Ready to put 2025 in the rearview mirror? New Year’s Eve is fast approaching, and it’s a great time to put on a fancy outfit, raise a glass and look forward to all of the good things 2026 will bring. If First Night isn’t for you, here are a few events around the region to celebrate.
New Year’s Eve on the Gateway Clipper
Take to the rivers and dance 2025 away on the Gateway Clipper. This evening cruise will board at 8:30 p.m., sail at 9:30 p.m. and drop you off again at 12:30 a.m. Take in stunning nighttime views of the city while the year ticks over.
Tickets are $80 and the cruise is 21 . DJ Entertainment will be there to keep the dance floor full all night with upbeat tunes and nostalgic favorites. And snacks are included, with chips, pretzels, crudites, cheeses and more on the menu.
There is also a full cash bar, but don’t forget to bring your credit card or smartphone, because the Gateway Clipper is cashless. Get your tickets now for this event at gatewayclipper.com.
Noon Year’s Eve
Kids want to party, too! Fortunately, there are several opportunities for family-friendly fun that don’t require youngsters to stay up past their bedtimes.
Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium’s party will start at 9:30 a.m., with enrichment activities for the big cats, elephants and other animals for visitors to view. From 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., kids can do crafts and activities in the aquarium, and there will even be a ball drop at noon. The activities are included with admission.
At the SouthSide Works, Noon Year’s Eve starts at 10:30 a.m. Little Kids Disco will help you dance the morning away, there will be snacks from the Speckled Egg, and fun activities include face painting, streamers and glitter temporary tattoos. The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Learn more at facebook.com/SouthSideWorks.
Countdown to Noon at the Children’s Museum on the North Side lasts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes music, crafts, a “Countdown to Noon” and more. This event is also included with museum admission.
New Year’s Eve drag show with Alaska and Friends
City Winery Pittsburgh in the Strip District will be hosting “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star and Pittsburgher Alaska for two shows on New Year’s Eve. And perfect for the holiday, the theme is “Sparkly and Shiny.”
There will be two shows, one at 7:30 p.m. and one at 10:30 p.m., with a midnight champagne toast during the latter show. The party will be hosted by Lola LeCroix and will feature an all-star lineup of Pittsburgh’s fiercest drag queens. Alaska herself will perform live music and keep the party going as everyone rings in the new year.
Tickets start at $60. Learn more at citywinery.com/pages/locations/pittsburgh.
A jazzy New Year’s Eve at Con Alma
Want some great music with your holiday celebration? Head to Con Alma in Downtown Pittsburgh to observe its tradition of bringing in the authentic swing-era music quintet, Paul Cosentino’s Boilermakers.
Don’t forget to treat yourself to some of the establishment’s delicious dishes and variety of cocktails, wine and beer. Their food, drink and music is fresh, eclectic and exciting, a perfect new experience to kick off the new year.
The music will go from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Con Alma. Learn more at conalmapgh.com.
Glitz in New Kensington
New Year’s Eve is the holiday to go big or go home, so why not do it up right with experienced ’80s hair metal tribute band Glitz? They’ll be performing a rare NYE show this year in New Kensington at Leo’s SportsPage Ballroom inside the Quality Inn.
Voted Pittsburgh’s No. 2 best rock band this year by Pittsburgh City Paper, they’ve only ever made one New Year’s Eve appearance in their more-than-two-decade history.
The show will go from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. To learn more, visit glitzrock.com.
New Year’s Eve Bash at City Works
Stay warm and party it up at PPG Place in Downtown Pittsburgh with this soiree at City Works Eatery and Pour House. Tickets include two drink tickets, passed appetizers, party-worthy music and a photo booth. Appetizers include chicken and waffles, margherita flatbread, Southern brisket crostini and peanut butter Snickers shooters.
There will also be a champagne toast at midnight, and attendees can also purchase bottles of champagne with a sparkler for $20.26. Tickets are $60. To learn more, visit cityworksrestaurant.com.
NYE at Live! Casino
Greensburg’s Live! Casino will host a bash of its own with plenty of fun to be had.
Tickets start at $65 and VIP packages are available. All ticket levels include complimentary bites and drinks for some of the evening (with cash bar after), live music as well as DJ music, entertainment and a champagne toast at midnight.
The VIP experience offers access to more parts of the party, as well as elevated party favors and other experiences. including a live concert by No Bad Juju. The party starts at 9 p.m., and this event is 21 . Get tickets at livech.com/Pittsburgh.
Bowling for New Year’s Eve
If you’re not much into dancing, head to Main Bowling Center in Greensburg for parties at three different time slots: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; 8 to 10 p.m.; and 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. For the first two, lanes are $119.95, and for the last one, they’re $159.95. You can bring a maximum of six people per lane.
For the first two parties, bowlers receive rental shoes, hats, noisemakers, other fun accessories, a large one-topping pizza and a pitcher of soft drinks, plus two hours of bowling and a countdown to midnight. The last party includes expanded food options. Each party will also have special effects lighting and music.
Reservations must be paid in advance and can be made by calling 724-837-0708. Learn more at facebook.com/MainBowling.
Acoustic Anonymous at Tarentum Eagles
The Fraternal Order of Eagles Tarentum Auxiliary No. 699 will host a music-filled bash this New Year’s Eve that will keep things fun and casual. Acoustics Anonymous will be on hand to take you through the music of the decades while the calendar turns over. From the 1950s to today, they’ve got all of your favorites.
There will also be DJ music, food and drinks. Non-members can be signed in by members for this event. Music will start at 8 p.m. and the band will kick in at 9 p.m. Learn more at Acoustics Anonymous’s Facebook page.