8 Boston New Year’s Eve plans, from a Gatsby mansion to a riverboat party to a kids’ countdown

Start the day on the water. Boston Harbor Now’s Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll is back for its 14th year on Thu, Dec 31 from 1 to 5 PM, with a trail of dozens of ice sculptures hosted by businesses and cultural landmarks along the waterfront. Boston Harbor Now says a 2026 map is coming soon, so check its page before you go. Then come back at midnight, because the fireworks over the inner harbor are free. First Night Boston and Conventures set them off at 11:59 PM between the North End and East Boston, and Boston Harbor Now suggests watching from the Harborwalk at Fan Pier, Christopher Columbus Park or the East Boston waterfront. Garages nearby include Post Office Square, where Boston Harbor Now lists parking at $9 that night.

Chef Tatiana Rosana, a Bar Rescue expert and two-time Chopped champion, hosts the Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve at The Envoy, 70 Sleeper St. It has a DJ, live characters, face painting, a kids’ and adults’ menu with signature cocktails and mocktails, and a countdown to 7 PM. After that, the hotel switches to evening plans for grown-ups. The hotel hasn’t posted a price or start time yet.

Howl at the Moon calls itself the world’s largest dueling piano bar, and on New Year’s Eve its piano players take requests until 2 AM. Tickets include an hors d’oeuvres buffet, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. The Big Shot ticket is $40 and goes up to $50 after Thu, Nov 26, and it’s standing room only. You have to arrive between 8 and 10 PM, and it’s 21+.

The Resolution Ball fills the Westin Copley Place’s Grand Ballroom with DJs, a cash bar and a midnight countdown from 7 PM to 2 AM. It’s 21+, and the organizers bill it as Boston’s largest New Year’s Eve party.

Ring in 2027 on the water. The Speakeasy New Year’s Eve Cruise leaves from 60 Rowes Wharf aboard the Music City Queen riverboat, with DJ dancing and a Roaring ’20s theme from 8 PM to 12:30 AM. It’s 21+.

The Greatest Bar turns into a Gatsby mansion for The Greatest Gatsby, with 2 DJs across all 4 floors and a champagne toast at midnight. The organizers say it has sold out 8 years in a row. Dress up in flapper glam, feathers, pearls or a tux, and every ticket gets you onto every floor.

For a concert instead of a club, Deer Tick plays a New Year’s Eve party with James Felice at City Winery Boston at 9:15 PM. City Winery’s own tickets start at $78. The Rhode Island band plays the night before too, on Wed, Dec 30, to mark 20 years of its album War Elephant. City Winery serves food and drinks at your table during the show.

For a grown-up night, Raffles Boston throws a New Year’s Eve party at The Blind Duck, its speakeasy, with live music, signature cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast for $195 per person. You can also order à la carte all night. Raffles hasn’t posted a start time. Long Bar & Terrace, also at Raffles, serves butter-poached halibut, duck confit and sticky toffee pudding on Thu, Dec 31 if you’d rather do dinner first.