36 Epic New Year’s Eve Party Ideas to Kick Off 2025
We've got easy themes, decor, meals and more for an unforgettable night.
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It’s always the small details that differentiate an epic holiday party from one that’s just so-so. From the invitations you send out to the theme you choose, it all works together to create an atmosphere of celebration. If you’re looking to elevate your bash this year, we have tons of fun and unique New Year’s Eve party ideas that are sure to have your guests wondering how you pulled it off.
We've got suggestions for DIY decor that's actually easy to make, the best dinner recipes from our Test Kitchen and even unique themes to help you welcome 2025. We’ve even thought of festive games and activities you can incorporate throughout the night to keep your party going. So what are you waiting for? Get planning!
Want more advice? Check out our stress-free guide to hosting an unforgettable dinner party.
Have a Champagne Tower
Both decorative and functional, a champagne tower will be the focal point of your festivities. Start by creating a sturdy square or circle base with each coup tightly touching, and build upon it. You can pre-fill them, or start from the top and let the champagne flow down!
Swap Cocktails With Sweets
Start off Dry January a bit early by opting for a sweet treat instead of your classic champagne toast. Though, if you're not giving up the alcohol, you could serve boozy ice cream in cute cocktail glasses instead.
Prepare PowerPoints
Encourage guests to reflect on the past year by preparing slide show presentations detailing their 2024 highlights. Make sure everyone throws in a few funny anecdotes and the laughter will continue all night long.
Create A Martini Bar
Allow your guests to take their pick from a few martini options with a martini bar that serves several flavors.
Have Everyone Dress in a Good Luck Color
Pink, orange, red and green are just a few colors that promise to bring good luck. Pick your favorite, and have everyone wear that color to your party. You can go all out by making the decor match the hue.
Serve Cocktails in Metallic Mason Jars
Upgrade your typical champagne cocktails with spray-painted mason jars. Pick metallic hues that are in the same family, or go all out with your favorite colors.
Set out a Charcuterie Board
Appetizers are a great way to hold everyone over until you serve New Year's Eve dinner. This rainbow-colored platter is both festive and fun.
Hang a Wreath
Set the tone for your party as soon as your guests arrive at your door. This black, white and gold pillow wreath can be reused year after year, but don't forget to update the chalk board with the correct year.
Create a Hat and Crown Display
Sure, you can always purchase a few hats and crowns to wear on New Year's Eve, but why not get your guests involved with an interactive display. It looks amazing and it's super festive.
Decorate With an Evergreen Disco Ball Wreath
If you're struggling to take down your Christmas decor before the new year, this disco ball wreath is the perfect way to freshen it up for your bash. All you'll need is a few disco balls.
Decorate With Streamers
Who says that New Year's Eve has to be all about glitter and metallics. In our opinion, this multicolored streamer installation is just as fun.
Have a Dinner Party
While throwing a blowout shindig may be expected for New Year's Eve, a festive dinner party can be just as fun. In fact, you can go all out with a beautiful tablescape, including sparklers, gold and silver cutlery and, of course, individual bottles of champagne.
Plan an Activity For Each Hour Until Midnight
In this fun game, partygoers get to open an activity card each hour until midnight (with the exception of the final card, which is marked 11:45.) Each card will have a different activity to keep everyone awake through the night. There is a version for kids and one for adults.
Play New Year's Eve Bingo
Bingo is a game that never gets old. So, introduce the classic game to your guests at this year's party. You can even turn it into a scavenger hunt, with everyone checking off a block as they discover it around the party.
Throw a Pajama Party
Most New Year's Eve activities occur at night anyway, so why not dress like it? Spice up your PJs with DIY feather trim.
Decorate With Clock Balloons
Counting down to midnight is the most important part of New Year's Eve. Add the thrill of the countdown to your decor with DIY clock balloons. These are easy enough to recreate with a few number stickers and construction paper.
Have a New Year's Resolution Jar
Get everyone thinking about their New Year's resolutions by encouraging them to write down their goals. Put a jar out with blank cards or pieces of paper, so everyone can stash theirs in their purse or pocket.
Your pals will be so excited to see they each get a mini champagne bottle as a party favor (even if they live at home with you, and they probably saw you assemble them). You can print up your own, or go for a surprisingly cheap label designed by a pro.
Get the party going with a good, old-fashioned board game. Scrabble and Yahtzee are always fun, but Pictionary will always keep the crowd engaged. The kids in particular will love this!
Have a Countdown Wall
Here's an adorable photo wall idea! The countdown is a big part of NYE tradition, and this easy-to-make backdrop is the perfect way to ring in the New Year.
As an Editorial Fellow for Good Housekeeping, Katie covers health, beauty, home, and pop culture. Outside of the office, you can find her killing it on the karaoke machine or listening to true crime podcasts.
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.
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