If you’re an experienced seasonal event host, you may already have your New Year’s event planning done. Still looking for inspiration? With these New Year’s Eve event ideas and party planning checklist, you’ll find out how to organise a New Year party that stands out from the rest.
Every year, thousands of organisers choose Eventbrite to help them bring people together to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Whether it’s a 1,000-person EDM concert or an intimate 50-person gala, we’ve seen every flavour of the New Year party you can imagine.
Ready to ring in the New Year successfully? Read on to learn pro tips and interesting New Year event ideas to ensure your party plan goes off without a hitch.
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How to organise a New Year’s Eve event
New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year — and New Year’s Eve parties are the most popular events. Make sure you start planning your festivities early to ensure your event is well-attended.
Your New Year’s Eve party planning checklist should start with goal setting, as this will help you choose which New Year event ideas will work for you and inform everything else that goes into event prep. Your goals might be promoting a business, entertaining clients, or increasing sponsors’ exposure.
Pro tip: Use Eventbrite’s flexible event planning solutions to meet your specific needs and achieve your event goals. Eventbrite lets you easily plan, create, and manage online and in-person events.
1. Choose your New Year’s Eve party theme
The theme you choose for your party depends on many factors, but the most important thing to remember is that you want to tailor the theme to your audience.
If you’re planning an NYE party for adults, you might want to think about an over-the-top theme with cocktails to match; when planning a New Year’s Eve event for children, you’ll need to think about how to keep the kids entertained.
Themes to consider for your New Year’s Eve party
Here are some interesting NYE theme ideas for your inspiration:
- Noon Year’s Eve: Organise a kid-friendly event by planning a New Year’s party during daylight hours.
- Movie marathon: If you’re planning a virtual New Year’s event, try a Christmas and New Year movie marathon in which attendees watch with one another from the comfort of their homes.
- James Bond/007 theme: Plan a black-tie affair with a dash of intrigue. Encourage guests to give their best impression of James Bond, an infamous Bond villain, or a mysterious Bond girl. Serve vodka martinis that are shaken, not stirred.
- Wellness/self-care: Plan a wellness event focusing on pampering and self-care if your attendees are partied out after the holidays. Offer treatments like massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures, or throw a forest bathing event like The Connective Space to help your guests relax and heal during the new year.
- Old Hollywood: Another glamorous New Year’s Eve party theme, Old Hollywood allows attendees to dress like the original stars of the silver screen. Serve on-theme cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and play music from classic Hollywood movies.
- Roaring Twenties: Throw it back to the 1920s with a party that brings to mind flappers and The Great Gatsby. Guests can dance to jazz and rock flapper fashions.
- Winter wonderland: It’s pretty cold in many places on New Year’s Eve, so embrace the weather with a winter wonderland party.
- Masquerade: For a masquerade party, guests wear elaborately decorated disguises, bringing an element of mystery and fun to the event. Paired with a lavish banquet, free-flowing wine, and a live stream of the Big Ben countdown and you have an unforgettable event like this New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball at the Londonder Hotel.
- Champagne tasting: Champagne is the traditional New Year’s Eve drink, so why not plan a Champagne tasting event for bubbly enthusiasts?
- Decades party: Celebrate one decade, or all of them, by asking your guests to dress in styles from a particular decade.
- Looking to the future party: Help your attendees find out if next year will be their year by throwing a party that includes fortune-telling and tarot card readings.
2. Select your venue
The sky’s the limit when it comes to New Year’s Eve event venues. Consider whether you need a large hall or event space for your event or if a smaller venue like a restaurant or bar would work better.
If it’s warm enough to be outside, think about parks or recreation areas that allow you to hold an event. See if you need to pay to use these areas or obtain a permit. Also, look around for free venues especially if you’re hosting a fundraiser to minimise cost.
Questions to ask the venue
When shopping around for a venue, don’t be shy about asking key questions. These will help you decide if the venue is the right fit for your New Year event idea.
- How many guests can the venue host?
- Is the venue accessible to everyone?
- Does it have WiFi set up for virtual components?
- Will it provide sound equipment for music?
- Does the theme you’ve chosen match the venue? For example, if you’re hosting a champagne party, does the venue have an alcohol permit?
What time should a New Year’s Eve party start?
When you start and end your event depends on your audience and how long you want the event to last! A New Year’s Eve party for adults typically begins between 6 pm and 8 pm, but you may want to begin and end earlier for a children’s event.
