Ring in 2026 with these fun New Year's Eve activities
- Write Down Your New Year’s Resolutions
- See Some Fireworks
- Curl Up by the Fire
- Put on a Playlist
- Head to the Theater
- Craft a Vision Board
- Prep a Breakfast Spread
- Eat 12 Grapes
- Write Notes to Your Future Self
- Make (And Eat!) Desserts
- Catch the Sunset
- Host a Potluck
- Create a Time Capsule
- Get Crafty
- Go Ice Skating
- Reflect on the Past Year
- Throw a Pizza Party
- Schedule a Family Game Night
- Whip Up Cocktails
- Have a New Year's Eve Movie Marathon
- Watch the Ball Drop
- Visit a Swanky Restaurant
- Plan a Staycation
- Kiss Someone at Midnight
- Orchestrate a Dinner Party
- Give a Champagne Toast
- Organize Your House
- Ignite Sparklers
- Call a Loved One
- Prepare a Lucky Meal
There’s a lot of hype surrounding New Year’s Eve—and for good reason! December 31 is the perfect opportunity to end the past 12 months with a bang and kick off the coming year in the most memorable way. Whether you’re planning a big night out or a cozy evening in, there are so many things to do on New Year’s Eve that will make the holiday special.
If you’re going out with a group of friends or your significant other on New Year’s Eve, consider ringing in the New Year by dining at your favorite restaurant, seeing a spectacular show, or booking a staycation. Skipping the party scene for an at-home hangout with the family? Set up a crafting station, whip out the board games, bake festive treats, or host a movie marathon.
Of course, New Year’s Eve has so many fun traditions that you’ll probably want to partake in, such as having a Champagne toast, watching the ball drop, and stealing a midnight kiss. Regardless of your party preferences, the start of the New Year provides a chance to reflect on the past year and set resolutions for the next year. Whatever you decide, these fun things to do on New Year's Eve will lead to a fun-filled evening that you'll never forget.
Keep the celebrations going strong with these New Year's Day ideas:
- Best New Year's Day Brunch Ideas for a Festive Morning
- Best New Year's Day Lunch Ideas for a Lucky Start
- Best New Year's Day Activities to Make January 1 Special
Write Down Your New Year’s Resolutions
One of the most popular things to do on New Year’s Eve is jotting down resolutions for the upcoming year. Make this beloved tradition extra special by inviting a group of friends over to partake in your goal-setting session.

See Some Fireworks
Whether it’s outside your house or broadcasted from Times Square, watching a fireworks show is an unforgettable way to ring in the New Year. Major cities across the country put on a grand display every year, but seeing the sky light up from your couch is just as fun!

Curl Up by the Fire
If you’re hoping to celebrate the holiday in a laid-back way, curling up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa and a good book is one of the coziest things to do on New Year’s Eve. But turning on the fireplace will set the ambiance for a small gathering with friends and family, too.

Put on a Playlist
Nothing says “Happy New Year” like music! Put together a playlist of your favorite tunes to fuel a dance party, reminisce on the past year, or kick off the upcoming year. From reflective to celebratory, these New Year’s Eve songs capture every mood.

Head to the Theater
Even if you aren’t going to a traditional New Year’s Eve party this year, getting all dressed up is part of the end-of-year fun! Put on a glittery outfit and head to the theater to catch a local production or a comedy show.

Craft a Vision Board
Looking for an inspirational thing to do on New Year's Eve? Gather poster board, magazines, scissors, and markers, so you can create a vision board for the upcoming year. Reflect on your goals for the New Year, and illustrate them with colorful graphics.

Prep a Breakfast Spread
Whether or not you're in for a night of drinking, you can always benefit from a hearty breakfast spread on New Year's Eve. Make the morning a little easier by prepping foods in advance like breakfast casseroles and cinnamon rolls. And don't forget the bubbly!

Eat 12 Grapes
In some cultures, eating 12 grapes at midnight is a New Year's Eve tradition that's said to bring good luck and prosperity to the coming year. Take on the custom yourself by popping a dozen grapes into your mouth after the ball drops.

