What To Do For New Year’s Eve: Edmonton Events (Dec 31, 2015)

NYE list last updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2015

* Photos courtesy of Anthony P. Jones via City of Edmonton Photo Gallery

Will this be the year? Will this be year I finally go to the Sugar Swing New Year’s Eve party?!?!

As readers have come to know, I like to put out event listings every so often and this one – my What To Do For New Year’s Eve list is a returning classic. There are lots of fun things you can do in Edmonton for New Year’s Eve, and for the last four years I’ve wanted to attend the (it sounds just adorable) Sugar Swing New Year’s Eve party, but it either gets voted out by friends, or the lure of a cozy NYE in our home wins. But maybe 2015 will be the year we sugar swing ring in the new year… maybe! Or maybe you will :)

Here’s my initial list of events. It will be updated throughout December as I find new events and as event information becomes available. Keep checking back for updates – I find events are typically announced closer to Dec. 31.

Please leave me a comment below, send me an email or tweet me with any events you think should be added to the list! I’m always looking for new ideas!

Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:

New Year’s Eve Events in Edmonton for Dec. 31, 2015

Edmonton Events - New Years Eve 2015

Edmonton Events – New Years Eve 2015 (Photo credit: Anthony P. Jones/via City of Edmonton Photo Gallery)

New Year’s Eve Edmonton Downtown
Time: Inside City Hall activities begin at 7 p.m., Outdoor Main Stage entertainment starts at 9:15
Location: Churchill Square
Cost: Free
Details: The City of Edmonton invites you to ring in 2016 at the 16th annual New Year’s Eve Downtown festival. This free, fun-filled, non-alcoholic family event will start inside City Hall at 7pm with kids’ crafts and activities, magicians, balloon artists, face painters and live music. The fun will continue outdoors with music, hay rides, free skate rentals, ice skating, bannock-making and food concessions, all leading up to a spectacular fireworks show at midnight.
Website: New Year’s Eve Edmonton Downtown

Ice Skate at the Legislature
Time: Anytime!
Location: Legislature
Cost: Free
Details: My co-worker suggested this – her and a group of friends used to go down to skate at the legislature surrounded by the beautiful, lit-up trees, before heading out to either fireworks downtown or back home to ring in the new year. Give it a try!

Sugar Swing Dance Club: New Year’s at the Savoy
Time: Beginner Swing Dance Lesson starts at 8 p.m. Gala from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Location: Sugar Swing Dance Club, 8116-105 Street (formerly Strathcona Presbyterian Church)
Cost: $35 members / $40 students / $45 regular
Details: Picture New York, 1936. You’re dressed to the nines and you’re on the guest list for Manhattan’s hottest night club: The Savoy Ballroom! Join Sugar Swing as we recreate this roaring party destination on New Year’s Eve. The party will feature vintage music and dancing from the swing era with a little New York flair throughout. Enjoy food, cocktails, and excellent tunes as you celebrate 2016 in true Savoy style!
Website: Sugar Swing Dance Club: New year’s at the Savoy

Edmonton International New Year’s Eve Gala
Time: Cocktails 7 p.m. Dinner & Cirque du Soleil-style show from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Dance from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Location: Fantasyland Hotel, Beverly Hills Ballroom (West Edmonton Mall)
Cost: $160 per person.
Details: A spectacular evening of food, fun and entertainment in support of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. Our guests will experience an unforgettable evening of unparalleled entertainment at this highly exclusive event in the Fantasyland Hotel. Entertainment will include a beautiful, stylish and hypnotic circus performances and plenty of whoops and ahhhs….
Website: Edmonton International NYE Gala

New Year’s Eve ‘Gatsby’ Gala at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald 
Time: 6:30 p.m. start
Location: Fairmont Hotel Macdonald 10065 100 Street
Cost: $250 per person
Details: Many have tried, but no one puts on a gala like Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. Celebrate new year’s eve in style in the historic empire ballroom at the Chateau on the River. Dress in period costume and dance the night away to a big band in the theme of the roaring 20’s and dirty 30’s. Say goodbye to 2015 in the hotel’s 100th year and help us ring in our 101st year.
*NOTE: This event is ALREADY sold out! But you can add yourself to the waiting list…*
Website: New Year’s Eve ‘Gatsby’ Gala (100th Anniversary) at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald

The Fab Four Ultimate Beatles Tribute NYE
Time: 
1st seating at 6 p.m. 2nd seating at 10 p.m.
Location: River Cree Casino
Cost: Tickets start at $39.50
Details: Amazing audiences all over the world, this ultimate Beatles’ tribute band is returning to the River Cree! With their uncanny, note for note live renditions of Beatles’ songs, the Fab Four will make you think you are watching the real thing. Don’t miss out! Come and celebrate your New Years Eve with us together with the Fab Four performance.
Website: The Fab Four Ultimate Beatles Tribute NYE

