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 16th 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: $62 adults (13 and up), $44 children (6-12), $20 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 4:30-6:30 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 2026 with delicious food and drink. $110+ per person plus tip and gratuity, with seating times from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Additionally, Fondi will be open for breakfast from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM and for dinner from 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM. First come, first served – no reservations. 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. Package and ticket prices range from $35- $110. headlinersnh.com

Roaring Gatsby Prohibition Party, Portsmouth Gas Light Co., December 31, Portsmouth

The Gaslight is transforming into a Gatsby-style Prohibition Speakeasy, and believe us — this is the one party you do not want to miss. The Vibe: Glitz, glamour, and endless champagne. The Dress: Dress to impress (1920s attire encouraged!). The Status: The most exclusive party in town. portsmouthgaslight.com

New Year’s Eve Roaring 20’s Gatsby Dinner, Dancing and Jazz at LaBelle Winery, December 31, Amherst

This event has it all – including a four course dinner with wine pairings, live spectacle entertainment from Cirque de Light, 1920’s themed-decor, and live Jazz Age music performed by the Freese Brothers Big Band, with an open dance floor for a night to remember. Themed costumes are welcome.Dress your best and get ready to dance the night away. Tickets are $125 per person. labellewinery.com

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

Can’t choose whether to finish 2025 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 $79 and include the wine pairing, five-course Brazilian dinner and a dessert wine. averillhousevineyard.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 Curmudgeon. 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 2025 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 $79-99, 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 2025.

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

This year, skip the countdown and let the laughter take over! Grab your crew, grab a drink, and get ready for a comedy celebration at McCue’s Comedy featuring the wildly funny Alex Giampapa!. Tickets are $39.19, plus fees. mccuescomedyclub.com

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

The laughter will come loud and proud as four of the best comedians in New England will share the stage, including top headliners Paul Nardizzi, Jim Colliton and Mitch Stinson and host Dan Donahue. It’s a hilarious send-off to 2025 presented by Murphy’s and Scamps Comedy Productions. Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 (cash only) at the door. All seats are general admission. Showtime is 8:30 p.m. 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 from three “Laugh Out Loud” Comedians, Tim McKeever, Matt Barry and Joe Espi. Two shows: 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 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 may vary.

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.

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

First Night, December 31, 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

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 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 2025 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 2026, January 1, Various locations

Ring in 2026 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!

Registration is required: nhstateparks.org