On Thursday, December 31st, from 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM, the elegant Bahía Serena Salon at the Coronado Golf & Country Club will host an evening that is as refined as it is joyful.

To understand New Year’s Eve in Panama, you must first understand its traditions. These rituals connect generations, honor the past, and set intentions for the future.

One of the most beloved traditions is the burning of the muñeco — a life-sized effigy, often crafted to resemble a public figure, a fictional character, or simply the symbolic "old year" itself. 

As midnight approaches, these figures are set ablaze in neighborhoods across the country, representing the release of everything negative, painful, or burdensome from the year gone by. It is a powerful, cathartic act — to watch the old year burn and know that what rises from the ashes is entirely yours to shape.

Alongside the muñeco, Panamanians embrace an evening spent together with family, a shared meal and twelve grapes, one for each stroke of midnight, each representing a wish for the twelve months ahead.

These traditions are among the ways the new year is brought in in Panama. Come see what the New Year is all about in Coronado at the Coronado Golf & Country Club. 

The Magic of Coronado

On New Year’s Eve, Coronado transforms into a magical location where the Pacific Ocean is lit with fireworks that painting the darkness in gold, crimson, and silver. And at the center of it all, the Coronado Golf & Country Club opens its doors for one of the most anticipated events of the year: Velvet New Year by Coronado.

An Evening Worth Remembering

On Thursday, December 31st, from 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM, the elegant Bahía Serena Salon at the Coronado Golf & Country Club will host Velvet New Year, a party to remember! 

Guests will be welcomed with a cocktail reception, setting the tone for an evening of warmth and celebration. A sumptuous buffet dinner will follow, showcasing the rich culinary traditions that make Panamanian hospitality so legendary. A premium open bar ensures that every toast is made in style, while live music fills the salon with the kind of energy that makes you want to dance until the clock strikes twelve — and well beyond.

As midnight approaches, guests will step outside to witness a breathtaking pyrotechnics show that lights up the Coronado sky in a dazzling display of color and sound. And in a thoughtful touch that speaks to the warmth of this event, every guest will receive slippers — because the best celebrations are the ones where you can truly let go and be present.

Pricing is designed to be inclusive and accessible: Affiliates are welcome at $100 + tax per person, while Invitados (guests) can join for $120 + tax per person. Children under 12 years old receive a generous 50% discount, making this a celebration that the whole family can share.

Reserve your place at the Velvet New Year by Coronado today. Call 6330.9516 to secure your reservation and ensure that you and your loved ones have a seat at one of Panama’s most elegant New Year’s Eve celebrations.