The year is coming to a close, and that calls for a celebration.
Parties abound on New Year’s Eve in Denver, whether you’re looking for a fancy night on the town, a concert or something to do with your entire family. In addition to ticketed events, the Mile High City continues its two decade-long tradition of lighting up the sky with free fireworks displays at 9 p.m. and midnight on Dec. 31. The best spot to catch them is from the 16th Street pedestrian corridor in downtown.
And please don’t forget to travel safely this evening. It’s easy to take public transportation on New Year’s Eve because the RTD is free from 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 7 a.m. on Jan. 1, thanks to Molson Coors. Visit rtd-denver.com for more details.
Here are our 12 top picks to ring in 2026.
All-inclusive soirées
Gatsby’s White Rose Gala
The 1920s are back in style at Gatsby’s White Rose Gala, one of Denver’s biggest end-of-year parties. Grab your most glamorous getup and head to the Ritz-Carlton hotel to enjoy live music, roving performers, premium cocktails and good vibes. There will be both a band and DJs curating tunes of the era as well as dance-floor-friendly jams.
Gatsby’s White Rose Gala comes to the Ritz-Carlton Denver, 1881 Curtis St. in Denver. The party runs from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets cost $157.17 for entry or $161.39 for table seating at eventbrite.com.
NYE on Tap
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive bash that’s slightly less fancy, head to Bierstadt Lagerhaus, which hosts NYE on Tap. The event includes an open bar serving cocktails and house-made beers, live music from both a ’90s cover band and a DJ, an appetizer buffet, games such as giant Jenga and cornhole, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Suggested dress code is “New Year’s Eve casual.”
NYE on Tap comes to Bierstadt Lagerhaus, 2875 Blake St. in Denver. The party runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets cost $124.56 at eventbrite.com.
NYE Crystal Ball Countdown
Say goodbye to 2025 and one of Denver’s best wine bars in one fell swoop by attending the NYE Crystal Ball Countdown at Sunday Vinyl. The ticket price includes access to small bites and sweets curated by chef Cody Cheetham, three specialty cocktails, and a champagne toast at midnight. Additionally, there will be a DJ catering beats well into the night. Be sure to party like it’s Sunday Vinyl’s last night because, well, it is. Owner Bobby Stuckey plans to change the concept in 2026.
NYE Crystal Ball Countdown comes to Sunday Vinyl, 1803 16th St. Mall in Denver from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets cost $130 at opentable.com/r/sunday-vinyl-denver.
Unconventional events
Y2K NYE
In the words of Prince, it’s time to party like it’s 1999. Improper City invites revelers to don their jelly sandals and JNCO jeans as they ring in the New Year to the tune of a DJ playing hits from the ’90s and early 2000s. Other activities include a photo booth, temporary tattoo station, heated tents outside on the patio and yard games. There will also be a food truck and ’90s-themed snacks for purchase.
Y2K NYE comes to Improper City, 3201 Walnut St., #107 in Denver. The party runs from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Tickets cost $25 at eventbrite.com.
Moulin Rouge drag and cabaret
Looking for a party where you can get both toasted and tantalized? You can-can-can at Ballyhoo Table & Stage during a Moulin Rouge drag and burlesque performance, hosted by local performer Richi Ramos and the House of Ishan. In addition to entertainment, expect a cocktail upon arrival to the show, a grazing station for food and dessert, and a midnight toast. After the performance, a DJ will keep the vibes high and dance party going until 1 a.m.
Moulin Rouge comes to Ballyhoo Table & Stage, 3300 Tejon St. in Denver. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the show starts at 10:30 p.m. Tickets range from $124.56 to $135.23 for individual admission and $289.95 to $620.74 for a table with beverages provided at evenbrite.com.
Trivia & Chill NYE
If dressing up and fighting crowds are not your thing, head to Western Sky Bar & Taproom in Englewood in your comfiest pair of pajamas — seriously, that’s the encouraged dress code — for trivia. And not just any trivia, as questions will encapsulate the wonderful and weird events that occurred in 2025. Seating is first-come, first-served and additional board games will be available to play.
Trivia & Chill NYE comes to Western Sky Bar & Taproom, 4361 S. Broadway in Englewood. Trivia runs 7 to 9 p.m. and is free to attend. Find more information on eventbrite.com.
Concerts
Decadence
Denver’s long-running, two-night Decadence event draws EDM fans from all over the world with its top-notch DJs, back-to-back sets and unique collaborations. This year, the lineup includes arena-quality headliners such as Denver’s own Illenium, Zeds Dead, Subtronics, Excision, Louis the Child, Of the Trees, Troyboi, Tape B, Dr. Fresch and others over two nights, Dec. 30-31, at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver. The website says tickets are sold out, but check back a day or two before the event for additional ticket releases, according to promoters.
