When it comes to resolutions, this New Year’s Eve is a big one. With a new decade comes an even bigger opportunity to wipe the slate clean and get cracking on those goals that you’ve long been wanting to accomplish. But, before we all start hitting the gym and polishing up our personal budgets, there are tons of local celebrations to say sayonara to the past 10 years in style. Whether you’re looking for an all-out dance party, fancy meal, fireworks show, all-you-can-drink package—or some combination of them all—here are some of the best New Year’s Eve happenings.
Dance Dance Resolution
The Roaring 2020’s New Years Eve: A Burlesque Revue: The roaring twenties are back and better than ever at Creative Alliance’s clever nod to the past. Celebrate with a night of burlesque, dancing, two live bands, and CBD cocktails—an event worthy of a 21st-century Gatsby. $30-35
The Crown NYE in the Red Room: Everyone’s favorite dancing spot is opening up the Red Room this New Year’s Eve for a night of throwbacks. Two DJs will spin classics from the past decade (think Beyonce, Billie Eilish, and everyone in between) along with a mix of soul and funk. Bring your best moves and fit one last dance session into 2019. Free
NYE Bash at Mobtown Ballroom: Located in a restored Pigtown church, Mobtown Ballroom brings back its tradition of starting the New Year off with live music and dance. Mzz B & Company Dance Band will supply the tunes, including pop, R&B, and soul, with performances throughout the night. Tickets include a complimentary Champagne toast when the clock strikes midnight. $50
A 2020 Burlesque New Year’s: Dance like a flapper at The Charles in Federal Hill. Partygoers will groove to music by DJ Neil Paul and indulge in other offerings provided by the all-inclusive ticket, such as a six-hour premium open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, surprise performances, a photo booth, and party favors. Top off the night by watching the countdown and Times Square ball drop on The Charles’ 16-foot projector screen. $75-130
Midnight Shows
NYE Murder Mystery Train: Ride into 2020 aboard the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, and step into the shoes of a detective with an evening of murder mystery fun. Guests will dine with a special three-course meal, enjoy a bar stocked with wine and beer, and relax to enjoy the show—which takes place on board. $185
Better Off Dead: There’s no better New Year’s fun for Deadheads than this late-night show with Better Off Dead, the touring tribute band that reimagines the music of the Grateful Dead. The 8×10 tradition includes admission to an after party featuring experimental jam group Squaring the Circle. Want to go all out this year? VIP tickets include an acoustic set with Better Off Dead and access to a potluck. $30-45
Firework Spectaculars
NYE Duck Drop and Fireworks: Havre de Grace celebrates the 20th anniversary of their annual duck drop, a tradition where a symbolic lighted duck takes the place of the Times Square Ball. The celebration includes a midnight fireworks display at the Concord Point Lighthouse, set off from barges just offshore, and tons of outdoor dancing.
New Year’s Eve Spectacular: Baltimore: Once again, this 15-minute fireworks display will light up the skies above the Inner Harbor. Baltimoreans will gather on the promenade, groove to live music courtesy of Rufus Roundtree & Da B’More Brass Factory, and enjoy a late-night skate around the Inner Harbor Ice Rink, which will be open past midnight to ring in the New Year.
NYE Deck Party on the USS Constellation: Giving a new definition to the party boat, the last sail-only warship used in the United States Navy brings the fun on board. The deck of the USS Constellation hosts a spread of attractions, from an all-inclusive gourmet menu, hot cider and other drinks, party hats and noisemakers, cannon firings, and a prime view of the Inner Harbor fireworks.
