25 Best Things to Do on New Year's Eve to Celebrate 2024
Party ideas, events, family activities, and more fun things to do on NYE this year.
When you think about it, it’s pretty momentous when we finally reach New Year’s Eve after a year filled with happy moments, challenges, and memories. And since it’s such a special occasion, we think it shouldn’t just be treated like any other day. It’s the perfect time to reflect on your year, set new goals for the coming year, and celebrate all you’ve done throughout 2023. That’s why we’re sharing these ideas for things to do on New Year’s Eve.
You can throw a major NYE party (or a laid-back, casual one), complete with your closest pals and decorations galore. Spend some time on your own by looking back on the lessons you learned this year, along with reading quotes and making some wishes for 2024. Get outside in the fresh, chilly air to go on an adventure. Or use it as a time to snuggle up to your loved ones, from your partner to your pet. If someone is far away, give them a call or play a virtual game.
While you could treat New Year’s Eve as simply another date on your calendar, we think that you’ll head into the next year with a refreshed spirit if you turn to some of these fun, and soul-filling, activities.
Set mini resolutions for the coming year.
Take some time on New Year's Eve to jot down small tweaks you can make to your routine (let these easy resolution ideas inspire you) that will have a big impact on your life. Bite-size goals will be much easier to keep than the sweeping ones you may have made in years past. Hear that: This year you're starting with achievable wins, not impossible-to-keep promises!
A little strategizing will make staying on track even easier. After you identify a goal, break it down into the exact steps you’ll need to take in order to achieve it. Then, plan for what speed bumps you might encounter. For example, if you want to start running in the morning instead of at night, what usually prevents you from getting up early and how can you make it easier? Then it’s just a matter of tracking your progress, staying organized, and not forgetting to celebrate wins along the way.
Walk around the neighborhood with a suitcase.
In some Latin American cultures, it's a tradition to walk around the block with an empty suitcase on New Year's Eve to manifest travel and adventure in the year ahead! Alternatively, you can walk in and out of your front door a number of times while rolling one to symbolize how often you want to travel or place it in the middle of a room for anyone to run around.
Find the lessons in 2023.
Take stock of what challenges you faced this year. What did they teach you about yourself, your loved ones, or your community? Consider how what you've learned might help you in the future. Also, take time to reflect on which ideas, habits, and relationships held you back this year. Ask yourself how you can begin to lessen their presence in your daily life or let them go entirely.
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Take a virtual class to learn something new.
With a little inventiveness, you can still learn a lot in the last few hours of the year. Take a gnocchi- or paella-making class. Support your local yoga studio by virtually meeting with friends for sun salutations. You can even take a cocktail-making class and whip up some celebratory holiday drinks.
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Manifest your goals.
Taking time on New Year's Eve to truly meditate and reflect on the year ahead is an excellent way to head into the new year with a focused, clear mindset. Try breaking your goals down by quarter, month, or even by week; you'll be surprised how much a little planning can help you grow your business, plan your dream vacation, or finish that book you've always wanted to write.
Have an outdoor celebration.
Even though it’s wintertime and the weather outside is frightful, spending time outdoors does wonders for your psyche no matter what season it is. Make plans to meet friends at a nearby park or go for a nice walk with a loved one.
Watch a New Year's Eve-themed movie.
Sure, there’s a movie that's actually titled New Year’s Eve. But plenty of movies have excellent New Year's Eve scenes. When Harry Met Sally, for example, where the film's climactic scene takes place at a NYE party. About Time starts at a New Year's Eve party, too.
RELATED: Best Movies to Stream if You're Staying in on New Year's Eve
Spend the day adventuring.
Hike, snowshoe, ski... Not only will you take in some nice scenes, but the fresh air will also produce serotonin in your brain, which can help you maintain a healthy emotional state. And kicking off the year in a good mood sounds like the best omen for what's to come, right?
Dress to the nines.
You don't get done up often — especially if you've decided to take up working remotely indefinitely — so dressing up for a special occasion (2024!) could be really fun. Pull out your most fabulous pieces, or buy something new, so you can dress like a royal whether you're hitting a New Year’s party or cutting a rug in your own living room.
Call a loved one.
No matter what tough times you had this year, your friends and family likely helped you get through them. Give them a call to say thank you, check in, swap stories, and make plans for 2024.
Watch the Times Square ball drop.
The quintessential New Year’s Eve event is watching the ball drop in Times Square, NYC. If you can be there in person, amazing! If not, simply tune in to ABC or CNN on your TV, computer, or mobile device. You can also stream the ball drop for free, without commercials, on the official Times Square website beginning at 6 p.m. ET.
Get crafty with New Year's Eve decor.
Throw a party this year and be extra with your decor. Consider creating a photo booth with a simple backdrop from Amazon and fun 2024-themed props.
Declutter your house for a clean start.
You don’t have to wait until spring to clean and get organized. Do as Marie Kondo says and pare your things down to just those that bring you joy. You’ll walk into the coming year feeling fresh and unburdened by stuff. Stock up on organizers so your clutter has a home.
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Write gratitude cards to those who helped you through.
Consider putting your gratitude into words and mailing letters to your friends and family members. Your sweet note is bound to brighten your loved ones' day, as well as yours for spreading love.
Collect the year's memories.
When’s the last time you actually printed photos out? It’s probably been a while, so take the time to do it now. Whether you make a scrapbook of the last year or some other theme, it’s nice to relive memories in a tangible way. Services like Smilebox or Shutterfly allow you to make a digital scrapbook if the whole cutting-and-gluing process isn’t your thing.
Play games with loved ones.
Even if the ones near and dear to your heart are too far to visit, you can still celebrate the new year with them. There are plenty of ways to connect with friends and family online including tons of online games great for groups, and games you can play over FaceTime. Or, keep it simple and play family-friendly board games at home.
Plan a fancy dinner.
If there's any holiday that is perfect for bundling up in your coziest PJs and pulling out all the stops to cook a start-to-finish gourmet meal, it's New Year's Eve. Make a recipe you've always wanted to try with your partner, or host a dinner party for your best friends.
Go dancing.
No matter if you hit your favorite club or listen to your best playlist in the comfort of your own home, dancing is always a good idea on New Year's Eve. Whether you're looking for an excuse to wear your sparkliest dress, are interested in working up a bit of a sweat, or in search of an activity that doesn't necessarily involve drinking, dancing is a safe bet.
Light up your night.
While the Times Square Ball Drop is certainly a sparkly experience to watch on TV or in person, there are other light shows to brighten up your evening as well. There are plenty of Christmas light shows still on display. Otherwise, you can always head to an amazing fireworks show, like the New Year’s Eve Bash at The Battery Atlanta or NYE at Reunion Tower in Dallas.
Throw a party.
Is there a better time throughout the year to throw a shindig than New Year’s Eve? Go for a full-on dinner party (and try a new recipe or two!) or make it super laid-back with a charcuterie board and a movie marathon.
Ysolt Usigan is a lifestyle writer and editor with 15+ years of experience working in digital media. She has created share-worthy content for publishers Shape, What To Expect, Cafe Mom, TODAY, CBS News, HuffPo, The Bump, Health, Ask Men, and Best Gifts. A working mom of two, her editorial expertise in parenting, shopping, and home are rooted in her everyday life.
Shelby Deering is a lifestyle writer who specializes in decor, home tours, wellness, travel, vintage, and feel-good stories for national publications. She’s from Madison, Wisconsin, and when she’s not writing, you’ll find her running local trails, shopping flea markets, or going for walks with her husband and corgi.
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