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. 

Big City Bash

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 five drinks of your choice, access to all locations, free coat check, and specialty food and drink. 

Peabody’s NYE 2024 The Disco Ball–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. From 7pm until past midnight, Peabody’s is throwing a 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, VIP section, and more. 

NYE Masquerade Celebration–Richmond

Celebrate New Year’s Eve on Broad Street in Richmond by joining the masquerade party hosted by three different venues. Switch, Nama, and Juan’s Rooftop have collaborated to create a unique experience for New Year’s Eve. Tickets include access to all locations, appetizers before the main event, viewing of the ball drop, and more. 

Glitter & Glam New Year’s Eve Bash–Alexandria

On New Year’s Eve, Lena’s will be hosting their annual and amazingly glamorous Glitter & Glam New Years’ Eve Party at The Loft at Lena’s – Velvet & Rye from 9:00 p.m.-12:30 a.m. The extravagant evening will include live music, a prix fixe menu with wine pairing, one complimentary signature cocktail, and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $175/ per person tax + tip not included.

Family-Friendly Fun

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. With party favor decorating, a petting zoo, a juice box toast, a glittery ball drop at noon, and more, kids and families alike can ring in the New Year without going past bedtime. The event is free and open to the public. 

New Year’s Eve at Kings Dominion Winterfest–Doswell

Full of holiday cheer, Kings Dominion’s New Year’s celebration is set with a backdrop of sparkling lights and extravagant decor from their wondrous Winterfest. Events start at 5pm and last until 1am with fun for the whole family from dancing under the Eiffel Tower to a kid’s ball drop at 10pm. Rounding things out with the area’s biggest fireworks show at the strike of midnight, Kings Dominion offers lots of fun for a family-friendly celebration. 

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 2pm, with a fireworks show at 6pm 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. Tickets and passes for the event run from 2-6pm as well as 2pm-midnight so families can choose how long they want to join in the New Year’s Eve festivities. 

Virginia Living Museum–Newport News

From 10am to 2pm on December 31, the Virginia Living Museum is celebrating New Year’s with a Noon Year’s bash. Dance to the DJ, make a festive party craft, or write your eco-friendly resolutions down to hang onto their Resolution Wall for 2024. Complete with fun science demonstrations and clock countdowns, families can celebrate early in the day at the museum. Admission to the celebration is included with museum admission.

Classic Virginia Traditions

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

A cultural staple of Virginia, the Floyd Country Store hosts a dinner and dance to celebrate the New Year with music from Twin Creeks Stringband, Larry Sigmon & The Virginia Girls, and Raistlin Brabson & Up Jumped Trouble. Part of the Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, the Floyd Country Store pays homage to Virginia’s musical traditions through weekly events and Friday night jamborees that explore performances from regional artists. 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. At 4pm, 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 Fincastle tradition for over 150 years, although the origin is unknown. A longstanding tradition of literally ringing in the New Year, the town of Fincastle joyously welcomes the strike of the clock from 11:45pm until 12:10am.

Annual Dropping of the Crab Pot–Cape Charles

On Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Cape Charles celebrates New Year’s Eve on the coast with an annual tradition. Visit Cape Charles for the 10th Annual 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. From 9pm to 10pm, 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 with the theme of “Saltwater Cowboy Shenanigans.” Starting at 11pm at the Downtown Waterfront Park, dress warm and watch an array of fun spectacles that celebrate Pony Island’s traditions. If you’re feeling adventurous, wake up on January 1st for a Pony Polar Plunge at 1:20pm and dive into the cold Atlantic waters on Assateague Island.

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 with dancing throughout the night. Wrap up celebrations with a breakfast buffet, all while taking in the vineyard views Veritas has to offer. 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 by the band Chamomile and Whiskey 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. Tickets are $24 in advance and $30 at the door with options for drinks at their bar; VIP booths that are available to rent.

Beliveau Farm & Winery–Blacksburg

Enjoy an elegant wine paired dinner from 8pm to 12:30am at Beliveau Farm and Winery 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 on-site 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. With a special package offering a two night stay for the price of one during the New Year, Massanutten is the perfect place to make a vacation out of the holiday and celebrate the beginning of 2024.

Primland Resort–Meadows of Dan

Usher in the new year than the Lodge at Primland Resort 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. Additionally, Virginia and North Carolina residents can get 30% off their stay and free breakfast for two year-round when booking at Primland. Celebrate this New Year in luxury by staying at Primland Resort and taking advantage of the wonderful amenities and grounds they have to offer. 

Quirk Hotel NYE Bash–Charlottesville

From 9pm to 1am, get on the dance floor and celebrate the New Year at Quirk Hotel Charlottesville. Tickets grant entrance to the chic party hosted in the lobby, hors d'ouevres, and a midnight champagne toast as the ball drop streams on their projector. The event features a live performance by Disco Risqué, bringing on an epic Rock & Roll Dance Party atmosphere. Festive cocktail attire is highly encouraged. Quirk Hotel Charlottesville is offering a special NYE package for an overnight stay that includes a luxurious king bed stay, an exquisite dinner for two, and exclusive access to the New Year’s Eve party. Celebrations are in style with the artistic background of Quirk Hotel. 

The Main New Year’s Celebration–Norfolk

The Hilton Main in Norfolk is celebrating New Year’s Eve in epic fashion with three parties under one roof. Grain will host DJ Scooter, Varia will have a live performance by Clara Zimm, and the Ballroom will have DJ Joe Fu and live music by Vinyl Headlights, making The Main the perfect place to dance your way into the New Year. With options for four different overnight packages, you can choose how to experience New Year’s Eve in whichever way you like. Complete with a midnight champagne toast, The Main creates a world-class experience to ring in 2024 full of dancing, music, and fun.

Boar’s Head Resort–Charlottesville

On New Year’s Eve, round out the end of the holiday season at Boar’s Head Resort. Start the night off at 5pm with a New Year’s Eve 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 illuminate the rolling landscape. With a special twist, a fireworks show at 8pm lights up the night sky above the trail. A ticket is required to view the show and it is exclusive to Winter Wander guests. If you’re above 21, cheers with a glass of sparkling wine while guests under 21 celebrate with a free glass of sparkling grape juice. 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.

Quirk Hotel–Richmond

Countdown to 2024 at Quirk Hotel Richmond with a masquerade party beginning at 9pm hosted by DJ Ant Boogie, hors d'oeuvres, dessert, and a midnight toast with a balloon ball drop. The Quirk Richmond is a unique venue with its ties to art and culture throughout the region, focusing heavily on local artists. A special “RVA 2024” package includes accommodations in a king room, Dinner for Two in the Lobby Bar, and access to our New Year’s Extravaganza with champagne toast.

Mountain Lake Lodge–Pembroke

Light it up at Mountain Lake Lodge through their unforgettable holiday package that is perfect for family, friends, or a romantic retreat. Start off the night with dinner at Harvest with a $100 dining credit, then check out Glowing Night Ice Skating. Dance the night away with a NYE Glow-in-the-Dark Dance Party, or take a stroll through the Magical Light Display. And finish the celebrations off by waking up to a delicious New Year's Day Breakfast Buffet at Harvest.

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