Best Free & Cheap Things To Do in Denver For New Year's Eve and Day

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 2023 — 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 $14 – $20. Timed-ticket required.

Visit the Denver Museum of Nature & Science — Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Standard admission $18 – $23. Timed-ticket required.

Visit the Denver Art Museum — Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission $12 to $15. Kids under age 18 always FREE. Timed-ticket required.

New Year’s Eve Free Fireworks in Downtown Denver — Shows at 9 p.m. & midnight with best viewing along the 16th Street Mall.

Party Like It’s 1983 at Ratio Beerworks — 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Magic Cyclops is playing 80’s tunes with throwback visuals all night long. Plus, a complimentary beer shot of Dear You, our French Saison, as soon as that ball drops. This FREE event will have you bringing in the new year just right. 2920 Larimer St., Denver.

New Year’s Eve at Cactus Jack’s Saloon & Grill — 8 p.m. to closing. Local Bluegrass Band, The Wrecklunds will help ring in the New Year. Singing old favorites like “I Drink A Lot” and new jams like “The Anniversary Song”. This is high energy, so come to party. $5 cover (cheapest in town). Champagne toast and countdown at midnight. 4651 Highway 73, Evergreen.

New Year’s Eve Blacklight Party — 8 p.m. to closing. Blacklight Party at Fraco’s Bar. Wear your neon colors. Live music by Elderpunk. Champagne toast at midnight! Pre-sale tickets are $7; $10 at the door. 5302 S. Federal Cir., Littleton.

New Year’s Eve Experience at PINDUSTRY — 4:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Great Gatsby Masquerade themed party. Entertainment, games, lanes, drinks, bites, live music and more. A “make your own mask” station, a photo booth, and a balloon drop at midnight! Wash Park plays from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. General Admission is $10 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. Features Live Wire (a tribute to AC/DC) and High ‘N’ Dry ( a tribute to Def Leppard). Free buffet, party favors, midnight champagne toast. Tickets $10 in advance, $15 at the door. 11964 Washington St., Northglenn.

New Year’s Eve at Lincoln Station — 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Live music from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., then DJ and dancing from 10 p.m. to 1 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! Tickets $10. 9360 Station St., #175, Lone Tree.

New Year’s Eve Liftoff with Off World Vehicle in The Lodge — 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at The Lodge at Woods Boss. Tickets $15. 675 22nd St., Denver.

New Year’s Eve Bash at Halfpenny — 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Celebrate New Years Eve with your favorite Halfpenny crew. Live music, Food from 2 Salty Sarges, raffle prizes, special beer release, and more. Lindsey Giffery from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Electric Whiskey Experiment from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 5150 E. Arapahoe Rd., Centennial.

The Black Buzzard at Oskar Blues — The Nuns of Brixton (a tribute to The Clash) celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Black Buzzard. Also performances by GFY and The Grobes. Doors open at 8 p.m. Show is at 9 p.m. Tickets: $20 in advance. 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.

New Year’s Eve Festo Festo! — 9:30 p.m. to 1:15 a.m. Festo Festo will feature hosts Gora Gora Orkestar and Hadgaba! Los Klezmerados de Santa Fe will be kicking off the event at 9:30 p.m. As always, Festo Festo will conclude with an inclusive community jam session! Bring your voice, horn, drum, guitar. Tickets are $30. Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St., Denver.