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, Fort Collins and Loveland have plenty of choices to ring in the new year.
Whether you’re looking to dance the night away, sip a cocktail in a jazz lounge or rock with a live band, 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 NoCo way. And we even included a way to refresh and reenergize on New Year’s Day!
First Night
Saturday, December 31 from 5:30 – 10 p.m.
Downtown Fort Collins
Free
Each year, Downtown Fort Collins hosts a New Year’s Eve bash perfect for the entire family. It’s non-alcoholic, family-oriented and free — and it’s early enough that even the youngest of the group can celebrate.
Head to Old Town on December 31 for a Winter Wonderland of music, international dance, live theater, magic shows, an arts celebration of Fort Collins culture, and a showcase of community talent from the past year. Whether you’re stopping by to party or just to say hello before you head out to these other Northern Colorado events, First Night is a can’t-miss occasion!
Jax Fish House New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe Menu
Saturday, December 31 from 4 – 10 p.m.
Jax Fish House Fort Collins
$50 per person
Ring in 2017 with one of the best dinners in Fort Collins at Jax Fish House! Their fixed menu for the night includes three courses as well as a la carte options, a raw bar and wine pairings. With various seafood dishes as well as soups and steak courses, everyone will find something to love! And you can wrap up the evening with one of three mouth-watering desserts — a Carrot Cake Swiss Roll, Pumpkin Flan or S’mores Tort.
Reservations are recommended; call (970) 682-2275 to make yours.
Party for a Purpose: Black and White Bash
Image courtesy of Junior League of Fort Collins
Saturday, December 31 from 8 p.m. – 1 a.m.
The Agave Room at The Rio, Fort Collins
$75
While celebrating the new year, you can support the Junior League of Fort Collins and their community programs during their annual Black and 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.
This year, the party will be serenaded (and rocked) by Canyon Creek Band. They play a range of country rock — from classic outlaw to alternative country. It’s sure 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 comfortable pair of shoes for dancing the night away. Don’t forget to purchase your tickets ahead of time!
New Year’s Eve at Ace Gillett’s
Image courtesy of Ace Gillett’s
Saturday, December 31 from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Ace Gillett’s, For Collins
$50
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 and the best place in town for a sophisticated and lively New Year celebration.
At this year’s party, you’ll be serenaded by Ace Gillett’s in-house six-piece jazz band, Subterraneans, along with a list of special guests. New this year, the guests will create a full band, perfect for rocking, swinging and dancing in every genre. They’ll be playing in the Mantz Hall of The Armstrong Hotel to welcome everyone and sweep you off your feet and onto the dance floor! With a champagne toast at midnight and treats, prizes and giveaways all evening, you’re sure to ring in the new year the right way at this can’t miss event.
Tickets can be purchased above ground at The Armstrong Hotel or online. They’re limited, so grab yours early!
New Year’s Eve Extreme Rodeo Challenge
Image courtesy of Budweiser Events Center
Saturday, December 31 at 7 p.m.
Budweiser Events Center, Loveland
$17 – $27
In its 11th year, the Extreme Rodeo Challenge is a New Year’s Eve affair like you’ve never seen before. Complete with bronc riding, bull riding and mutton bustin’, it’s a classic rodeo celebration and is followed by a festive after party! Ticket prices for the rodeo range from $17 – $27. This year, a $112 VIP experience is available as well and includes floor seating, an unlimited buffet and a host bar for select items. Ticket prices increase the day of the show so buy yours in advance. The after party bash and rodeo challenge are not a package deal so you can do one or the other, or both!
Either way, giddy-on-up to the Budweiser Event Center and celebrate NYE eight seconds at a time!
NoCo NY Bash
Image courtesy of Budweiser Events Center
Saturday, December 31 from 8 p.m. – 1 a.m.
First National Bank Building at The Ranch, Loveland
$10 advance, $15 at the door
The excitement continues after the Extreme Rodeo Challenge with the 11th annual NoCo New Year’s Bash. This year, the celebration is getting a revamp so it’ll be bigger and more fun than ever before — with more dancing! The radio station, Big 97.9 will be hosting country rockers, the Austin Wahlert Band, and KISS-FM will have a DJ on their side of the party.
