Ring in 2025 in Bourbon City

Fourth Street Live! does a New York-style ball drop every year. | Photo provided

Louisville is one of the top 20 “Best Cities for New Year's Eve Celebrations,” according to WalletHub — and we couldn’t agree more. Bourbon City is the perfect place to raise a glass to 2026. All of the events below take place on New Year’s Eve (Wednesday, Dec. 31) — unless otherwise noted.

Instead of staying up to midnight, everyone gathers for a lively countdown to 12 p.m. at Noon Years. | Photo by Kentucky Science Center

🎊 Family-friendly

Noon Years, Kentucky Science Center | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Signature moment: Countdown to noon demo, a large-scale chemistry experiment visible from every floor
• Features: Hands-on kid's activities, storytime, music and timekeeping show
• Vibe: Playful, kid-centered, educational
• Tickets: $22-$24

Bonne Annee: A Family Friendly NYE Silent Disco, Milewide Beer Co. | 3-6 p.m.

• Signature moment: Champagne & sparkling grape juice toast at 6 p.m. (that's midnight in Paris)
• Features: Louisville Silent Disco
• Vibe: Local brewery, pinball arcade
• Tickets: Cost of headphones

New Year's Eve Fireworks, Kentucky Kingdom | 3-9 p.m.

• Signature moment: 15-minute-long firework show at 8:50 p.m.
• Features: Select rides, snow tubing hill, over 1 million Christmas lights
• Vibe: Amusement park setting, all ages
• Tickets: $24.99-$29.99

🎊 Black-tie events

Kosair Shriners New Year’s Eve Celebration, Kosair Shrine Center | 5 p.m.-1 a.m.

• Signature moment: Balloon drop & champagne toast
• Features: Dinner, live music from Caribou Rocks, dancing, pull-tabs, after-midnight Krispy Kreme Donuts and White Castle sliders
• Vibe: Traditional NYE, formal wear
• Tickets: $90-$700

New Year’s Eve Black and Diamond Soirée, The Palm Room | 8 p.m.

• Signature moment: Balloon drop & champagne toast
• Features: Music by The Unlimited Show Band & DJ YK, dancing
• Vibe: Glamourous, holiday magic
• Tickets: $31.80-$371

New Year’s Eve Ballroom Party, Hotel Bourré Bonne | 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m.

• Signature moment: Countdown to midnight with a champagne toast
• Features: Private dining seatings, open bar, live band, passed hors d’oeuvres and culinary stations, rooftop afterparty
• Vibe: Boutique hotel, elevated cocktail hour
• Tickets: $275-$1,900
  

🎊 Nightlife parties

NYE Live!, Fourth Street Live! | 8 p.m.

• Signature moment: New York-style ball drop & champagne toast
• Features: Music from Soul Circus, dancing, multiple venues, ticket packages
• Vibe: Bar hopping, downtown entertainment district
• Tickets: $27.33-$145.08

NYE, High Stakes Rooftop | 9 p.m.

• Signature moment: Midnight toast
• Features: Hot and cold buffet, live jazz from Carly Johnson, late-night DJ, two drinks included
• Vibe: Downtown hotel rooftop, cozy, curated
• Tickets: $99

New Year’s Eve Party, Derby City Gaming Downtown | 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

• Features: Casino-style games, drink specials, DJ K-DOGG
• Vibe: Speakeasy, refined
• Tickets: $10 cover
  

🎊 Concerts

New Year's Eve Live Broadcast, Louisville Palace | 8 p.m.

• Signature moment: “Soulful, funky good time”
• Features: Local bands and DJs, pop-up art gallery and record shop
• Vibe: Historic theater downtown, local fundraiser for Louisville Public Media
• Tickets: $35.99-58.6

Juice Box Heroes, The Gillespie | 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

• Signature moment: Champagne toast
• Features: 1980s-2000s party cover band, three ticket options, open bar
• Vibe: Ballroom party in a historic downtown venue, dazzling, lively
• Tickets: $85-$2,000
  

Nouvelle Bar & Bottle received the "Award of Excellence" for 2025 from Wine Spectator. | Photo via Nouvelle Bar & Bottle

🎊 Unique experiences

New Year’s Bash!, Mary M. Miller | 10 p.m.-1 a.m.

• Signature moment: Champagne toast
• Features: Music from DJ Jill, champagne included, party favors
• Vibe: Three-hour river cruise on a historic riverboat
• Tickets: $109.99

NYE, Nouvelle Bar & Bottle | 5 p.m.-1 a.m.

• Signature moment: Champagne toast
• Features: A “completely irresponsible champagne list”
• Vibe: Trendy, artsy neighborhood wine bar
• Tickets: No cover

Polish New Years, 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens | 1-8 p.m.

• Signature moment: Giant Polish sausage drop at 6 p.m. (that’s midnight in Poland)
• Features: Games, food and drink specials
• Vibe: Chill, beer garden, dog-friendly
• Tickets: Free to attend

Check out all the New Year happenings and more on our events calendar.