TCD’s New Year’s Eve Guide
Get ready to ring in the new year, Milwaukee! TCD has your guide to the city's celebrations, from family friendly events to round-the-clock parties.
There are numerous options to ring in the New Year around Milwaukee, from kid-friendly events to parties for adults only. Happy New Year's from ThirdCoast Digest!
If the world does not end on Dec. 21, you’ll have one more reason to have a rockin’ New Year’s Eve. TCD’s got you covered with our comprehensive guide featuring everything from kid friendly events to round-the-clock parties.
A New Year’s Eve for the whole family
New Year’s Eve Pajama Party at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
Dress your whole family in footie pajamas and head to the Betty Brinn museum from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. for pizza, a teddy bear dance party, and a special bedtime story for the little ones. You’ll still have time to head to your grown-up party afterwards.
Ring in 2013 with Family and Friends at Milwaukee Winter Fest
Join Winter Fest and The Radio Disney AM1640 Road Crew at this year’s New Year’s Eve Celebration Monday, December 31 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Delta Center (formerly the Frontier Airlines Center). There will be music, rides, and a 9 p.m. countdown for kids with early bedtimes.
Harlem Globetrotters Annual New Year’s Show
This year’s Globetrotters show will be truly interactive—kids will be invited to “write the rules” to the game. This could be anything from playing with two basketballs at once to getting double the points for each basket made. Shows are at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Ice Skating in Red Arrow Park
The rink will be open until 1 a.m. Skate your way into 2013!
Rio West Cantina’s Family New Year’s Eve Party
Fill up at the all-you-can-eat Mexican buffet. The kids will love the take-home candy bags and party hats.
Paradise Landing’s New Year’s Eve
Splash into the new year at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center’s Paradise Landing Indoor Waterpark. There will even be a beach ball drop at midnight. The hotel’s special New Year’s Eve package starts at $229 and features five passes to the waterpark as well as breakfast for five people.
New Year’s Eve Family Celebration at the Domes
Head to Mitchell Park for live music, crafts for the kids, and magic tricks—all under the Domes.
Good times for the grown-ups
Jim Gaffigan at the Pabst Theater
Jim Gaffigan at the Pabst Theater
Gaffigan’s back for another New Year’s Eve weekend in Milwaukee. You’ll have three chances to see him—Dec. 29 and 30 at 6 p.m. and Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. The final show will feature a midnight countdown and a balloon drop.
A Round-The-World New Year’s Eve Party
Gain access into the password-protected Safe House and ring in the new year as it happens around the world. The party starts at 3 p.m. when it will be midnight in Moscow. Celebrate each hour after as 2013 begins in each time zone.
New Year’s Eve with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Andreas Delfs invites you to celebrate New Year’s Eve in traditional Viennese style with popular waltzes, Viennese music, and, of course, champagne.
NEWaukee’s New Year’s Eve Party at the Milwaukee Art Museum
This year’s NEWaukee New Year’s extravaganza takes over the Milwaukee Art Museum. There will be a DJ’s and live music, photo booths, a Blue Moon Hop-Drop and more.
Whiskey Bar’s New Year’s Eve Party
Go for the VIP treatment at Whiskey Bar with bottle service, party favors, and dancing.
The Get Down at Turner Hall Ballroom
Milwaukee’s biggest dance party will have you grooving into 2013 at Turner Hall with real soul and funk music played on vinyl records all night long.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ own Brandon Jennings hosts this New Year’s Eve soiree on Milwaukee Street.
Check out Centraal’s all-you-can-drink option that runs from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. There’s also a tasty a la carte menu featuring NY strip steak and shrimp scampi. A DJ will get you moving into the new year.
New Years Eve 2013 with The Toys
The Horny Goat Hideway’s New Year’s Eve celebration features a live performance by The Toys, a photo booth, party favors, and the largest balloon drop in the city.
Chris Hanson Band celebrates their two-year anniversary at VIA on New Year’s Eve. Guitar phenom Niel Davis opens, music starts at 6:30 p.m., champagne toast and complimentary appetizers at midnight, no cover.
An all-you-can-drink package, live music and a DJ, and a late night appetizer buffet. What more could you need?
