2024 is almost out, baby. But now, one crucial question remains—where will you be when the new year dawns? You'll be stoked to know the end of 2024 heralds 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, a bit of sparkly dress and free-flowing champagne, a bit of sparkly spirits and free-flowing vibes, and, of course, a whole lotta fireworks.
So take your pick of the best New Year's Eve parties in Auckland, Northland, Bay Of Plenty, Gisborne, Tasman District, Wellington, Christchurch and Otago, round up your crew, lock in your tickets, and get ready to shake it like it's 2025 tomorrow (because it almost is).
The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau
Candlelight Live Jazz
Caretaker, Britomart | 31 Dec
For possibly the classiest New Year's Eve party of your life so far, head to Caretaker for live jazz by candlelight. With unrivalled 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.
SkyBar New Year's Eve
SkyBar, Sky Tower | 31 Dec
Image credit: SkyBar | Instagram
To get perhaps the highest you've ever been on New Year's (maybe), attend this seriously elevated New Year's Eve bash at SkyBar Auckland. In the presence of Tāmaki's breathtaking cityscape, sip cocktails under the summer sunset, bathe in the evening light and groove the night away to the scintillating beats of DJs Jarom Hall and the high-energy Tony Phoenix. Sure, the Sky Tower fireworks might be playing hard to get from directly above your head, but trust us, the atmosphere and vistas will more than make up for it. Bookings are essential.
Revelry New Year's Eve Party 2025
Revelry Bar, Ponsonby | 31 Dec
Head to Revelry in the heart of Ponsonby for a New Year's Eve party that's all about indulgence. A bottomless package that'll have you saying "cheers" more times than you can count, including endless slices of pizza, a Kiwi classic of slow-roasted ham with buns, slaw and sauces, and enough drinks to keep the party going till midnight (and, of course, beyond). Fear not; DJ Paul Hannon will be helping you dance off all that food.
Sunset New Year's Eve
Sudima Hotel, Auckland CBD | 31 Dec
Image credit: Sunset Bar | Instagram
2025 is the year of no FOMO, so get started the right way by ditching the bland house parties and taking your New Year's Eve up a level. Sunset, Tāmaki's oh-so-chic rooftop is boasting another chance for you to get super duper high, with panoramic views, a killer DJ lineup and enough Moët & Chandon to make you forget what year it is (until the countdown, obvs).
Party Like It's 1999 — New Year's Eve
The Broken Lantern & Auckland Cocktail Syndicate (ACS), Ponsonby | 31 Dec
Image credit: The Broken Lantern | supplied
Roll into a night of retro revelry with a turn-of-the-century house party downstairs and a throwback disco upstairs at The Broken Lantern and Auckland Cocktail Syndicate. DJs Kirsty Sutherland, Daniel Howard, and Lenski will be spinning classic house and retro remixes, from Eric Prydz to Daft Punk and Modjo to Fatboy Slim, while you fuel your moves with remixed classic cocktails and drink specials to match the vibes.
Parasol's Studio 54 New Year's Eve
Parasol & Swing, Viaduct Harbour | 31 Dec
Unleash your inner disco diva at Parasol & Swing's Studio 54-inspired New Year's party. Miele and Chukkee will be spinning the funkiest grooves all night while you enjoy a specially curated drink and food menu to match. Don your most dangerously disco-glam and get ready to boogie away the year. No cover charge, just pure disco fever.
Highlife NYE Festival — Waiheke Island
Wild Estate Vineyard, Waiheke Island | 31 Dec
Image credit: Highlife Entertainment | Instagram
This one's so good it's sold out. But with the organisers running a few competitions and opening their waitlist (the heroes we need right now), there's still a chance.
Escape the mainland this New Year's Eve and set sail for an Ibizian dream, where Highlife NYE is throwing its most exclusive bash yet. That's right, Highlife. Their new location? Wild Estate Vineyard on W-A-I-H-E-K-E. World-renowned DJs, entertainers and dancers, along with delicious eats and a strong beverage game, plus a colourful crowd ready to celebrate the sun disappearing one last time this year.
AUM New Year's Festival
Leightons Farm, South Head | 30 Dec - 2 Jan
Image credit: AUM New Year's Festival | Instagram
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. This three-day festival will feature over 200 musicians, artists, workshops and performers, including the likes of OOOD, James Zabiela, Roni Size and Aotearoa summer faves Salmonella Dub Soundsystem.
New Year's Eve At Bar Albert
Bar Albert, voco Auckland City Centre, Auckland CBD | 31 Dec
Why not 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.
Le Rooftop At QT NYE
Rooftop at QT Auckland, Auckland CBD | 31 Dec
Image credit: QT Auckland | Instagram
Another rooftop romp, embrace the Belle Époque and bid adieu to 2024 with a French kiss at QT's Moulin Rouge-themed New Year's Eve party. This adults-only soiree promises an evening of decadence and debauchery, delightful French bites, and DJ entertainment that'll have you dancing till dawn. General admission includes an hour of free-flowing Perrier-Jouët Champagne and canapés, while VIP booths offer a more intimate experience. C'est magnifique!
