Ah, New Year’s: that glittering crescendo of hope, sequins and wildly optimistic resolutions. Across the country, revelers are finalizing plans that range from “epic” to “we’ll see.” And yet, a surprising number of you (just over 1-in-2, according to research organization Civic Science) are opting out all together. Perhaps you’re still traumatized by that Polar Plunge you took into Lake Minnetonka a few years back. Or maybe you’ve hosted one too many boozy house parties, which start with you curating a Pinterest-worthy cheese and charcuterie board and end with you googling “how to remove red wine stains from a white couch.” Of course, there’s always the dream of an elegant affair. Whether your personal fantasy involves an evening of George Gershwin with the Minnesota Orchestra or a five-course gala dinner followed by dancing and champagne toasts at a luxury hotel, here are six sublime celebrations that won’t leave you with FOMO — or a sinkful of dirty dishes on New Year’s day.
Photography provided by the Minnesota Orchestra
Minnesota Orchestra at Orchestra Hall
Looking for side of culture with your bubbly this year? Head over to Nicollet Mall where conductor William Eddins will lead pianist Jon Kimora Parker and the Minnesota Orchestra in a performance of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Parker has spent four years studying this iconic musical composition, resulting in an interpretation that is freer and more improvisatory. Post-concert? Enjoy jazz from Belle Amour, plus some Champers on the house. Sunday’s performance starts at 8:30 p.m. and lasts two hours, including intermission. Get your tickets now.
Photography provided by the Peninsula Chicago
The Peninsula Chicago
Imagine a New Year’s Eve gala dinner and dancing so festive it practically sings “Auld Lang Syne.” The Peninsula Hotel Chicago festivities begin in The Lobby restaurant with a welcome glass of Champagne, followed by a five-course prix-fixe dinner. As you dine on king crab, foie gras, lobster and Wagyu beef (among other savory and sweet courses), enjoy a live piano soloist followed by a classical trio until it’s time to dance your lobster dinner off to BeatMix, a seven-piece band fires off party tunes until 1:00 a.m. Reserve your spot now.
The Ritz-Carlton
At the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, New Year’s Eve is not so much celebrated as it is curated. Executive Chef Satish Yerramilli presents a sumptuous five-course dinner paired with bubbly and bespoke wines, followed by a performance by jazz luminary Stella Cole. Enjoy a ‘Meet the Artist’ reception and premium cocktails — all wrapped in Ritz-level glamour. Bonus? An autographed album from Stella herself. Secure your tickets now.
Photography provided by BondST Hudson Yards
BondST Hudson Yards’ Omakase Tasting
The celebration here unfolds with precision, like a perfect nigiri. The multi-course Omakase menu features a parade of BondST signatures, including tuna tart with truffles, broiled king crab with uni and Japanese A5 Wagyu so tender it feels like you’re slicing into butter. Add a glittering Hudson Yards skyline that needs no Instagram filter, and voilà — 2025 arrives not with a bang, but a sublime bite. Snag your reservation.
Photography provided by the Newbury Hotel Boston
The Newbury
The Newbury Hotel offers a masterclass in champagne-soaked aspirations. Upon arriving, you’ll be greeted in your room with a Winston‘s flower arrangement and a bottle of Moët Chandon. After summoning your fireplace butler to fine tune your suite’s cozy ambiance (choose from warming birch, long-burning and fragrant cherry, lightly scented oak or quintessentially New England–maple embers), head down to the hotel’s stunning glass-walled rooftop restaurant, Contessa, to enjoy a pre-fix dinner for two. Finally, dust off your Louboutins for The Street Bar‘s exclusive New Year’s Eve celebration, where a live DJ will be spinning hope into the new year. Morning arrives with monogrammed robes and breakfast in bed. Secure your spot now.
Photography provided by Buck Hill Resort
Buck Hill Resort
For those looking for a more adventurous New Year’s Eve, the slopes at this Minnesota ski resort will stay open for nighttime skiing until 11:30 p.m. Après ski, enjoy a prime rib dinner followed by live music by Nick Rod and a set by DJ Aventi in the Buck ’54 Bar & Grill. Kids can warm up at the cocoa bar and make s’mores and crafts in front of a cozy fireplace of the Hutch building. And the pièce de résistance? A midnight fireworks performance will ensure sparks fly as you glide into 2025. Book the experience today.
