20 Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Indianapolis

NYE Balloon Drop at the Indiana State Museum

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Museum

From NBA All-Star Weekend to The Eras Tour, 2024 has been an incredible year for Indianapolis. Our city has stood in the spotlight, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors to experience the magic of Life in Indy for themselves. 

Now, as this year draws to a close, you deserve to raise a glass to the priceless memories we made in 2024 and celebrate the beginning of our next adventure, as we embark on the journey that is 2025. 

There are countless ways to ring in the new year, whether you’re having fun with your family, cruising on a bar crawl, or enjoying an elegant midnight toast. While you’re waiting for the countdown to begin, send 2024 off in style with our Top 20 Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Indianapolis! 

NYE Events in Indianapolis 

1. Family New Year’s Eve Sparkle and Shine

One of Indy’s most popular family traditions is the annual New Year’s Eve party at the Indiana State Museum. This all-ages event is perfect for young kids who need to hit the hay before midnight, while still letting them count down to the new year. 

Beginning at 6 PM, kids can enjoy an unforgettable night of dancing, face painting, glitter tattoos, and fun activities all across the museum. Then, everything culminates in a ceremonious balloon drop at 8:30 PM, kicking off the new year with a vibrant burst of color and excitement!  

2. SPELLBOUND New Year’s Eve Party (21+) 

Usher in the new year at Indy’s favorite Dark Rave! Spellbound is an aesthetic DJ dance night for the goths, the punks, the alternative scene, and anyone who vibes with Witch House and other dark-oriented music. 

Every New Year’s Eve, Indy CD & Vinyl partners with A Squared Industries to bring the atmosphere of Spellbound to the 416 Wabash Event Hall. This come-as-you-are event invites you to let loose and dance freely, surrounded by strobing lights and a foggy haze that embraces the ethereal. 

3. New Year’s Eve with Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press (21+)

There’s no better way to celebrate the New Year than live music! For the third year in a row, the Vogue Theatre in Broad Ripple is hosting Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press for a raucous New Year’s Eve spectacle. 

This crowd-pleasing, Chicago-based experience band is known for their eclectic mix of fun, entertaining, and irreverent music—as well as having a few tricks up their sleeves! Grab your tickets and enjoy a lively night of party music set to the “best light show in the tri-county area!”

4. 2024 Wrapped: A New Year’s Eve Cider Pairing (21+)

In downtown Indianapolis, Ash & Elm Cider Co. is hosting a unique cider tasting event that reviews all twelve “Ciders of the Month”  featured this year, along with a tasty food pairing to go with each course. Their event starts in the early evening, offering the perfect cocktail party atmosphere without the late-night weariness. 

This year, they’re offering two 2-hour time slots from 4–6 PM and 6–8 PM, giving you ample time to make your way through the menu at your own pace. Tickets are required, so make sure you reserve your spot ahead of time! 

5. MELT NYE (21+)

If you haven’t heard about GANGGANG, they are a powerhouse team of creators focused on uplifting artists and promoting equity, while growing Indy’s creative economy. One of their signature events is the BUTTER Art Fair and MELT—the hottest dance party in Indianapolis. 

Now, GANGGANG is bringing MELT back for a special New Year’s Eve party at the iconic Fountain Square Theater. Get ready for a night of loud music, good vibes, and maybe even a few surprises! And best of all, proceeds from the event go directly to GANGGANG, reinvesting back in our local arts and culture. 

MELT NYE Dance Party

Photo courtesy of GANGGANG

MELT NYE Dance Party

Photo courtesy of GANGGANG

6. New Year’s Eve with Greg Warren (18+)

Fill your New Year’s Eve with laughter at the Helium Comedy Club in downtown Indianapolis! Known for his work on Last Comic Standing, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and the Bob and Tom Show, comedian Greg Warren offers a relatable perspective grounded in his humble Midwestern roots. 

Guests can stick with general admission tickets or spring for Dinner and a Show, including a champagne toast when the clock strikes midnight! 

7. New Year’s Eve at The Melting Pot

Did somebody say fondue? Talk about your New Year’s resolutions and 2025 fon-do’s and don’ts over a decadent four-course spread at the Melting Pot!

Every year, the Melting Pot offers a curated one-night-only menu for the occasion, featuring a round of cheese fondue, fresh salads, savory entrées, and a chocolate fondue for dessert. This unique dining experience is ideal for both families and the foodies in your life who are looking to indulge on the last day of the year.

8. New Year’s EVE V.I.P. Party at MXP (21+)

In northern Indianapolis, you’ll find Ms. Franklin Candle Co. & Phiri—also known as the MXP Shop! This small business hub is one of Indy’s top spots for fashion, candles, and beauty products and a destination for both community and culture. 

From candle making workshops to open mic nights, they host a variety of creative events throughout the year, including a reservation-only New Year’s Eve party. Guests can count down to 2025 while dancing to Afrobeats, R&B, and Amapiano music. Just make sure you dress to impress at this unique photoshoot party!

9. Family New Year’s Eve Skate Party

Get ready to roll into the new year! Rollerskating at the Fun Factory is a great way to keep your family active during the holiday break, while burning off some of those Christmas cookie calories.

On New Year’s Eve, they host a special family-friendly skate party, where you can play games, show off your dance moves, and just have fun with your loved ones. So, lace up your skates and hit the rink for an afternoon of retro rollerskating!  

10. ComedySportz New Year’s Eve!

The Wit Theater is back with another round of New Year’s Eve ComedySportz, where two teams of comedians compete head-to-head in a series of improv challenges! Each match is entirely unique, featuring different games, fan prompts, and winners decided by the audience.

