34 Unique Things to Do on New Year's Eve to Ring in 2025

Rebecca Norris

December 20, 2024 at 11:44 PM

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Each and every year has its own story but by the 365th day (or 366th day, in 2024's case), it's almost always the same song and dance: a day of reflection followed by an evening of celebration. While glitzy and glamorous parties and late-night dinner reservations are popular choices for closing out one year and entering another, in reality, there are so many things to do on New Year's Eve, many of which can be accomplished without even leaving your home.

If you pride yourself on living mindfully and in the moment, you might want to spend the first half of the day reflecting on 2024 and manifesting for 2025. Alternatively, you might plan a day of outdoor adventure to really harness the final day of the year. (Bunny slopes, anyone?) Meanwhile, if you enjoy learning new things, you might consider spending your New Year's Eve in a cooking class or at home with a YouTube video on deck. Of course, we're all for cozy New Year's Eve plans, too, which is why we love the idea of festive movie nights, playing games with friends and family, or whipping up a batch of warm and sweet donuts to ring in the new year.

The point is, there's no one way to celebrate New Year's Eve. So long as you're where you want to be, surrounded by those you love most, it's bound to be a wonderful finale for 2024.

Set Mini Resolutions

Take some time on New Year's Eve to jot down small tweaks you can make to your routine (let these easy resolution ideas inspire you) that will have a big impact on your life. Bite-size goals will be much easier to keep than the sweeping ones you may have made in years past. Hear that: This year, you're starting with achievable wins, not impossible-to-keep promises!

A little strategizing will make staying on track even easier. After you identify a goal, break it down into the exact steps you'll need to take in order to achieve it. Then, plan for what speed bumps you might encounter. For example, if you want to start running in the morning instead of at night, what usually prevents you from getting up early, and how can you make it easier? Then it's just a matter of tracking your progress, staying organized, and not forgetting to celebrate wins along the way.

Reflect on 2024

Take stock of what challenges you faced this year. What did they teach you about yourself, your loved ones, or your community? Consider how what you've learned might help you in the future. Also, take time to reflect on which ideas, habits, and relationships held you back this year. Ask yourself how you can begin to lessen their presence in your daily life or let them go entirely.

RELATED: Inspirational Quotes to Help You Move On to What's Next

Manifest Your Goals

Taking time on New Year's Eve to truly meditate and reflect on the year ahead is an excellent way to head into the new year with a focused, clear mindset. Try breaking your goals down by quarter, month, or even by week; you'll be surprised how much a little planning can help you grow your business, plan your dream vacation, or finish that book you've always wanted to write.

Make a Vision Board

Another way to make your dreams come true in 2025? With a vision board! As helpful as it can be to jot down all your biggest goals, research suggests that making them visible in a space you encounter each and every day can help ensure they stay top of mind, even if only peripherally. With that in mind, run to your local Barnes & Noble, grocery store, or drugstore to pick up a few magazines, a poster board, scissors, glue, and any stickers or frills you might want to add to your project. Then make a night of it! Whether you vision board on your own or with friends this New Year's Eve, the very practice can help set you up for further success in 2025.

Start a Five-Year Journal

Another mindful activity perfect for New Year's Eve? Journaling! If the practice feels intimidating to you -- or if you're simply looking for a more manageable way to reflect on every day of your life over the next year -- consider picking up a Five Year Journal. With five lines per day, per year, you'll be able to easily jot down the most prominent moments of the days, weeks, months, and years to come. And what a joy it will be to look back on it all in 2030.

Start Your Celebration at Sunset

New Year's Eve celebrations typically revolve around late-night fun but why not get started a little early? Taking time to watch the sun set on the last day of the year is naturally gorgeous, if not beautifully symbolic.

Invest in Your Future

While reflecting on 2024 and thinking of all the ways to make 2025 even better, consider investing in your future. No amount is too small! If you want to take this activity a step further, consider learning how to invest beyond your savings account. Apps like Ellevest and Acorns are popular picks for getting started.

Enjoy the Perfect New Year's Kiss

A perfect New Year's Eve kiss is part of the magic of the final day of the year. To ensure yours is absolutely superb, make sure to moisturize your lips with nourishing lip goodies like the Laneige Divine Lip Duo ($24) or e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil ($8).

Make Homemade Donuts

You don't have to go out on New Year's Eve. For a sweet and cozy evening in, put on your favorite PJs and whip up a batch of homemade donuts (or a few). The simplest recipe? Pilsbury biscuit dough plopped in oil and rolled in sugar the minute it's removed. Divine!

Walk Around With a Suitcase

In some Latin American cultures, it's a tradition to walk around the block with an empty suitcase on New Year's Eve to manifest travel and adventure in the year ahead! Alternatively, you can walk in and out of your front door a number of times while rolling one to symbolize how often you want to travel or place it in the middle of a room for anyone to run around.

Go on an Adventure

Hike, snowshoe, ski... Not only will you take in some nice scenes, but the fresh air will also produce serotonin in your brain, which can help you maintain a healthy emotional state. And kicking off the year in a good mood sounds like the best omen for what's to come, right?

Learn Something New

With a little inventiveness, you can still learn a lot in the last few hours of the year. Take a gnocchi- or paella-making class. Support your local yoga studio by virtually meeting with friends for sun salutations. You can even take a cocktail-making class and whip up some celebratory holiday drinks.

RELATED: Creative Experience Gifts to Buy for Everyone on Your List

Make Dumplings

Of course, you don't have to sign up for a class. Thanks to YouTube, you can learn how to make just about anything at home, including dumplings. Fun fact: Dumplings are symbols of luck during the Lunar New Year, and the Chinese tradition can apply to New Year's Eve, too. Now the only question is, what will you fill yours with? Chicken, pork, beef, or veggies?

