Christmas is over and it’s time to prepare for New Year’s Eve! Reservations for tables, couches, beds, bottle service, and more are available and required for most of these parties so make your plans now!

Before we get to the details, some important news…Ocean Drive will be open to pedestrians only (no vehicles) from 7am Saturday, December 30, 2006 through 7am Tuesday, January 2, 2007 in anticipation of large crowds during the holiday weekend. The Local (MiamiDade Transit’s South Beach shuttle) will offer shuttle service from 17th St garage, near the Convention Center and Lincoln Rd. Also, there will be free fireworks over Ocean Drive as South Beach rings in 2007 at midnight.

For those of you looking to party all weekend prior to New Year’s Eve, there’s Foreplay. One $40 (+ s&h) ticket purchased online will get you into SkyBar at the Shore Club Hotel on Thursday (12/28), the Delano on Friday (12/29), and Opium on Saturday (12/30).

And for the big night…If you’re looking to host your own bash and have someone else do the work, VINO Miami’s space, service and wine list is available for rent.

Looking to party with celebrities? While you could find them just about anywhere, this is what we’ve heard. Jessica Alba, Haylie Duff, Hilary Duff and Ben McKenzie will be at Setai but it will now cost you $6,000 for a table of 6 because all other packages are already sold out. Ludacris, as well as Venus and Serena Williams, are supposed to be at Social ($250+). MTV’s Kristen Cavallari and Nick Cannon will be hosting a bash at Opium Garden ($150+). Wilmer Valderrama is hosting Mansion’s bash ($250+). Victoria’s Secret Angel Selita Ebanks will be hosting the party at Suite ($150+). Jared Ledo is the guest host at The Raleigh Hotel ($225). We’ve heard that Pauly Shore is hosting the party at Glass at The Forge ($50+). 

Glamorous and slightly different from the rest, a gala will be held at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens ($245 advance purchase) to benefit further restoration, and The Renaissance Yacht is having a Masquerade party ($175pp or $250couple) onboard and dockside.

Three to five course sit-down dinners with music, dancing, champagne toasts at midnight and more can be had at Tuscan Steak ($150+), Macarena ($53+ and includes breakfast at 4am), Grazie ($90+), OLA ($150+), Mark’s ($150+), The Blue Door ($750+), China Grill ($275+ includes family-style dinner), The National ($179+), Funkshion ($250+), and Santo ($250+).

A New York-style bash will be held between Pearl and Nikki Beach. At the opposite end of the spectrum, for all you locals looking to avoid “the scene”, party with The Spam All-Stars at Studio A for only $10. More parties can be found at Club Deep ($80), INK ($175), the Hilton Miami ($125), and the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay ($115+).

Party time goes on anywhere from 2am to 7am, depending on location. Looking for a place to spend the night? Visit the Hotels and Lodging section. Have a blast and be safe! Happy 2007!

Laurie is the events manager at Miami Beach 411. To stay informed on what there is to do, please link to the calendar, or bookmark it as one of your favorites! See more articles by Laurie >