However, the day and time of your event ultimately depend on the theme and mood of your event and your target audience. For example, NYE events for families with young children, such as those thrown by Wannado Street Dance and Boombastic Events, tend to start earlier at 2:30 PM, with the countdown happening by 4:00 PM.
3. Choose some New Year’s Eve party games and entertainment
New Year’s Eve party activities can vary greatly depending on your event’s theme and attendee demographics, but booking the right entertainment — especially music — can be a game-changer. Booking a reputable DJ or a fun band is a great way to liven up the event.
Activity ideas for a New Year’s Eve party
Scheduling great party activities is the heart of a successful New Year’s Eve event. Consider some of the following ideas.
- Year-in-review quiz night: Challenge participants to recall and reminisce about the key events, trends, and highlights of the past year. Cater to a specific group like The Mall Tavern, which quizzes beer enthusiasts on general knowledge and gives them the chance to win a £40 bar tab.
- New Year’s bingo: Add a festive twist to the traditional game with themes related to resolutions, celebrations, and iconic symbols of the upcoming year. Create bingo cards that include common New Year’s resolutions or aspirations, turning the game into a fun and interactive way for guests to share their goals for the upcoming year.
- Champagne relay race: The Champagne relay race injects excitement into celebrations as participants pass a bottle of sparkling joy in a spirited race to the finish line. This festive and fast-paced activity adds a bubbly twist to traditional relays, creating laughter and a memorable experience for all.
- Karaoke: Set up a karaoke station with a diverse selection of songs and encourage guests to unleash their inner rock stars, creating a lively and unforgettable atmosphere. Turn it into a singing battle like Neptune Bar does to spark your attendees’ competitive spirits.
- New Year’s photo booth: Use festive props and backdrops to capture unforgettable moments as friends and family ring in the new year. Encourage everyone to strike a pose and create lasting memories.
- Name that tune: Compile a playlist of popular songs from the past year or a mix of classics — challenge participants to identify the tunes quickly, creating a fun and interactive atmosphere for a music-filled gathering.
- Piñata: Hang a customised piñata filled with surprises and challenge guest to swing at it blindfolded, turning the classic activity into a heart-pounding game of skill and excitement. It can be a highlight of your NYE celebration or one of the activities to keep the guests entertained.
- Countdown to the ball drop: A countdown to Midnight promises an unforgettable New Year’s Eve experience, seamlessly blending entertainment, culinary delights, and festive ambience.
Enhance the atmosphere with a balloon drop and set the stage for a night filled with dancing and celebration. It’s a classic yet electrifying NYE event idea used by many like London Reunion, Trevell Events & Global Event Group and more to welcome the new year in style. Use lively music, a well-stocked bar, party favours, and add a touch of magic with a confetti explosion as the clock strikes midnight!
4. Dream up your New Year’s Eve party food
The food you’re serving can make or break your event, especially when hosting a soirée where attendees may be drinking. You want to come up with exciting, thematic ideas for your food and beverages, but you must keep your audience’s dietary needs and preferences in mind.
Depending on when your event begins and how big your venue is, you might serve small bites or set up food bars — think, champagne and canapes like Macdonald Windsor Hotel’s NYE ball — rather than arranging a complete, sit-down dinner party. If you’re hosting a virtual event, consider what recipe kits or foods you can have delivered to your guests before the event.
Exciting ideas for New Year’s Eve party menus
Tasty menu options are a great way to entice guests and ensure rave reviews for your New Year’s Eve party. The following are some fun food suggestions to match your New Year event idea.
- Milkshake bar: Offer a sweet twist to the festivities with a delightful milkshake bar with customised shakes and an array of toppings.
- Themed cocktails with alcohol-free options: Ensure everyone can partake in the toast to the new year with themed cocktails that cater to diverse tastes. Consider a mixologist station for personalised drinks with alcohol-free options for an inclusive and enjoyable celebration.
- Dessert bar: Cap off the night on a sweet note by featuring a decadent dessert bar, offering an indulgent spread of elegant pastries and tempting treats.
- Food trucks: Allow attendees to explore a variety of culinary delights by inviting food trucks outside the venue. This event idea is especially suitable for outdoor events and street food parties like NYE Havana Beach Party by Royal Oak Collingham.
- Mini versions of classic food: Opt for a playful approach to dining by serving mini versions of traditional favourites like burgers and hot dogs. These bite-sized delights offer a casual yet satisfying option for guests.
