Celebrate in style with these New Year’s Eve party ideas
Throw an amazing annual celebration with our New Year’s Eve party ideas.
Whether you’re wanting to stay in and have fun with the family, rounding up your mates for some evening entertainment, or even throwing an epic boozy bash for all your friends, we’ve got plenty of New Year party ideas and themes to inspire you.
People often feel pressure to do something big for the end of the year, but remember that it’s supposed to be a celebration… not a chore.
For this reason, we’ve included plenty of New Year’s party ideas that will work for couples or small groups just as well as they will for all you party animals!
New Year’s Eve party ideas
1. Host your own hootenanny
Music is essential for any good party, and what could be better than getting your pals together to sing your favourite songs?
If you’ve got musical friends, see if they’ll give you an intimate live performance in your living room.
Failing that, simply crack out the karaoke and get everyone involved… just don’t tell your neighbours it was our idea!
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2. Be your own superstar DJ
You don’t have to hit the clubs or dust off the old turntables for a fun New Year’s Eve party. A fun way to source the perfect soundtrack for your party is to make that perfect playlist!
Get your friends to send you their favourite songs of the year, or even better make a collaborative playlist on apps like Spotify.
3. Throw a pyjama party
If you’d rather be snuggled up in bed than dancing in the streets at midnight, then why not throw a pyjama party?
This New Year party idea is great for families with kids who want to stay up late (but might realistically fall asleep before midnight). Put on cosy PJ’s, close the curtains, make some hot cocoa and settle in for the night.
If your jammies aren’t suitable to be seen in public, you can always make some new ones with our how to make pyjama bottoms tutorial, or our pyjama sewing pattern and dressing gown sewing pattern.
4. Create your own cocktail party
It’s not New Year’s without a little tipple, and if you’re crazy about cocktails it can quickly turn into an expensive night.
Why not host your own DIY cocktail party at home? That way you can find out which of your friends is a secret Tom Cruise in the making
You can get a cocktail recipe book to inspire your creations and even spread out the cost of the evening by asking your friends to bring the booze and mixers (the mealtrain website has a great potluck feature so your friends can select what they’ll bring from your pre-made list).
5. Make it a masquerade ball
Thinking of throwing a big bash to really see off the year in style? Well, you can’t get classier than a masquerade ball!
You can make it as serious or as silly as you want. Dress up to the nines in your best gown, or just see who can make the funniest mask – anything goes.
6. Create a DIY cinema
Why not enjoy some movie magic on New Year’s Eve by creating your own DIY cinema? You don’t need to do too much – dim the lights, pop on your favourite film, microwave some popcorn and pour some fizzy drinks (with an eco-friendly straw of course).
If you want to take your movie night to the next level, you could always make some nachos or American hotdogs. Or go epic and get hold of a projector for that big screen experience – they’re surprisingly affordable nowadays!
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7. Go glam with a glitter party
If you’re all about dressing up and dancing the night away, then give your party a gorgeous glitter theme!
Nothing gets people ready to party like a bit of sparkle, and you don’t have to spend loads either. Our collection of New Year’s Eve DIY party decorations has plenty of projects for you to try, from glittery garlands to DIY disco balls!
8. Celebrate with friendly fireworks
Many people love celebrating with fireworks, especially at New Years. As much as some people enjoy them, they can upset pets and people who are sensitive to noise.
So if you do want to celebrate the New Year with fireworks, consider being a good neighbour and try looking for low-noise fireworks this year. No firework is completely silent, but at least you can say you tried.
Alternatively, you can always watch London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display on BBC iPlayer (you can catch up on previous year’s displays too).
9. Have a games night
Challenge your friends and family to a games night and see who’ll start the new year as a winner!
A games night can be a great social activity and one that you can get the whole family involved with. It’s perfect if you have relatives of different ages visiting. You can even let the kids show Grandad the latest video game they got for Christmas.
Grab a pack of playing cards and host a casino-style poker night, crack out the classic board games and see who’s the Scrabble champ.
Discover the exciting range of modern multiplayer board games available.
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10. Make it a New Years bonfire night
If you’ve been hunkered inside for all of Christmas, why not pop on your coat and scarf and head outside for New Year’s Eve?
This New Year’s party idea is perfect if you’re planning on having fireworks to see in the new year. Set up your firepit or bonfire, make some hot cocoa or mulled wine, and if you really want to impress you could even try roasting some chestnuts on your fire.
Just make sure you have plenty of blankets and layers ready to hand out. It is the last day of December after all!
11. Have a kitchen disco
Everyone knows that the kitchen is the heart of any good party! Make yours the focus this year by turning yours into a kitchen disco.
Add some colourful lights and pop on the tunes. People can talk in the living room, but the kitchen is where we go to dance!
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12. Bring a bottle (from the back of the cupboard)
Money can be a bit tight at this time of year, so here’s one of our favourite New Year’s party ideas for getting thrifty.
Rather than buying more booze from the shops, ask your friends and family to raid their liquor cabinets to see what’s lurking at the back or left over from Christmas. We’ve all got half a bottle of Kahlua or some unopened Limencello that was bought on holiday.
It may mean you end up with a very random selection of drinks, but it’ll certainly provide you with a talking point… and probably a decent hangover too.
13. Throw a fondue party
You’d think we’d have had our fill of cheese over Christmas, but regardless of what the doctor says, you can never have enough cheese!
Fondue parties are ideal if you’re having a small intimate New Year’s Eve party, and what better way to see in the new year than being warm, cosy and full of cheese!
If you want to really impress your guests, you could make our DIY New Year table decorations to compliment your cheesy celebration.
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14. Celebrate every time zone
Thinking these New Year’s Eve party ideas sound a bit tame? Looking for something a bit wilder? Then here’s one for all you hardcore party animals!
Make a night (and day) out of your party by celebrating New Year’s Day in each different time zone! You can use sites like New Year Map to see the times and countdown to different New Year’s celebrations around the world.
15. Go ‘out’ out!
Finally, if you don’t feel like these New Year’s Eve party ideas are right for you, then let someone else do the hard work and go out for the night.
It might sound obvious, but a night out might be just what you need after being stuck in all Christmas. It’s a busy night for businesses and promoters, with plenty of events on to suit all tastes.
Whether you’re heading to your local bar or hitting your favourite club, it’s a great way to see in the new year and support local businesses too.
Craft your own card
Let any loved ones who can’t attend your party know you're thinking of them by sending them a fabulous handmade New Year’s greeting card.
Celebrate with our New Year’s Eve party ideas
Of course, the most important thing about any New Year’s party is spending time celebrating with your friends and family. Don’t feel like your party has to be an epic event, sometimes the simplest gatherings can be the best.
Whether you’re having a cosy night in or curating a party that’ll be talked about for years, we hope you have a happy New Year!
Keep the kids busy
While you’re busy prepping your New Year's party ideas, you’ll need something to keep the kids entertained! You’ll find loads of inspiration in our pick of fun New Year’s crafts for kids.
