How to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Cleveland This Year (25+ New Year’s Events)

Yet another year is quickly coming to a close, and it’s time to make those plans for celebrating New Year’s Eve in Cleveland!

As we’ve discussed many times before, Cleveland is a phenomenal place to be during the holiday season. Christmas ales abound in breweries, holiday lights are strung up in every neighborhood, and there are so many celebrations and events from Thanksgiving through the New Year to enjoy. 

But to wrap up the end of the holiday season, you might want to have an incredible New Year’s Eve celebration! Luckily, Cleveland doesn’t fall short on that score. Here are the best ways to ring in the new year in Cleveland.

Best Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Cleveland, Ohio

1. Head to a New Year’s Eve gala or party

Put on your sparkliest outfit, fanciest dress, or most dapper attire and head to a fancy New Year’s Eve gala or party in Cleveland to ring in the new year in style. 

Sip Champagne, eat hors d’oeuvres, and dance the night away as you celebrate the coming of the next year. Here are some great places to attend a New Year’s Eve gala or party to ring in 2026: 

• Windows on the River NYE Celebration: This event space overlooking the Cuyahoga River is hosting a NYE event from 8 pm-1 am with hors d’oeuvres, dancing (including a Silent Disco!), drinks, a balloon drop, and more across five different rooms. A ticket will also allow you to stroll through the Greater Cleveland Aquarium after hours until 10 pm. Tickets are $195 per person.
• Midnight Under the Big Top: The Metropolitan at the 9 is hosting its annual party, with the theme this year being Under the Big Top. Cleveland’s largest NYE event will include free beverages, tasty hors d’oeuvres, and lots of entertainment. There are also hotel packages and secret giveaways to enjoy. Prices start at $209.
• °F NYE Let’s Glow Crazy Party: Fahrenheit is throwing a 1980s Let’s Glow Crazy party this year! The event runs from 10 pm-2 am and includes a DJ, passed apps, a champagne toast, and an open bar. You’re encouraged to dress in your best vintage look for the Old Hollywood theme. Tickets start at $110.
• New Year’s Eve 2026 Celebration at The IVY: This NYE gala is hosted at The IVY in downtown Cleveland. It includes an open bar from 9 pm-12 am and hors d’oeuvres with a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets start at $100.
• New Year’s Eve A Tale of 2 Cities Party at Hofbräuhaus: Ring in the new year at Hofbräuhaus, with a party where Munich meets Berlin. Enjoy polka vibes on one floor, and techno house beats on the other floor. The party features a heavy hors d’oeuvres buffet, an open bar of Haus-brewed beer and wine, and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $175 individually or $300 for two people.
• Y2K New Year’s Eve Party at All Saints: Dress in your 2000s best and party like it’s 1999 again at this fun Y2K-themed NYE party at All Saints Public House. VIP tickets start at $130 and include an open bar, light bites all night, a DJ playing 90s/early 2000s music, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight.
• A Sparkling New Year’s Eve at Franklin Castle: Join the party people (and perhaps the ghosts?) at Franklin Castle (the Hannes Tiedemann House) for a sparkling NYE party with a sophisticated, 60’s spy-era theme. The festivities start at 9:30 p.m. and tickets are $110.
• Fire and Ice New Year’s Eve Party at The Aviator: The Aviator Event Center & Pub is throwing a NYE bash with an open bar, food including a raw bar and carving stations, decadent desserts, late-night snacks, a DJ, and more. Tickets are $185.
• New Year’s Eve Buffet and Party at Wagner’s: Wagner’s is hosting its buffet and party this year starting at 5 p.m. until after midnight in the new year. There are 3 ways to celebrate: the buffet and cash bar, party with an open bar, treats, and entertainment, or both options for the full experience. Prices start at $97.95.  
• Woodside’s 2026 New Year’s Eve Gala: Starting at 7 pm at the Woodside Event Center, you can dance and party the evening away with the open bar, food, champagne toast at midnight, and tons of live entertainment! Prices start at $140.

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2. NYE celebrations at bars and restaurants in Cleveland

Almost every bar and many restaurants have their own way of ringing in the New Year in Cleveland, whether it is via an expensive cover with a live band, or free entrance and some great music.

Here are some confirmed bars and restaurants in the area with ticketed NYE celebrations in Cleveland this year: 

• Bourbon Street Barrel Room: Located in Tremont, this New Orleans-inspired restaurant is throwing quite the bash with a live DJ, free beads and masks, New Orleans cuisine at the buffet, and an open bar. The party starts at 9:30 pm and costs $145 per person.  
• Lakewood Truck Park: In partnership with Wine Dive, Lakewood Truck Park is hosting its second annual NYE party this year, with a DJ and drinks packages included with tickets. Tickets start at $81.88 and the theme is Frost and Fizz.
• Bad Medicine: This cocktail + vinyl bar is throwing its first NYE shindig, which includes a 4-course dinner with cocktail pairings, plus vinyl playing all night. Prices start at $160 per person, with tax and tip included.
• Wild Eagle Steak & Saloon (Broadview Heights): Wild Eagle is celebrating big-time as we enter into 2026 with their Wild + Western New Year’s Eve Party. Tickets are $125 per person, and include an open bar starting at 8 pm through midnight, BBQ dinner buffet, champagne toast at midnight, live music, DJ on the patio, and an Uber discount code. 

Almost every bar rings in the New Year here in Cleveland, so even if you don’t want to book a ticket now, chances are your favorite bar is going to be open and ready for a party! 