Celebrate Outdoors

Even though it's wintertime and the weather outside is frightful, spending time outdoors does wonders for your psyche no matter what season it is. Make plans to meet friends at a nearby park or go for a nice walk with a loved one.

Have a Bonfire

On a chilly winter night, few things are as warming and wonderful as an outdoor bonfire. Invite a few friends over to bask in the flames as you make s'mores, sip hot cocoa, and celebrate New Year's Eve together. Or you can choose to attend a bonfire by going to Bend, Oregon's New Year's Eve Bonfire on the Snow or Aspen, Colorado's New Year's Eve Fireworks Over Aspen Mountain.

Watch a New Year's Eve Film

Sure, there's a movie that's actually titled New Year's Eve. But plenty of movies have excellent New Year's Eve scenes. When Harry Met Sally, for example, where the film's climactic scene takes place at a NYE party. About Time starts at a New Year's Eve party, too.

RELATED: Best Movies to Stream if You're Staying in on New Year's Eve

Dress to the Nines

You don't get done up often -- especially if you've decided to take up working remotely indefinitely -- so dressing up for a special occasion (2025!) could be really fun. Pull out your most fabulous pieces, or buy something new, so you can dress like a royal whether you're hitting a New Year's party or cutting a rug in your own living room.

Call a Loved One

No matter what tough times you had this year, your friends and family likely helped you get through them. Give them a call to say thank you, check in, swap stories, and make plans for 2025.

Declutter Your Home

You don't have to wait until spring to clean and get organized. Do as Marie Kondo says and pare your things down to just those that bring you joy. You'll walk into the coming year feeling fresh and unburdened by stuff. Stock up on organizers so your clutter has a home.

RELATED: Simplify Your Post-Christmas Cleanup With These Ornament Storage Ideas

Collect the Year's Memories

When's the last time you actually printed photos out? It's probably been a while, so take the time to do it now. Whether you make a scrapbook of the last year or some other theme, it's nice to relive memories in a tangible way. Services like Smilebox or Shutterfly allow you to make a digital scrapbook if the whole cutting-and-gluing process isn't your thing.

Write Gratitude Cards

Consider putting your gratitude into words and mailing letters to your friends and family members. Your sweet note is bound to brighten your loved ones' day, as well as yours for spreading love.

Play Games

Even if the ones near and dear to your heart are too far to visit, you can still celebrate the new year with them. There are plenty of ways to connect with friends and family online including tons of online games great for groups, and games you can play over FaceTime. Or, keep it simple and play family-friendly board games at home.

Plan a Fancy Dinner

If there's any holiday that is perfect for bundling up in your coziest PJs and pulling out all the stops to cook a start-to-finish gourmet meal, it's New Year's Eve. Make a recipe you've always wanted to try with your partner, or host a dinner party for your best friends.

Bake a Cake

Just because it isn't your birthday doesn't mean you shouldn't have your cake and eat it too on New Year's Eve! Make it colorful and festive, and add some sparklers to make it even more magical.

Get our best cake recipes.

Go Dancing.

No matter if you hit your favorite club or listen to your best playlist in the comfort of your own home, dancing is always a good idea on New Year's Eve. Whether you're looking for an excuse to wear your sparkliest dress, are interested in working up a bit of a sweat, or in search of an activity that doesn't necessarily involve drinking, dancing is a safe bet.

Throw a Party

Is there a better time throughout the year to throw a shindig than New Year's Eve? Go for a full-on dinner party (and try a new recipe or two!), or make it super laid-back with a charcuterie board and a movie marathon.

Get Crafty

Throw a party this year and be extra with your decor. Consider creating a photo booth with a simple backdrop from Amazon and fun 2025-themed props.

Celebrate With Your Pet

Get your pup or kitty in on the New Year's Eve action by celebrating together. Make them a special New Year's meal, take pictures with fun props, and watch a movie snuggled up on the couch.

Watch the Ball Drop

The quintessential New Year's Eve event is watching the ball drop in Times Square, NYC. If you can be there in person, amazing! If not, simply tune in to ABC or CNN on your TV, computer, or mobile device. You can also stream the ball drop for free, without commercials, on the official Times Square website beginning at 6 p.m. ET.

Eat Grapes For Good Luck

Another food that symbolizes luck on New Year's Eve? Grapes! According to Spanish tradition, eating 12 green grapes at the strike of midnight will lead to propserity in the New Year. So, if you're looking for a little extra good juju heading into 2025, you know what to do!

Tune into Nashville's Big Bash.

The ball drop in Times Square might be the most world renowned New Year's Eve celebration of all but it's not the only major televised event. Nowadays, a Big Bash happens in Nashville, too. This year, Keith Urban, Kane Brown, and Jelly Roll are headlining! So, if you're idea of a fantastic NYE involves stellar vocals, be sure to tune in to CBS starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Make a Toast

Whether you're celebrating with a group of pals or cozying up with your partner, it's the ideal evening to break out the bubbly (from champagne to sparkling grape juice), and make a toast to the coming year.

Make a Mocktail

Mocktails, or non-alcoholic cocktails, are all the rage these days, and New Year's Eve is the perfect time to try out some recipes. Whether you're still in the Christmas spirit or looking for something you can whip up in a flash for friends, you can savor these delicious libations all throughout the night.

Browse delicious mocktail recipes.

Light up Your Night

While the Times Square Ball Drop is certainly a sparkly experience to watch on TV or in person, there are other light shows to brighten up your evening as well. There are plenty of Christmas light shows still on display. Otherwise, you can always head to an amazing fireworks show, like the New Year's Eve Bash at The Battery Atlanta or NYE at Reunion Tower in Dallas.

34 Unique Things to Do on New Year's Eve to Ring in 2025

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