MIAMI – Bayfront Park hosted its 2023 New Year’s Eve event with a free outdoor concert and fireworks display.
Fireworks filled the sky above Downtown Miami as thousands of partiers filled Bayfront Park.
An iconic part of Miami’s New Year’s Eve celebration made a return this year.
The hoisting of the Big Orange at the InterContinental Miami hotel in Downtown Miami has been a big part of ringing in the New Year for Miamians for more than three decades. 2023 marked its 35th year.
“It was parked in my shop because for two or three years we couldn’t do it. But then we weren’t going to it, and we worked out all the little problems got it done,” said Steve “Mr. Neon” Carpenter, the creator of the Big Orange.
The event took place at 301 Biscayne Blvd on Sunday from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Miguel Ferro, the Executive Director at Bayfront Park told Local 10 News that he expected more than 150,000 people to attend.
Latin Grammy Award winners like Willy Chirino, along with countless other performers, performed during the historic event.
“Willy Chirino, Arturo Sandoval….I can’t stop naming them all,” said Ferro. “The most fun of it is these are local artists, these are Miami artists, and what a best way to celebrate the New Year with our very own people.”
Local 10 News spoke with Miami-Dade County residents who are ready to bring the new year are hoping that their resolution come true.
“I wish the best for the country (and) I hope the election goes well,” said one woman. “I know that this is the country with all the opportunities.”
Another woman said she is simply hoping for “peace on Earth” when asked what she wanted 2024 to bring in.