New Year’s Eve at Stonefly: A Comedy and Music Spectacular
Ring in the New Year with music from Sir Pinkerton and The Magnificents, Tiger Mouth, and The Lotus-Eaters, as well as a special DJ set. You’ll also laugh the night away thanks to stand-up comedians Matty Field, Tony Tudor, Lara Beitz, Jason Hillman, and Ryan Holman. The show starts at 9 p.m
Cafe Hollander’s New Biers Eve
Head to Cafe Hollander to try rare and exclusive beers not on the regular menu. Beers will be released every hour beginning at 8 p.m.
Library Club's Underground NYE Party
Library Club’s Underground New Year’s Eve Party
Dance to the stylings of DJ Sye Young and DJ Daily. There are all-you-can-drink packages available.
Local band Shag will be rocking out at the Ale House this New Year’s Eve. Ring in 2013 with a special beer toast.
Both the Milwaukee and Wauwatosa locations feature all inclusive packages and live music throughout the night.
The Moct Midnight in Paris – Moonlight Couture Party
Enjoy a live cabaret style show, mimes, chocolate covered strawberries, and more at this Parisian-themed New Year’s Eve bash.
It will be 12 hours of non-stop party as Crisp treats New Year’s Eve revelers to five different DJs who will play from 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 10 a.m. on Jan. 1.
Victor’s Nightclub 24-hour Party
Enjoy music, drink specials, deep dish pizza from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., and a complimentary pasta bar on New Year’s Day when you welcome 2013 at Victor’s.
Take in gorgeous views of the city while enjoying a sumptuous seafood platter and creative cocktails high atop Milwaukee at Blu in the Pfister Hotel.
Cafe Lulu's New Year's Eve with De La Buena
Head to Bay View to party with De La Buena. Enjoy a late night buffet and a champagne toast.
Mason Street Grill New Year’s Eve Dining and Dancing
Dress up and dine on gourmet fare at Mason Street Grill. Then, dance into 2013 with live music in the restaurant’s bar.
Enjoy “Midwestern fare at its finest” as well as complimentary glasses of champagne.
Feast on a special New Year’s Eve a la carte menu at this restaurant inside the Intercontinental Hotel.
New Years Eve at The Pfister Hotel, Cafe Rouge
The Pfister Hotel New Year’s Eve Bed and Brunch Special
For $260 the package includes overnight accommodations for one night and New Year’s Day brunch for two. How fancy!
New Year’s Eve in the Pfister Lobby Lounge
Enjoy an ala carte evening dessert bar in Rouge, the lobby lounge. Dr. Hollander will provide the music and there will be a champagne toast along with party favors at midnight.
New Year’s Eve at CLEAR and Zenden
The Jake Paul Band will be jamming out in CLEAR from 9 p.m. 12:30 a.m. Zenden will feature a DJ. There will also be party favors and champagne at midnight.
New Year’s Eve at Miller Time Pub
For $50, snag a booth for six people in the Special Reserved Loft Seating Area. This includes a pitcher of beer or bottle of sparkling white wine.
New Year’s Eve at Milwaukee ChopHouse
The special Prix Fix menu will feature Kobe beef appetizers, crab cakes, sea bass, and more for $89 per person.
Stellar Spark 10 New Year's Eve event at The Rave
Stellar Spark 10 New Year’s Eve Event
Spend your New Year’s Eve dancing at The Rave to the music of North American dubstep pioneer Datsik and Canadian bass master Excision.
Open bar from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. A free deluxe buffet. Champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight.
Literally jump into 2013 with the annual polar bear plunge at Bradford Beach. You’ll want a hot chocolate (or three) after this one!
Get home safe!
Stay safe on New Year’s Eve with free rides on the Milwaukee County Transit System’s buses, as Miller Lite Free Rides celebrates its 25th year providing a safe, free ride home. Buses run 8 p.m. – 4 a.m. in Milwaukee and 7 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. in Waukesha. For detailed route and schedule information, call 1-800-FREE-RIDES (1-800-373-3743), text “FREERIDES” to 90464 or visit www.MillerLiteFreeRides.com.