Feasting And… Er… Hydrating
Various
Finally, foodies and lush lovelies are spoiled for choice for New Year's Eve in Auckland with a mouth-watering menu for every palette from some fresh new local faves like St Marg's, Good Luck Club, Hanoi Haven, Smoking Shack, Hazy Tiger & GOAT and many, many more.
The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Northland / Te Tai Tokerau
Northern Bass
Kaiwaka | 29-31 December 2024
Image credit: Northern Bass | Instagram
Broadcasting to all bassheads. Northern Bass is back, taking the heat to Northland for another unforgettable three-day finish to the year. Lose yourself in the sonic webs and vines of Jungle Stage, or bask in the grass amphitheatre we've all come to know to live at Main Stage. With a completely imperious lineup of DnB royalty like AMC & Phantom, Andy C & Tonn Piper, Bou, Camo & Krooked B2B Mefjus, and Shy Fx + Rage (just to name a few), plus British hip-hop sensation AJ Tracey and local dub crusher Montell2099, it's no doubt you'll be bringing in 2025 with a chest-shaking bang.
The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Bay of Plenty / Te Moana-a-toi
BANGERZ
The Rising Tide, Mount Maunganui | 31 Dec
Blabla presented BANGERZ is back again for another ode to the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s. Featuring DJ Brutus Powers, skip the NYE festival chaos and head to the beach to rewind to the good time. Serving up nostalgic vibes, cheap drinks, and the best local craft brews. Dress in your favourite retro threads (glow-in-the-dark encouraged), dance to bangers from the 70s to the 2000s, and catch the Blake Park fireworks at midnight. Prizes for best dressed, so see ya there.
The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Gisborne / Tūranganui-a-kiwa
Rhythm & Vines
Waiohika Estate | 29 - 31 Dec
Set amongst the vines in sunny Gisborne, 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. Each year, the three-day festival has a jam-packed line-up with more talent than you can shake a musical stick at.
This year will be no different—it's going to be an absolute summer scorcher filled with an epic mash-up of beats and good vibes.
The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Wellington / Te Whang-a-nui-a-tara
The Anti Social Rave | NYE Edition
Valhalla, Te Aro | 31 Dec
Wellington, prepare to rave your way into 2025 at The Anti-Social Rave. This NYE special edition is bringing the underground vibes to Valhalla with a heavy-hitting lineup of psytrance, trance, and techno DJs. Dress in white, lose yourself in the music and embrace the euphoric energy of the year's final dance floor.
NYE Carnival — Eva Fest 2025
Eva Wellington, Te Aro | 31 Dec
Or you can unleash your inner party animal at Eva Pub's Carnival NYE. This Mardi Gras-themed bash is bringing the vibrant energy of New Orleans to the heart of the capital. DJ DKAV will be spinning all night long while you revel in the colourful decor and festive atmosphere. Grab your friends, don your most outrageous costume, and prepare for a night of bright and brilliant fun.
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 Odlins Plaza and live music all the way up until 2024. Entry is free.
The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Tasman District / Te Tai o AorereTūranganui-a-kiwa
Twisted Frequency Festival
Golden Bay / Mohua, Takaka | 30 Dec - 3 Jan
Image credit: Twisted Frequency Festival | Instagram
Twisted Frequency Festival is back and is celebrating a decade of underground music, art, and community in the stunning Cobb Valley. With a local-infused, diverse lineup across four stages featuring legendary acts and fresh talent, engross yourself in captivating art installations and workshops that ignite creativity and spark connection. Twisted Frequency is more than just a festival; it's a New Year's odyssey that will leave you feeling refreshed, inspired, and ready to embrace 2025.
The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Christchurch / Ōtautahi
Rolling Meadows
The Bone Line NZ | 30-31 Dec
Image credit: Rolling Meadows | Instagram
Rolling Meadows is back and bringing the bass to Waipara Valley this New Year's Eve. We're talking Grammy-nominated hip-hop legend Wiz Khalifa, drum and bass giants Hybrid Minds and Bou, and enough subwoofers to make the earth shake. This ain't your average winery gig. Tickets are on final release and selling fast.
NYE Kids Countdown
North Hagley Park | 31 Dec
Get the New Year's Eve party started early with a disco-themed celebration for the whole whānau. This family-friendly, free event features kids' entertainment from Trubie-Dylan Smith, awesome tunes from DJZ, talented dancers from That Dance Studio, and a mock countdown at 7pm complete with confetti cannons. With a host of yummy kai from a range of food trucks, it's the perfect way to celebrate the new year without staying up past bedtime.
The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Otago / Ōtākou
Rhythm & Alps
Cardrona Valley, Wānaka | 30-31 Dec
Image credit: Rhythm and Alps | supplied
Set in the stunning Southern Alps, Rhythm & Alps has got to be one of the best festivals around. This year's festival comes with an insane lineup, including powerhouse Becky Hill, Andy C, and Shapeshifter, who will be celebrating their 25th anniversary. Also joining the bill are Badger, Bag Raiders, Cassie Henderson, Sir Dave Dobbyn, and heaps more. Mountains, music and marvellous moves—does it get much better? We think not.
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: Parasol And Swing | supplied.