New Year’s Events & Activities In Gig Harbor
The holidays are upon us, which means it’s almost the beginning of a new year, too! Not sure yet how you’re going to bid 2023 farewell? Check out some ideas below, which include events from Gig Harbor to Seattle, local restaurants that will be open, a variety of activities the whole family can enjoy, and even some ways that the kiddos can celebrate “Noon Year’s Eve.” However you decide to ring it in, I wish you a very Happy New Year and all the best in 2024!
Events
Canterwood Golf & Country Club
Sunday, December 31, 2023 | 5pm - 10pm
Canterwood is hosting a party for the kids as well as the adults. Featuring a masquerade theme, the adults will have appetizers, cocktails, a five-course dinner, and dancing while the kids’ party will offer a buffet, games, and even a chance to make their own mask. You can sign up here and see the evening’s menu and lineup of events.
Ocean5
Sunday, December 31, 2023 | 7pm - 12:30am
Ocean5 is offering two shows as part of their New Year’s Eve Bash, so take your pick or have double the fun by attending both. Dueling Pianos (7pm - about 9:30pm) includes dinner, singing, and dancing, and the Landslide Band (9pm - 12:30am) will keep you on your feet with the top 40 in dance numbers and Fleetwood Mac covers. Tickets are available online (both shows are 21+).
Seattle Symphony
Sunday, December 31, 2023 | 9pm
What better way to welcome the new year than with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. After the concert there will be a champagne toast, band, and dancing as you count down to 2024. If you have other plans for New Year’s Eve but would still like to hear this musical masterpiece, the symphony will be offering three other performances on December 28th, 29th, and 30th.
Noon Year’s Eve Events
Neighborhood Experts & Local Whimsy
Sunday, December 31, 2023 | 11am - 1pm
Ring in the new year at noon with your very own Neighborhood Experts and Local Whimsy, a new gift shop and workshop in town. This is an invitation-only event for our insider VIPs, so if you aren’t already signed up on my email list be sure to do so!
Olympia Hands On Children's Museum
Sunday, December 31, 2023 | 10am - 4pm
This party at the Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia will feature a Fairy Hollow with crafts and science experiments, a ball drop, and more. Additional information and tickets can be found on the museum’s website.
Seattle Children's Museum
Sunday, December 31, 2023 | 10am - 3pm
Count down to Noon Year’s with a pajama party at the Seattle Children’s Museum. Kids will enjoy a glow-in-the-dark dance party, making a time capsule, and other activities.
Seattle Aquarium
Sunday, December 31, 2023 | 11:30am
Join the Seattle Aquarium for their Rockin’ Rockfish party as they livestream their annual countdown with animals, music, and dances. To participate in this free event all you have to do is register here and they will send you a link to watch.
Other Activities
Ocean5
Sunday, December 31, 2023 | Extended hours
Reserve a bowling pod for up to 12 people and party the night away! Reservations are available for 8pm - 10pm and 10:30pm - 12:30am and include a Rock and Bowl DJ, drinks, food, and more. All the details can be found online. Or come by for their usual offerings during the day!
Seattle Center
Sunday, December 31, 2023 | Various Times
The Seattle Center will be offering activities for kids as well as adults. Join the scavenger hunt at the Winterfest Train & Village, watch A Very Electric Christmas at the Seattle Children’s Theatre, enjoy the Noon Year’s Eve Pajama Party at the Seattle Children’s Museum, catch the light show happening at the Space Needle, and more.
Fantasy Lights - Spanaway Park
New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day | 5:30pm - 9pm
Don’t miss seeing the Northwest’s largest drive-through holiday display at Spanaway Park! Tickets are available online and must be purchased in advance.
Zoolights - Point Defiance Zoo
New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day | 4:30pm - 10pm
See the zoo magically transformed with over 800,000 lights! You can purchase tickets online.
Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink
New Year’s Eve | 9am - 10:30pm
New Year’s Day | 9am - 9:30pm
Featuring over 9,000 square feet of real ice, this is the largest seasonal ice rink in the region. Tickets available online.
Ice Lights - Sprinker Recreation Center, Tacoma
New Year’s Eve (last day of the season) | 9am - 2pm
Experience a winter wonderland with the arena’s Ice Lights program, featuring lights and animated displays.
Oly on Ice - Isthmus Park, Olympia
New Year’s Eve | 10am - 6pm
New Year’s Day | 10am - 9pm
Purchase tickets at the rink, or pay for and reserve your skating session ahead of time online (recommended). Rates and hours vary depending on the day.
Polar Bear Plunge - Point Defiance
Monday, January 1, 2024 | 11:30am & 12:30pm
BRRRRRing in the new year with a splash! There will be an Adult Plunge and a Cub & Family Plunge at the Point Defiance Marina Public Boat Launch. Visit the Metro Parks Tacoma website for more details.
Restaurants
If you just want to enjoy a nice dinner out or need to grab a bite on the way to the festivities, there are plenty of options in the area to choose from. Some places may only be open for reservations, and others haven’t set their holiday hours yet, so be sure to check directly with the restaurant of your choice. If none of the following quite strike your fancy, check out my Ultimate Guide to Restaurants in Gig Harbor for even more ideas (note that the hours listed on that post are not reflective of holiday hours).
New Year’s Eve: 10am - 8pm
New Year’s Day: 11:30am - 8pm
New Year’s Eve: 4pm - 8pm
New Year’s Day: closed
New Year’s Eve: 11am - 8:30pm
New Year’s Day: 11am - 8:30pm
New Year’s Eve: 11:30am - 8pm
New Year’s Day: closed
New Year’s Eve: opens at 11am (make your reservation today for their NYE dinner special!)
New Year’s Day: closed
The Float (21+ after 10pm)
New Year’s Eve: open until 2am (the band “My Guilty Pleasure” will be playing from 8:30pm - 12:30am)
New Year’s Day: 7am - 12am
Tides Tavern (21+ restaurant)
New Year’s Eve: 11am - 8pm
New Year’s Day: 11am - 9pm
New Year’s Eve: 11am - 4pm
New Year’s Day: 11am - 10pm
Gig Harbor Brewing (21+)
New Year’s Eve: 12pm - 7pm
New Year’s Day: 3pm - 8pm
New Year’s Eve: 10am - 9pm
New Year’s Day: 11am - 7pm
New Year’s Eve: 12pm - 5pm
New Year’s Day: 12pm - 5pm
If 2024 is the year you are finally going to find the house of your dreams, top Gig Harbor real estate agent and your neighborhood expert, Paige Schulte, is here to help turn that dream into a reality. Call her today at (253) 313-4093, or visit Paige’s Gig to learn more about our wonderful community.