What is dropped at midnight in Key West's annual New Year's Eve Red Shoe Drop?

Key West's annual New Year's Eve Red Shoe Drop lowers a giant red high heel at midnight.

The event takes place in Key West, Florida, where a performer associated with the city is lowered in an oversized high-heeled shoe at Sloppy Joe's Bar. The tradition is a playful local alternative to the more familiar ball drops held in other cities. It reflects Key West's long-standing reputation for theatrical nightlife, eccentric costumes, and colorful public celebrations.

The shoe is a large prop rather than a normal piece of footwear. In many editions, a drag performer known as Sushi is associated with the drop, though event details and participants can vary. Crowds gather along Duval Street and in nearby venues to watch the countdown and celebrate.

The Red Shoe Drop should not be confused with Key West's separate conch-shell drop, which has also been used in New Year's Eve celebrations. The distinctive object in the event's name is specifically a red high heel, making it different from a crystal ball or illuminated sphere.