- Fondue bar: Create a cosy and interactive dining experience with a fondue bar, where guests can dip into various melted delights. The communal nature of fondue adds a social element to the celebration, fostering connection and conversation.
- Movie night food: If you organise an NYE movie night or your event has a laid-back and relaxing vibe, consider transforming it into a cinematic experience with movie night food staples like popcorn and candy.
- Midnight brunch: Adding a midnight brunch of bagels and spreads can ensure a seamless transition into the new year and a satisfying conclusion to the night, allowing guests to recharge and savour the final moments of the celebration.
- Caviar and raw bar: Elevate the elegance of your New Year’s Eve affair with a sophisticated caviar and raw bar. Or, create your entire event around caviar, offering a luxurious and memorable experience for those seeking a gourmet touch to the festivities.
- Ice cream sundae bar: Add a touch of whimsy to the festivities with an ice cream sundae bar where guests can create their dream sundaes with customisable options, ensuring a sweet start to the new year.
5. Use all of the above to draw up your budget
Once you’ve decided on your theme and chosen a venue and a menu to match, you can come up with a more accurate budget for your event. Whether you’re looking to raise money for charity, make a profit for your business, or simply cover costs, your budget will help you decide how much to charge for tickets.
Consider working with sponsors to help procure food or beverages for the event or approach local vendors and caterers who might consider negotiating a deal. If you’re working with a tight budget, enlist your team to help you make DIY decorations. Get creative with DIY elements to add a personal touch to your New Year’s Eve celebration.
6. Create your New Year’s Eve party event listing
New Year party promotion starts with designing a good event listing. When you write up your event listing, make sure you include the vitals — i.e., address, date, and time — and some enticing language on what kind of fun guests can expect. For more tips and tricks, check out Eventbrite’s ultimate guide to copywriting for events.
Enhance your event listing with captivating designs, eye-catching header images, social posts, and ads.
Pro tip: Post your NYE event on Eventbrite to leverage the power of the world’s largest events marketplace. Use its robust integrated tools like AI for easy creation of event descriptions, an organiser profile that serves as a branded hub for your business, and embedded checkout for a seamless purchasing experience right on your website, Facebook page, blog, and more.
Did you know that 31% of Eventbrite event organisers save on expenses for content creation, event management, promotion, and more, as they discover that Eventbrite offers all these capabilities and beyond—all in one platform!
7. Set your ticket price
With your budget established, you can set a ticket price to cover your overhead costs and raise money for charity or turn a profit. If it makes sense for your event, offer different kinds of tickets, such as VIP tickets, to provide a more exclusive experience.
You might want to start by offering lower early-bird prices for attendees who buy tickets early on, then gradually increase the prices so attendees who wait longer pay more.
When planning a hybrid New Year’s Eve event that includes both an in-person and virtual component, ensure the tickets are priced accordingly. If two tickets have the same price, consider bonus merch or digital assets to make the virtual tickets worth it for those attendees.
Pro tip: Sell tickets with Eventbrite, the all-in-one ticketing platform that is both affordable and versatile. Eventbrite makes it easy to offer different ticket types to your attendees and provide add-ons during checkout.
Eventbrite customers can put add-ons in place, allowing people to plan out their entire New Year’s Eve experience simultaneously. Add-ons are “extras” that make the event experience easier for guests — such as letting them purchase parking at checkout — or more exciting things, like selling merch before the event.
Make event registration easier for attendees
Streamline the registration process for your attendees by simplifying the steps required for sign-ups. You can ensure a hassle-free experience by providing clear instructions, a user-friendly interface, and quick access to essential event details, making it easier for people to participate in your event.
Pro tip: Maximise event registration efficiency with Eventbrite’s user-friendly platform. Create an elegant registration website effortlessly using customisable event pages, ensuring a quick and secure online registration experience for attendees.
Whether it’s an in-person extravaganza or a virtual experience, you can use Eventbrite’s Organiser App for easy registration monitoring, contactless check-ins, and real-time event data, ensuring your New Year’s Eve celebration is organised and celebrated in style.
8. New Year’s Eve party promotion
Every ticket you sell to your New Year’s Eve event will track back to the foundation you lay when planning and initially marketing your event. In addition to writing a compelling New Year’s Eve event description and creating a page that makes it easy for people to buy tickets online, consider:
- Enlisting the services of Eventbrite’s very own built-in event marketing tools, including email, social, and ads
- Adding your event to discovery sites, such as Facebook Events, where you will reach a wider audience
- Setting up event distribution so you convert potential ticket-buyers faster — right from discovery sites and apps
- Setting up a timed email campaign in advance
Gain as much momentum as you can early on. Reach out to last year’s partygoers and convert those who already know you can organise a great event.
