NEW YEAR'S EVE IN DENVER
Downtown Denver
December 31 (9 p.m. and midnight)
The sky will once again sparkle over the 16th Street Mall at the close of 2012 with the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Downtown. The two spectacular fireworks shows will occur at 9 p.m. and midnight. For the best viewpoints, stand along the 16th Street Mall. Costumed entertainers will interact with crowds between shows, including magicians, mascots, balloon artists, stilt walkers, comedians and more.
Please note, between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m., RTD Light Rail trains will not cross the 16th Street Mall and mall ride shuttles will stop temporarily during the two fireworks shows.
Be safe! If you are celebrating with alcohol this holiday season, plan ahead before you party. Park your car in an overnight lot, take a cab or public transportation or designate a sober driver before anyone takes a sip.
Children's Museum of Denver
www.cmdenver.org
This is the perfect event for little ones who might not be able to stay up for the real deal. The Children's Museum of Denver is ringing in New Year's Eve just like Times Square! With five ball drops every hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., children of all ages can yell the countdown, watch colorful confetti splash the plaza and make fireworks with their feet when they jump on massive sheets of bubble wrap. Along with all the excitement outside, make cool art activities, watch exciting theater performers, decorate delicious cookies and so much more!
Denver Zoo
www.denverzoo.org
Bunk with the beasts! Kids spend the holiday at the zoo exploring Zoo Lights, learning about animals and celebrating sleepover-style in a safe and fun environment. Parents get a night out on the town. Includes pizza dinner, evening snack and full breakfast. $65 per member; $75 per non-member.
Boettcher Concert Hall
www.coloradosymphony.org
Colorado Symphony Orchestra keeps New Year’s Eve classy at Boettcher Concert Hall, with a Vienna-themed selection of the beloved waltzes, polkas and classics. The show starts early at 6:30 p.m., and ends in time for you to catch the first downtown fireworks display at 9 p.m.
Grand Hyatt Denver
http://www.granddenver.hyatt.com/nye
Enjoy open bar with premium pour, buffet supper, champagne toast at midnight, party hats and favors and balloon drops galore. Revel in three parties in one as you move from one ballroom to another. The entertainment lineup includes The Nacho Men, Dance Party Music and Dueling Pianos.
NYE Block Party
Crowne Plaza Denver International Airport Convention Center
http://newyearseveblockparty.com/index.html
The Collective 360 brings you the largest New Years Eve hotel takeover celebration ever to be held in Colorado, NYE Block Party 2012! This extravagant event will be held at Colorado's largest hotel event space, the Crowne Plaza, located just fifteen minutes east of downtown Denver. NYE Block Party 2012 will host up to 6,000 people in one multi-room event space and feature the complete takeover of 7 hotels within walking distance.
Midnight at the Library
McNichols Building
http://www.goodpeoplegoodfun.com/midnight-at-the-library
Surround yourself in the magic of holiday lights and classic city views. You are cordially invited to ring in the New Year in a world of secret exclusivity, a special knock, a code of 1920’s style and conduct...a one-night only speakeasy, right in the heart of Denver. Sip your moonshine in the lounge or dance your fancy pants off with Denver’s finest DJ’s - Mile High Soul Club. Come with us, and give your heart to a cause of compassion and grace. All the proceeds of every ticket you buy go directly to support S.O.U.L.’s projects in Uganda.
Tavern Downtown's Olive Drop
The Tavern Downtown
www.tavernhg.com
Tavern Downtown will feature its annual NYE Olive Drop, beginning at the one-minute countdow to midnight. NYE revelers will have a front row seat to fireworks on Denver's largest rooftop patio. The two-foot illuminated olive will drop 20 feet into a 15-foot tall, seven-foot wide illuminated martini glass on the rooftop. At the signal of midnight, the Tavern will kick off a grand fireworks display.