24 Best New Year’s Eve Events in Michigan
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Looking for the perfect way to spend New Year’s Eve in Michigan? We’ve got you covered.
Happy Holidays! Once all of the family gatherings subside, it is time for all of us Michiganders to decide what fun will be had to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
There will be plenty of parties at friends’ and families’ homes, but if you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary, you don’t have to look far in the Mitten State.
Whether you want to dress up fancy for a masquerade ball, attend a unique ball drop, get your groove on, or just enjoy festivities, Michigan has fun events all over the state from the snow-covered Upper Peninsula to the hustle-and-bustle of downtown Detroit.
Upper Peninsula New Year’s Events
New Year’s Eve Ball Drop | Marquette
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula may be cold in the winter, but it’s one of the best places to spend New Year’s Eve. Head to the corner of Washington and Front Streets in Marquette where you can watch an illuminated ball drop from the town’s Savings Bank Building.
Great Turtle Drop | Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island may not seem like the first place to go for New Year’s Eve celebrations, but that’s where you would be wrong.
Count down to midnight on the island and watch as a giant, festive turtle is lowered from the top of the island’s Lilac Tree Hotel. It’s a uniquely Mackinac celebration you have to see to believe! The event first started in 2011 and has become a favorite of island residents and visitors alike.
RELATED: Upper Peninsula Winter Things to Do
New Year’s Events in Northern Michigan
New Year’s Eve at The Highlands | Harbor Springs
The Highlands in Harbor Springs invites visitors to celebrate the holidays and create some incredible memories during its three-week celebration. On New Year’s Eve, visitors can come for the Torchlight Parade, a family New Year’s Eve Party, and so much more.
Torch Light Parade | Harbor Springs
This annual event at Nub’s Nob delights visitors of all ages. The event is free and is highlighted by the Nub’s Nob Ski Patrol and members of the Winter Sports School, creating a dazzling light display with runs down Smokey.
Downtown New Year’s Eve Celebration | Alpena
Starting in 2024, Alpena is ringing in the new year with gusto on Michigan’s Sunrise Side. The stroke of midnight will see downtown filled with light to celebrate the coming year. In the lead-up to midnight, guests can enjoy food and drinks from downtown eateries, live entertainment featuring electronic music and a DJ, specialty mocktails served by Friendly Foodees, and more.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations at Treetops Resort | Gaylord
Treetops Resort in Gaylord pulls out all the stops to celebrate the New Year, hosting several events including family-friendly events, and adults-only shindigs.
Visitors can start the festivities with a delectable buffet at Legends on the Hill. Revelers can then head to the New Year’s Eve Family Party, which features laser tag, face painting, a photo booth, and more. The adults-only party features midnight fireworks, champagne toasts, live entertainment, and more.
New Year’s Eve Ball Drop | Ludington
Ludington is one of Michigan’s great coastal towns, and on New Year’s Eve, it offers the perfect celebration. Come join in the fun with a magnificent fireworks display, an outdoor beer garden, and, of course, a ball drop with more than 6,000 LED lights.
CherryT Ball Drop | Traverse City
Traverse City is just beautiful in the winter, and it’s also where you can watch a giant cherry drop at the stroke of midnight. This annual ball drop (or should we say cherry drop) celebration has music and all the ingredients you need for a good time.
New Year’s Eve at Shanty Creek Resort | Bellaire
Come hungry and ready to be entertained at this family-friendly event. The entertainment includes a DJ, a comedian, and a magician, so there’s definitely no shortage of fun. The food includes shrimp, salads, prime rib, several hot buffet dishes, and a kid’s buffet.
New Year’s Eve at Crystal Mountain | Thompsonville
Crystal Mountain is known for top-notch skiing, but it’s also a great place to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Come enjoy a scrumptious meal at one of the resort’s restaurants, or make reservations for the New Year’s Eve Family Party.
New Year’s Eve Wine Dinner | Suttons Bay
If your idea of a great New Year’s Eve is a great meal, Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay offers visitors an absolutely perfect coursed meal paired with wine. The price is all-inclusive and seats are limited, so make your reservation now.
Mid-Michigan New Year’s Events
New Year’s Eve Bash at Splash Village | Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth is one of the best spots to be around the holidays, and this annual event offers the ultimate New Year’s Eve package. The package includes accommodations, table magic, party favors, a breakfast buffet, music and dancing, an ample dinner menu, and much more.
