Here are a dozen ways to celebrate New Year's in Anchorage and beyond
Dec. 31—Whether you're thankful for what 2023 brought or excited for the start of 2024, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate on New Year's Eve. Here are a dozen ways to celebrate, from the Valley to Girdwood, with plenty of events happening in Anchorage.
Downtown Anchorage fireworks
7-9 p.m. Sunday; Chinook Lot, Third Avenue and E Street
This free annual event is emceed by radio personality Eddie P, and Hope Social Club will provide the music for the evening. There are also dance performances from Alaska Fire Circus, Sankofa Dance Theatre Alaska and FlowZone Dance Studio. Mayor Dave Bronson joins to count down the fireworks show at 8 p.m.
Eagle River fireworks
6-8 p.m. Sunday; Lions Park, Eagle River Road and East Eagle River Loop Road
ACF Church hosts this free event with fun and food trucks, along with fireworks set for 8 p.m.
[Lighting your own fireworks on New Year's Eve: Banned in Anchorage, OK in Mat-Su and City of Kenai]
Williwaw Social's 2000s-themed party
8 p.m. Sunday; Williwaw Social, 609 F St.
This party has a 2000s theme with music on all three floors at Williwaw and a secret artist performing at midnight. There will also be a user light show, a photo booth and a free Y2K gift for the first 250 people in the door. Tickets range from $10 for early birds to $40 for the day-of, skip-the-line option.
Irish rockers at Matanuska Brewing
9 p.m. Sunday; Matanuska Brewing Midtown, 2830 C St.
The Young Dubliners headline this gathering with a toast of Irish whiskey planned for midnight. Locals Black Barrel & The Bad Men open, and tickets are $45.
Prime rib and dancing at the Hotel Captain Cook
8 p.m. Sunday; Hotel Captain Cook, 939 W. Fifth Ave.
This gathering invites attendees to dance up the Yellow Brick Road. Dancing starts at 8 p.m. with a prime rib buffet set to start at 9 p.m. Champagne toasts at midnight with DJ Lefty providing entertainment. Tickets are $125.
Torchlight Parade at Alyeska Resort
9 p.m. Sunday; Alyeska Resort, 1000 Arlberg Ave. in Girdwood
The traditional Torchlight Parade starts at 9 p.m. followed by fireworks. The Sitzmark will be headquarters for dancing with the Roland Roberts Band providing music from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. There is no night skiing on New Year's. The mountain closes at 5 p.m.
Carousel Lounge's masquerade
9 p.m. Sunday; The Carousel Lounge, 3206 Spenard Road
This free masquerade party includes music by Danger Money and a Champagne toast at midnight.
Wasilla fireworks
8 p.m. Sunday; Iditapark, 594 W. Nelson Ave. in Wasilla
Wasilla will host its traditional New Year's fireworks display at 8 p.m.
Live music and a time capsule at Koot's
10 p.m. Sunday; Koot's, 2435 Spenard Road
Rock band The Stack provides entertainment at this New Year's party along with a DJ. Also, be sure to help create a time capsule filled with memories and trinkets from the past year. There will also be a drawing for a Jagermeister speed pour machine.
Rooftop party at 49th State Brewing
7 p.m. Sunday; 49th State Brewing, 717 W. Third Ave.
The High Gravity party on the rooftop at 49th State opens at 7 p.m. with fireworks set for 8 p.m. Tickets aren't required for those dining at 49th State, but otherwise tickets to the roof are $5. Tickets include either a Frontier Soda or a flagship 49th State Brewing beer.
The Blue Note
9 p.m. Sunday; Billiard Palace and Bar, 903 W. Northern Lights Blvd.
This gathering will feature party favors and a midnight Champagne toast plus drink specials on margaritas and draft beer. Free admission and parking. Music by The Misadventures of Leo and Pam.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
3 p.m./7:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m./3 p.m./7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday; Atwood Concert Hall, 621 W. Sixth Ave.
Get the full cirque experience, from circus acts to juggling and acrobatics. The whole show has a holiday theme with Broadway-style production and characters from some favorite traditional tales. Tickets start at $44 with subscription tickets starting at $33.
If you know of any New Year's gatherings that could be included in this piece, email the details to play@adn.com.
