What a year it’s been! The holiday season is a magical time in the Lake Geneva area, from Thanksgiving straight through to the tradition of ringing in a new year. Now that 2025 is just a few weeks away, it’s a great time to make a plan to celebrate New Year’s Eve. There are plenty of local options for New Year’s Eve parties, from a quiet, intimate meal for two, to a black-tie party with a 17-piece Big Band, to a Regency-era costume party! Whatever your preferred style of New Year’s celebration, you’ll find a fantastic option in and around Lake Geneva. Note that some of the parties are reserved for guests of the resort that’s hosting so you may have to reserve a room for the night, but that just makes it easier to “get home safe” after the celebrations!
The Abbey Resort’s Gala Celebration, Fontana
The Abbey Resort in Fontana has several options for New Year’s revelry, depending on your party style. At the annual New Year’s Eve Gala celebration from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., savor a four-course dinner with a wine pour and open bar, then dance the night away with The Business, a Chicago-based horn band. As the midnight hour approaches, a champagne toast and balloon drop complete the evening. If you’re looking for a romantic way to celebrate, The Abbey offers the Feast & Fest New Year’s Celebration, including a quiet, four-course dinner at 240 West, before heading to the Waterfront Restaurant for a celebration with music, dancing and a champagne toast at midnight. For those with families, the Waterfront Restaurant also hosts A Travel Through Time Family Party from 5 p.m. to midnight, where you can have dinner and then enjoy games, dancing, crafts, a DJ with laser lights and back-to-back movies indoors and out, including a balloon drop at midnight. For all events at The Abbey, only a handful of tickets/reservations will be available to non-resort guests, so if you’re hoping to take part in the festivities, book a room for the night or call ahead for availability.
“Black & White” New Year’s Eve Party at The Baker House, Lake Geneva
This vintage, boutique hotel will host a New Year’s Eve celebration that draws on its historic location with an elegant, black-and-white dress code. Purchase a VIP Package to enjoy a special, 5-course dinner with a champagne toast upon arrival and live music beginning at 6 p.m., then stay for the post-dinner revelry beginning at 8 p.m. For those looking to skip dinner, opt for the Party Package. Beginning at 8 p.m., you’ll enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres and dance the night away as a DJ provides the soundtrack. For tickets/reservations, visit exploretock.com/the-baker-house-lake-geneva/.
East Troy New Year’s Eve Ball Drop
For a family-favorite stop on New Year’s Eve, head to the East Troy New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, where the East Troy Lights display on the square will happen continuously throughout the night. Check out the light show (timed to music!) and enjoy the beverage bar (milk bar for the kids!) and s’mores station from 7-8:30 p.m. For the younger crowds, a family-friendly ball drop will take place in concert with the light show at 8 p.m. Then, from 11 p.m. to midnight, the beverage bar and s’mores station reopens for the countdown to the ball drop at midnight! Dance to music provided by DJ JJJ while you say goodbye to 2024 and hello to 2025.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva
New Year’s Eve celebrations at this AAA four-diamond resort are a mix of resort guest-only events and spaces open to the public, so call ahead to make sure you can snag a reservation. Go upscale with a four-course dinner and champagne toast at Geneva ChopHouse ($150 per person) or, if you prefer an Italian menu, opt for the four-course meal and champagne toast at Ristorante Brissago ($120 per person.) For a slightly more casual experience, head to the Grand Café for a special dining experience ($59 for adults, $25 for kids ages 6-12 and $15 for kids ages 2-5). Or, for a truly memorable family-friendly NYE experience, try the Family Dinner and Party in the Forum Ballroom, which includes a delicious family dinner, a DJ spinning music, an indoor inflatable playground and a balloon drop at 10 p.m. with an oversized LED party robot leading the countdown ($79 for adults, $39 for kids 12 and under). For adults looking to dance their way into 2025, head to the Evolve dance club for music provided by DJ Downtown Harrison.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations at Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan.
Lake Lawn Resort offers multiple options for ringing in the new year. For resort guests only, there will be Family Party buffet dinner from 5:30-9 p.m. followed by a Family Glow Party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., complete with a sparkling cider toast at 10 p.m. and a champagne toast at midnight. For a more traditional New Year’s Eve revelry, there’s an adults-only party in the Great Room from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., featuring The Beaux Band playing classic rock hits, with a cash bar and a champagne toast at midnight. In the historic Great Room, dance to the music of DJ Felix. Tickets are $45 per person and available on Eventbrite.
Rockin’ New Year’s Eve at Lodge Geneva National (formerly The Ridge), Lake Como
Rock out to local favorite The Big Al Wetzel Band while you enjoy a delicious four-course meal and a bottle of champagne at Lodge Geneva National’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve. Dance your way into 2025 while overlooking Lake Como from Crafted Italia’s beautiful space. Tickets are $110 per person, with dinner service from 7:30-9 p.m. and dancing from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
“Regency Era New Year’s Eve Party” at Maxwell Mansion, Lake Geneva
Bridgerton fans, take note! This historic inn in Lake Geneva will host a its annual New Year’s Eve party from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., with a Regency Era twist this year. Activities include a silhouette artist, a Regency era costume contest, a DJ and dancing and a champagne toast at midnight. Partygoers can enjoy an Regency Era-themed cocktail menu and heavy appetizers. Tickets are $140 per person plus a 20 percent service charge, and must be purchased in advance. Hotel guests receive two tickets per room reservation.
NYE 2024 at The Treasury, Delavan
This beautifully renovated former bank is now a glamorous event venue with vintage details. Starting at 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, this formal dress event (dress code enforced and black-tie-optional!) has it all: a champagne entry, light appetizers and late-night snack, a cash bar, a 1,000-balloon drop and, for dancing, the music of Underground Sound Jazz, a 17-piece Big Band. Tickets are $50 per person if purchased before Dec. 28 or $75 person after that. To reserve a ticket, visit their EventBrite page. (For kids, the Treasury also offers a Noon Year’s Eve from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 31st for $10 per person.)
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