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!
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 13th 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 Dinners and Dancing
Dance 2022 away with fancy attire, great music and, of course, champagne.
New Year’s Eve Dinner at the BVI, December 31, Bedford
The Bedford Village Inn will offer a four-course prix fixe dinner to ring in 2023 with delicious food and drink. $95 per person plus tip and gratuity, with seating times from 5 to 9:30 p.m. They also offer winter igloo reservations (that come with a complimentary bottle of champagne) for a $150 rental fee and a $400 food and beverage minimum. bedfordvillageinn.com
The Masquerade Ball 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.” Four 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
Swinging Big Band New Year’s Eve Dinner with LaBelle Lights, December 31, Derry
Celebrate 2023 with a three-course plated dinner, a Freese Brothers Big Band performance in the Vineyard Ballroom and a charming stroll through the LaBelle Lights. There will also be a full cash bar open throughout the night. Tickets are $121.50 and include the three-course dinner, a glass of wine on arrival, the band performance and admission to LaBelle Lights after the performance. eventbrite.com
Averill House Vineyard Five Course Dinner and Wine Pairing, December 31, Brookline
Can’t choose whether to finish 2022 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. exploretock.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 a complimentary bottle of champagne; wine pairings are available for an additional $25. The four-course tasting menu starts at $125 per person and includes lobster, grilled ribeye, scallop crudo, hazelnut cake and more. There will be four seatings at 5, 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Reservations are required. exploretock.com
The Governor’s Inn New Year’s Eve Extravaganza, December 31, Rochester
What better way to close out 2022 than with a little hedonism via The Governor’s Inn in Rochester. Their NYE Extravaganza includes a prime rib buffet four-course dinner, party paraphernalia and live music from band Bad Penny. Tickets are $80. governorsinn.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 2022.
New Year’s Eve Comedy at Murphy’s Taproom & Carriage House, December 31, Bedford
Laugh away 2022 with powerhouse comedians Mike McDonald and Jim Colliton at Murphy’s Taproom. Presented by Scamps Comedy Productions and hosted by Chris Cameron, this show is sure to bust your gut. Tickets are $65 for a buffet dinner and the show, and $30 for just the comedy show. The show kicks off at 8 p.m. eventbrite.com
New Year’s Eve Comedy at Murphy’s Taproom with Jason Merrill, December 31, Manchester
Murphy’s Taproom’s Manchester location also plans to get its laugh on in the final moments of 2022 with Massachusetts comedian Jason Merrill. Francis Birch, Dan Donahue and Juan Cespedes will also perform. Doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner and tickets are $25 in advance, $30 (cash only) at the door. eventbrite.com
Live New Year’s Eve Comedy Special at Chunky’s Cinema Pub, December 31, Nashua
Come chuckle as the clock strikes midnight with comedians Robbie Printz, Matt Barry and Dan Crohn at Chunky’s Cinema Pub. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $30. chunkys.com
Overnight Stays
Make an event of NYE! You deserve it. Choose one of these overnight or weekend packages for a relaxing welcome to the New Year.
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 2022 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 6 to 9 p.m. Packages start at $519 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.
Rates start at $416 per night for two guests for a two-night package, and at $380 per night for a three-night package.
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 2022 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 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 12th 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 2022 on a sweet note with s’mores and marshmallows roasted over fire pits. Tickets are $35 per car load and $60 per limo, bus or RV. nhms.com
New Year’s Day and Beyond
Start the year off on the right foot with a hike or a great community event.
NH First Day Hikes 2022, January 1, Various locations
Ring in 2023 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. Participating parks include: Greenfield State Park in Greenfield, Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, White Lake State Park in Tamworth, Milan Hill State Park in Milan, Pisgah State Park in Winchester, Frost Farm Historic Site in Derry and Monadnock State Park in Jaffrey. nhstateparks.org
Hogmanay, January 1, Manchester
Celebrate the New Year with a Scottish-style celebration at LaBelle Winery in Derry. Enjoy live music by The Rebel Collective, toast marshmallows by the fire, try your hand at the Haggis Toss and other traditional highland games. Don’t miss the Scottish-style plated dinner featuring lamb stew, shepherd’s pie and fish and chips. nhscot.org