New Year's Celebrations

Say goodbye to 2024 and ring in 2025 in Grand Rapids, which celebrates the new year with everything from extravagant adult parties to fun-filled activities for kids and families.

New Year’s Eve for Families

Craig’s Cruisers Annual New Years Eve Party offers two time slots: noon-4pm and 5-9pm, both offering unlimited access to go-karts, laser tag, bumper cars and other attractions, plus a pizza & pasta buffet, party favors and a confetti cannon countdown.

Neon New Year’s Eve at Walker Ice & Fitness Center is an open skate party on an NHL-sized indoor ice rink. From 5pm-7pm.

Roll into 2024 at a bowling alley: New Year’s Eve at Clique Lanes means pizza and unlimited bowling from 12:30pm-3pm, 3:30pm-6pm, 6:30pm-9pm or 10pm-12:30am.

New Year’s Eve at Battle GR includes three unlimited fun sessions – one at 3pm-5:30pm for families with kids under 10, one at 6pm-8:30pm for families with kids older than 10, and one from 9pm-1am for the 18+ crowd. Play laser tag, archery tag, corn hole, football bowling and more.

The Grand Rapids Griffins host their 27^th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration, featuring fireworks and open skating at Van Andel Arena after their game against the Cleveland Monsters.

Other ideas for closing out the old year with kids:

Drive through the Christmas Lite Show at LMCU Ballpark, open until 9pm, to see over one million lights, animated displays, lighted tunnels and more.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum closes at 5pm New Year’s Eve – so you can take the kids to see the mind-bending Nature of Color exhibit and the Historic Grand Rapids LEGO Display before you get ready for your night out. Or swing by the Grand Rapids Art Museum – it also closes at 5pm – to see Brick by Brick: The Creative Art of LEGO, which includes an interactive LEGO building area. Or see them both!

New Year’s Eve for Adults

Sweat 2024 out of your system at the 42^nd Annual Reeds Lake Resolution Run around the historic East Grand Rapids lake. The USAT-certified four-mile run starts at 2pm, with a new kids’ race commencing at 1:30pm.

See the classic Talking Heads concert film “Stop Making Sense” at Wealthy Theatre – join in the fun at an early at an 8pm screening or ring in midnight with the 11pm screening.

The annual Ballroom Bashes at the Amway Grand Plaza and JW Marriott Grand Rapids hotels is two lavish NYE parties in one. The ballrooms in both hotels, which are connected by skywalk, are transformed into the ultimate party destinations, with live music, dazzling lights and dancing ‘til the wee hours. Get a guest room package or just attend the parties.

Rapid River Stillhouse just opened in October on Bridge Street, so it’s hosting its first-ever New Year’s Eve Party complete with live music, delicious drinks and a festive atmosphere. Watch the NYC Ball Drop on Stillhouse’s 7’ x 20+ video wall!

It’s a New Year’s Eve Silver Soiree at downtown GR’s CityFlatsHotel, which is celebrating with live jazz music, a photo booth, delicious desserts and a cash bar near the dance floor.

Ring in the New Year with glitz, glam and disco magic at the new Ada Hotel, which invites guests to don their best retro-chic attire and boogie the year away under sparkling lights. Overnight NYE – with a luxuriously late checkout – are available.

The Four Star Theatre is bidding adieu to 2024 with a release party for GR-based crystal trench’s new electronica EP. Guests will also enjoy sets by marsfade and STRANGE SKIN, plus DJ sets and drink specials. Just $15 per advance ticket.

Dive into a Neon District New Year at General Wood Shop, inspired by the neon light, pulsating beats and futuristic vibes of the Tokyo nightlife scene.

Head to Cedar Springs, 20 minutes or so from Grand Rapids, for the New Year’s Springin’ Eve Celebration, an annual outdoor event featuring live music, local food, dancing, a light show and midnight ball drop on Main Street.

Party with hard rock band Trixy Tang – voted West Michigan’s #1 cover band by readers of Revue Magazine – at Twisted Bull in Kentwood.

Attend a NYE concert: Echoes of Pink Floyd & Full Cord present Dark Side of the Ball, a 17+ event at downtown GR’s The Intersection.

New Year’s Day

Many attractions are closed on Jan. 1 – but scores of restaurants, breweries and stores will be open for your dining, drinking and shopping pleasure.

Snow willing, you can take the kids sledding at Richmond Park, Belknap Park, Johnson Park and Cascade Township Park.

Does your New Year’s resolution involve healthy living? Get off on the right foot with a day of snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or some other outdoor winter sport. Or get your steps in with a walk around the Downtown Refreshment Area – you can enjoy food and beverages from approved restaurants while you stroll.

See a movie in downtown’s Studio Park entertainment complex or at Celebration! Cinema locations on the city’s north (with giant IMAX screen), south or southwest side.