New Year’s Eve Comedy at The Comic Strip
Time: Early show 7 p.m. Late show 10 p.m.
Location: The Comic Strip (West Edmonton Mall, Bourbon Street)
Cost: Ranges from $26.95 up to $65 (depending on show + buffet packages)
Details: Ring in the New Year laughing at The Comic Strip with comedian Michael Malone!
Website: New Year’s Eve Comedy at The Comic Strip

16th Annual Latin New Years
Time: 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Location: Delta Edmonton South
Cost: Dinner & Dance $99/person.
Details: Latin New Year’s Eve 2016 at The Delta Edmonton South Hotel will be an extravagant NYE to remember. Sit Down and relax to the beautiful Latin rhythms of International Salsa Artist GIRO LOPEZ and JMIEL from Puerto Rico. Local Band SON BACHATA will also open for the Headliners. Party this NYE away with Edmonton’s hottest Latin DJ’, DJ BRANMAR Playing the best in Latin, and Top 40.
Website: 16th Annual Latin New Years

Jazz New Year’s Eve
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Location: Delta Edmonton South
Cost: $125 per person.
Details: “The best is yet to come!” The Delta Edmonton South Top of The Inn’s beautiful starlit ceiling, all partygoers in attendance will enjoy an evening with live jazz music and entertainment provided by The Swing Kings Band featuring Sandro Dominelli. This magnificent hotel offers partygoers a beautiful panoramic view of the city and the extravagant Edmonton New Year’s Eve fireworks
Website: Jazz New Years Eve

A New Year’s Celebration – Hollywood Style! (Northlands)
Time: Begins at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Northlands Park (7410 Borden Park Rd).
Cost: $75 per person
Details: Dress up for the red carpet when Hollywood glamour comes to Northlands Park this New Year’s Eve. Your $75 golden ticket will get you exclusive access to a delicious Colours Restaurant buffet and entries to $10,000 worth of prize draws, as well as live Harness Racing and Casino entertainment!
Website: A New Year’s Celebration – Hollywood Style!

Star Warz: A Galactic Rock Comedy (Jubilations Dinner Theatre)
Time: Time not listed on website
Location: Jubilations Dinner Theatre (West Edmonton Mall)
Cost: Unclear – Call 780.484.2424 for ticket information
Details: It is a period of galactic civil war!! There are rebels with spaceships, Jedi with lightsabers… there is a princess, a smuggler, and robots, the Evil Darth Vador and singing… yes you heard me… singing of your favorite galactic rock tunes of the 70’s and 80’s. Join us for Star Warz: A Galactic Rock Comedy at Jubilations Dinner Theatre… and the force will be with you! Check out the dinner menu here.
Website: Star Warz: A Galactic Rock Comedy (Jubilations Dinner Theatre)

Back to the 80s: A Most Excellent Musical Adventure (Mayfield Dinner Theatre)
Time: Time not listed on website
Location: Jubilations Dinner Theatre (West Edmonton Mall)
Cost: Depending on seat – $95 to $105 per person.
Details: The Heat is On at the Mayfield once again this holiday season as we present to you our annual and ever popular rock ‘n roll revue. This year we invite you to take a Quantum Leap as we blast back to the 80’s! Amongst all the bad movies, hairdos, fads and faux pas of this much maligned decade some of the greatest pop tunes of all time were realized! From Phil Collins to Hall & Oats, Madonna to Bon Jovi, there is so much material here to celebrate and spoof, you may have to come back a second time to see what you’ve missed!
Website: Back to the 80s: A Most Excellent Musical Adventure (Mayfield Dinner Theatre)

Spectrum New Year’s Eve Gala
Time: Doors open at 6 p.m.
Location: Edmonton Expo Centre
Cost: $120 per person (dinner & dance)
Details: Spectrum is Edmonton’s premier New Year’s Eve gala specifically for the alternative livestyle communities – including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & questioning. This inaugural event will be the exclusive NYE celebration hosted at the Northlands Expo Centre and features 4-course meal and snacks, 11-piece live band, door prizes, dancing, cash bars, champagne, and a BDSM adult activity area.
Website: Spectrum New Year’s Eve Gala

New Year’s Eve Family Beach Ball (World Water Park)
Time: Time not listed on website
Location: World Water Park (West Edmonton Mall)
Cost: Family of 4 – $99 ($25 for each additional family member) | $30 single
Details: Start the year off right with our annual New Year’s Eve Family Beach Ball presented by World Waterpark. Celebrate with family and friends in +31C, splashing in the world’s largest indoor wave pool and speeding down waterslides! We’ll end with a bang and a one of a kind indoor fireworks display.
Website: New Year’s Eve Family Beach Ball (World Water Park)

Live Music at the Blue Chair Cafe
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Blue Chair Cafe 9624 76 Avenue
Cost: $110 per person.
Details: Join us for an amazing five-course menu designed by our Chef Zach Eaton, and live entertainment provided by the Rault brothers and Dave Babcock.
Website: Live Music at the Blue Chair Cafe

