Hard to believe we’re a quarter of the way through the 21st century already. Boston, let’s usher in this next 25 years in style. From ski lodge-themed parties and costumed puppy photo shoots, to circus performers and a Kowloon New Year’s (it’s real), here are 11 epic ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Boston and beyond.
FIRST NIGHT — AND LAST DAY
Let’s start with a classic: First Night Boston, which kicks off at 10 a.m. (so technically Last Day?), a 14-hour party jam-packed with family fun. If you’ve never been, or haven’t been in years, The Globe did a vibe-check last year: “Thousands of revelers flooded City Hall Plaza and spilled into the surrounding streets” for music and dancing. “Colorful lights shone on City Hall and the smell of fried dough and french fries hovered … families marveled at glowing ice sculptures.” Meanwhile, inside a “bustling” City Hall, kids “made paper dragons, practiced writing Chinese characters, and tied pipe-cleaner snowflakes.”
This year, according to the online schedule, highlights include an eclectic smattering of live music, ice skating, ice sculptures, a Pipes and Pops concert with some “7,000 room-shaking pipes,” a parade at 6 p.m., family fireworks at 7 p.m., and more oohs and aahs with midnight fireworks over Boston Harbor at Long Wharf. Free. firstnightboston.org
SKATING SPECTACULARS
Yep, that’s plural. The free Frog Pond Skating Spectacular show is part of First Night, but it’s spectacle enough to stand alone. You have two chances to catch it this year, with shows at 3 p.m, and 5:30 p.m. The annual figure skating show, produced by The Skating Club of Boston, will feature “national and international competitive figure skaters,” according to billing. bostonfrogpond.com
THERE’S NO PORT LIKE SNOWPORT
Winter in Boston brings many traditions: We complain about the Pats, we keep on drinking iced Dunkin’ while grumbling about the cold — and we watch the Seaport freeze into Snowport, where the fun comes flurrying down. On New Year’s Eve, you might:
- Partake in the Betty the Yeti Cocktail Crawl, or hit the pavement to embark on the 12th annual Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll and see some 30 carved beauties. See a map at www.bostonharbornow.org/nye/.
- Hit the curling lane. No need for those special glide-y shoes or that broom thing. (Unless you’re way into curling. Then have at, friend.) Snowport curling is something you can do while sipping cocoa. (My favorite kind of sport.) 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Whoosagoodboy? Who? You. Yes you, my little smooshy. (Sorry, ahem. That’s my dog voice.) Addressing humans now: Dress up your pets in a holiday costume and bring ‘em to Snowport for Blu Dot’s “Seapawt Portrait Contest — Holiday Edition.” Visit BluDot Seaport with your pet between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 31 (or during store hours) and snap a pic of your cutie. Post to Instagram or Facebook (you were going to anyway) and tag @bludot and @seaportbos for a chance to snag a $25 gift card, according to event billing — and bragging rights. Details here.
A KOWLOON NEW YEAR’S
Remember back in August when we all collectively freaked over the Kowloon wedding? #BecauseBoston. Well, here’s your chance for a Kowloon New Year’s. Time to celebrate, Route 1-style. According to billing, the party includes a buffet, music, dancing, Champagne toast, and party favors. Tickets are $90 per person, or $320 for a table of four. If you snag tickets, do Boston a favor and post your pics so we can all live it. 948 Broadway, Saugus. kowloonrestaurant.com
PATRIOT PLACE PARTY
Maybe your idea of a perfect New Year’s Eve is being home in your jammies before 8 p.m. If so, we’ve got you. Families (and Pats fans) can celebrate early in Foxborough with First Night at Patriot Place from 4 to 7 p.m. Expect skating, ice sculptures, games, giveaways, music, photo opps, and “special appearances,” according to event billing, with fireworks at 7 p.m. 2 Patriot Place, Foxborough. patriot-place.com
DRESS CODE: PJs
But if your idea of a great New Year’s Eve is being out in your jammies after 8 p.m., we’ve got you, too. The Lamplighter throws down with an NYE PJ party. Get comfy and hit up their Cambridge taproom, which will be transformed into a “dream slumber party,” according to billing, with games, dancing, beer, empanadas, tequeños, cookies, party snacks, etc., from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $28. 21+. 284 Broadway, Cambridge. lamplighterbrewing.com
SKI BUM STYLE
You don’t need to hit the slopes for this après ski party: High Street Place food hall transforms into a ski lodge for Après Ski NYE. You’ll find après-ski-inspired food and drinks — fondue, raclette, truffle fries, hot toddies, mulled wine, spiked hot chocolate — an ice bar and ice luge, DJs, performances from the Boston Circus Guild, and a Warren Miller film screening, according to event billing.
As for dress? They encourage “Après Ski Chic, neon pop, or sparkly glam. Admission from $120; includes passed appetizers, one free drink, access to games (air hockey, shuffleboard, etc.), a movie screening, and midnight Champagne toast, according to the website. 21+. 7 p.m.-1 a.m. 100 High St. highstreetplace.com
NOON YEARS EVE
Meanwhile at High Street Hall, the tiniest revelers can celebrate Noon Year’s Eve. Expect a countdown to a noontime balloon drop with a juice toast, music, and dancing, according to billing. Free. 11 a.m-1 p.m.
MARTY MCFLY’S PARENTS’ PROM
And the award for Most Specific New Year’s Eve Party theme of 2024 goes to […dramatic pause] Night Shift Brewing. The Everett taproom is ringing in ‘25 with a (wicked) niche ‘80s-movies theme: “Enchantment Under The Sea” is inspired by the scene in “Back to the Future” where Marty McFly’s parents fell in love at their high school prom in the 1950s. And if you’re a Michael J. Fox fan, a “Back to the Future”-diehard, or just an ‘80s movie fanatic, you probably just spit out your coffee in sheer nerding-out excitement.
Don your mid-century prom fit, and expect ‘50s prom decor, caricatures, Polaroid prom-themed photo opps, costume contest, live music, countdown to midnight, and free Champagne toast. 21+. Free admission. 87 Santilli Highway, Everett. nightshiftbrewing.com
HAVE A BALL
If New Year’s Eve means tiaras and tuxes for your swanky crew, have a ball at the Westin Hotel Grand Ballroom’s black tie optional Resolution Ball, where “the dance floor stays packed until 2 a.m.,” according to billing. Silent auction items include a signed print from former Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy, and a baseball signed by former Red Sox catcher Christian Vázquez. Three options for tickets, based on entry time and food options. From $59. 10 Huntington Ave. Details on Eventbrite.
RHODE TRIP
You might take a trip to lil’ Rhody for Providence’s second annual Illuminate PVD New Year’s Eve Celebration and Fireworks Display from 5-9 p.m. According to event billing, expect live music, a 21+ beer garden, food trucks from burrito bowls to barbecue, an “After Dark playground,” with “roaming performers from Circus Dynamics, a disco welcome tent with dancers … a salsa dance takeover,” and more. Plus pyres aglow on the river, “roaming musicians and entertainment,” DJs, a photo booth, a drum troupe, fireworks at 8:30, and more. Free. 195 District Park. providencetourismcouncil.org
Lauren Daley can be reached at ldaley33@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @laurendaley1.