Pro tip: Get attendee summary reports from previous events to see who attended your event and what promo codes they used. Similarly, you can create custom reports of earlier events to visualise the data you want to see, such as attendee numbers, sales by ticket type, or a payout summary to determine success.
Promoting your event the week before New Year’s
About a week before New Year’s, step up your sales efforts:
- Amplify your organic social media efforts with creative, eye-catching posts multiple times a day.
- Create targeted social media ad campaigns aimed at audiences most likely to buy tickets to your event using technology like paid social ads powered by our marketing tools.
- Use ad retargeting to capture the attention of people who checked out your event at least once but haven’t yet bought tickets.
Black Culture Market’s founder Jen Baptiste is particularly impressed by how easy it is to spread the word about events to the wider public through Eventbrite. Since putting her first ever event on Eventbrite, the platform has helped her events reach new audiences as well as potential vendors. “It’s really helpful because the event then reaches new audiences too. Soon I was getting messages via the platform of people that sold things inquiring about the market.”
Pro tip: Eventbrite customers can use the free tool Sell by Text, which allows them to send texts to their network. Recipients can purchase directly over text, making for a convenient buying experience.
People make activity decisions at the last minute. That’s especially true for New Year’s Eve. To win over the wafflers, you can appeal to these four areas of human nature:
- Pack mentality: People want to spend New Year’s Eve with friends. If you build interest in your Facebook Event, your event will show up in the feeds of attendees’ friends.
- Laziness: Make your event the easiest one to attend, especially on New Year, when travelling can be rough and expensive. You can offer public transportation discounts or designate drop-off and pick-up spots for attendees.
- FOMO: Tap into their sense of urgency by announcing that your event is “almost sold out!” or that this is their “last chance this year to see so-and-so perform!”
- Frugality: Remind them that tickets will be more expensive at the door. Or offer free drink promos to those who sign up today.
Ultimately, your goal is to throw a bash your attendees will never forget. If you follow our general guidelines and make your offer enticing enough, there’ll be plenty of revellers to celebrate with.
9. Staff your event appropriately
On a night famous for champagne toasts, the spirits will likely flow as party-goers look back fondly and prepare for the new decade. As you might imagine, the less time attendees spend waiting for their drinks or coat check while leaving, the happier they will be (and they will probably tip your hardworking staff).
Make sure all aspects of your event are well-staffed, from bartenders to waitstaff and support personnel. Stock your bar full and keep enough bartenders on hand to serve all of your guests — most pros suggest a ratio of 1 bartender for every 50 guests.
Similarly, a coat check jam can start at the end of the event when most people are ready to leave at the same time. Increasing coat check attendants towards the end of the night can avoid the hassle and ensure your attendees leave with a smile.
Pro tip: Actively engage volunteers. Create separate events on Eventbrite for volunteers, outlining requirements, time commitments, and roles, then amplify their visibility on the world’s most popular events search engine.
10. Streamline your entry
People strongly dislike waiting in queues, and NYE party-goers want to get into their event as quickly as possible so they can start having a good time with their friends and start ringing in the New Year. Here are a few entry essentials that you should consider:
- Make check-in and at-the-door sales a snap with the Eventbrite Organiser App, which will also help you track sales.
- Get enough security to check IDs, and if your party requires pat-downs, ensure you have both male and female staffers so that attendees are never made uncomfortable.
- If your event is large, consider solutions like RFID to make entry, check-in, and at-event purchases a breeze.
11. Keep your attendees informed
From venue changes to special surprises, you can keep your attendees informed about the big day using Eventbrite’s email-to-attendees tool. You can use this tool to inform attendees about transportation options, coat check info, directions, and more.
We also strongly encourage you to email your refund policy so that attendees don’t have to seek it out.
Don’t wait — start planning your New Year’s Eve Party now
Early planning efforts will give your guests a great New Year’s party experience. While some attendees might not buy tickets until the last minute, make sure your event listing is set up so they can RSVP whenever they’re ready to maximise overall attendance numbers.
Ready to start planning your sell-out New Year’s event? Sign in or sign up today and get ready to celebrate a happy New Year with your community!
