Note: This event guide is from 2016, but you can find our 2017 guide here. Happy New Year!
It’s that time of year again — time to dust off that sparkly dress and those dancing heels we never get to wear. Lucky for us, Omaha has plenty of choices to ring in the new year.
Whether you’re looking to dance the night away or celebrate early at a Noon Year’s Eve party, there’s a little something for everyone. We’ve organized a list of soirees, block parties and shows to ensure you salute the year the Omaha way. So gather the family and hit the town this New Year’s Eve!
For the Kids
Light the Night at Omaha Children’s Museum
Friday, December 30, 6 – 8 p.m.
Omaha Children’s Museum
$25
Families can celebrate the new year a day early with Omaha Children’s Museum. They’re hosting a late night party with light-themed activities, including glow crafts and a special science show. End the evening with a surprise show outside!
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular
Saturday, December 31, 7 p.m.
Gene Leahy Mall, 14th and Farnam, Omaha
Free
To close out 2016 and The Holiday Lights Festival, Omaha is putting on a fireworks show you don’t want to miss! One of the largest New Year’s Eve shows in the region, the event is expected to draw more than 30,000 people. So get downtown early to grab a spot!
Elderly persons and citizens with disabilities are invited to view the fireworks from the fourth floor of the W. Dale Clark Library.
Noon Year’s Eve at The Durham Museum
Saturday, December 31, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Durham Museum, Omaha
Every year, The Durham Museum hosts a Noon Year’s Eve party so everyone can celebrate the new year without staying up all night. This year’s entertainment will include live music by Dinosaur “Dino” O’Dell and the T-Rex All-Stars. You’ll get the chance to create your own party hat, gather props and make a memory in the 2017 photo booth. The party will end with a bang, when guests do the bubble-wrap stomp and balloons drop from the ceiling in the Great Hall. And no New Year’s Eve party is complete without a dance party!
Noon Year’s Eve at the Omaha Zoo
Saturday, December 31, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
If you prefer to celebrate New Year’s Eve with hundreds of exotic animals, stop by the zoo early! They’re celebrating Noon Year’s Eve with Joe Cole’s Magic Show, fun family-friendly activities, and a 12 p.m. countdown to 2017 complete with a beach ball drop!
CoCo Key New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Extravaganza!
Saturday, December 31, 6 – 11 p.m.
Ramada Plaza Omaha Hotel & Convention Center and CoCo Key Water Resort
$25 for adults, $20 for kids (without hotel stay)
To ring in 2017, CoCo Key is throwing an unforgettable New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Extravaganza! Bring your family to join the fun with face painting, surprise guest appearances (CoCo included), and splashes for everyone.
Rooms start at $189/night and come with four free waterpark passes. General admission without hotel stay is available $25 for adults, $20 for kids 12 & under, and FREE for kids 2 & under! Call (402) 393-3950 to reserve your spot.
Party with Omaha Public Library
Noon Year’s Eve at Saddlebrook
Saturday, December 31, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Saddlebrook Library and Community Center
Free
The Saddlebrook Library is celebrating the new year with a family fun fair. The festivities begin at 10:30 a.m. with a “New Year, New You” storytime and continue with games, a bounce house, a festive family photo area, dance party and more! The balloon drop happens at noon to welcome 2017.
Noon Year’s Eve at South Omaha Library
Saturday, December 31, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
South Omaha Library
Free
The South Omaha branch will celebrate with books and crafts — including sparkly noisemakers and hats. At noon, everyone will toast 2017 with a fizzy grape drink!
Saturday, December 31, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
AV Sorensen Branch
Free
At Sorensen, party with storytime, kids’ crafts, a bounce house, a photo backdrop, a live DJ and a balloon drop at noon.
Noon Year’s Eve at Main Library
Saturday, December 31, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
W. Dale Clark Main Library
Free
The W. Dale Clark branch will be filled with festive activities — and plenty of sparkles! You’ll enjoy balloons, confetti, fizzy drinks and popcorn before the bubble wrap stomp and balloon drop at noon.
Saturday, December 31, 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
W. Clarke Swanson Branch
Free
Make your own noisemaker, pose for family photos and count down the seconds to a monstrous bubble stomp at the W. Clarke Swanson branch!
Noon Year’s Eve in La Vista
Saturday, December 31, 11:30 a.m.