Their family-friendly comedy is made for guests of all ages, so you can feel comfortable bringing even the littlest kids to enjoy this live comedy showdown. And at the end, you can join a celebratory countdown to the new year with fun hats, noisemakers, and a little bubbly for toasts!

11. CCA Social New Year’s Eve Party (21+)

Circle City Athletics (CCA) is known for offering fun, recreational sports leagues for adults to make friends and stay active. But they also host a variety of events under their CCA Social umbrella, including their annual New Year’s Eve Party at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. 

This all-inclusive party is back for its 10th anniversary with several open bars, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and a photo booth to capture all your memories in the making. In the true spirit of sports, guests can also compete at the pop-up arcade or try their hand at casino games like craps, poker, and roulette. Tickets to this event sell out fast, so don’t wait to grab your seat at one of Indy’s best New Year’s Eve events!

CCA New Year's Party

Photo courtesy of CCA

CCA New Year's Party

Photo courtesy of CCA

NYE Events in Northern Indy 

12. Noon Year’s Eve

Can’t stay awake until the ball drops? No problem! The Zionsville Nature Center is celebrating New Year’s Eve a little early—with a countdown to 2025 at noon instead of midnight. 

This event is intentionally designed for families with young children looking forward to ringing in the new year, giving them a chance to celebrate like a big kid. Come early and enjoy a variety of holiday activities for all ages, before the clock strikes twelve! Early registration is required.  

13. New Year’s Eve at 3UP Rooftop Lounge (21+)

This New Year’s Eve, treat yourself to a luxury fine dining experience at the 3UP Rooftop Lounge in Carmel. Every December, 3UP transforms into a cozy winter wonderland, fully decorated to immerse you in the holiday spirit.  

Table reservations include access to their all-you-can-eat curated menu, a bottle of bubbly per couple, and festive party favors to help you celebrate the new year in style. Doors to this swanky soiree open at 7 PM, and then you and your table can dance the night away in dazzling rooftop elegance.  

14. New Year’s Eve Bash!! (21+)

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate without making the drive to Indianapolis, Green Street Pub and Eatery is the place to be. This Brownsburg pub is known to regulars as the “local Cheers bar,” where everyone cares to know your name.  

Their annual New Year’s Eve Bash offers a chance to unwind with live music, delicious appetizers, and a variety of drinks on tap. Tickets are $40 and cash only, available for purchase from Tom at the bar.

15. Elton Billy & Barry at Hotel Carmichael (18+)

Celebrate the end of 2024 by reliving the 1970s with this festive tribute concert! For one night only, Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael is hosting Elton Billy & Barry: They Write The Songs, a cabaret-style dinner-and-a-show in Carmel. 

Broadway star Craig A. Meyer will perform a selection of songs by Elton John, Billy Joel, and Barry Manilow, as you sing along and enjoy a nostalgic night of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Tickets are available for both the 7:30 PM and 10:45 PM show with a food and beverage minimum of $25 per guest.

16. Havana’s New Years Eve Masquerade Ball (21+)

Spend “A Night in Disguise” at the Havana Cigar Lounge in Fishers! On New Year’s Eve, they’re hosting a one-of-a-kind Masquerade Ball, where you can discreetly indulge in food, drinks, and premium cigars from behind a sparkling mask. 

This evening of masked mystery and glamorous gatherings allows you to revel in the end of the year and raise a glass to the adventures to come. Dress up in your finest attire and dance to the beats of DJ Jeff Crews at this night to remember!

Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press performs at The Vogue Theatre in Indianapolis

Photo courtesy of The Vogue Theatre

NYE Events in Southern Indy 

 17. New Year’s Eve at Whiskey Business (21+)

Prefer bourbon over bubbles? Head down to Whiskey Business in Southport for a different kind of New Year’s Eve celebration with a casual atmosphere and live music from local band Ripple Effect.

At Whiskey Business, their menu offers a range of classic American favorites and locally crafted drinks. And best of all, there’s no cover charge to join in the festivities. Just show up ready to eat, drink, and be merry! 

18. NYE Yacht Rock Cocktail Party (21+)

Manifest a year of smooth sailing by spending your New Year’s Eve grooving to the best of yacht rock! Down in Greenwood, SIP Cocktails on Main is offering an unforgettable Yacht Rock Cocktail Party, where you can rock out to retro hits while sipping a selection of delicious craft cocktails. 

Doors open at 8 PM—with DJ Travis Bell laying down the tunes starting at 9 PM. Tickets are required and includes complimentary champagne at midnight, as you toast to another year of good vibes!

19. Noon Year’s Eve at Perry Crossing  

The only thing better than holiday festivities are FREE events for the whole family! Every year, The Shops at Perry Crossing mall in Plainfield invites Hoosiers to come together and celebrate New Year’s Eve before the sun sets on the year.

Families can enjoy music from local DJ Kurt Streblow, take home unique balloon creations, and munch at the snack bar. This all builds up to the big countdown at noon, when they drop balloons into the crowd.

20. New Year’s Masquerade Party (21+)

Just an hour south of Indianapolis lies one of our most beloved breweries—the Upland Brewing Pump House in Columbus! Founded in Bloomington, Upland has become one of Indy’s most popular spots for locally crafted beer paired with from-scratch brewpub fare. 

On New Year’s Eve, their Columbus location hosts a lively masquerade party with contests for Best Dressed and Most Creative Mask of the evening. Guests can dance to music, play outdoor games, and—of course—sample a selection of beers all night long. Choose between their standard or all-inclusive package and prepare for a hoppy end to a truly magical year!