Ring in the New Year with these local events happening near you!

Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Events

End the year with the little loved ones you spent it with. These events are great for the whole fam!

Children’s Museum New Year’s Celebration, December 31, Dover 

A family favorite, this year’s event will feature a morning and afternoon session, and four “Countdowns to Midnight” at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Including noisemakers, a party hat craft and photobooth, the crowd will count backwards with wishes shared as the glitter ball drops. childrens-museum.org

New Year’s Eve Partybration at Santa’s Village, December 31, Jefferson

At Santa’s Village, Santa doesn’t disappear when Christmas ends. In fact, he’ll welcome guests to ring in the New Year! His 12th annual party takes place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Partybration features fireworks, a DJ, rides, food and soft drinks. santasvillage.com

New Year’s Eve Dinners and Dancing

Dance 2021 away with fancy attire, great music, and of course, champagne.

New Year’s Eve Dinner at the BVI, December 31, Bedford 

The Bedford Village Inn will offer a four-course prix fixe dinner to ring in 2022 with delicious food and drink. $95 per person plus tip and gratuity, and seating times are 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. Additionally, their winter igloos can be reserved, complemented by a bottle of champagne to toast 2022. There is a $150 rental fee and $400 food and beverage minimum. bedfordvillageinn.com

Great Gatsby Gala: New Years Eve in Manchester at the DoubleTree Hotel, December 31, Manchester 

Ring in the New Year just like the iconic partier. A variety of packages are available, including options for cocktail hour, dinner, a DJ, dancing, a Headliners comedy show, and a midnight champagne toast. Grab your best roaring 20’s attire and have a blast. Comedy Club tickets are $35, Gala tickets are $60 and Dinner & Gala tickets are $105.

New Year’s Eve Dinner with Big Band & LaBelle Lights, December 31, Derry

Celebrate 2022 with a 3-course plated dinner, Freese Brothers Big Band performance and charming stroll through the LaBelle Lights, a stunning walking light show. There will also be a full cash bar open throughout the night. Tickets are $121.50 per person and include tax and gratuity.

Averill House Vineyard Five Course Dinner and Wine Pairing, December 31, Brookline

Can’t choose whether to finish 2021 with a crisp glass of wine or delicious meal? Averill House Vineyard is offering both! Each holiday wine will be paired with a fresh, homemade Brazilian speciality. Think meats, fruits and veggies, and scrumptious desserts. Before the tasting, guests will receive a tour of the winery and cellar. Lastly, they’ll break open the celebratory wine as the clock strikes midnight in Brazil. You’ll also get to keep your wine glass, as a memento of a final fun moment of 2021. Tickets are available in three locations: Gazebo, Igloo or Tasting Room.

New Year’s Eve Comedy Shows

Prefer laughing to dancing? Check out one of these local comedy shows, sure to get you giggling in the last hours of 2021.

12th Annual Live Free or Die Laughing New Year’s Eve Comedy Show at The Sheraton, December 31, Portsmouth

Giggle your way into 2022. Stand-up comedy will return to the Sheraton in Portsmouth this New Year’s, in the form of headliner Mark Riley. Tickets are $28 for the 8:30 p.m. show and $38 for the 10:30 p.m. show. livefreeordielaughing.com

The Governor’s Inn 2022 New Year’s Eve Party – the Dueling Pianos, December 31, Rochester

Laugh with great company and enjoy delicious food and drink in the Governor’s Ballroom this New Year’s. Including a champagne toast at midnight, buffet-style dinner, complemented by appetizers and dessert. Tickets are $68. governorsinn.com

Overnight Stays

Make an event of NYE! You deserve it. Choose one of these overnight or weekend packages for a relaxing welcome to the New Year.

Ring in the New Year at Lamie’s Inn & The Old Salt

490 Lafayette Rd., Hampton
oldsaltnh.com

Have a quiet and relaxing start to the New Year with this retreat for two.

The package is $389 per couple and includes champagne, a fruit and cheese platter and party favors in your room, dinner for two at The Old Salt Restaurant, a midnight champagne toast and New Year’s Day Brunch. Sleep in if you’d like, as the inn’s checkout time isn’t until 2 p.m.

White Mountain Hotel New Year’s Eve 

87 Fairway Dr., North Conway
whitemountainhotel.com

Greet 2022 with open arms, lively entertainment and exceptional accommodations.

Packages are available for a two or three night stay, including one dinner at Ledges Restaurant, daily breakfast, plated brunch on Jan. 2, a special four-course NYE dinner complemented by live piano music, fun decor and party hats. NYE dinner seating is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Packages start at $519 plus tax and gratuity.

The Wentworth Inn Gala New Years Eve Dinner and Dance Package

1 Carter Notch Rd., Jackson
thewentworth.com

The NYE Package includes accommodations, country breakfast and four-course dinner for each day, and a special five-course gourmet New Year’s dinner with party favors and champagne. The NYE dinner is adults-only, with festive and elegant attire suggested. Dancing will follow the meal, in a room full of balloons and holiday cheer. Wake up to a fresh year and New Years Day Mimosa Brunch served until noon.

Rates start at $416 per night for two guests for a two night package, and at $380 per night for a three night package.

New Year’s Eve Lights Displays

Bright colors, “oohs” and “ahhs,” and flashing lights complement each of these magnificent displays.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks over Corcoran Pond, December 31, Waterville Valley 

Waterville Valley’s annual fireworks display is a great time to reflect on memories of 2021 and plan new adventures with friends and family. Sip on something warm and watch the sky come alive with bright, stunning colors. The display begins at 7:30 p.m. waterville.com

Hampton Beach Fireworks Displays, December 31, Hampton Beach

Take in a magical fireworks display over the Atlantic Ocean, perfect for the whole family, couples, friends, or yourself as you make a new year’s resolution. Grab a blanket and head to the best viewing location – between B and C streets. The show will begin at 8 p.m. The event is free to the public. hamptonbeach.org

NH Motor Speedway Gift of Lights, Loudon

Open from Thanksgiving through New Years, this year’s 11th annual event will feature 3.5 million twinkly LED lights. The 2.5 mile loop includes 520 displays and 80 different scenes. Drive through the beautiful lights to welcome the new year, and end 2021 on a sweet note with smores and marshmallows roasted over fire pits. Tickets are $30-35 per car load and $60 per limo or bus. nhms.com