Say goodbye to 2024 and ring in a brand new year with fireworks, cocktails, and an endless parade of rowdy celebrations. Some cities party harder than others; book a visit to one of these hot U.S. destinations to welcome 2025 in style.
New York
As can be expected, the biggest city in the United States has one of the most elaborate New Year’s Eve celebrations. Most of the attention is on Times Square for the annual Ball Drop at midnight. It’s a notoriously crowded and frigid experience that’s best left to those looking to cross the event off their bucket lists.
You’re better off joining a party at Mango, Copacabana, or another Midtown club. Otherwise, book a cruise on the Hudson River and enjoy the serenity of the water underneath the bombast of the fireworks overhead. Another fireworks display will be seen above the grass and trees of Central Park. Top restaurants will be busy, so make reservations early, especially among the collection of trendy restaurants at Hudson Yards by the river.
The Big Apple is also known for entertainment, and that’s especially true on holidays. Hamilton, Moulin Rouge, and other Broadway shows wrap up well before midnight, allowing plenty of time to celebrate before the countdown begins. Radio City Music Hall hosts a post-Christmas spectacular featuring the famous Rockettes early in the afternoon while the UBS Arena on Long Island hosts the one and only Billy Joel in the evening.
New Year's Eve Events in New York
Las Vegas
Sin City always feels like a party, but things go up a notch on New Year’s Eve. The world-famous Strip closes down to traffic, with the four-mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard open to pedestrians only. The massive block party is perfect for watching fireworks erupt from the rooftops of seven casinos.
Las Vegas is a mecca for entertainment and always draws big-name stars to headline concerts and nightclub events for end-of-the-year festivities. Top New Year’s Eve shows include Bruno Mars at the Park Theater’s Dolby Live, Chelsea Handler at the Cosmopolitan’s Chelsea, The Eagles at The Sphere, Imagine Dragons at the Venetian, John Fogerty at the Wynn, and Mr. Worldwide himself, Pitbull at Fontainebleau.
New Year’s Eve Events in Las Vegas
New Orleans
The December weather is relatively mild for New Orleans, making the city a welcome alternative to colder parts of the country for New Year’s Eve. But that’s not the only reason to visit the Big Easy. Bourbon Street will be packed with revelers, who can legally bring drinks outside while celebrating. Make a point to visit Jackson Square, where you can watch the Fleur-de-Lis Drop from the top of Jax Brewery or see national acts perform live; no ticket is necessary to watch.
If you prefer to stay indoors, there will be hundreds of parties all over town. One of the biggest is the Big Night New Orleans Gala at the Filmore, featuring the music of Trina, Yung Joc, and Brass-A-Holics. Otherwise, hop aboard the Natchez for a steamboat cruise underneath the fireworks on the Mississippi River.
Even if you play it by ear and wander the streets of the French Quarter, you can’t go wrong with New Orleans for New Year’s Eve. The next day, football fans won’t want to miss the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
New Year's Eve Events in New Orleans
Miami
Feel the heat on New Year’s Eve with Miami’s warm weather and global culture. Crowds pack Biscayne Boulevard for the annual Orange Drop, almost like Times Square, minus the frigid temperatures. However, the Dreamland electronic dance music festival, taking place over five nights on NYE weekend (Dec. 27-Jan. 1) will be the hottest ticket in Miami Beach.
Take one of the numerous cruises traveling the bay and coastal waters, offering the perfect view of fireworks celebrations around the city. Miami’s notorious nightclub scene will be busy all night, including E11even, LIV, and Club Space. Are you looking to stay close to South Beach? The Fontainebleau Hotel traditionally hosts one of the year’s hottest parties featuring big-name headliners.
New Year's Eve Events in Miami
San Diego
Keep things cool with a New Year’s Eve celebration in San Diego. The Southern California city will host holiday parties at its busiest hotels and hotspots, including Big Night NYE at the Hilton Bayfront, a beach party at the Catamaran resort, and multiple NYE Bar Crawls.
Expect Onyx and other clubs in the vibrant Gaslamp district to be lively. Meanwhile, rooftop bars like the Pool House and Altitude Sky Lounge will have incredible views to check out the action. Just a few blocks away, Waterfront Park, Seaport Village, and other spots along the bay will have perfect sightlines for watching midnight fireworks. For a true luxury experience, book a yacht tour with champagne and hors d’oeuvres.
New Year's Eve Events in San Diego
San Francisco
San Francisco is home to one of the U.S.’s largest New Year’s Eve celebrations as more than 200,000 spectators gather to watch fireworks over the bay from the waterfront and Bay Bridge. For a more comfortable environment, make a reservation at a rooftop bar with unobstructed views like Dirty Habit or Charmaine’s. The Palace and Westin St. Francis Hotels are known for hosting the most extravagant parties in the city.
