15 ways to ring in the new year in Indianapolis
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Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
Don't look now, but 2026 is just around the corner.
Why it matters: If you want to make the most of your NYE celebration in the Circle City, now is the time to plan for all that ball droppin' and bottle poppin'.
Zoom in: Here are 15 things to do in Indianapolis on New Year's Eve.
🎵 Indiana State Museum at White River State Park: A family-friendly, alcohol-free event with a DJ, face painting and a balloon drop, 6-8:30pm.
- Tickets are $20.
🎺 The Quarter: Ring in the new year NOLA style in Broad Ripple with a buffet and limited open bar, 8pm.
- Tickets are $90.
🍺 New Year's Eve Bar Crawl: Dress to impress and crawl through the city, starting with check-in at Park & Rec, 6pm.
- Tickets start at $25 for early birds and $40 day of. Group rates available.
🏀 Gainbridge Fieldhouse: See the Pacers battle the Orland Magic, 3pm.
- Tickets start at $23.
☘️ Snug: The NYE event is also a second anniversary celebration with Dingle Distillery on special all day, 12pm.
🥂 Cholita Taqueria: Two floors of food, drinks and music, accented by turns at the frozen tequila/vodka ice luge, 9pm.
- Tickets are $115.
🥳 The Indiana Roof Ballroom: A NYE bash with Tito's cocktails presented by CCA Social, 8:30pm.
- Tickets start at $115.
🐺 Howl at the Moon: Party all night with an open bar, a champagne toast and a catered dinner buffet, 6pm.
- Tickets start at $85 per person. VIP packages available.
🤘 Melody Inn: Bring in 2026 with a night of punk rock and metal, 9pm.
- Tickets are $10.
🥃 West Fork Whiskey Co. in Westfield: Their Pour & Party event is a laid-back New Year's Eve social, 8:30pm.
- Tickets start at $40.
🏋️ The Vogue: Ring in the new year with a live performance from Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press, 8pm.
- Tickets start at $35.
🎸 The Rathskeller: A New Year's Eve celebration with entertainment from The Doo!, 7pm.
- Tickets are $70.
😂 Helium Comedy Club: Comedians Jay Larson and Malik B will both take the stage twice to ring in the new year with some laughs, 7pm and 9:30pm.
- Tickets start at $30.
🪤 The Mousetrap: Have a Grateful New Year's Eve with Grateful Dead tribute act Hyryder, 7pm.
- Tickets start at $25.
🎛️ 416 Wabash Event Center: Rave into 2026 with three bars, a fully lit dance floor and a rotation of darkwave DJs, 9pm.
- Tickets start at $35.