2023 is almost done and dusted. Only one question remains—where will you be when the new year dawns? You’ll be stoked to know the end of 2023 brings a bunch of classic New Year’s Eve soirees so you can party it up in absolute style. From end-of-year festivities in the sky to conscious gatherings, free-flowing champagne and, of course, a whole lot of fireworks.
So take your pick of the best New Year's Eve parties in Auckland, Northland, Bay Of Plenty, Gisborne, Wellington, Christchurch and Otago, round up your crew, secure your tickets, and get ready to shake it like it’s 2024 tomorrow (because it almost is).
The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau
Candlelight Live Jazz
Caretaker, Britomart | Dec 31
For possibly the classiest New Year’s Eve party of your life so far, head to Caretaker for live jazz by candlelight. With unrivaled table service, champagne and sensational made-just-for-you cocktails, this is the best New Year’s Eve party for if you’re seeking a reprieve from hectic bass and strangers sweating on you. This one’s set to sell out. Bookings essential.
BANG: Queer New Year Party
Phoenix Venue | Dec 31
If your New Year’s Eve fantasy involves drag shows, go-go dancers and the sickest beats, you best get along to BANG. Headlined by RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under’s Yuri Guaii with Miss Geena, Shavorn Aborealis and the absolute glittery force that is Hugo Grrrl, you’ll groove to hyperpop, electronic and dance beats by DJ James and bask in the exceptional talent of Penny420, Hells Bells, Miss Gendered and Papa Bear. Doors open at 10pm.
Space Cowboys NYE Party
Rocketman, Britomart | Dec 31
If you’re after more of a casual vibe, accept none other than Rocketman. The newest space from the legends who brought us Caretaker and Deadshot will be hosting one helluva space cowboys-themed New Year’s Eve party. Expect: gorgeous neon, rad tunes and tasty beverages. Doors open at 8pm.
Back To The 90s NYE Club Night
The Broken Lantern, Viaduct Harbour | Dec 31
Head to The Broken Lantern this New Year’s Eve for a NYE Club Night straight out of the 90s. DJ Lenski and Kovacs will be spinning some sweet retro-ish tunes on the decks, with bespoke cocktails, VIP booth packages, sharing platters and bubbles. Dress to impress in your best throwback attire: Docs, crop tops, baggy tees, high-waisted jeans... or basically anything Gen Z is wearing.
Highlife NYE Festival 2023
Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana | Dec 31
Serving boutique Ibiza-style vibes Highlife Festival is another classic New Year's Eve party that’ll you want to experience at least once. Every year the top-notch lineup features world-renowned DJs, entertainers and dancers, along with delicious eats and a strong beverage game. Transport is available from Auckland CBD and other cities.
AUM New Year’s Eve
Leightons Farm, South Head | 30 Dec - 2 Jan
If you’re less about cocktails and more about creative immersion in a chilled-out, inclusive, whānau-friendly setting, AUM could be your perfect New Year’s Eve party. The three-day festival will feature over 200 musicians, artists, workshops and performers including the likes of Juno Reactor, Gaudi and Rinkadink.
Sunset New Year’s Eve
Sudima Hotel, Auckland CBD | 31 Dec
Pastel-splashed rooftop bar, Sunset, is ensuring you start 2024 in style, with a night of flowing champagne, tasty fodder, freshly-spun DJ tracks, and a whole lot of great energy in a beautiful setting. Tickets for New Year’s Eve at Sunset with Moët & Chandon are flying out the door. You better grab yours, stat.
NYE Bar Albert
voco Auckland City Centre, Auckland CBD | 31 Dec
Go full fancy with a lavish night at Bar Albert’s New Year’s Eve party. Tickets include a glass of Louis Roederer champagne, boujee (and freaking delicious) canapés and live music to cut some serious shapes to, with an unrivalled view of the city from the highest bar in town. It’s swish and we’re so here for it. Go on, you deserve it.
NYE At Rooftop At QT
QT Auckland, Auckland CBD | 31 Dec
Speaking of rooftop parties, strut into QT Auckland’s gorgeous rooftop bar on New Year’s Eve and you’ll enjoy an hour of free-flowing Perrier-Jouet Champagne and canapés. Better still, you’ll get to jam out to some killer beats by DJ Body Ocean with support from DJ Momo, Booty Tango and Zach Farrant, with special guest Miss Geena. Book a booth for that V.I.P. vibe.
New Year’s Eve At The Rooftop Terrace
Rydges Auckland, Auckland CBD | 31 Dec
Did somebody say chocolate fountain? Oh wait, Rydges did. Yes, siree, scoop you and your mates tickets to the Rydges Auckland New Year’s Eve party and you’ll see in 2023 in an enviable luxury that only drinks, bottomless canapés, a cheese station, a dessert bar and, yes, a chocolate fountain can provide. All this plus music from some of the best DJs in the city. YAS.
Feasting And… Er… Hydrating
Various
Foodies and lush lovelies are spoiled for choice for New Year’s Eve in Auckland with a mouth-watering menu for every palette from local faves like Ahi, Atelier, Bivacco, Culprit., Esther, Gilt Brasserie, Onemata, Onslow, Origine, Parasol & Swing, Perch, Sidart, and Soul Bar & Bistro.
