New Year's Eve at The Highlands - Harbor Springs, Michigan
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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 Eve at The Highlands - Harbor Springs, Michigan
New Year’s Eve at The Highlands | photo via @highlandsharborsprings

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.

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.

RELATED: Winter Towns & Things to Do in Northern Michigan

CherryT Ball Drop - Traverse City, Michigan
CherryT Ball Drop | photo via @itsthehodgepodge

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’s Eve Cruisers | Lansing

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.

New Year’s Masquerade Party | Lansing

Drop by Lansing Brewing Company for a night of fun and celebration to ring in the New Year. Guests are asked to dress up in their best masquerade attire and enjoy a night with cocktails, champagne jello shots, live entertainment, a new release beer, and a grand balloon drop at midnight.

RELATED: Winter Things to Do in Mid-Michigan

Torch Light Parade - Nub's Nob - Harbor Springs, Michigan
Torch Light Parade – Nub’s Nob | photo via @northernmichigantired

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.

Black Tie Masquerade | Kentwood

While technically not a New Year’s Eve event, this is still a great way to close out the year. Don your formal wear and feathered masks, and be prepared to be merry. The menu, from the appetizers to the dessert, is immaculate, and this is truly a grand way to welcome the new year.

New Year’s Eve Party | Holland

Celebrate the New Year while raising money for a good cause! Proceeds from the event benefit Mackenzie’s House, a program of Grant Me Hope. The night includes a live band, a DJ, dancing, a cash bar, champagne, and delicious apps.

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

New Year's Eve at Crystal Mountain - Thompsonville, Michigan
New Year’s Eve at Crystal Mountain | photo via @crystalmountainmi

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.

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!

RELATED: Winter Things to Do in Southwest Michigan

New Year's Eve

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.

Rockin’ NYE | Wyandotte

Head to downtown Wyandotte for a New York-style ball drop and New Year’s Eve celebration. There will be live music, food trucks, games, local vendors, and much more. Past events have included appearances from Everclear’s Art Alexakis, Sponge, and Wally Palmer from The Romantics.

New Year's Eve

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.

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