Time to dust off those heels and bust out the sparkly dress you never get to wear. New Year’s Eve is right around the corner and Fort Collins has no shortage of ways to celebrate a great year and an even better 2016!
We’ve organized a list of NYE events that range from low-key brewery parties to black-tie soirees! No matter your preference, you’ll be able to ring in the new year with a bang. Know of an event taking place that didn’t make the list? Let us know and we’ll add it to help spread the good word.
First Night Fort Collins
Thursday, December 31st from 5:00pm – 10:30pm
Old Town Square, Fort Collins
Free
This year marks the 20th anniversary of this time honored First Friday event in Fort Collins! Free to the public, this is a great event to attend to kick-off your New Year’s Eve celebrations. Before tucking the kids into bed for the night, bring them down to Old Town Square at 5:30pm for the “Kid’s Countdown” to 2016 and illumination of the plaza.
This year’s theme is “Discover the Magic” and gives you the opportunity to watch international dance, live theater and magic shows, along with comedy acts, street performers, music and singing. The kids are sure to enjoy this magical night with balloon drops, giant inflatables, face painters and more.
The grand finale includes a fireworks display at 10:00pm. For a full lineup of events, visit the Downtown Fort Collins event page.
New Year’s Eve Masquerade Charity Ball
Thursday, December 31st at 8:00pm
Windsong Estates Event Center, 2901 Saddler Boulevard, Fort Collins
$75/ticket online, $80 at the door
Come dressed to impress and support a great cause! This black tie affair is being held at the Windsong Estate Event Center, a “modern meets industrial” venue and the perfect backdrop for a ball!
Included in the ticket price is live entertainment, two drinks, a champagne toast, balloon drop and even a few surprises along the way. But the best part about this event, is you can attend this event knowing that the proceeds are benefiting two great local organizations: Domesti-Pups and the Animal House. Domesti-Pups provides therapy dogs and service dogs for people with disabilities, as well as trained dogs through their adoption program; and Animal House is a local animal shelter that is dedicated to helping homeless pets find their forever home.
So if you’re an animal lover, put on your suit and tie (insert Justin Timberlake tunes here), and get your tickets to help support two great local organizations. To purchase tickets, visit their Eventbrite page.
Party for a Cause: Black & White Bash Featuring the Wendy Woo Band
Thursday, December 31st at 8:00pm
The Rio, 149 West Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins
$65 for JLFC members (that includes 2 tickets) and $80/ticket for non-members
Another great organization you can support on this festive holiday is the Junior League of Fort Collins and their community programs during their Black & White Bash! The Junior League is a local non-profit organization comprised of dedicated women volunteers that share one central focus: creating opportunities for women and children to thrive.
See a live performance by the Wendy Woo Band, a Colorado band that performs catchy, upbeat songs to get everyone out on the dance floor while eating tasty hors d’oeuvres by The Rio and sipping on local wine and beer from the hosted bar. The night will also include a silent auction, door prizes and a sparkling wine toast at midnight!
The attire is black and white cocktail, and should include a good pair of shoes for optimal comfort while dancing the night away. Don’t forget to purchase your tickets ahead of time on their Eventbrite page!
Brew Years Eve Bootlegger Bash
Thursday, December 31st from 6:00pm – Midnight
Fort Collins Brewery, 1020 East Lincoln Avenue, Fort Collins
$75/ticket and special designated driver priced admission
It wouldn’t be a party in Fort Collins if there wasn’t at least one brewery on our list! Head to the Fort Collins Brewery and take a step back in time during their roaring 20s themed New Years Eve party.
Flappers and gangsters will come together as they smoke cigars in the heated outdoor cigar lounge and drink period-inspired cocktails. Also included in the night’s festivities are hor d’oeuvres, a dessert bar, brewery tours and even a costume contest for the best dressed.
To RSVP to this event, give Fort Collins Brewery a call at 970-472-1499. You can also find more details for the event on their website!
Ace Gillett’s New Year’s Eve Soiree
Thursday, November 31st at 9:00am
Ace Gillett’s, 239 South College Avenue, Fort Collins
$45/ticket
Ace Gillett’s is an underground bar that offers a cozy, intimate atmosphere for sipping on a martini and listening to live jazz. It’s also one of our favorite places to grab a cocktail in Fort Collins so we had to include it on our list of NYE must-attend bashes!
For a night of class and sophistication this New Year’s Eve, head to Ace Gillett’s and be serenaded by their in-house six piece jazz band, Subterraneans, that will be playing in the Mantz Hall of The Armstrong Hotel. You’re sure to be swept off your feet and onto the dance floor! A champagne toast at midnight, and treats, prizes and giveaways will also take place all night long as well.
Tickets can be purchased above ground at The Armstrong Hotel. They are limited, so grab yours early!
“It’s Midnight Somewhere”
Thursday, December 31st from 4-8 p.m.
The Mayor of Old Town, 632 Street, Fort Collins
Get the party started early with The Mayor of Old Town’s “It’s Midnight Somewhere” event from 4-8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve! Maybe you don’t have New Year’s Day off of work and can’t stay out too late the night before, so this first-ever early party might just be the answer you’ve been looking for. The Mayor of Old Town is offering food and drink specials and live music for a night you won’t forget! They are known for their beer, so make sure you capitalize on their impressive selection. Contact The Mayor of Old Town to make reservations in advance for groups larger than four for 4 p.m.
Big Country 97.9’s Buckle Ball
Thursday, December 31st at 10:00pm
Budweiser Event Center, First National Bank Building, 5290 Arena Circle, Loveland
$10 in advance, $15 at the door
In its 10th year, the Big Country Buckle Ball is a great way to ring in the new year in Loveland with live entertainment. But this event is so much more than a NYE party; it’s also a rodeo after party!
Make a night of it by attending the NYE Extreme Rodeo Challenge beforehand at 7:30pm. Whether you’re a first-timer or a rodeo fanatic, this event is sure to get you excited with a long list of entertaining events including saddle bronc riding, bareback riding and bull riding. Ticket prices range from $15-$25 and are an additional fee to the Buckle Ball. A $110 VIP experience is available as well and includes floor seating, an unlimited buffet and a host bar for select items.
So giddy-on-up to the Budweiser Event Center and celebrate NYE eight seconds at a time!
Looking for a place to stay?
For added convenience, Hilton Fort Collins is offering a NYE room package that includes shuttle transportation to Old Town and (the best part) a 2:00pm late check-out time the following morning. So you can dance until all hours of the morning knowing you have a comfortable night’s stay just down the road.
Need a ride home?
Give everyone in your party a chance to celebrate the new year by paying Uber to take you home! Uber is new to the Fort Collins area, and is a great way to catch a safe ride home at the end of the night. If you haven’t used them before, you can even get $20 off your first ride. Simply download the app at Uber.com/app, set-up your payment, and you’re all set! Be sure to use the promo code 5tuiz to get your free ride.
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