No Beers? New Years!
Auckland CBD | 31 Dec
If you’re less about the doof-doof, bottoms-up, high-octane classic New Year’s Eve, you might like to head to the No Beers? New Years! celebration instead. Instead of booze, you’ll enjoy an array of zero % libations including No-Tinis, Ārepa Special Sangria, and Seedlip Citrus Fizz. During the evening you’ll set some intentions, partake in two energising breathwork sessions and, of course, dance the new year in.
The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Northland / Te Tai Tokerau
Northern Bass
Mangawhai | 29 - 31 Dec
Our New Year’s Eve party lineup wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Northern Bass. The three-day festival has been bathing Mangawhai in summery soundtrack goodness for years. Head here to welcome in 2024 with the immense talent such as Metrik, Sub Focus + ID, Goldie, Hedex, IAMDBB, Sigma, Calibre, Home Brew, Lee Mvtthews, Montell2099, Netsky and more.
Lost In Paradise
??? | 30 Dec - 2 Jan
For a psychedelic start to 2024, head to Lost In Paradise, a four-day magical forest festival in a secret location somewhere in Northland. Fall into this spectacular world of trippy soundscapes of psytrance and techno, with vibrant artwork, tasty eats and market stalls to peruse. On-site camping is free. Grab a ticket to discover the location.
The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Bay of Plenty / Te Moana-a-toi
BANGERZ
The Rising Tide, Mount Maunganui | 31 Dec
Blabla presents BANGERZ, an ode to the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s. Featuring DJ duo Pretty Fly & A White Guy and prizes for the best retro 'fit, get ready to party like it’s the summer of ‘69 all night long.
The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Gisborne / Tūranganui-a-kiwa
Rhythm & Vines
Waiohika Estate | 29 - 31 Dec
Rhythm & Vines is practically a rite of passage, it’s also the first festival in the world to welcome the first sunrise of the new year. Magical. The three-day festival is packed with more talent than you can shake an RTD at (although we’d advise against shaking RTDs) including Central Cee, Dom Dolla, Overmono, Sub Focus, Wilkinson, Becky Hill, Gin Wigmore, and more.
The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Wellington / Te Whang-a-nui-a-tara
A Raver’s Guide To The Galaxy
Valhalla | 31 Dec
If you’re on the hunt for an NYE party that’s out of this world, A Raver’s Guide To The Galaxy could be just the ticket. Serving lashings of psy and psytrance, Valhalla’s going full cosmic playground and it’s the perfect way to transcend 2023 (see what we did there?). Snag a ticket for light shows, visual installations and a whole lot of beats by Aadhi, Ashwynz, Capt. Tranc3, Darren Ak, Halinius J and Quamay.
Neon NYE Eva 2024
Eva Wellington | 31 Dec
It’s New Year’s Eve, but make it neon. This year Eva’s pulling out all the stops to pull us into the vibrant, beating heart of a Festival of Light. There’ll be live music from 6pm and a DJ takeover at 10pm for one helluva bangin’ dancefloor.
NYE At The Lagoon
Whairepo Lagoon | 31 Dec
If you’ve got sprogs in tow and you’re looking for some family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations, look no further. Gather at Whairepo Lagoon from 8pm for live music and a Kids Countdown and mini-fireworks at 9.30pm. The celebrations continue from 10pm with food trucks in Odlin’s Plaza and live music all the way up until 2024. Entry is free.
The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Christchurch / Ōtautahi
Rolling Meadows
The Bone Line NZ | 30 - 31 Dec
Headlined by Netsky, Swae Lee and The Veronicas, and featuring an enormous lineup of top-tier talent including Drax Project, Halfqueen B2B BBYFACEKILLA, Melodownz, Savage, and so many more, we can think of no better way to usher in the New Year than at Rolling Meadows. There’s even a skate comp taking place within the festival.
NYE At Hagley
Hagley Park | 31 Dec
If you’re after the tried-and-true NYE trifecta of delicious food, live music and dazzling fireworks, make a beeline for Hagley Park. This family-friendly, free event is one of the best options for a more relaxed New Year’s Eve.
The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Otago / Ōtākou
Rhythm & Alps
Cardrona Valley, Wānaka
Set in the stunning Southern Alps, Rhythm & Alps has got to be one of the best New Year’s Eve parties around. Catch the Warm-Up Party at Lake Wānaka Centre on 28 December then day trip or camp out at Rhythm & Alps proper. Performers include Babyfacekilla, Concord Dawn, Dope Lemon, Samoa The Great, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and more.
NYE On Earnslaw
Earnslaw Park, Queenstown | 31 Dec
For a New Year’s Eve without the hangover (probably), Earnslaw Park is the place to be. Here you’ll enjoy tasty food, live music and the all-important countdown and firework display come midnight. Entry is free, all are welcome.
Prefer having a quiet one on a gorgeous beach? Check out the best beaches in New Zealand according to nine Kiwi ice cream legends.
Image credit: Wellington, Rhythm & Vines, Northern Bass, Rhythm & Alps, Rhythm & Vines.