Weber’s New Year’s Eve Dinner Party | Ann Arbor
Dress up nice, don a festive hat, and get ready to have fun at this annual bash in the Grand Ballroom of Weber’s in Ann Arbor. The evening’s events include dancing, a poolside DJ, champagne, a luxury bar, a ballroom-style dinner service, and plenty of party favors.
Midnight on Main | Midland
This annual event at Dow Diamond is a big party, and it’s little wonder that it’s so popular with local revelers. Enjoy food and drink, including a great selection of beer and wine. Enjoy live music and entertainment, and stay for the fabulous midnight ball drop and fireworks show.
New Year Celebration | Owosso
Revelers looking for a party should make a beeline for downtown Owosso, which rings in the new year with festivities galore. The star of the show is a midnight ball drop in the heart of downtown followed by a fireworks show, but guests can also enjoy public fire pits to warm up and roast marshmallows, bar hop in Owosso’s social district, enjoy live entertainment and peruse local vendors for food and other goods.
New Year’s Eve Cruisers | Lansing
NOTE: This event is canceled for New Year’s Eve 2024.
Climb aboard the Michigan Princess for a dinner/dancing event, unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.
The boat casts off from the dock around 9 p.m. and treats visitors to a 2.5-hour ride on the Grand River that includes live music from the Sea Cruisers. The event will go on even if the river is frozen.
RELATED: Winter Things to Do in Mid-Michigan
New Year’s Events in West Michigan
New Year’s Eve Ballroom Bashes | Grand Rapids
If you’re looking for an epic New Year’s Eve experience, Grand Rapids is where it’s at.
The Ballroom Bashes in downtown Grand Rapids stretch from the Amway Grand Plaza to the Courtyard by Marriott, which you can get to via a skywalk. Each bash has a different theme, good vibes, and plenty of food and drinks.
New Year’s Eve Party | Holland
Celebrate the New Year at the Tulyp Hotel’s on New Year’s Eve with all the ingredients you need for the perfect celebration. The night includes a live band, a DJ, dancing, a champagne toast, pizza, games and more.
New Year’s Eve in South Haven | South Haven
Nestled on the Lake Michigan shoreline, South Haven may just have one of the most unique New Year’s Eve traditions. The streets close and 1,000 colorful beach balls are dropped from the city center.
As if that wasn’t enough, there’s a midnight fireworks display, and local restaurants have special menus for the occasion.
RELATED: Winter Things to Do in West Michigan
Southwest Michigan New Year’s Events
New Year’s Fest | Kalamazoo
Head to downtown Kalamazoo to ring in the new year with an incredible performing arts showcase. Past events have included many types of performing entertainment from live music to live performers, like jugglers and musicians, and much more.
Performances are rotated throughout the night, so visitors can plan to attend at certain times if they want to see a particular act. Also, there are special menus from local restaurants and opportunities for outdoor dining.
Michigan’s Largest Ball Drop | Allegan
Any ball drop on New Year’s Eve is fun to watch, but in Southwest Michigan, you can watch the largest ball drop in Michigan, which features more than 30,000 LED lights.
This free outdoor, family-friendly bash features fire pits, food trucks, a photo booth, live music, adult beverages, and more. Michigan’s Largest Ball Drop is just the icing on the cake!
New Year’s Events in Southeast Michigan
Belle Isle New Year’s Eve Family Fun Run | Detroit
If you want to celebrate New Year’s Eve by doing something active, this is the perfect activity for the whole family.
This event has been going strong for more than 50 years and features several races, including a traditional 5K run/walk, a “Bubbly” 5-One combo race that’s a 5K and 1 mile, and a Leader Dogs for the Blind 1-Mile race.
The Epic Countdown New Year’s Eve Ball Drop | Detroit
What’s better than one New Year’s Eve party? Try three epic New Year’s Eve parties! Choose from either the Majestic Theater, the Magic Stick, or the Garden Bowl for dancing, bowling, DJs, good vibes, and tons of fun.
District 142 NYE Party | Wyandotte
Head to downtown Wyandotte for a New Year’s Eve celebration. There will be live music and plenty of good vibes as you ring in the new year at one of Wyandotte’s premier music venues.
Start Making Your Michigan New Year’s Eve Plans
No matter what activity you decide is best to celebrate the new year, Michigan is the best place to toast with a glass of champagne, sing Auld Lang Syne, watch the ball drop, and welcome the coming year.
Whether you want to be where the action is in the heart of downtown or celebrate with a more intimate dinner or celebration, your options are numerous, and you can make your New Year’s Eve a memorable one. You could even check out other Michigan winter festivals.