Cheers to the New Year
Suspended Brewing’s Countdown to 2020: This charming Pigtown brewery hosts its third-annual New Year’s party to close out the decade. Toast to the new decade with a choice of beers from hoppy to spiced, or with the three thoughtfully crafted cocktails on draft. Tickets also include a dinner by Asian-fusion favorite Ekiben, a special themed gift, and a dance party led by a brewer-turned-DJ. $100
Brew Year’s Eve Bash at Nepenthe Brewing Co.: Hampden beer haven Nepenthe is opening up its bar for those looking to ring in 2020 with a brew in hand. Five hours of open bar means plenty of time to try a few beverages—from beer to wine to cocktails—with entertainment such as a photo booth, a flip cup tournament, hourly prize drawings, cult drinking game Drinko, and a barrel drop at midnight. $65-95
NYE at Tagliata/Elk Room/Italian Disco: Three rooms, three experiences—one big New Year’s Eve party on Fleet Street. With the restaurants neighboring each other, and sharing an outdoor patio, guests can easily move between the live piano in Tagliata’s lounge, the jazz band at the Elk Room, and the DJ at Italian Disco. Enjoy an open bar, festive fare on a standing buffet, and a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight. $146-195
One Star Country Club’s NYE Party 2019: Known for its comedic one-star reviews, this Federal Hill favorite knows how to keep things fun. With a friendly and inviting atmosphere, the bar will host a one-hour premium open bar to get the drinks and cheer flowing, and a special live DJ performance throughout the night. $6-16.50
New Year’s Eve at Barcocina: Tiered ticket packages at this Fells Point hangout allow revelers to get as fancy as they would like this New Year’s Eve. Depending on which package you choose, enjoy a top-shelf open bar or admission to both Barcocina and its sister spot, Bond Street Social. Plus, the waterfront bar provides the perfect patio for watching the fireworks shine over the harbor. $40-90
New Year’s Eve 2020 at The Point: Start your January out “on point” at this Thames Street mainstay. Though general admission is free, guests have the option of indulging in a $25 buffet with a Champagne toast at midnight or a $75 premium open bar package. Plus, DJ Mike Jointz will be spinning and taking requests until 5 a.m. If you happen to stay out that long, you might as well stick it out until 9 a.m., when The Point will start serving brunch. Free-$75
New Year’s at Woody’s and Slainte: These Fells Point sister spots are doing it up with a gourmet buffet, premium open bar, prime view of the fireworks, and party favors galore. $80
Fancy Food:
New Year’s Dinner and Brunch at True Chesapeake Oyster Co.: Not only is this Hampden newbie offering dinner with free shuttle service to the Avenue on New Year’s Eve, but it’s also celebrating with two brunch seatings on New Year’s Day. Come in your PJs and enjoy live DJ music while sipping mimosas or Bloody Marys and, perhaps more importantly, unlimited coffee. All-inclusive tickets include the drinks, a brunch dish (try the French toast or a chicken-and-waffle Benedict), and a housemade bread basket for the table. $35
Charleston: For a feast that’s worth the splurge, head to Harbor East to savor one of chef Cindy Wolf’s unique, four-course menus with optional wine and Champagne pairings. Among them are “The Forest” (mushroom bisque and roasted beef tenderloin), “The Sea” (Scottish smoked salmon and grilled sea bass), “The Field” (fingerling potato salad and a chanterelle mushroom tart), and “Autrement,” with Maryland lump crab gratin and grilled calamari. $169-269
Little Havana: If Cuban food and a first-rate view of fireworks feels like a perfect night, greet 2020 at Little Havana in South Baltimore. Snack on appetizers such as puerco fritas, or fill-up on a dinner buffet before getting drinks at the canopied open bar. All the while, jam to party band Bye Felicia. $85
Papi’s Tacos: A night of tacos, salted margaritas, and shiny party favors sounds like a New Year’s Eve well spent to us. Tickets to this Hampden bash include bottomless beer, wine, house margaritas, sangria, and Champagne. And what could be better than starting January with a quesadilla buffet at midnight? $50
Rye Street Tavern: Snag a table at this Port Covington destination to feast on a special three-course fixed menu. Special dishes will include a Wagyu beef tartare, red wine-braised short ribs, chef Andrew Carmellini’s famous fried chicken, and a classic Baked Alaska for two. $85