Decadence comes to the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St. in Denver. Sets start at 6:30 p.m. and go late (very late). Sold out — as of now — with a handful of tickets likely available just before the show. All sets are 18 and up. See decadencenye.com for more details.
Itchy-O’s “Saturnalia”
West Denver’s Federal Theatre has already gotten off to a great start after handsome renovations and a September grand-reopening, but it’s really ramping up for NYE with a themed concert that puts the powerful Itchy-O act on its wide stage. The “Saturnalia” show furthers the 50-person Denver band’s ritualistic designs with members conducting “their own ancient Roman festival of Saturn into a modern ritual for those looking to escape any run-of-the-mill New Year’s jag,” according to the band’s website. The show includes openers and Alternative Tentacles labelmates Wheelchair Sports Camp and The Dream Eaters.
Itchy-O’s “Saturnalia” comes to the Federal Theatre, 4335 W. 44th Ave. in Denver, from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 31. Tickets are $55.43. The show is 18 and up; or under 18 with a parent or guardian. Visit thefederaltheatre.com for more details.
Get into a jam
Jam, folk and bluegrass bands, along with tribute acts, tend to proliferate during NYE, and that’s true again this year as names such as Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (at the Ogden Theatre), Dead Floyd (at Globe Hall) and others take the stage for concerts on Dec. 31. Amid the bounty, we recommend checking out the gritty pleasures of the long-running Five Points venue Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, which is hosting both The New Mastersounds in its main room and DeadPhish Orchestra in its connected Other Side venue, Dec. 30-31 for both bands.
The New Mastersounds will play Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. in Denver, Dec. 30-31, but tickets are only available for the Dec. 30 show, $49.78. Ages 16 and up. Visit etix.com for more details.
Kid-friendly events
Elitch Holidays
Elitch Gardens, the thrill-ride theme park in the heart of urban Denver, has brought back its eye-popping holiday lighting display (formerly: Luminova) as part of Elitch Holidays, and they’re not leaving New Year’s Eve out in the cold. Elitch’s will be open on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31 for anyone looking to ramp up to the New Year with a family-friendly spectacle, with downtown’s separate drone and fireworks shows within viewing distance from the park, and Christkindlmarket a mile or so away at the Auraria Campus. The Elitch’s installation itself features 4 million lights, select rides and attractions, hot cocoa, adult beverages, and more.
Elitch Holidays runs through Jan. 4, 5-9 p.m. daily at 2000 Elitch Circle in Denver. Tickets are $30 per person, with parking $20 per car. All ages admission; kids 2 and under are free. Tickets are good for multiple dates and times. Visit elitchgardens.com/elitch-holidays for more details.
Noon Year’s at Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marisco Campus will open its doors for a daytime celebration for kiddos, featuring “the glitz and glam of NYE in Times Square, all before bedtime!” as organizers put it. The Noon Year’s ball will drop every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with festive music (including the all-day dance party Club 2026), special New Year’s-themed programming and access to exhibits and play areas. Also running: the seasonal outdoor experience, Snow Days, where the ball drop will occur. That includes sledding (on real snow, no matter the weather), a skating rink and more. (Note: The next-door Downtown Aquarium is also holding its annual Sharkey’s New Year’s Eve Bash on Dec. 31; visit eventbrite.com for more.)
Noon Year’s takes place at the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, 2121 Children’s Museum Drive in Denver, starting at 9 a.m. on Dec. 31. Tickets, only available at the door, are $19.75 for ages 2-59, $17.75 for year-olds and seniors, and free for those under 1. All activities are included with admission. Visit mychildsmuseum.org/events for more details.
Daytime fun in Northfield — and at libraries
Another Noon Year’s Eve for the whole family will take over the northeast Denver’s Shops at Northfield on Dec. 31, with a balloon drop, kids’ activities, live entertainment, face painting and more. And this time? Admission is totally free (not including food and beverage or retail purchases, of course). Nearby are plenty of bars, restaurants, a movie theater and other kid-friendly spots.
Also free and easy: Noon Year’s events at public libraries in Denver, Arvada, Longmont, Lakewood, Aurora, Thornton, Smoky Hill, Louisville and other Front Range locales. Storytime, kid’s activities and more offerings are on tap (see individual locations for details).
Noon Year’s Eve at The Shops at Northfield takes place at 8340 Northfield Blvd. in Denver, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., on Dec. 31. Admission is free, with items available for purchase. Visit shopsatnorthfield.com for more details.