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3. New Year’s dance parties + live music

Want to dance the night away before and after that midnight moment? Here are some fun spots hosting dance parties and live music this year:

• Music Box Supper Club: Music Box Supper Club is having Cleveland’s favorite cover band playing hits across the decades, from classic rock to disco to 80s to Top 40 and more, to ring in 2026! Tickets are $65 including a champagne toast, party favors, and a $20 food and beverage credit. Doors open at 7:30 pm. 
• Twist Social Club: Twist is having its NYE Party with dancing, amazing drinks, and fabulous queens to ring in the New Year! Tickets start at $100 and include admission to the club and VIP area, appetizer buffet from 8 pm-11 pm, open bar from 8 pm-midnight, and a champagne toast at midnight. You can also opt out and just pay a $10 cover at the door. 
• Murder on the Dance Floor at Mahall’s: Head to Lakewood for this “killer” masquerade ball! Glitzy costumes are encouraged, and there will be music spanning several decades throughout The Roxy and Mahall’s. You can also expect a scavenger hunt, photo ops, drink specials, and more. Doors open at 8 p.m., and tickets are $20.

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4. Unique ways to celebrate NYE in Cleveland

We’ve talked about the more traditional parties, galas, and events happening at event venues and bars across Cleveland, but here are a few more unique ways to ring in the new year:

• New Year’s Eve with John Heffron: Celebrate the new year with a comedy show at Hilarities. John Heffron has 3 showtimes on Dec. 31, with the 5:30 p.m. show being PG-13, and then the 7:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. shows being 21+. You can buy tickets just for the show, or add on a 3-course dinner at Pickwick & Frolic.
• NYE Murder Mystery at Hilarities: Hilarities is also hosting a NYE Murder Mystery Party with dinner and a show. Showtime is at 7:30 pm, and tickets are $93 per person, including a 3-course dinner.
• Cruise on Lady Caroline: Enjoy a nighttime cruise on the Lade Caroline, with city views, light bites, live entertainment, and a champagne toast at midnight. Cruise starts at 10 p.m., and tickets start at $120.

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5. Celebrate Noon Year’s Eve

Have kids, or maybe you’re just the person who never makes it to midnight? Well, good news! There are a couple of “Noon Year’s Eve” events this year, too, that allow you to celebrate the end of the year before it even gets dark.

• Noon Year’s Eve at Tower City: If you’re looking for a New Year’s event you can take the whole family to, Tower City is throwing a “Noon Year’s Eve” party on December 31 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The event includes face painters, music, costumed characters, and a balloon drop at noon. The event is free, but you do need to reserve a spot in advance.
• Noon Year’s Eve at Malley’s Chocolates: Malley’s is hosting Noon Year’s Eve parties at multiple locations (North Olmstead, Lakewood, and Mentor) from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on December 31. A $10 ticket gets you a kids-sized sundae, candy, party hats and noisemakers, and a balloon drop at noon.
• Adrenaline Monkey Noon Year’s Eve Party: Ring in the “noon year” at the Adrenaline Monkey indoor adventure park in Cleveland! The event includes games, a DJ, pizza, and a balloon drop at noon. Tickets are $34.99 for kids 5+ (and just $9.99 for parents who only want to watch). Event starts at 11 a.m.
• Noon Year’s Eve at Music Box Supper Club: Count down until noon to the sounds of Motown classics at this brunch buffet. Tickets are $25 and include a champagne toast and party favors, while you can upgrade to brunch for an additional $35. Doors open at 11 am.
• Noon Year’s Eve at Great Lakes Brewing: If you don’t want to stay out late on New Year’s Eve, Great Lakes Brewing is also hosting a Noon Year’s Eve. This event with live music lasts from 10 am-6 pm with a special food and drink menu, plus a beer tapping and toast at noon. Reservations recommended.
• Lady Caroline noon cruise: Enjoy a family-friendly cruise on Lake Erie with lunch, a DJ, and a sparkling toast. (Buy tickets under the “Special Event Cruises” tab; tickets start around $61.)
• Coco’s New Year’s Eve Pre-Celebration: This one isn’t at noon, but instead runs from 6-9:30 p.m. at Coco’s Selfie Space in the 5th Street Arcades. Tickets start at $55.

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6. Unique NYE a little further away

Willing to drive a little ways? Here are some super unique ways to ring in the new year elsewhere across northeast Ohio:

• Pierogi Drop in Parma: Sloppy Bob’s in Parma is the centerpiece of this New Year’s Eve party, with the stretch of State Road between Dawnshire Drive and Wellington Boulevard blocked off to traffic. The party is free, and you can expect food trucks and drink vendors starting at 8 p.m. The party culminates in the “drop” of a giant pierogi at midnight on the rooftop of Sloppy Bob’s, followed by fireworks.
• Chagrin Falls popcorn drop: Forget the big sparkly ball in Times Square and head to Chagrin Falls to see their NYE popcorn ball drop! Free festivities start at 10:30 p.m. in Triangle Park, and the giant popcorn ball (whose name is Jupiter) is lowered down the main flagpole at midnight.
• Walleye Drop in Port Clinton: Perhaps the most unique item that “drops” on New Year’s Eve, Wylie the giant walleye fish will drop at midnight in a celebration in Port Clinton. The main event is free, though there are also VIP party tickets this year, too, and a evening bar crawl around town.

There are so many exciting ways to celebrate 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio! No matter which of these celebrations you choose, you’ll have an incredible and unforgettable evening to close out the year. 

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Are you doing anything fun on New Year’s Eve this year?