Countdown to Midnight: Celebrating New Year's Eve in Virginia

With Virginia’s diverse landscape and experiences from mountains to coast, there are plenty of unique opportunities to ring in the New Year throughout the Commonwealth. Whether it’s bringing the whole family to a Noon Year’s Eve Bash or dressing in your festive attire to dance all night, a celebration in Virginia is the best place to be for New Year’s Eve. 
 

JUMP TO: Big City Bashes | Family-Friendly Fun | Virginia Traditions | Mountain Experiences | Hotel Events
 

Big City Bashes

Waterman’s, Chix & The Shack Bar Crawl—Virginia Beach

On the Virginia Beach Oceanfront is a bar crawl with Waterman’s Surfside Grille, Chix on the Beach, and The Shack on 8th to celebrate the New Year with tons of festivities. Dance the night away with live music featured at each venue. Tickets for the crawl include access to all locations, free coat check, and specialty food and drink. 

Peabody’s New Year's Eve 2026—Virginia Beach

At Peabody’s in Virginia Beach, celebrate the New Year with a night-long party hosted by two DJs with a champagne toast at midnight. Peabody’s is throwing a "Drop It Like It's Hot" holiday party complete with the ball drop on the big screen. General admission tickets cover entry and the champagne toast while VIP tickets have access to skip the line, a private bartender, and a VIP section. 

Skyfall at Solaire Rooftop—Richmond

Get tickets for a luxurious NYE soiree and ring in 2026 while looking out over the city from Solaire Rooftop. You'll feel like you're in the middle of a Bond film (minus the fight scenes) and will enjoy hors d'oeuvres, live DJ sets, and a midnight countdown. The event is 27+ and formal attire is required. 

Glitter & Glam New Year’s Eve Bash—Alexandria

Right above Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap in Alexandria you'll find Havana 151, an immersive Cuban dining experience that's going all out for New Year's Eve. The restaurant's sister concept will be decked out for an evening of extravagance that will include dinner, live music, and a champagne toast. Make a reservation early.  

Family-Friendly Fun

Noon Year's Eve at Virginia Zoo–Norfolk

You don't have to stay up all night to welcome the new year. Your general Virginia Zoo admission on December 31 includes a family-friendly celebration with a wild dance party plus a 12 p.m. countdown, ball drop, and sparkling juice toast. Bonus: This year's fun includes a kick-off to the zoo's 125th anniversary, so expect even more to celebrate. 

Noon Year’s Eve at the Children’s Museum–Portsmouth

Kids can join in the fun of a New Year’s Eve celebration for a Noon Year’s Eve at the Children’s Museum of Virginia. With party favor decorating, face painting, a juice box toast, and a glittery ball drop at noon, families can ring in the New Year without going past bedtime. The event is free. 

First Night Alexandria–Alexandria

With street performances, live music, and plenty of kids activities, First Night Alexandria rings in the New Year with fun for everyone. The events start at 2 pm, with a fireworks show at 6 pm for families to enjoy and the party concluding just after midnight for those adults that want to stay up late. Shops are decorated and showcase artists will be performing throughout the event for the feeling of a large block party. 

Glowing Noon Year's Eve at Virginia Living Museum–Newport News

Get ready for a glow up at this family-friendly celebration with multiple countdowns, dancing, games, science demonstrations, and plenty of glow sticks. The Virginia Living Museum will welcome 2026 early so you don't have to keep the kids up late. The event is free with museum admission. There will also be sensory-friendly accommodations. 

Classic Virginia Traditions

Floyd Country Store New Year’s Eve Dinner & Dance–Floyd

A cultural staple of Virginia, the Floyd Country Store hosts an annual dinner and dance to celebrate the New Year. This year's event includes music from Twin Creeks Stringband, Up Jumped Trouble, and Larry Sigmon & The Virginia Girls. Tickets are $50 for the dinner and dancing and $20 for the dance only.

Olde Towne Scottish Walk–Portsmouth

Celebrating Scottish heritage, the annual Portsmouth tradition of the Scottish Walk is modeled after Scotland’s Hogmanay Festival, a day when townspeople honor their community and merchants, wishing good luck and prosperity in the coming year. Assembly at 4 pm and join the procession of friends, families, locals, and visitors led by pipe-and-drum bands through a walk through historic Olde Towne. End at the High Street Landing where all join hands and sing “Auld Lang Syne.”

Ringing of the Bells–Fincastle

Fifteen minutes before midnight, a chorus of bells rings throughout Fincastle from the Courthouse to various churches in the town. The ringing of the bells has been a tradition in the Virginia Mountains town for over 150 years, although the origin is unknown. A longstanding tradition of literally ringing in the New Year, the bells start tolling 15 minutes before midnight.

