Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Events

End the year with the little loved ones you spent it with. These events are great for the whole fam!

First Night Portsmouth

This annual celebration gives the Portsmouth community the opportunity to come together as one, reflecting on the year that has passed and looking forward with hope and great anticipation to the year ahead. Festivities include ice sculptures and fireworks will go off at 7:30 from South Mill Pond.  proportsmouth.org

Last Night Wolfeboro

Last Night Wolfeboro features a family-friendly celebration with crafts, games, outdoor ice skating, live concerts, scavenger hunt, church supper and 6 p.m. fireworks over Wolfeboro Bay. facebook.com

Children’s Museum New Year’s Celebration, December 31, Dover 

A family favorite, this year’s event will feature a morning and afternoon session, each with a “Countdown to Midnight” at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. As “midnight” draws closer, guests gather in the center of the Children’s Museum around a glitter ball strung 30 feet in the air and count down from 20 as the ball descends. Guests celebrate with noisemakers, party hats and a New Year’s photo booth. The celebration is included in standard paid admission and free for museum members. childrens-museum.org

New Year’s Eve Partybration at Santa’s Village, December 31, Jefferson

At Santa’s Village, Santa doesn’t disappear when Christmas ends — in fact, he welcomes guests to ring in the New Year! His 15th annual Partybration takes place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and features fireworks, a DJ, rides food and soft drinks. This is an outdoors event; tickets must be purchased online beforehand. santasvillage.com

New Year’s Eve Family Event, December 31, Whitefield

Countdown to midnight with a memorable family celebration at the Mountain View Grand. Enjoy a night of luminous fun, featuring a vibrant neon, glow-in-the-dark theme that will light up your evening. Indulge in a delicious buffet crafted for the whole family, complete with a special children’s buffet packed with kid-friendly favorites. After dinner, the excitement continues with dancing, entertainment for all ages, and our spectacular fireworks display. Cost: $73 adults (13 and up), $39 children (6-12), $18 children (2-5)
(plus tax and house fee). mountainviewgrand.com

NYE Cranapalooza Glow Party, December 31, North Conway

Celebrate the New Year at Cranmore Mountain’s family-friendly glow party with games, activities and music from 4-8 p.m. Don’t miss fireworks at 6 p.m. cranmore.com

New Year’s Eve Dinners and Dancing

Dance 2024 away with fancy attire, great music and, of course, champagne.

New Year’s Eve Dinners at the BVI, December 31, Bedford 

The Bedford Village Inn will offer a four-course prix fixe dinner to ring in 2025 with delicious food and drink. $110+ per person plus tip and gratuity, with seating times from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Additionally, Trattoria Fondi will offer a five-course plated dining experience for $95+ per person plus tip and gratuity, starting at 7 p.m. bedfordvillageinn.com

New Year’s Eve Gala at the DoubleTree Hotel in Manchester, December 31, Manchester 

Ring in the New Year at the self-proclaimed “largest NYE gala in New Hampshire.” Six packages are available, including options for cocktail hour, dinner, a DJ, dancing, a Headliners comedy show, dueling pianos and a midnight champagne toast. Packages start at $35 each; gala tickets start at $60 and comedy show tickets start at $35. headlinersnh.com

Masquerade New Year’s Eve Party at LaBelle Winery, December 31, Amherst

This celebration is the ultimate full package with a three-course plated dinner followed by dancing and a live performance by the Freese Brothers Big Band. Dress your best and get ready to dance the night away. Tickets are $99 per person. labellewinery.com

Averill House Vineyard Five Course Dinner and Wine Pairing, December 31, Brookline

Can’t choose whether to finish 2024 with a crisp glass of wine or delicious meal? Averill House Vineyard offers both! Each holiday wine is expertly paired with various food in a pre-set five-course Brazilian dinner. The New Year will be celebrated at 9 p.m. our time to match the Chateau Lacave in Brazil. Doors open early at 6:30 pm with a guided tour of the vineyard, production room and wine cellar. Dinner & wine will be served promptly at 7 p.m. Tickets are $89 and include the wine pairing, five-course Brazilian dinner and a dessert wine. averillhousevineyard.com

Greenleaf New Year’s Eve Dinner, December 31, Milford

Enjoy a four-course New Year’s Eve dinner at farm-to-table restaurant Greenleaf. Dinner includes celebratory glass of bubbles, Amuse Bouche & Special Bread Service, and there will be wine pairings available for an additional fee. The four-course tasting menu starts at $125 per person and includes Flounder Crudo, Chicken Pie, Roasted Ribeye with a Sweet Potato and Kale Croquette and Salted Caramel Semifreddo. There will be four seatings at 5, 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Reservations are required and tickets are $125 per person. greenleafmilford.com

The Governor’s Inn New Year’s Eve Extravaganza, December 31, Rochester

What better way to close out 2024 than with some sparkle and shine at The Governor’s Inn in Rochester. This annual NYE extravaganza includes a prime rib buffet four-course dinner, party paraphernalia and live music from band Bad Penny. Tickets are $95, and include tax and gratuity. governorsinn.com

New Year’s Eve Dinner at The Copper Door, December 31, Bedford and Salem

Celebrate the end of 2024 with a special prix fixe dinner offeringat The Copper Door, which will be offering two, three and four course options. Price per person ranges from $76-96, plus tax and gratuity.

copperdoor.com

New Year’s Eve Comedy Shows

Prefer laughing to dancing? Check out one of these local comedy shows sure to get you giggling in the last hours of 2024.