La Vista Public Library
Free
To wrap up La Vista’s Twas the Lights Before Christmas Wintertainment they’re throwing an end of year celebration for the whole family. There will be dancing, treats, crafts and activities for all ages — and it’s free. Don’t miss this Noon Year’s celebration!
For the Adults
Z-92 Rockin’ Eve
Saturday, December 31, 5 p.m.
Doubletree by Hilton Omaha Downtown
Party: $39.95
Dinner + Party: $95.95
Dinner + Party + Hotel: Starting at $295
The Doubletree and Z-92 are throwing a New Year’s Eve party you don’t want to miss. Your reservation at the hotel includes a room, two tickets to the party, two drink tickets, breakfast on New Year’s Day, and a special gift at checkout. The more expensive option includes a pre-party New Year’s Eve dinner as well.
The party will have live music from “Down To Here” and “Wicked Fun” all night and a midnight champagne toast. You’re guaranteed to make it back safely because you’ll be staying just upstairs! Make your reservations online.
If you want to attend the party, but don’t want to stay the night, you can reserve seats at the dinner which include party tickets. From 5 – 9 p.m. you’ll be treated to appetizers, salads, an entrée and dessert, followed by the party of the year! For tickets, call (402) 636-4994.
Family Fun Night
Saturday, December 31, 6 – 9 p.m.
Emanuel Lutheran Church, Council Bluffs
Free
Bring along a dish to share for Family Fun Night at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs! They’re celebrating with a potluck, games and community fun.
Sparta Up All Night New Year’s Eve Edition!
Saturday, December 31, 6 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Sparta Games Omaha
Free
Sparta Games offers Omaha’s best gaming experience with custom gaming tables, comfortable seating, plenty of space, and all the amenities a gamer could want. And on New Year’s Eve, they’re hosting an all-night game night. Guests are asked to bring a potluck food dish and the store will provide games and drinks for everyone!
Secret Weapon’s New Year’s Eve Bash at The Waiting Room
Saturday, December 31, 9 p.m.
The Waiting Room, Omaha
$10
The Waiting Room in downtown Omaha is ringing in the new year with a live show from Secret Weapon. The group has won Best Cover Band at the Omaha Entertainment Awards in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015. If you’re into 80s music and dancing all night, don’t miss this!
New Year’s Bash with Live Band: 7 Day Stretch
Saturday, December 31, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Kikker’s, Council Bluffs
Free
Kikker’s is bringing in the new year with a live show. Playing classics from the 80s and 90s, 7 Day Stretch will be jamming all night so you can sing, dance and celebrate with your friends!
OSNS Presents: Hogwarts Yule Ball New Years Eve!
Saturday, December 31, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Starlight Chateau, Omaha
$15
By popular demand, Omaha Sexy Nerd Society is hosting their second Yule Ball of the year, this time on New Year’s Eve! Upon arrival, you’ll be sorted into a Hogwarts house then welcomed into the wizarding world’s best party. There will be aerial acrobatics shows, Triwizard Tournament mini-games, live music, formal wizarding costume contest, themed drinks and food, a commemorative photo booth, and so much more!
Later in the evening, don’t miss the date auction. A portion of the proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish foundation and the rest will fund future events.
New Year’s Eve! The Decaturs + Super Moon + Light Speed Highway
Saturday, December 31, 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
The Barley Street Tavern, Omaha
$5
Featured on our list of the best local bands, The Decaturs are returning for a live New Year’s Eve show with their friends Super Moon and Light Speed Highway. Celebrate with a night of local music and rock into 2017 at The Barley Street Tavern!
New Years Eve Club FuN Style Ciroc + Hennessy Bash
Saturday, December 31, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
The Underground Bar and Grill, Council Bluffs
Free
Hosted by Cherry Apple Berry and Baconda Smalltowngeneral, stop by The Underground Bar and Grill in Council Bluffs for a wild party. They’re celebrating with live music by DJ Mista Soull and drink specials all night. You’ll get $6 Hennesy, $7 Ciroc, $2 You Call It drinks from 9 p.m. – 10 p.m., a free champagne fountain at midnight, VIP options and more!
Happy New Year!
However you choose to celebrate this year, remember to stay safe. Both Lyft and Uber are available in Omaha. Download the apps before you head out and make sure everyone gets home safe!
And from all of us at NP Dodge, have a happy new year!