Annual Dropping of the Crab Pot–Cape Charles

On Virginia’s Eastern Shore, visit Cape Charles for the Dropping of the Crab Pot on Mason Avenue. Right above the town, a large crab pot, decorated with lights and holiday decor, is lowered down in a ball drop fashion to start off the year. Bundle up and watch the unique tradition to celebrate Virginia’s coast and New Year’s Eve.

Pony Island Horseshoe Drop & Costume Promenade–Chincoteague

Famous for their wild ponies, Chincoteague rings in the New Year with a sparkly horseshoe drop and a crazy costume promenade — this year's theme is Sea Creatures. Starting at 11 pm at Robert Reed Downtown Park, dress warm and watch an array of fun spectacles that celebrate Pony Island’s traditions. 

Mountain Magic

Veritas Vineyard–Afton

Don your best masquerade attire for an elegant evening at Veritas Vineyard this New Year’s Eve. Celebrate with a delicious five-course, wine-paired dinner and dancing throughout the night. A hearty breakfast buffet closes out the festivities. The black tie event promises merriment, joy, and a midnight toast to top it off. Bonus: The Farmhouse at Veritas has plenty of options for lodging from rooms to full cottages, making it easy to stay for the full weekend and enjoy the expansive grounds. 

Fry’s Spring Beach Club–Charlottesville

Ring in the New Year with a special performance at Fry’s Spring Beach Club in Charlottesville featuring appearances by the Nelson County All Stars (an assortment of Nelson's finest musicians) and live Vinyl DJs between sets. Keep your memories alive by taking a picture at the Kool Booth, a retro photo booth on-site.

Beliveau Farm & Winery–Blacksburg

Beliveau Farm and Winery hosts a wine-paired dinner to ring in the New Year. Taste culinary delights from Virginia and enjoy award-winning wine. If you’re looking for a place to stay, Beliveau Farm and Winery has its own bed and breakfast called The Manor House where you can sip and stay for a relaxing New Year’s experience. 

Holidays at the Hotels

Massanutten Resort–Massanutten

Massanutten Resort is full of events to ring in the New Year, from family celebrations and late-night snow tubing to a 21+ dance party at the Elevations Lodge. Karaoke and a silent disco are also on the agenda to welcome 2026. 

The Lodge at Primland, Auberge Collection–Meadows of Dan

Usher in the new year at The Lodge at Primland, Auberge Collection with live music and holiday themed cocktails paired with a New Year’s Eve dinner. Primland offers special deals to add a third night to your stay on them, perfect for a long holiday weekend. 

The Main New Year’s Celebration–Norfolk

Hilton Norfolk The Main is celebrating New Year’s Eve in epic fashion with three parties under one roof. Grain will host Brian Sewell and DJ Gabragam Lincoln, Varia will have a live performance by Clara Zimm, and the Ballroom will have DJ Hutch, making The Main the perfect place to dance your way into the New Year. With several different wristband tiers and packages, you can choose how to experience New Year’s Eve in whichever way you like.

Boar’s Head Resort–Charlottesville

On New Year’s Eve, round out the end of the holiday season at Boar’s Head Resort. Start off with dinner at the Mill Room featuring a curated menu by the renowned culinary team. Then, take a stroll on the Winter Wander Trail of Lights that illuminates the rolling landscape. A fireworks show at 8 pm lights up the night sky above the trail. A ticket is required to view the show and it is exclusive to Winter Wander guests. Booking overnight through the Winter Wander package gives guests special access to the event, perfect for a unique and luxurious experience for a New Year’s Eve celebration.

A Wicked New Year's Eve at Quirk Hotel–Richmond

Quirk is ringing in 2026 with A Wicked New Year's Eve, an event that's sure to stay with you for good. Expect floating pink bubbles, witch brooms, nods to Oz, and whimsical fun. There will also be savory bites, two bars, music, dancing, and a prosecco toast. Tickets are $60 per person; event is 21+ only. 

Dancing Through the Decades at Mountain Lake Lodge–Pembroke

Guarantee admission to this time-bending dance party by booking a stay at Mountain Lake Lodge. You'll have the time of your life when you hit the dance floor, with special tunes by DJ Rick at the Family-Friendly Glow Dance Party, plus a live performance from The Decades Band in Mary's Barn. The New Year's Eve package includes breakfast at The Harvest Restaurant each morning of your stay, ice skating passes, a bottle of champagne, and a $100 resort credit. 

All across the commonwealth, there is no shortage for exciting events for New Year’s Eve. Find more events to ring in 2026.