The Red Piano presents: Las Vegas New Year’s Eve
Time: Dinner starts at 6 p.m. Show starts at 9 p.m.
Location: The Red Piano (West Edmonton Mall)
Cost: Dinner & Show $175/person | Show only $55/person
Details: We are proud to present “Las Vegas New Year’s Eve”. We have something special for you at our amazing New Year’s Eve party. Join us for dinner and the best #NYE in #yeg!
Website: The Red Piano presents: Las Vegas New Years’ Eve

Hart’s House Party
Time: Evening
Location: Hart’s Table 14229 23 Ave
Cost: Free to attend (you’d be spending upwards of $30 on food/drinks)
Details: We’re hosting a “Hart’s House Party” with personalized tickets you can give out to your guests and we will have a DJ, an Oyster Bar, give aways and food and drink features all night long! We want to welcome you to our living room, you host and we will take care of the rest! (I thought it was interesting you can get personalized tickets so it’s like you’re throwing an NYE party but without the clean-up/cooking/mess!)
Website: Hart’s House Party

* There are also a number of live shows happening at various Edmonton spots on NYE. Here’s a list from YEG Live.

NYE at The Melting Pot Masquerade Ball
Time: Unclear on site (dinner time probably)
Location: The Melting Pot 2920 Calgary Trail
Cost: Site says it ranges from $50-$105 per person.
Details: Join us for an evening of mystery and intrigue! Each couple will also receive a framed photo of you and your guests celebrating in style, special New Years Eve party favours, and a surprise gift from The Melting Pot! * I’m unclear what the mystery and intrigue aspect of this – if it’ll be murder mystery or not – but if you’re interested, give them a call or email to ask! Info on their site.
Website: NYE at The Melting Pot Masquerade Ball

* Most restaurants have New Year’s Eve special courses for dinner! I can’t list them all here (and many aren’t listed on their websites yet). Call your favourite restaurant to see what they’ve got going on. There’s a lot of restaurants I’d recommend but for a very special night out, watch for what XIX Nineteen is offering!*

Escape The Rooms (NYE Escape Room Crawl?!)
Time: You pick!
Location: Escape City (5916 104 Street) | Break Out (16604 109 Avenue) | EEscape (10132 105 Street) | SmartyPantz (10524 110 Street) | New: GTFO Escape Entertainment (10018 105 Street)
Cost: $25 per person
Details: Always a good time – challenge your friends to break out of an escape room! You’ve got a few to pick from (my first recommendation would be Escape City) but there’s also a new one called GTFO. Either way – pick a room or pick several – do a crawl – see how many you can successfully escape – maybe try multiple rooms at one place or hit up a bunch of these – before going out to dinner or catching the fireworks downtown!

* Family Friendly (and free) * 

There are a number of fun, family-friendly, and free events in and around the Edmonton area – check out To Do Canada’s list for events including The Town of Stony Plain’s, Strathcona’s New Year’s Festival, and New Year’s Eve Fireworks in St. Albert.

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New Year’s Eve at Home

Fondue and board games 
Mike and I have hosted fondue parties before that have been a lot of fun. We use three fondue pots and a hot stone grill, had way more food that we needed (that’s always better than not having enough), and capped off the night with board games! Here’s some tips from Canadian Living on hosting your own fondue party. Some of our favourite games include Rummy-O, Catchphrase, Boss Monster, Settlers of Catan, Telestrations, and more! Here’s a list of 25 of the best new board games you could try on New Year’s Eve. (You could also ring in a board game New Year at one of Edmonton’s board game cafes – Table Top Cafe or The Hexagon Boardgame Cafe)

Murder Mystery (or Mafia or Werewolf)
Get a group together, all dressed up and in character, and do a murder mystery at home! I’ve always wanted to do this. Here’s a blog post that gives you some instructions. Or buy/play Mafia or Werewolf! Who killed who? Who’s the werewolf? Since I couldn’t find any murder mystery type of New Year’s events, this alternative would be a lot of fun too.

Custom Photo Wall
Party City has fantastic New Year’s balloons and you can build a balloon photo backdrop somewhere in your home pretty easily to ensure fun photos all night long! I am all about photos so anytime there are photo opportunities it instantly makes for a better event, lol.

Vinh Sushi – Home Sushi Party
Vinh Tran is a sushi chef who throws (what looks like) incredible home sushi parties! I imagine if he’s not already booked for New Year’s Eve, he will be very soon. Check out his Instagram page and email him at [email protected] to inquire. Have a delicious, fishy good time ringing in the New year! I have yet to have him host a home sushi party but it’s on my plan for one of my next birthday activities!

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New Year’s Day – BRUNCH! 

* There’s usually a New Year’s Day brunch (buffet) at most Edmonton hotels!  Call around to decide where to go! *

Linda

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1 Comment

  • DavId D. says:

    went thru the checkout at Mayfair Dinner Theater and it was $177 per plate not the 95 to 105 you listed.

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