Unmissable Weekend Wonders: 5 Exciting Events in Tallahassee!

Exit 2024 with blues as Johnnie Marshall continues a New Year’s Eve concert legacy at The Sound Bar.

Wishing you a joyous New Year, Tallahassee!

Here’s a collection of exciting events scheduled throughout Tallahassee, gathered from emails, the Council on Culture & Arts online listings, and other sources.

1. Be part of history at the Bicentennial Birthday Bash

From contests to balls, Theater with a Mission in collaboration with Goodwood Museum will host a bicentennial weekend, featuring storytelling, workshops, costumes, and games on Dec. 27, 28, 29 at Goodwood Museum & Gardens, 1600 Miccosukee Road.

Theater with a Mission will debut the world premiere of “Tales from the Log Cabin Capitol” on Sunday.

The weekend festivities will start on Friday, Dec. 27, with a Native American welcome at 7 p.m., followed by a “Dance Through the Decades” presentation, featuring dramatic recreations with Theater with a Mission at the Goodwood Carriage House (7:30 p.m.). At 10:30 p.m., the evening will culminate with a toast to 200 years of Tallahassee.

Activities will recommence on Saturday morning, Dec. 28, with a festival that includes a petting zoo, pony rides, food trucks, and distinctive vendors. Highlighted events for the day will encompass a Native American Stickball game at 11 a.m., storytelling (by Native, Black, Spanish, and Cracker storytellers) at 1 p.m., historical dance training for the Territorial Ball for All with Susan de Guardiola at 2 p.m., and workshops on the accessories and decor for the Bicentennial Ball at 3 p.m.

Saturday evening, Dec. 28, will feature the “Territorial Ball for All.” Doors open at 7 p.m. and the dancing will conclude with a toast at 11 p.m. The ball will showcase fashions from 1824, dance lessons, dramatic performances from Florida’s first legislature, and a light supper.

The festivities will persist on Sunday, Dec. 29 with a family dance gathering at noon, candle decorating at 1 p.m., a delve into Florida’s first Christmas at 2 p.m., and “Tales From the Log Cabin Capitol” dramatizations at 3 p.m. To conclude, Theater With a Mission will commemorate Leon County’s bicentennial birthday with cake at 4:30 p.m.

Admission to all events is complimentary, but advance registration is highly encouraged at eventbrite.com.

2. Welcome in 2025 with Johnnie Marshall

The Sound Bar and Mac Daddy Blues Production maintain a long-standing tradition from Bradfordville Blues Club with Johnnie Marshall executing a New Year’s Eve performance.

The Johnnie Marshall Band New Year’s Eve Celebration at The Sound Bar, located at 1105 W. Tharpe St., kicks off at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Pre-purchase tickets can be obtained at soundbartallahassee.com for $35 for singles and $60 for couples in advance. Ticket prices include party favors and champagne at the stroke of midnight. Johnnie has consistently been a beloved New Year’s favorite at BBC.

3. Hello 2025: Countdown at Cascades

Bid farewell to 2024 with music and fireworks at the Countdown at Cascades held at the Adderley Amphitheater in Cascades Park starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Join the celebratory conclusion of the Tallahassee-Leon County Bicentennial and commemorate Leon County’s 200th birthday as we welcome in 2025 at “Countdown at Cascades,” a complimentary, family-oriented
“`New Year’s Eve festivity. Relish live performances, food vendors, and two mesmerizing fireworks shows. A local favorite, Lili Forbes and her dynamic 15-piece ensemble will commence the night, followed by the soulful Southern rock band J & The Causeways. Fireworks illuminate the night sky at 8 p.m. and again at 10 p.m. More information at visittallahassee.com.

4. Revival is in the spotlight at the House of Music

Usher in the New Year with the heartfelt tunes of Tallahassee’s Revival at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at House of Music, 1105 S. Monroe St. Lead vocalist and frontwoman Avis Berry spearheads a remarkable group featuring Jeff Davis, Dillon Bradley-Brown, Chris Skene, and John “JB” Babich. General admission is $30, $35 on the day of the event. Free hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast at midnight will be provided.

5. Groove into 2025 with the RockitZ

Dance your way into the new year with the energetic The RockitZ New Year’s Eve event starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the American Legion Hall, 229 Lake Ella Drive. Admission is $30. For more details, visit eventbrite.com.

Additional Events

Island Wing Company: New Year’s Eve Dueling Pianos on The Island, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec 31, at Island Wing Company, 1370 Market St. Starting at $15.

Madison Social: New Year’s Eve – Welcome 2025, 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. Starting from $20.25.

The Monroe: New Year’s Eve, 5 p.m. $25. Select from a 5-course dining experience, 3-course at the Bar with Walls Distilling tasting experience, Oysters, Champagne, Jazz & a toast at midnight at The Monroe, 1327 S. Monroe St.

The Sound Bar: Russ Skinner, 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, at The Sound Bar, 1105 W. Cover charge of $5. CJ & The Deadmen, 8-11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, also $5 cover.

Do you have an event approaching? Send the details to limelight@tallahassee.com.