15 New Year's Eve Celebrations in the USA to Book Before December

1.New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner Fireworks Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 37 reviews · from $552Our pick

Spend three hours aboard a climate-controlled New York harbor cruise with a reserved table, chef-prepared buffet, open bar, live DJ, and sparkling wine toast for those 21 and older. You’ll pass landmarks from the Statue of Liberty to the Brooklyn Bridge, then watch New Year’s Eve fireworks from the water, weather permitting.

“The decoration and the atmosphere were amazing. Everyone was super friendly, the food was good. The music could have included more new songs, unfortunately only oldies were played, which meant that the dance floor was getting a little emptier. But overall it was a great experience, although it could have gone on a little longer, 3 hours went by way too quickly.”

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2.Cornucopia Majesty New Year’s Eve Party Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 14 reviews · from $369

Spend five hours aboard the Cornucopia Majesty at Pier 81, with reserved seating, a dinner buffet, a four-hour open bar, live DJ music, dancing, party favors, and a midnight fireworks view when weather allows. You will see New York from the water, but this ticket does not include a live view of Times Square’s ball drop.

“Excellent organization, magnificent setting. Fantastic DJ. Efficient staff. Dinner with limited choice but good, there was also something for vegetarians. The only downside was that the women's bathroom was completely flooded and very slippery, and apart from a sign, nothing was done about it. A girl fell and hurt her wrist, and a waitress who was there didn't even offer to bring her some ice. Apart from that, everything was truly magnificent, with a wonderful New Year's Eve fireworks display.”

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3.New York Pier 15 New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 13 reviews · from $496

Spend New Year’s Eve aboard a City Cruises boat from Pier 15, with a buffet dinner, DJ, dancing, top-shelf drinks for ages 21 and over, views of Brooklyn Bridge and One World Trade Center, and a sparkling wine toast at midnight. The four-hour cruise ends where it begins, weather permitting.

“Slecht eten en drinken, onervaren personeel, tafeltjes stonden belachelijk dicht bij elkaar waardoor je nauwelijks kon bewegen. Prijs kwaliteit verhouding helemaal scheef! Voor 400 dollars pp mag je echt meer kwaliteit krijgen!”

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4.New Year’s Eve Drinks, History and Ball Drop Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 11 reviews · 8 hours · from $350

Start at Grand Central with a guide-led Prohibition story, then visit three historic bars and speakeasies. Enjoy included drinks at the first two stops and a four-hour open bar from 8 PM to midnight. The final venue offers an exclusive 54th Street viewing area, though the ball is about 12 blocks away.

“I want to be as fair as possible. The staff were amazing, and the drinks package was great, as were the bars they took us to. A fair bit of walking, but doable. The thing that I was most dissatisfied with was the distance we were from Times Square. My fault for not investigating this thoroughly before I booked it. We were way too far away, in my opinion. If I had known this, I would not have booked it. I honestly thought we would be in Times Square, so when midnight arrived, I was very disappointed.”

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5.Chicago New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 11 reviews · from $273

Spend New Year’s Eve aboard a City Cruises vessel departing from Navy Pier at 9:30 p.m. You’ll get a freshly prepared buffet, live DJ music, indoor and outdoor viewing areas, Lake Michigan views, fireworks if weather allows, and a Champagne toast at midnight. Smart casual dress is required, and the cruise returns to its starting point.

“Horrible check-in instructing and meeting point. Security was awful, but the servers and everything were fine. The issue was to get into a bout”

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6.Horizon’s Edge NYC New Year’s Eve Party

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 8 reviews · from $399

Spend five hours aboard the Horizon's Edge at Pier 81, with reserved seating, a buffet from 9:30 to 11:30 PM, premium drinks until 1 AM, a DJ, and views of the Statue of Liberty fireworks. The cruise is family-friendly, but alcohol requires valid photo ID and the ticket does not include a Times Square ball-drop view.

“The view Everything was well organized. We arrived at 9 a.m. and there were few people.”

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7.Hamners’ All-American New Year’s Eve Celebration in Branson

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $72

Spend New Year’s Eve at Hamners’ Variety Theatre with Dave and Denise Hamner, Jeff Brandt, Tamra Tinoco, Brittany Marie, Antony Soumiatin, and Downtown Kenny Brown. You’ll enjoy an expanded Christmas magic show, a Mexican-style dinner, contests, desserts, soft drinks, party favors, and a laser countdown to midnight. The evening is alcohol-free and family-oriented.

