As the end of the year quickly approaches, it’s a good time to make plans to celebrate the start of 2024! The Lake Geneva area offers several options for people looking to make a night of it on New Year’s Eve. Do you prefer a quiet, intimate meal for two? Or maybe a big party with live entertainment is more your style? Whether you’re looking for a gourmet experience, dancing or even a costume-friendly soiree, you’ll find plenty of options for New Year’s Eve revelry.
The Abbey Resort’s Gala Celebration, 269 Fontana Blvd., Fontana.
For the full New Year’s Eve party experience, head to the Harbor Ballroom at The Abbey Resort in Fontana for their Gala Celebration. Partygoers can enjoy a four-course dinner (including filet mignon and lobster!) with a wine pour and open bar. After dinner, hit the dance floor to the sounds of The Business, a Chicago-based horn band. At midnight, take part in the champagne toast and balloon drop. Or, for a more low-key celebration, enjoy the Dinner and D’Lite celebration in The Abbey’s 240 West restaurant. The restaurant will offer a prix fixe dinner and live music provided by house band D’Lite Duo, plus a champagne toast at midnight. For both 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, call ahead for availability.
Dinner and live music at The Ridge, W4240 WI-Hwy 50, Lake Geneva.
If you’re looking for a great meal with live entertainment, head to Crafted Italia at The Ridge. For New Year’s Eve, the restaurant will offer a special three-course menu from 4-10 p.m, with bar service available until 1 a.m. From 9 p.m. to 12: 15 a.m., enjoy live music from Drums & Roses Trio, an 80s and 90s cover band.
East Troy New Year’s Eve Ball Drop.
For a little extra spectacle, head to the East Troy Lights display on the square in East Troy. The light show (timed to music!) will be happening continuously, and visitors can enjoy a beverage bar and s’mores station from 7-8:30 p.m., and again from 11 p.m. to midnight. Dance to music provided by DJ JJJ and stay for the New Year’s Eve light show and ball drop at midnight! (For the younger crowds, a family-friendly ball drop will take place in concert with the light show at 8 p.m.)
New Year’s Eve at Magpie’s, 642 W. Main St., Lake Geneva.
For a gourmet meal and a fun night, don your best party attire and head to Magpie’s, where chef Abel Rosas will provide a filet mignon and lobster dinner from 7-9 p.m. Then stay for dancing to music provided by DJs Matt Meyer, Chris Kohn and Mike Gieron. Tickets are $100 per person and available on Eventbrite.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva.
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. The New Year’s Eve dinner buffet at the Grand Café is open to the public and available from 4-10 p.m. Also available to non resort-guests is the Lobby Lounge, which will serve its full menu until 1 a.m., with live music from Dan Trudell Trio. For those with energy to burn, head to the Evolve dance club (also open to the public) and dance the night away to music provided by DJ Downtown Harrison.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations at Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan.
Lake Lawn Resort offers several options for ringing in the new year. For those looking for a family-friendly celebration, there’ s a 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. Tickets are available on Eventbrite and are $85 for adults, and $40 for kids ages 4-12. 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 1980s-era cover band “Weird Science,” a cash bar and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $30 per person and available on Eventbrite. Or for those who would rather sing their way into the new year, check out karaoke at the Lookout Bar from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
New Year’s Eve Dinner at The Grandview Restaurant, N2009 S. Lake Shore Dr., Lake Geneva.
Foodies or those who prefer an earlier night will want to take part in the New Year’s Eve dinner at The Grandview Restaurant, which includes a prix fixe, five-course dinner for two plus live music from saxophonist Tobias Cainion from 6-9 p.m. For reservations, visit sevenrooms.com/reservations/thegrandviewrestaurant.
NYE 2024 at The Treasury, 303 N. Main St., Delavan.
This recently renovated former bank is now a glamorous event venue with vintage details. For New Year’s Eve, this black-tie-optional event offers the full gamut of revelry: a champagne entry, dinner, a cash bar, a DJ, dancing, a photo booth and a balloon drop with over 1,000 balloons at the stroke of midnight. Tickets are $128 per person and they’re available on EventBrite. (For those with littles, the Treasury also offers a Noon Year’s Eve from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 31st for $10 per person.)
“Party Like It’s 1899” at The Baker House, 327 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva.
This vintage, boutique hotel will host a New Year’s Eve celebration that draws on its historic location. Purchase a VIP Package to enjoy a special, 5-course dinner with a champagne toast upon arrival (beginning at 6:30 p.m.). You’ll enjoy an exclusive performance by world-class pianist David Stahl and vocalist Lynnette Lesko-Henner, and then stay for the post-dinner revelry beginning at 9 p.m. For those looking to skip dinner, opt for the Party Package. Beginning at 9 p.m., you’ll enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres and dance the night away to DJ Illya. For both portions of the evening, 1890s costumes or modern party attire are encouraged. For tickets/reservations, visit exploretock.com/the-baker-house-lake-geneva/.
“Totally Rad ‘80s Prom New Year’s Eve” at Maxwell Mansion, 304 Wells St., Lake Geneva.
Leave 2023 behind in retro style at the Maxwell Mansion’s 1980s-themed party with a murder mystery twist. Activities include a murder mystery game, arcade contests, a “prom court” costume contest, a photo booth and a DJ for dancing. Partygoers can enjoy an ‘80s-themed cocktail menu and heavy appetizers. Tickets are $125 per person plus a 20 percent service charge, and must be purchased in advance.
