The kids are home from school, relatives are visiting or maybe you and your special someone are just now trying to map out how to celebrate New Year’s Eve and/or New Year’s Day. You need a game plan that’s inexpensive because you broke the bank on Christmas and Hanukkah, like so many of us.
Tempting though it may be to spend big bucks on ringing in the new year, there’s really no need. We’ve compiled a list of our top picks of FREE or low-cost events and activities around town well-suited for bargain hunters.
Our list includes some things to do that normally don’t appear on our calendar, followed by the calendar list for both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Know of any we’ve overlooked? Email Laura@MileHighOnTheCheap.com with details.
We’ll keep updating this list, so check back often.
As always, to keep up with latest money-saving promos and events in the Denver/Boulder area, sign up for the daily Mile High On The Cheap e-newsletter. Trust us, your wallet will thank you.
Here’s to a happy 2024 — full of more freebies, discounts and deals!
Free & Cheap New Year’s Eve
Visit the Denver Zoo — Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Standard winter admission $10.50 – $15.75. Timed-ticket required.
Visit the Denver Museum of Nature & Science — Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Standard admission $20 – $25. For best experience, buy in advance.
Visit the Denver Art Museum — Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission $15 to $18. Kids under age 18 always FREE.
New Year’s Eve Free Fireworks in Downtown Denver — Shows at 9 p.m. & midnight with best viewing along the 16th Street Mall.
New Year’s Eve Free Drone Show in Parker — 7 p.m. at Echo Park Stadium with best viewing from the stadium’s parking lot.
Pre-Game NYE at Old 121 Brewhouse — 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Celebrate with $3 Brut IPA toasts every hour toasting the New Year across the world. They’ll have a live stream of celebrations on the big screen. Live music by Nomad Neighbors from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. FREE. 1057 S. Wadsworth Blvd., #60, Lakewood.
New Year’s Eve at The Irish Rover Pub — 3 p.m. to midnight. Party starts at 3 p.m. Then, ring in the Irish New Year at 5 p.m. our time. Champagne, food and fun. Families-friendly until 8 p.m. then 21+ only! NO COVER. 54 S. Broadway, Denver.
New Year’s Eve at The Shindig — 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.. Live music by Atomic X-Perience from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., then DJ and dancing from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Enjoy delicious food from the pizza kitchen until 11 p.m. and full bar will be open all night with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight! FREE. 9360 Station St., #175, Lone Tree.
New Year’s Eve Pre-Party at New Terrain Brewing — 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Pick & Howl perform. FREE. 16401 Table Mountain Pkwy., Golden.
New Year’s Eve at Left Hand Brewing — 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Scott Von and Friends perform in the Tasting Room. FREE. 1265 Boston Ave., Longmont.
New Year’s Eve at Raices Brewing — 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Chimbangle performs. FREE. 2060 W. Colfax Ave., Denver.
Anti-NYE Party at Western Sky Bar — 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. FREE. 5361 S. Broadway, Englewood.
New Year’s Eve Bash at Odde’s Music Grill — 8 p.m. ToneShakers perform. FREE. 9975 Wadsworth Pkwy., Westminster.
Celebrity New Year’s Eve featuring HomeSlice — 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. RockStar Music Hall and Event Center is a new live music venue inside Celebrity Lanes in Centennial. The first RockStar show features HomeSlice, a popular Colorado party band. General admission: $10. VIP Bowling packages with dinner also available. 15755 E. Arapahoe Rd., Centennial.
New Year’s Eve at Cactus Jack’s Saloon & Grill — 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Rowdy Shadehouse performs. $10 cover includes live music, midnight champagne toast, party favors and fun. 4651 Highway 73, Evergreen.
A Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve at Pindustry — 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Great Gatsby themed party. Entertainment, games, lanes, drinks, bites, live music and balloon drop. Wash Park plays from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. General Admission is $15 purchased online or at the door. 7939 E. Arapahoe Rd. Greenwood Village.
New Year’s Eve Party at Cheers — 7 p.m. to 1 p.m. 80’s Prom Night theme. Features Mr. Steak and Fire & Ice (tribute to Pat Benatar). Free buffet, party favors, midnight champagne toast. Tickets $10 to $15 in advance, $20 at the door. 11964 Washington St., Northglenn.
New Year’s Eve with The Lowdown Drifters — 7 p.m. The Black Buzzard at Oskar Blues presents The Lowdown Drifters, Danno Simpson and Raina Wallace. Tickets: $20. 1624 Market St., Denver.
New Year’s Eve with Those Crazy Nights: Tribute to Journey — Doors open at 8 p.m. Starts at 9 p.m. Tickets $25. Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st Ave., Denver.
Los Cheesies Flashback 60s, 70s, 80s New Year’s Eve Party — 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Los Cheesies, The Saints & DJ Drake! Famous musical artist impersonators, a psychedelic video special effects show, costume and dance contest, and a midnight champagne toast. Jam to the greatest hits of the 60s, 70s & 80s at Roots Music Project. Tickets $25 in advance, $35 at the door. 4747 Pearl St., Suite V3A, Boulder.
New Year’s Eve Bachata/Salsa Party at Que Bueno Suerte — 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Bachata/Salsa Party with dancing, drink specials and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door. 1518 S. Pearl St., Denver.
Spangalang NYE Celebration — 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Get ready to jazz up your New Year’s Eve with an evening of live music, delectable dining, and non-stop fun! Exclusive NYE Jazz Concert featuring the world-renowned saxophonist, Tony Exum Jr. General admission tickets $25 and include concert, post-concert dancing, complimentary buffet by Pineapple Express and champagne toast. Spangalang Speakeasy All You Can Drink Pass ($75) comes with all of the above, plus unlimited drinks. 2736 Welton St., Denver.
Fried Chicken and Bubbles Party at Rooted Craft Kitchen — 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Party where you can savor bottomless champagne and Nashville-style fried chicken. Tickets are priced at $30 for adults and $10 for kids and include fried chicken, sparkling cider, and bubble wands for some added fun. Get tickets here. 3940 W. 32nd Ave., Denver.
Ratio Beerworks Silent Disco Party — 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Ticket package includes headphones and two beers of your choice from the bar. Menu also includes gluten-free seltzer from Untitled Art, and a variety of non-alcoholic options including NA beer from Untitled Art, Happy Leaf Kombucha, Rocky Mountain Organic Sodas, and Liquid Death. Tickets: $30 ($25 + staff gratuity). Get tickets here. 2920 Larimer St., Denver.
New Year’s at Flight Club — 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Individual Ticket option of $45 per person, includes two drink tickets, Bottomless Bites — unlimited replenishment of the special events menu, complimentary midnight champagne toast and the ability to play ‘Social Darts’ with other guests. 1959 16th Street Mall, Denver.
More on New Year’s Eve
Free & Cheap New Year’s Day
Visit the Denver Museum of Nature & Science — Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Standard admission $20 – $25. For best experience, buy in advance.
Visit the Denver Zoo — Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Standard winter admission $10.50 – $15.75. Timed-ticket required.
Visit the Denver Art Museum — Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission $15 to $18. Kids under age 18 always FREE.