“We LOVED the show! Attended New Year’s Eve and had a great time! The whole show was awesome and family friendly. Definitely a must when visiting Branson.”

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8.Nashville’s Annual New Year’s Eve Pub Crawl

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $29Best value

Start at 2:30pm in Printers Alley and follow guides such as Alex, Lexi, Samantha, or Linley to five or six downtown bars. Expect drink specials, team games, prizes, party favors, and a 5:30pm finish at Wild Beaver Saloon, leaving your night free for Nashville’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.

“This was my first pub crawl ever and I will definitely be back to do another one! It was such a fun time!! Our tour guide was Alex and he made sure that everyone was having a great time and enjoying there time in Nashville! He made sure to try and get to know every single person in our group and made sure that everyone was enjoying themselves. This was seriously the best idea for New Year’s Eve! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 for sure five ⭐️ this!”

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9.Cornucopia Princess NYC New Years Eve Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 4 reviews · from $399

Spend five New Year’s Eve hours aboard the Cornucopia Princess at Pier 81. You’ll have reserved banquet seating, a two-hour buffet, a four-hour standard open bar, a live DJ, dancing, and views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Fireworks are weather dependent.

“The boat took a long time to start. The staff was super friendly. We had a great evening.”

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10.Sacramento: New Year’s Eve River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 4 reviews · from $78

Meet City Cruises California at the L Street dock for a 1.5-hour New Year’s Eve ride on the Sacramento River. A live DJ plays top 40 hits while you buy drinks and small bites on board. Seating is limited and first come, first served, but you get a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

“It was OK, good music and drinks available. but 1) it was way TOO cold 2) they promoted the fireworks to watch from the cruise and the Fireworks were not visible at all. Not coming back”

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11.San Diego: New Year’s Eve Early Buffet Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $155

Board at Pier 1 Hornblower Landing for a 2.5-hour New Year’s Eve yacht cruise with a holiday buffet, reserved group seating, San Diego Bay views, and DJ music. Soda, coffee, tea, and water are included. Wine, beer, cocktails, and full-bar service cost extra. Captain Roy greets passengers at boarding.

“Very nice. The food was good. Staff attentive. The boat needs some touching up.”

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12.New Year’s Eve Plated Dinner Cruise on San Francisco Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · from $401

Board at Pier 3 at 9 p.m. for a four-hour New Year’s Eve cruise with a welcome Champagne, four-course plated dinner, platinum open bar, DJ music, and party favors. The boat passes the Golden Gate Bridge when weather allows, then returns to Pier 3 after a midnight fireworks show. Cocktail attire and advance transport plans are essential.

“Viaje de Gilbert Arizona hasta San Francisco a pasar año nuevo junto con mi familia y realmente mi experiencia en el crucero fue genial ! La comida estuvo deliciosa, la atención de los meseros fue maravillosa y la música súper divertida… toRead more”

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13.Washington DC New Year’s Day Premier Brunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $1,000

Spend about two hours aboard a City Cruises vessel on the Potomac, with a freshly prepared buffet, unlimited coffee, tea, and iced tea, plus a DJ. You’ll see Washington landmarks illuminated from the water, including the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. The cruise begins and ends at 580 Water St SW.

“The crew made the dining and travel experience awesome. Great service and the meal was excellent. Dessert was delicious. Kudos to the DJ for setting the ambience and making it special and fun.”

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14.Sacramento: New Year’s Eve Rock the Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $122

Board at Sacramento’s L Street Dock for a 1.5-hour New Year’s Eve cruise on the Sacramento River. Expect cocktail-style seating, skyline views, a live DJ, a cash bar with cocktails, wine, beer, and small bites, plus one champagne toast at midnight. This is a 21-and-over event.

“The cruise could be about 30 minutes longer. The party really got started after the New Years Eve countdown and then it was time to go. Also, the downstairs bar should have been open.”

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15.San Diego: New Year’s Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3 reviews · from $141

Spend two hours cruising San Diego Bay with a holiday meal, live music, and city views from climate-controlled decks. Choose the morning brunch with a sparkling wine toast or the dinner sailing with a top-shelf open bar and Champagne. You’ll have a guaranteed table for your party, but check the exact departure time and menu before booking.

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