From glamorous red-carpet soirees to decadent multi-course dinners to a kid-friendly afternoon, here are some great ways to ring in 2026!
by Addie Ladner
The end of the year and beginning a new one always brings an air of excitement — and there are lots of ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Raleigh! If you want to dress up, options abound to don a gown or tuxedo while you sip champagne. If great food and a smaller crew is your vibe, several restaurants are doing special meals. And if you’re celebrating with little ones, Raleigh’s got great options for a kid-friendly New Year’s Eve (that ends well before midnight). Read on for 15 ideas to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2025 in Raleigh.
If you want a big party with glamorous vibes…
Black & White Masquerade at Urban Oak
At downtown’s highest rooftop bar, enjoy a masked soiree with passed light bites, specialty cocktails, raffle prizes and entertainment. Wear your favorite black and white cocktail party fit to ring in 2026.
8 p.m.; 200 W. Davie Street; urbanoakraleigh.com
Red Carpet New Year’s Eve at Botanical Lounge
Head to Glenwood South’s Botanical Lounge for a Red Carpet-themed evening complete with “paparazzi” and grand times at each of the establishment’s three bars and dance floors.
From $29; 419 Glenwood Avenue; eventbrite.com
Champagne & Spotlights at The Willard
For a more intimate, 21+ evening, head to The Willard Rooftop for Champagne & Spotlights: A Vintage Holiday Affair. At this old-Hollywood themed party, expect a red carpet, music by Helena Redman Quintet and a champagne toast at midnight.
8 p.m. – 1 a.m.; $150; 9 Glenwood Avenue; thewillardraleigh.com
Theatre Raleigh’s A Starry Affair: An Old Hollywood New Year’s Eve
Chef-curated tasting menu with wine pairings by David Casteel of Mitchell-Casteel A Fine Catered Affair into a glittering 1940s film studio and supper club, where the champagne flows, the music swings, and the night unfolds like a classic film.
6 p.m. From $125; 6638 Old Wake Forest Road; theatreraleigh.com/newyearseve
The Great Gatsby A Roaring New Year’s Eve at Birdies
For Hemingway or Fitzgerald fans, escape to the roaring 20s at this Gatsby-themed evening downtown. Your ticket gets you access to various food stations, a chic heated outdoor tent, the DJ, specialty cocktails and, of course, a toast at midnight. Bring cash for the bar.
$60; 9 p.m. – 2 p.m.; 150 Fayetteville Street; birdiesraleigh.com
A Level7 NYE Celebration
Join the folks at rooftop bar Level7 for their New Year’s Eve Celebration! Your ticket includes passed hors d’oeuvres, dessert, and a champagne toast at midnight. Keep the party going with live music from Against the Odds and a photo booth.
9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m; $65; 101 Park at North Hills; level7roofbar.com
For a more intimate evening with a great meal…
Heights House Hotel X Snappea Creative Dining
Boylan Heights Italian mansion-turned-hotel Heights House is hosting an all-encompassing luxe New Year’s Eve party. It starts with an Apertivo Hour inside the Parlor Bar, then moves outside to dine under a beautifully styled tent for a sit-down dinner by Snap Pea Creative Dining with wine pairings throughout, followed by dancing, a photobooth and a champagne toast at midnight.
From $460; 308 S. Boylan Avenue; exploretock.com/heightshousehotel
New Year’s Eve at Ajja
At the colorful, worldly Five Points neighborhood restaurant Ajja, enjoy a five course meal of unique dishes like caramelized lamb floss, vegetable carpaccio, seared duck with celeriac purée and a cardamom-hazelnut-forward dessert
$150; 209 Bickett Boulevard; ajjaeats.com
Nixtamal Dinner at Mala Pata
At Gateway Plaza inside the new masa-forward restaurant Mala Pata, enjoy a seated six-course dinner boasting North Carolina oysters, grouper, crudo and other dishes imbued with citrus and spice — along with some stellar mezcal cocktails and wine pairings. View the full menu here.
From $175; 2431 Crabtree Blvd, Suite. 102; malapatanc.com
Vidrio’s New Year’s Eve Celebration
Looking for some European escapism to cap the year off? Glenwood South’s Vidrio is hosting a Mediterranean-themed glamorous affair. Enjoy vibrant music and cuisine, including a 4-course family-style dinner with optional wine pairings, a midnight toast and a live performance by Shavonna Antoinette and a DJ. There are two options to enjoy: Tier 1, which starts at 7pm and includes the course meal or Tier 2, which starts at 9pm and has more standing room, passed appetizers, music, and more. Poetry Fox will also be attending!
From $60; 500 Glenwood Avenue #100; vidrioraleigh.com
Figulina’s NYE Feast
Chef-owner David Ellis has planned a unique decadent four-course meal (for carnivores and vegetarians alike). Experience dishes like Lobster and Smoked Trout Roulade, Black Treacle Glazed Salmon Steak, Sunchoke and Lions Mane Ravioli and Banoffee Pie with options for wine pairings along the way.
$145; 317 S. Harrington Street; figulinaraleigh.com.
New Year’s Eve, Greek-Style, at Taverna Agora
There is no cover charge to participate in this Grecian-style party at Taverna Agora. Enjoy dancing (including a belly dancer performing live), and scrumptious food that transports you to the Greek Islands (think gyros, w ine, artisan cheese, crabcakes)
8:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.; 326 Hillsborough Street; tavernaagora.com
For a kid-friendly celebration…
First Night Raleigh
Head downtown to see our famous acorn drop at the annual WRAL First Night Raleigh celebration, presented by Artsplosure. There, enjoy live music, tons of kids’ activities like amusement rides and a marvelous fireworks show — with an early ball drop for younger kids or adults who don’t want to stay up until midnight. A ticket is required to enjoy the performances and event installations but not to watch the fireworks and watch the acorn drop.
From $14; kids 5 and under free; 2 p.m. – 12 a.m.; 336 Fayetteville Street; artsplosure.org
New Year’s Eve Skate Party
Roll into 2026, 1986-style. Raleigh’s United Skates of America is hosting this family-friendly New Year’s Eve party for all ages. Enjoy a balloon drop, fun party favors and of course, the countdown to midnight.
From $25; 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; 2901 Trawick Road; unitedskates.com’
Noon Years Eve at Marbles Kids Museum
Head to our local youth’s dreamland, Marbles Kids Museum for their fun-filled countdown to 12 p.m. (not a.m.) at their Noon Years Eve Celebration. Check their website for forthcoming ticket pricing and details.
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; 201 E. Hargett Street; marbleskidsmuseum.org
Noon Years Eve at Oberlin Regional Library
For parents of younger children (for ages infancy to 2nd grade), head to this sweet, low-key but nonetheless celebratory kids NYE celebration complete with music, a simple craft, bubbles and some book-themed fun.
Free; 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.; 1930 Clark Avenue; wake.gov/events
This article was originally published on December 11, 2025 on waltermagazine.com
