15 New Year's Eve ideas to ring 2023 in Delaware & Maryland, including a rooftop party

Andre Lamar, Delaware News Journal

December 29, 2022 at 4:50 AM·7 min read

Will you attend the keg drop at midnight or watch an anchor drop from at ship on New Year’s Eve?

There are a lot of wild ways to celebrate the last day of 2022.

And all of the fun isn't reserved for adults either.

Here are 15 ideas for you and your family to choose from to ring in 2023 in the First State.

Rooftop Ball Drop Party in Wilmington

You know a party is good when you get to turn up on the rooftop.

The Quoin hotel wants to make your last day of the year a memorable one with its package that includes an early check in at 2 p.m., plus hors d’oeuvres and wine (3:30 to 5 p.m.). Patrons also can make dinner reservations.

Guests will have VIP access to the Rooftop Ball Drop Party featuring entertainment, drinks and a Champagne toast at midnight.

More:Looking for fun on New Year's Eve? Here are 5 safe ways to celebrate

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Availability is limited, so book your package while you still can.

The Quoin (519 N. Market St., Wilmington) on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. (when the Rooftop Ball Drop Party begins). For more info, visit thequoinhotel.com or (302) 446-5600.

New Years Furry Ball in Newark

There’s a community of cosplayers who enjoys furry costumes. These folks are nicknamed “furries.”

Furry culture has a strong following and there are furry conventions around the state and across the world. So it only makes sense for furry lovers to ring in the new year together, and that’s where the family-friendly New Years Furry Ball comes in.

The event is essentially a convention with a game room, dealers den (with artwork and other items), a buffet dinner, a ball drop and other fun.

The NYFB is hosted by the nonprofit Furst State Foundation, an organization dedicated to serving Delaware’s furry community. The first NYFB started in 2005, per its website.

The Furry Ball is coming to Embassy Suites By Hilton Newark Wilmington South (654 S. College Ave., Newark) at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. General admission starts at $45 at the door. For more info, visit newyearsfurryball.com.

Confetti Countdowns in Wilmington

Some kids will be too busy sleeping when the ball drops at night.

The Delaware Children’s Museum knows that and created an annual tradition that allows young people to time travel into the New Year, hours before they eat dinner.

This celebration features confetti countdowns that will take place four times (11 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m.). There will also be puppet meet-and-greets and a live performances from We Kids Rock!

Delaware Children’s Museum (550 Justison St., Wilmington) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Admission is $12. Free for members and children aged 12 months or younger. For more info, visit delawarechildrensmuseum.org or (302) 654-2340.

New Year’s Eve at Hamilton’s on Main in Newark

A toast to a fresh beginning is always better with a five-course menu.

But you also have to burn off some of those calories on the dance floor, which The Bachelor Boys will help you with. This celebration also will feature a 360-degree photo booth, open bar and more.

Seating for the five-course dinner is at 6:30 p.m.

Hamilton’s on Main (102 East Main St., Newark) at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Tickets are from $100 to $125. For more info, visit hamiltonsonmain.com or (302) 358-8533.

White Panda caps off year in Dewey Beach

EMD artist White Panda will headline the New Year's Eve event at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach on Dec. 31. Panda is pictured rocking the stage at Firefly in 2019.

White Panda is back at the Bottle & Cork and likely will bring more danceable mashups for partygoers to groove to. This half-man, half-panda has a reputation of pairing artists together on a song that you might not expect.

A few examples are his mashups for “Mother’s Affair” (Miley Cyrus and Mary J Blige) and “Best Friends All the Time” (50 Cent and Sofi Tukker).

Firefly alum White Panda will bring the noise to the Bottle & Cork (1807 Highway One, Dewey Beach) at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Tickets are $42. For more info, visit bottleandcork.com or (302) 227-7272.

Crooked Hammock beer bashes in Lewes & Middletown

You’ll drink, grub and dance your way problems away, before enjoying a keg drop at midnight in wholesome brewery fashion.

Folks can get their sip on at the open bar of Crooked Hammock beer and cocktails with a midnight toast. There’s also going to be a feast with cookout fare.

All of this is going down at both of Crooked Hammock’s locations starting at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 31. Tickets are $110.

Crooked Hammock Middletown (316 Auto Park Drive, Middletown); (302) 601-7837Lewes location (36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes); (302) 644-7837 or crookedhammockbrewery.com.

Docklands Riverfront’s New Year’s Eve bash in Wilmington

People take advantage of a warm night to enjoy the outdoor dining and bar area of Docklands on the Wilmington Riverfront.

A buffet dinner awaits you. So does an open bar, valet and live bands — all on tap on the Riverfront.

This is a fun way to cap off the year if you’re looking to cut loose a little, while also eating a good meal.

Docklands Riverfront (110 West St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. The early bird special starts at $99 plus fees. General admission starts at $110 plus fees. For more info, visit docklandsriverfront.com or (302) 658-6626.

Anchor drop on NYE in Lewes

The Lightship Overfalls beckons visitors at Lewes Canalfront Park. Sunny weather brought crowds to the Delaware beaches, Saturday, August 21, 2022.

Instead of a ball drop, Lewes has a tradition of ringing in the New Year with a nautical twist.

