Folly Beach New Year's Eve and New Year's Day Guide

We are just days away from 2019. The team at Isla Surf School and Paddle Boarding is looking forward to all 2019 is sure to bring including the launch of our paddle boarding tours, welcoming great groups of new summer campers, and getting back to hitting the waves with you all.

If you are still at loss as to what to do for New Year’s Eve and/or New Year’s Day, why not head down to Folly Beach. Here is our guide to Folly’s New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day events.

Flip Flop Drop

If you can’t make it to Times Square for the Ball Drop, why not go to the next best thing and head to Folly Beach for the Flip Flop Drop. Yes, you heard that right, Flip Flop (as in the sandal!). Each year a giant, LED flip flop is hoisted into the sky starting at 9:30pm. The flip flop drops gradually through out the night, until Midnight. At midnight, party-goers can enjoy fireworks on the beach.

The best part? The event is free! Bars around Center Street will feature tons of live music. Parking will be limited and we are sure you’ll want to consume some champagne at midnight, as well as other adult beverages throughout the evening, so we highly recommend Ubering or Lyfting. $50 on a Uber is a lot cheaper than a DUI.

Meatball Drop

If you want to enjoy a unique experience that is sure to not be duplicated, check out Woody’s Pizza’s Meatball drop. Each year, the guys and gals at Woody’s bake a giant meatball and drop it from the roof of their building. This ball drop is sure to be tastier than NYC’s, that’s for sure!

Bill Murray Look-A-Like Polar Plunge

Once you officially ring in 2019, rest up for the Polar Plunge happening at noon on New Year’s Day. While Polar Plunges are becoming quite common, what makes this one different from the rest is plungers are encouraged to don their best Bill Murray outfits (we, here in Charleston, are proud of our native son, Bill Murray!). If you want to be entered to win the contest, registration begins at 11 am at the information booth on the beach.

Not seeking the prize, but just looking for fun? Don’t worry, you can do that too. Simply show up the beach ready to dive in. The less clothes the better. Don’t be the wimp who shows up in a wetsuit!

After your plunge, hop on over to the Tides for their Oyster Roast. Nothing says winter in Charleston better than fresh oysters! You can snag a bucket of Oysters and a bucket of beer for $20.19. No better way to bring in the New Year than with the hair of the dog!

Most importantly this New Year, be safe! We at Isla wish you all a safe and Happy New Year and want to ensure we get to see your smiling faces again in 2019!