Ring in the New Year on Kiawah Island

Just because the clock strikes midnight on December 25 doesn’t mean the holiday festivities on Kiawah Island screech to a halt. The seasonal celebration continues for a week after Christmas. New Year’s at Kiawah Island Golf Resort gives you many choices for ringing out the old year and ringing in the new in style.

Feast

We wouldn’t expect you to be festive without feasting, so we’ve created several opportunities to keep you well nourished up until (or past) midnight on New Year’s Eve and then on the right path on New Year’s Day.

Jasmine Porch on the lobby level of The Sanctuary hotel serves a New Year’s Eve “Tour the Lowcountry” menu in addition to a scaled back à la carte menu. Live music and flowing Champagne add to the festive atmosphere. Space is limited at this popular dinner, so be sure to dial (843) 768-6253 to secure your reservation.

Kiawah Island’s signature steakhouse, The Ocean Room, serves its seasonal menu. But once you’ve made your reservation, plan to arrive early for a pre-dinner cocktail in the Ocean Room Lounge, and you can even call the sommelier (843) 768-6308 to select your wine pairings in advance. Call early to book your reservation (843) 768-6253.

Get things kicked off early — and keep them going late — with specialty cocktails and live music at The Sanctuary’s Lobby Bar. None of us will raise an eyebrow if dancing breaks out on the hotel’s iconic wood floors. Later, trickle outside to the Grand Lawn with your libations to take in the fireworks display and toast the New Year as the Lobby Bar stays open late until 1:00 a.m.

Late next morning, head to Jasmine Porch for a brunch featuring traditional Southern New Year’s Day necessities for good luck throughout the year: Hoppin’ John (for a coffer full of coins), Collard Greens (for piles of cash), Corn Bread (to line your pockets with gold), Shrimp and Grits, and other Carolina Lowcountry favorites.

Fun

As always, Kiawah Island Golf Resort makes New Year’s Eve family-friendly. We get the family fun kicked off on New Year’s Eve with a bonfire, live music and  s’mores (of course!) at Night Heron Park.

Back at the hotel, two age-appropriate parties will keep the children in good spirits (and you in good stead) for New Year’s Eve. Kamp Kiawah moves from Night Heron Park to the hotel to throw an indoor pizza and pool party around The Sanctuary’s indoor pool for children aged 3 through 11. The professionally-staffed event, which goes until 12:30 a.m., provides drop-off and pick-up so parents can sneak off to enjoy their own party.

For older kids, the New Year’s Teen Bash transforms the hotel’s Ashley Cooper room into an arcade with music, video games, snacks and crafts. The event, recommended for ages 12 through 16, requires reservations, so call (843) 768-6001 to make plans now.

What better way to work off the excesses of the night before than a brisk jog? Kiawah has you covered with the New Year’s Day 5K Fun Run. Head to the beach in front of The Sanctuary for the 11:00 a.m. start. The course heads up the beach towards The Ocean Course before looping back to finish at the hotel.

Run the 5K and with a little luck from Mother Nature you may work up enough of a sweat to mitigate the effects of the Polar Bear Plunge immediately after the race. What a way to start the year with a quick dip in the Atlantic Ocean. Be sure to bring your own towel!