Relax with your toes in the sand, watch one of Clearwater's world-famous sunsets, grab a bite to eat and then ring in the New Year with fireworks at midnight, all compliments of AMPLIFY Clearwater and its sponsors! Named as a one of the 'Top Five Kid-Friendly Places to Ring in The New Year,' by U.S. News Travel, this event is sure to be a celebration the whole family will enjoy! 

This year's fireworks display will take place on the most northern part of Sand Key Park (but Sand Key Park will be closed to the public). Best viewing area is the southern part of Clearwater Beach, but the fireworks will be visible along the beach. 

With ongoing construction on Clearwater Beach, traffic is expected to be heavier than usual. To ease your travel, the city recommends avoiding the intersection of Coronado and S. Gulfview Boulevard when heading to or from Clearwater Beach.

City of Clearwater offices, libraries and recreation facilities will be closed Jan. 1, 2025, for New Year’s Day. The Clearwater Beach Marina will be closed Jan. 1, and the Harbor Marina and Clearwater Airpark will be open Jan. 1. Several city services are available online at MyClearwater.com.   

Solid Waste will be closed on New Year’s Day, so employees can be home with their families. There are no residential collections on Wednesdays and therefore no change to the collection schedule. Call (727) 562-4920 with questions. 

Water plays a role in everything we do, from preparing your food to staying hydrated to maintaining our homes. The Southwest Florida Water Management District offers ways to incorporate water conservation into the new year: 

• Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator or microwave instead of running hot water over them. 
• Rinse vegetables and fruits in a sink or pan filled with water instead of under running water. This water can then be reused to nourish houseplants. A running faucet can use approximately two gallons per minute. 
• Select the proper size pans for cooking. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary. 
• Run your dishwasher only when you have a full load. Standard dishwashers can use five gallons of water or more per load. If handwashing, turn the water off when you’re soaping up the dishes. 
• Find and fix indoor and outdoor leaks. A leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day! 
• Use low-flow water saving devices, such as low-flow shower heads, toilet tummies, and sink aerators. 
• Consider upgrading to a WaterSense-labeled smart irrigation controller that can automatically adjust to your lawn's water needs while you're away from home.

For more water conservation tips, visit MyClearwater.com or WaterMatters.org/Water101. 

A sudden illness, loss of a job or other difficulties can cause financial setbacks – especially for folks just trying to make ends meet. Each day, Clearwater’s Utility Customer Service employees meet residents who have encountered hardships that make paying for basic utilities a challenge. That’s where the Clearwater Utilities We Care Fund comes in. 

Since 1992, Clearwater and its utility customers have helped hundreds of neighbors by contributing to the We Care Fund. Contributions are administered by the local branch of the Salvation Army to provide temporary assistance to eligible city utility customers. 

Because hardships know no season, people need temporary assistance in paying their utility bills throughout the year. Consider contributing to your community through the We Care Fund. Your continuing gift of just a dollar or two each month can mean so much to a neighbor struggling to get by.