For something completely different, celebrate aboard an aircraft carrier at the U.S.S. Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum in Alameda. However, the historic multi-level Regency Ballroom takes pride in hosting MOANY or the “Mother of All New Year’s” parties. Revelers can abscond to the high seas aboard one of the many NYE Cruise parties or detour to wine country and ring in the new year with a bottle of the country’s finest vintage. EDM fans also won’t want to miss Charlotte De Witte and Zhu as part of the two-day Fresh Start festival at the Midway.
New Year's Eve Events in San Francisco
Dallas
Celebrate a Texas-sized New Year’s Eve in Dallas. Find the right spot in Ferris Plaza, Lubben Plaza Park, or another part of downtown to watch the panoramic fireworks display at Reunion Tower. City Hall Plaza is one of the busiest spots with food trucks and live music.
Or, stay indoors and turn up the temperature at one of Dallas’ hottest parties, Champagne Life: Royalty Masquerade & Casino, a Roaring ’20s-inspired bash at Aloft Love Field. Dress to impress and hit the NYElectric 2025 Dallas New Year’s Eve Party or the two-night NYE Decadence Ball at the Crown Plaza. Lights All Night is a two-night rave-style party with over 20 other DJs pumping electronic dance music at Dallas Market Hall Dec. 28-29. New Year’s celebrations wrap up with true Texas tradition– the Cotton Bowl is on January 10 at AT&T Stadium.
New Year's Eve Events in Dallas
Chicago
Like New York, Chicago is freezing on New Year’s Eve, but the cold weather doesn’t stop the Windy City from celebrating in style. Predictably, most of the in-demand events are indoors. The Drake, JW Marriot, W, and Congress Plaza are among the hotels hosting spectacular celebrations. The Hilton in Chicago hosts a luxurious New Year’s Eve celebration offering guests a stylish bash at one of the city’s most exclusive hotels. If you dare to brave the outdoors, there’s a “Crawl ’til the Ball Falls” beer-drinking crawl from 6 pm to 2 a.m.
The Blue Man Group hosts a special late-night performance at the Briar Street Theatre with a midnight countdown, party hats, and a sing-along rendition of Auld Lang Syne. Navy Pier offers the best spot in town to watch the fireworks over Lake Michigan, or enjoy a different kind of New Year’s Eve Celebration, the spy-themed Bond Ball at Safehouse Chicago. There’s even a Fireworks Cruise on the Boston Harbor for a one-of-a-kind look at the illuminated Chicago skyline.
New Year's Eve Events in Chicago
Phoenix/Scottsdale
Arizona’s largest metropolitan area knows how to party on New Year’s Eve. Check out Countdown to 2025 in style at the Gatsby’s House NYE party inside the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel, or Celebrate the Best of Broadway at the Chandler Center for the Arts. Or step back into the 70s to ring in the New Year with Disco Inferno led by the beloved Phoenix Favorite Stuart Chafetz.
Numerous events also pack Scottsdale’s New Year’s Eve with specials at the Weft & Waro Art Bar, We-Ko-Pa Resort, and a New Year’s Day Brunch at CIELO Restaurant. EDM fans can experience the ultimate EDM festival, Decadence Arizona 2024, featuring Steve Aoki, Subtronics, SAYMYNAME, and more– December 30-31 at the Phoenix Raceway.
New Year's Eve Events in Phoenix
Austin
Austin has a thriving nightlife scene, but the city’s biggest New Year’s Eve bash (“Austin’s New Year”) is an all-day family-friendly celebration on Auditorium Shores. There’s plenty of food and entertainment, but no alcohol. Other vantage points include the overlook near Pennybacker Bridge, Zilker Metropolitan Park, and Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge.
Live music can be enjoyed in the city all night, especially at Austin City Limits Live or the Paramount Theater, where folks will be rocking out to Bob Schneider’s NYE Party. Austin’s famous bar and BBQ scene will host events throughout the evening, or for something more refined, try the Gatsby’s New Year’s Eve Party Downtown.
New Year's Eve Events in Austin
Los Angeles
Los Angeles has no shortage of New Year’s Eve parties throughout its sprawling metropolitan area. Check out the annual N.Y.E.L.A. celebration at downtown’s Grand Park where a fireworks show takes place over City Hall with performances and food trucks. If you prefer waterside scenery, there’s nothing better than Burton Chace Park at Marina del Rey, which actually holds two fireworks shows: one at midnight and another earlier at 9 p.m. for families who don’t want to stay out late.
Theme parks will also be welcoming 2025 in style. Disneyland in Anaheim throws a colorful NYE bash with a 16-minute fireworks spectacular and a World of Color holiday show on the water at California Adventure, while Universal Studios rings in the New Year Hollywood style at CityWalk.
For those in Long Beach, a fireworks display erupts over the Queen Mary, the historic sister ship to the Titanic, now permanently docked as a hotel. Burlesque lovers will enjoy Dita Von Teese’s Gala Show. Prefer sports? Stick around for the Rose Bowl game and parade on January 1 in Pasadena.
New Year's Eve Events in Los Angeles
