December 30, 2025
Ringing in the New Year!
Why do we “ring” in the New Year? Glad you asked. It seems communities used to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one by ringing bells, often in churches. The tradition may have grown out of other occasions where bells marked an end like a death, or celebrated a beginning, like a wedding. So there’s a rhyme and a reason to be giving 2025 a melodic, if metaphoric, adieu. And here are a slew of ways to do it for every aged reveler.
REC CENTER NYE PLAY PARTY
Ring in 2026, sans the bells, by grabbing the kids and the costumes and heading over to the Parker Rec Center (17301 E. Lincoln Ave.) for a Noon Year’s Eve celebration. A kid-tastic party is planned from 11:00 a.m. till 12:00 Noon with hats and fun things to do on Wednesday, December 31. Admission is $26 per child and comes with the promise of all kinds of games, songs and themed activities.
BOONDOCKS NOON & NEW YEAR’S EVE
Here’s a celebration for all the early-to-bed set AND the night owls – all day and all night! There’s a pizza buffet, party favors, $20 in arcade play, a four-hour indoor attraction pass, plus countdowns, balloon drops, and special festivities at noon and midnight. Anyone can ring in 2026 at Boondocks!
Boondocks Food & Fun, 18706 Cottonwood Dr., Parker | 10:00 a.m.-Midnight
Admission: $30-$35
NEW YEAR’S EVE DRONE SHOW
The Board of County Commissioners is hosting a New Year’s Eve drone show at Echo Park Stadium with 400 drones creating choreographed images in the night sky – best viewed from the stadium’s bleachers. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.; warm beverages and food will be available for purchase from food trucks in the parking lot.
Echo Park Stadium, 11901 Newlin Gulch Blvd., Parker | 6:00 p.m.
FREE
NEW YEAR’S EVE AT NOON
Join Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Cherry Creek State Park for a balloon drop off at NOON, crafts, face painter, snacks and FUN!!!!
Cherry Creek State Park Lake House, Greenwood Village | 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
FREE
NEW YEAR’S EVE ON THE LANES – LUCKY STRIKE LONE TREE
Celebrate in style with private lanes, curated bites, crafted cocktails, and champagne toasts at midnight. This New Year’s Eve, let the bowling alley handle the details while you savor every unforgettable moment—your ultimate New Year’s Eve Bowling Party awaits.
Lucky Strike, 9255 Kimmer Dr., Lone Tree | 12:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
Prices start at $36 per person
PYROGLYPHIDS AT HUDSON GARDENS
Wear your brightest, sparkliest, or glowiest outfit and explore our light show as we hand out glow sticks for guests. Don’t forget to check out performances from Pyroglyphids fire dancers at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton | 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Admission: $15 -$25
NOON YEAR’S EVE AT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
You don’t have to stay up until midnight to ring in the New Year (why do we “ring” in the year? Keep reading!) This one-of-a-kind family-friendly celebration features ball drops at the top of every hour from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. with festive music, special New Year’s-themed programming and more. Keep the celebration going in-between ball drops at the Museum’s dance destination – Club 2026! Featuring great music and a light show, it’s the perfect place for kids (and their grown-ups!) to show off their moves and dance the day away!
Children’s Museum, 2121 Children’s Museum Dr., Denver | 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Admission: $17.75 – $19.75 Advanced tickets are not available.
COSMIC COUNTDOWN: A STELLAR NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION
Another afternoon that’s perfect for aspiring astrologers and space fans who want to ring in the New Year early. Perfect for young space explorers who want to ring in the New Year. Wear your best space suit or scientist garb and gallop down the Milky Way red carpet!
Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver | 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Admission: $8-$20
SHARKY’S NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH
Sharkey’s hosting his own Downtown Aquarium bash for the kiddos with a delish buffet meal, balloon drop, dance contest and raffle, animal appearances, party favors, prizes and giveaways, games and more!
Downtown Aquarium, Denver | 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Admission: $45-$60 | Two seatings: 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE MILE HIGH TREE
The tree features nightly free public light shows choreographed to multicultural holiday music and accommodating up to 140 guests at a time for an immersive viewing experience within the tree. Count down the new year with a digital ball drop at 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve!
Tivoli Quad, 1000 Larimer St., Denver | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
FREE
NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS
The 16th Street Mall in Downtown Denver holds two annual New Year’s Eve fireworks displays. You can see the first one at 9:00 p.m. and another at celebrate the first few minutes of 2026.
16th Street Mall, Denver | 9:00 pm and midnight
FREE
DANCE INTO THE NEW YEAR
For the adults looking for a night out, book the babysitters, because there are all sorts of close-to-home bashes around Parker at pubs, taverns and bars. Or you can head into Denver’s Union Station at 1701 Wynkoop for its annual NYE celebration. Dress up and strut your stuff at a masquerade ball in the Cooper Lounge and enjoy sparkling stations in the great halls. Electric Slide to a live DJ and plenty of energetic dance music as you start the countdown to toast the coming new year.
RING IN 2026 IN LOOKING GLASS
For families looking for a community where they can plug in, make friends, enjoy amenities and celebratory events, Looking Glass offers home buyers multiple options in ranch and two-story floor plans starting in the $600s. Check out the variety of designs and possibilities from Dream Finders Homes and Richmond American in 2026!