An anchor is lowered at midnight from the mighty Lightship Overfalls during this one-hour event.

Lewes CanalFront Park (211 Front St., Lewes) at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. For more info, visit overfalls.org or (302) 644-8050.

Seacrets New Year’s Eve bash in Ocean City, Maryland

Champagne will get popped and a balloon will drop as a merry formality to usher you into next year.

But best believe, the fun won’t stop when the ball drops. This New Year’s bash continues until 4 a.m.

Reservations are required for dinner. The menu features a three-course meal with a salad, appetizer and main course. Seating times for dinner are at 5:30 p.m. ($99), 6:45 p.m. ($109), 7:30 p.m. ($119) and 8:45 p.m. ($119).

According to the website, folks interested in paying only a cover charge will get soda, Champagne toast, tea and coffee.

The party's entertainment offerings include Full Circle, The Malones, Late Last Night, Triple Rail Turn, Band of Make Believe and three DJs.

This party is coming to Seacrets (117 49th St., Ocean City, Maryland) at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Cover charge is $50 starting at 5 p.m. For more info, visit seacrets.com or (410) 524-4900.

'Roaring into the New Year' in Greenville

The Theropod dinosaur Dryptosaurus (Dryptosaurus aquilunguis) is selected as Delaware's state dinosaur by students at Shue-Medill School. The Theropod is on display at the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science on Wednesday, June 22, 2022.

Kids won’t want to keep their paws off a New Year’s celebration at a hands-on museum where they can ring in 2023 with a special science-related ball drop at noon.

Patrons will get a chance to create their own festive hats and noise makers. They’ll be introduced to live animal presentations and science stations.

Delaware Museum of Nature & Science (4840 Kennett Pike, Greenville) from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Preregistration is required. $3 for members and Winterthur members; $3 plus admission price for nonmembers, which is up to 12.95 per person for general admission at the door. For more info, visit delmns.org or (302) 658-9111.

Love Seed Mama Jump and others in Dewey Beach

Love Seed Mama Jump will play the New Year's Eve bash at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach on Saturday, Dec. 31. The band is pictured rocking the Rudder in 2016.

The beach boys Love Seed Mama Jump will turn up for the last day of the year with musical acts Go Go Gadjet, Hector and Hugh.

The price of admission includes open bar, food and fireworks because it wouldn’t be an NYE celebration unless you can end it with a literal bang.

Rusty Rudder (113 Dickinson Ave., Dewey Beach) at 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Tickets are $110 plus booking fee. For more info, visit rustyrudder.com or (302) 227-3888.

Fireworks at the Riverfront in Wilmington

Firework at the riverfront in downtown Wilmington.

The Riverfront’s Riverbright Wilmington Light Display will dazzle guests with a new round of to cap off this year. The show will be held shortly after 9 p.m. over the Christina River.

Guests can view the fireworks from most parts of the Riverwalk, with the best areas between Riverfront Market and Public Dock.

Riverfront Wilmington (815 Justison St., Wilmington) at 9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 31. For more info, visit riverfrontwilm.com.

Noon Year’s Eve at Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington

Arguably the coolest way to ring in 2023 is at Brandywine Zoo’s Noon Year’s Eve. That’s because you and your kids are going to be outside for this event. So make sure to dress accordingly.

As the name of the event implies, there will be a countdown at noon. Instead of Champagne, hot chocolate will be for sale at the snack bar.

Brandywine Zoo (1001 N. Park Drive, Wilmington) from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Admission is $5 per nonmember; free for members and children under age 3. Registration is required. For more info, visit brandywinezoo.org or (302) 571-7747.

Dining at Hotel du Pont in Wilmington

The dining room at Le Cavalier in Wilmington.

Le Cavalier at the Hotel du Pont has relaxation written all over it, complete with lots of food options that will bring you comfort as you ring in 2023. Menu options include everything from seared scallops to pan-roasted chicken breast.

Hotel du Pont (42 W. 11th St., Wilmington) on Saturday, Dec. 31. First seating begins at 5 p.m. for $85 per person. Second seating is at 7 p.m. for $100 per person (includes champagne toast). Third seating is at 9:30 p.m. for $100 per person (includes champagne toast at midnight). For more info, visit lecavalierde.com or to make reservations call (302) 594-3100.

Dewey Dunk 2023

Almost 200 people braved the 40 degree air temperatures and 45 degree water temp to plunge into the Atlantic Ocean in Dewey Beach at the 9th Annual Dewey Dunk on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, at Dagsworthy Street.

This isn't an NYE event. Nonetheless, you can make a splash on the first day of the New Year by going to the beach early and then diving into the frigid water with a bunch of other brave souls, who might be in costume.

The 11th annual Dewey Dunk fundraiser will feature a DJ, hot chocolate, Bloody Marys, mimosas and a bonfire.

Proceeds will benefit the Dewey Business Partnership, a nonprofit dedicated to improving “Dewey Beach's way of life of well rounded, family friendly events!” according to DBP's website. Dewey Beach (Dagsworthy St., Dewey Beach) from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1. Tickets are $15-$20. For more info, visit deweybusinesspartnership.com or (302) 228-3701.

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