Write Notes to Your Future Self
The New Year signals an opportunity for personal growth and positive change. To fuel that process, one thing to do on New Year's Eve is writing a letter to your future self, where you jot down all the goals you have for the next 12 months.

Make (And Eat!) Desserts
Begin the New Year on a sweet note by whipping up your favorite New Year's Eve desserts! These Champagne-infused cupcakes topped with sparkly gold sprinkles are just one example of a festive treat to make.

Catch the Sunset
Planning an early night on New Year's Eve? If you won't be staying up until midnight, enjoy a Champagne toast and graze on New Year's Eve appetizers as you watch the sunset.

Host a Potluck
After Thanksgiving and Christmas, you might need a break from the kitchen. If that's the case, instead of a traditional New Year's Eve dinner party, invite your friends and family over for a potluck. That way, no one will have to bear the brunt of the work!

Create a Time Capsule
As the clock ticks down, seal some precious memories into a time capsule that you'll open the following New Year's Eve. This fun thing to do is a great solo activity, but you can also share it with family or friends.

Get Crafty
Get in touch with your creative side by making some fun New Years-themed crafts. A lot of our ideas can double as decorations, so you can use your masterpieces to deck out your home!

Go Ice Skating
Bundle up in your favorite holiday sweaters and go ice skating at a local outdoor rink. Many places are decorated for Christmas, so it'll feel celebratory without having to spend a lot of money.

Reflect on the Past Year
Before you start writing your New Year's resolutions, take some time to reflect on the past year, including the challenges, achievements, and lessons that came with it. You'll learn a lot about yourself in the process, and it's a great way to celebrate your wins, big and small.

Throw a Pizza Party
Pizza is always a crowd-pleasing choice, and it can even make even a low-key New Year's Eve hangout feel like a celebration. Get a few pies with different toppings, so everyone can dig into their favorite.

Schedule a Family Game Night
If you're celebrating with the family, a New Year's Eve game night is the perfect cozy activity. No matter what you play, you're in for an evening of laughter and fun.

Whip Up Cocktails
Skip the crowded bar scene and mix up your own cocktails at home. We've got plenty of festive New Year's Eve drink recipes to choose from, including sparkling Champagne cocktails, big-batch punches, and so much more.

Have a New Year's Eve Movie Marathon
Watching a New Year's movie or two is a great way to stay entertained while you wait for the clock to strike midnight. You can never go wrong with Ree Drummond's all-time favorite, When Harry Met Sally.

Watch the Ball Drop
Whether you're braving the event in person or tuning in from the comfort of your own living room, watching the ball drop in Times Square is always a classic thing to do on New Year's Eve!

Visit a Swanky Restaurant
Plan a night out at your favorite restaurant or one that's been on your list of places to try. Many spots will offer fancy prix fixe menus, but you can always find options for ordering à la carte.

Plan a Staycation
You don't have to travel far to have a good time on New Year's Eve. For a fun thing to do, plan a staycation with your partner or best friend at a hotel near you. While you're there, grab a drink at the hotel bar, take a dip in the pool, or order room service.

Kiss Someone at Midnight
On New Year's Eve, romance is always in the air. Take a magical moment at midnight to kiss your significant other or another loved one.

Orchestrate a Dinner Party
Show off your cooking skills by throwing a dinner party for your family or close friends. If cooking isn't your thing, you can always get it catered or order takeout.

Give a Champagne Toast
Pop some bubbly and raise a glass to another year. If you need help finding the words, check out our ideas for meaningful New Year's toasts.

Organize Your House
Chances are, getting your home organized is one of your New Year's resolutions. So, why not get a head start on New Year's Eve? You'll feel so proud of yourself the next morning!

Ignite Sparklers
Light up the big night with sparklers! The kiddos will especially love this fun thing to do on New Year's Eve. Everyone will feel so festive, and the activity makes for great pictures.

Call a Loved One
If you can't be with the ones you love on New Year's Eve, set aside some time to call them and catch up. If you schedule a video chat, you could even include a virtual Champagne toast!

Prepare a Lucky Meal
Many cultures start the New Year on an auspicious note by eating lucky foods. Whip up a bowl of Hoppin' John or fried donuts to bless the next 12 months.