top of page

Sign up for our blog.

Search

Bring In the New Year in Style...Bourbon City Style That is!


Fourth Street Live! does a New York-style ball drop every year.
Fourth Street Live! does a New York-style ball drop every year.

According to WalletHub, Louisville ranks among the top 20 “Best Cities for New Year's Eve Celebrations,” and we completely agree. Bourbon City is an ideal spot to toast to 2026.


All of the events below take place on New Year’s Eve (Wednesday, Dec. 31) — unless otherwise noted and were found at GoToLouisville.com


Family-Friendly

Noon Years, Kentucky Science Center | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

  • Signature moment: Countdown to noon demo, a large-scale chemistry experiment visible from every floor

  • Features: Hands-on kid's activities, storytime, music and timekeeping show

  • Vibe: Playful, kid-centered, educational

  • Tickets: $22-$24


  • Signature moment: Champagne & sparkling grape juice toast at 6 p.m. (that's midnight in Paris)

  • Features: Louisville Silent Disco

  • Vibe: Local brewery, pinball arcade

  • Tickets: Cost of headphones


New Year's Eve Fireworks, Kentucky Kingdom | 3-9 p.m.

  • Signature moment: 15-minute-long firework show at 8:50 p.m.

  • Features: Select rides, snow tubing hill, over 1 million Christmas lights

  • Vibe: Amusement park setting, all ages

  • Tickets: $24.99-$29.99


Kosair Shriners
Kosair Shriners

Black-Tie Events

Kosair Shriners New Year’s Eve Celebration, Kosair Shrine Center | 5 p.m.-1 a.m.

  • Signature moment: Balloon drop & champagne toast

  • Features: Dinner, live music from Caribou Rocks, dancing, pull-tabs, after-midnight Krispy Kreme Donuts and White Castle sliders

  • Vibe: Traditional NYE, formal wear

  • Tickets: $90-$700


  • Signature moment: Balloon drop & champagne toast

  • Features: Music by The Unlimited Show Band & DJ YK, dancing

  • Vibe: Glamourous, holiday magic

  • Tickets: $31.80-$371


New Year’s Eve Ballroom Party, Hotel Bourré Bonne | 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m.

  • Signature moment: Countdown to midnight with a champagne toast

  • Features: Private dining seatings, open bar, live band, passed hors d’oeuvres and culinary stations, rooftop afterparty

  • Vibe: Boutique hotel, elevated cocktail hour

  • Tickets: $275-$1,900


Nightlife Parties

NYE Live!, Fourth Street Live! | 8 p.m.

  • Signature moment: New York-style ball drop & champagne toast

  • Features: Music from Soul Circus, dancing, multiple venues, ticket packages

  • Vibe: Bar hopping, downtown entertainment district

  • Tickets: $27.33-$145.08


NYE, High Stakes Rooftop | 9 p.m.

  • Signature moment: Midnight toast

  • Features: Hot and cold buffet, live jazz from Carly Johnson, late-night DJ, two drinks included

  • Vibe: Downtown hotel rooftop, cozy, curated

  • Tickets: $99


New Year’s Eve Party, Derby City Gaming Downtown | 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

  • Features: Casino-style games, drink specials, DJ K-DOGG

  • Vibe: Speakeasy, refined

  • Tickets: $10 cover


Concerts

New Year's Eve Live Broadcast, Louisville Palace | 8 p.m.

  • Signature moment: “Soulful, funky good time”

  • Features: Local bands and DJs, pop-up art gallery and record shop

  • Vibe: Historic theater downtown, local fundraiser for Louisville Public Media

  • Tickets: $35.99-58.6


NYE 2026, The Last Refuge | 8 p.m.-2 a.m.

  • Signature moment: Whiskey toast

  • Features: Music from Time and a Half, DJ Devon Devonn, an all-inclusive bar package, hors d'oeuvres, and party favors

  • Vibe: Late-night energy, historic yet stylish

  • Tickets: $75-$100


Juice Box Heroes, The Gillespie | 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

  • Signature moment: Champagne toast

  • Features: 1980s-2000s party cover band, three ticket options, open bar

  • Vibe: Ballroom party in a historic downtown venue, dazzling, lively

  • Tickets: $85-$2,000


Unique Experiences

New Year’s Bash!, Mary M. Miller | 10 p.m.-1 a.m.

  • Signature moment: Champagne toast

  • Features: Music from DJ Jill, champagne included, party favors

  • Vibe: Three-hour river cruise on a historic riverboat

  • Tickets: $109.99


NYE, Nouvelle Bar & Bottle | 5 p.m.-1 a.m.

  • Signature moment: Champagne toast

  • Features: A “completely irresponsible champagne list”

  • Vibe: Trendy, artsy neighborhood wine bar

  • Tickets: No cover


Polish New Years, 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens | 1-8 p.m.

  • Signature moment: Giant Polish sausage drop at 6 p.m. (that’s midnight in Poland)

  • Features: Games, food and drink specials

  • Vibe: Chill, beer garden, dog-friendly

  • Tickets: Free to attend


Check out all the New Year happenings and more on GoToLouisville.com's events calendar.


WHY NOT LEAVE THE NYE DRIVING TO SOMEONE ELSE?

Pegasus Global offers chauffeured services with your own car and chauffeur as well as larger vehicles for the whole crowd! Check it out....and be sure to book soon!


 DID YOU KNOW?

Pegasus Global offers PAX certified drivers in the Louisville, Lexington, and Cincinnati areas. Learn more here.

 

Note: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not represent any endorsement by Pegasus.



Pegasus is an Official Partner

ree

ree

Only Pegasus offers an unmatched blend of luxury and elegance in chauffeured & chartered services, personalized tours, and exclusive Kentucky Bourbon Trail's™ distillery experiences, all backed by 5-star reviews. We excel in providing top-tier transportation for distinguished events like Bourbon and Beyond, Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and Louder Than Life, ensuring a memorable journey every time.



Comments

bottom of page