New Year’s Eve at McCue’s Comedy Club, December 31, Portsmouth

This year, skip the countdown and let the laughter take over! Don’t miss a special New Year’s Eve Comedy Show starring Frank Santorelli, best known for his legendary role as “Georgie” in TV’s The Sopranos. Whether you’re a fan of his iconic TV moments or just looking for a night of great comedy, Frank brings his one-of-a-kind humor and storytelling to the stage for an unforgettable celebration. Tickets are $30, plus fees. portsmouthnhtickets.com

New Year’s Eve Comedy at Murphy’s Taproom & Carriage House, December 31, Bedford

The laughter will come loud and proud as powerhouse comedians Mark Riley, Jody Sloane, Bill Douglas and Jolanda Logan star in an hilarious send-off of 2024. The show kicks off at 8 p.m. and tickets are $40. eventbrite.com

New Year’s Eve Comedy at Murphy’s Taproom with Chris D., Joe Espinola and Jack Lombardo, December 31, Manchester

Murphy’s Taproom’s Manchester location also plans to get its laugh on in the final moments of 2023 with comedians Chris D., Joe Espinola and Jack Lombardo. The show starts t 8:30 p.m., so be sure to get there early and enjoy a bite to eat. eventbrite.com

Live New Year’s Eve Comedy Special at Chunky’s Cinema Pub, December 31, Manchester

End 2024 with hard laughs, pub food, cocktails and friends at this live comedy show featuring Steve Scarfo, Dan Crohn and Crawford. Two shows: 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. and tickets are $35. chunkys.com

Overnight Stays

Make an event of NYE! You deserve it. Choose one of these overnight packages for a relaxing welcome to the New Year.

New Year’s Eve at Indian Head Resort

664 US Route 3, Lincoln
indianheadresort.com

Get the night started with our deluxe dinner buffet, then stick around for our 21+ New Year’s Eve party, featuring live music, a midnight champagne toast, and party favors. ​​For kids or those under 21, our Kid’s Party will be happening steps away in the Greenery. We will also have our arcade and pools open late for extra fun. Pricing starts at $399 per couple and add children on starting at $30 each.

New Year’s Eve Dueling Pianos Dinner Show at The Artisan Hotel

17 Via Toscana, Salem
theartisanhotelattuscanvillage.com

Enjoy a night of lively tunes, passed appetizers, a grand Tuscan-style Salumi board, and a decadent 3-course dinner. Indulge in a dessert bar and late-night snacks to keep the party going until 2025. And cap it off with a fireworks display at the stroke of midnight.

Ring in the New Year at Lamie’s Inn & The Old Salt

490 Lafayette Rd., Hampton
oldsaltnh.com

Have a quiet and relaxing start to the New Year with this retreat for two.

The package is $449 per couple and includes champagne, a fruit and cheese platter, party favors in your room, dinner for two at The Old Salt Restaurant, a midnight champagne toast and New Year’s Day Brunch. Sleep in if you’d like, as the inn’s checkout time isn’t until 2 p.m.

White Mountain Hotel New Year’s Eve 

87 Fairway Dr., North Conway
whitemountainhotel.com

Greet 2025 with open arms, lively entertainment and exceptional accommodations.

Packages are available for a two or three night stay, including one dinner at Ledges Restaurant, daily breakfast, plated brunch on January 1, a special four-course NYE dinner, live piano music, fun decor and party hats. NYE dinner seating is from 8 to 9 p.m. Packages start at $578 plus tax and gratuity.

The Wentworth Inn Gala New Years Eve Dinner and Dance Package

1 Carter Notch Rd., Jackson
thewentworth.com

The NYE package includes accommodations, country breakfast and four-course dinner for each day and five-course New Year’s Eve gourmet with party favors, champagne and live music from the Brandy Band. The NYE dinner is adults-only, with festive and elegant attire suggested. Dancing will follow the meal, in a room full of balloons and holiday cheer. Wake up to a fresh year and New Year’s Day mimosa Brunch served until noon.

New Year’s Eve Lights Displays

Bright colors, “oohs” and “ahhs” and flashing lights complement each of these magnificent displays.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks over Corcoran Pond, December 31, Waterville Valley 

Waterville Valley’s annual fireworks display is a great time to reflect on memories of 2024 and plan new adventures with friends and family. Sip on something warm and watch the sky come alive with bright, stunning colors. Show starts at 7:30 p.m sharp. waterville.com

Hampton Beach Fireworks Displays, December 31, Hampton Beach

Take in a magical fireworks display over the Atlantic Ocean, perfect for the whole family, couples, friends, or by yourself as you make a New Year’s resolution. Grab a blanket and head to the best viewing location, between B and C streets. The show will begin at 8:30 p.m. The event is free to the public. hamptonbeach.org

NH Motor Speedway Gift of Lights, Loudon

Open from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, this year’s 14th annual event will feature more than 3.5 million twinkly LED lights. The 2.5 mile loop includes 520 displays and 80 different scenes. Drive through the beautiful lights to welcome the New Year, and end 2024 on a sweet note with s’mores and marshmallows roasted over fire pits.  nhms.com

New Year’s Day

Start the year off on the right foot with a hike or a great community event.

NH First Day Hikes 2024, January 1, Various locations

Ring in 2025 with a hike with some new or old friends, as well as your four-legged friends. First Day Hikes are free, organized, guided tours offered by New Hampshire State Parks. The participating parks include Milan Hill State Park, Monadnock State Park, Northwood Meadows State Park, Odiorne Point State Park, Pisgah State Park, White Lake State Park, and new to the list, Pawtuckaway State Park.

Participants will be greeted with warm beverages and snacks around a cozy fire, along with a limited supply of NH State Parks-themed giveaways, including a special 90th-anniversary calendar and stickers.

Registration is required: nhstateparks.org