With dance, drink and celebration options for everyone in your group, this is one event you don’t want to miss! Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Ring in the new year with a little country this time around.
NYE 2016 Celebration
Saturday, December 31 from 8 p.m. – 1 a.m.
La Quinta Inn, Loveland
$75 single, $125 couple, $25 children, $40 babysitting
If you’re looking for a party and something for the kids to do, the New Vision Charter School NYE 2016 Celebration is the place to be on December 31. There’s so much going on at this event everyone will stay entertained into the wee hours of the morning! And it’s all in Loveland’s La Quinta Inn.
On the adult side of the party at The Fountains, there will be hot and cold appetizers, a full cash bar, a silent auction, a Wine Fridge and a Meat Smoker raffle, games and prizes, photo opportunities, and a Midnight Champagne Toast sponsored by a local business. All of this, while you’re dancing the night away to Dance on Fire, a high energy cover band playing top hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s — from Rock to Country to Funk to Pop.
On the kids’ side in the Conference Room, the party will include snacks, games, crafts, a New Year’s Celebration at 10:00pm with the New York Ball Drop and movies. Families are encouraged to bring blankets and pillows to watch movies camp-style on the floor. If the kids are too young or prefer a quieter atmosphere, babysitting is also available for ages 6 months to 3 years in a hotel room suite.
All tickets and babysitting reservation should be made in advance. You can find all the information here. Proceeds benefit New Vision Charter School in Loveland, a public school striving to provide the best education possible for our community’s children.
Rose Hill Drive at Hodi’s Half Note
Photo courtesy of Rose Hill Drive / Devin Stinson
Saturday, December 31 from 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins
$20 advance, $25 under 21
After being named one of Rolling Stone’s top ten artists to watch, releasing three studio albums, and spending six straight years in a van touring the world, Boulder, CO based rock band Rose Hill Drive decided to take a break. Now, five years later, they’ve resumed with the original three piece lineup and have a brand new album in their pocket.
To ring in the new year, they’re playing a show at Hodi’s Half Note, one of Fort Collins’ best venues. Alcoholic beverages will be available for everyone over 21, but all ages are admitted so bring everyone for a night of revelry! And buy your tickets in advance.
Michal Menert & Friends at Aggie Theater
Photo courtesy of Michal Menert / Live Edits Lab
Saturday, December 31 from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
The Aggie Theater, Fort Collins
$25
Another Fort Collins option for ringing in the new year with a show, Michal Menert is an electronic music artist and producer based in Denver. In the past, he has worked with Pretty Lights and shared the stage with STS9, Bassnectar and more. The “Friends” at the NYE show include Russ Liquid, Matt Van Den Heuvel, AC Lao, Marcelo Moxy and solo sets by Russ Liquid, The BeatServer and Shuj Roswell.
Tickets are only available at the door on New Year’s Eve so plan to get there early! Doors open at 8 p.m.
Brewery Yoga
Photo courtesy of Fort Collins Brewery
Sunday, January 1, 2017 from 10 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.
Fort Collins Brewery, Fort Collins
$15
On New Year’s Day, freshen up after the festivities with Fort Collins Brewery’s Yoga classes. Every Sunday morning, they host two. Each is followed by a well-deserved adult beverage — an FCB brew, beermosa or a Bloody Mary. This is a great way to reenergize your body after a night of New Year’s celebrations and maybe even start a new resolution!
The Hatha yoga class begins at 10 a.m. A slow-paced class, Hatha focuses on connecting the mind and body through long-held and meditative poses. The Vinyasa class follows at 11:30 a.m. and are much more fast-paced, focusing on breathing and strength.
Be sure to select the correct date when you register on Eventbrite.
Happy New Year!
However you choose to celebrate this year, remember to stay safe. Both Lyft and Uber are available in Loveland and Fort Collins. Download the apps before you head out and make sure everyone gets home safe!
And from all of us at The Group, Inc. have a happy new year!
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