historic arts and crafts demonstrations, full-scale cannon firing and 19th century games and activities for children. $5, 5 and younger free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, 7200 County Road 603, Bushnell. 352-793-4781.
Snowcat Ridge: The world of snow returns to Dade City with slopes, an igloo, an ice skating rink and more. $26.95-$39.95. Skate rental $9.95. 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Snowcat Ridge, 27839 Saint Joe Road, Dade City. 813-576-1450.
![Families can experience a world of ice and snow at Snowcat Ridge in Dade City.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 3000 2000"/%3E "Families can experience a world of ice and snow at Snowcat Ridge in Dade City.")
Riverwalk Holiday Hunt: Download the Mobile Adventures app and take the family to the Riverwalk to solve puzzles, complete holiday challenges and answer historical Tampa trivia on this mobile-based scavenger hunt. Scan the QR code provided on site to begin. Free. Anytime daily through Sunday. Tampa Riverwalk. 813-738-1490.
Family Noon Year: ZooTampa will host hourly celebrations in the Wallaroo section, with a DJ dance party, contests, giveaways and appearances by Manny T. and Flora Panther in their party gear. Included with admission. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. ZooTampa at Lowry Park, 1101 W Sligh Ave. 813-935-8552.