Wayward Smokehouse: Four words: mac and cheese bar. Need we say more? Head to this South Charles Street staple in Federal Hill to line your stomach with all-you-can-eat mac and cheese before taking advantage of the open bar from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. There will also be a photo booth, live DJ, and a Champagne toast. Another added perk? Guests in need of a hangover cure will receive 10 percent off of their checks at Wayward on New Year’s Day. $65
Cinghiale: New Year’s Eve at this Harbor East hotspot features a four-course modern Italian menu, party hats and favors, a sparkling toast at midnight, and a killer view of the fireworks display. Dishes to look our for include house-smoked swordfish crudo, wild boar bolognese, porcini-crusted monkfish, and prosecco cake with spiced plums. $99
Magdalena: Chef Mark Levy is pulling out all the stops at this Mount Vernon gem for the holiday. Diners will enjoy a four-course prix-fixe featuring chilled lobster salad, winter squash ravioli with sage, Beef Wellington, rack of Colorado lamb, and a salted caramel chocolate tart. $150
“Walk of Shame” Brunch at Topside: The team at this rooftop destination at Hotel Revival in Mount Vernon is hoping to make the often-brutal New Year’s Day hangovers a bit easier this year. Come in your pajamas, or the outfit you wore the night before (no judgement!), to take full advantage of a Bloody Mary bar, cold pizza, prosecco pops with Pedialyte, cocktails infused with vitamins and minerals, and more.
The Night Brunch NYE Party: The brains behind The Night Brunch are taking over the arcade at Lexington Market, transforming the food hall into an immersive New Year’s bash. Along with food stands from The Urban Oyster and Lexington Market favorites, the halls will get jazzed-up with decorations, lights, live DJs, and Instagrammable installations. The night will finish off with an ecstatic sequence of countdown, ball drop, and balloon drop. $40
Baltimore Blowouts
NYE Live! New Year’s Eve Baltimore: With nine bars and nightclubs, five gourmet buffets with classics such as crab cakes and jumbo shrimp, and four-hour all-inclusive drink packages, Power Plant Live! might keep you too distracted to notice the ball drop—although you’ll be able to follow the countdown on two 20-foot LED screens alongside live music and a laser light show. $95
Gatsby on the Harbor: If you’re waiting for a green light to party like it’s the roaring ’20s, head down to the edge of the water and wait no longer. Harbor East’s Marriott Waterfront Hotel will host this ball that is shaping up to be a monument to decadence—featuring several open bars and buffets, dazzling decorations, and a no-holds-barred midnight extravaganza that’ll be the talk of the town for a decade to come. $125
Charm City Countdown Charity Gala: Branded as Baltimore’s biggest balloon drop, this year’s Charm City Countdown will take place in an enchanted forest (inside the Hilton BWI Airport Hotel), with 12 party zones, specialty bars, a silent disco, heated outdoor lounges, and perhaps a touch of magic. Plus, funds raised will support the disability advocacy of nonprofit Caring Communities. $119
Sagamore Pendry: For an exclusive New Year’s Eve experience in the form of a double-gala, choose between either a Venetian masquerade or a winter wonderland, depending on your style. You won’t want to miss this gala at the Sagamore Pendry Hotel, and you certainly won’t want to miss the five-hour premium open bar. $33-500
The Lord Baltimore Hotel: We may be approaching a century since Prohibition began, but that doesn’t mean modern partygoers can’t enjoy the thrill of a speakeasy bash at the Lord Baltimore Hotel. But that’s not all—be sure to nab the two-person overnight package to enjoy a packed evening of celebration fit to ring in the ‘20s, with a Great Gatsby murder mystery dinner, hotel ghost tour, psychic readings, and a costume contest. $135-376
Loch Bar: Stay inside to watch the fireworks burst over the Inner Harbor with views from Loch Bar inside the Four Seasons Baltimore. Decked out with a ceiling covered in gold and silver balloons, the elevated event will offer a standing buffet with treats such as oysters Rockefeller and crab balls, an open bar, live music, and complimentary Champagne. $120-150