Known for its colorful desert landscapes, New Mexico makes for a beautiful New Year’s Eve destination. Whether you’re seeking a relaxing mountain resort experience, low-key celebration for families, or lively party in the city, New Mexico offers festive activities for everyone. Choosing where to ring in the New Year is a tough decision as it’s one of the biggest nights of the year. For those in New Mexico, however, this decision is even more difficult due to the abundance of options available. Check out some of the best known New Year’s Eve activities in New Mexico below.
For the most stylish New Year’s Eve party in downtown Albuquerque, head to the Embassy Suites for a night you’ll remember! Indulge in a delicious buffet featuring decadent entrees, sides, and desserts then dance to the live music entertainment. There’s also a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight, plus attendees have the opportunity to win $1,000!
Take an evening ride through the New Mexico desert on a beautifully restored train car for an interesting and memorable New Year’s Eve. The Lamy Line provides a one-of-a-kind holiday experience featuring scenic views, cocktails, party favors, live music, snacks, beverages, a charcuterie box, and complimentary champagne toast.
Known for the sparkling wines, Gruet Winery & Tasting Room makes for an incredibly romantic and serene New Year’s Eve experience surrounded by the beautiful New Mexico desert landscape. This award-winning winery hosts their New Year’s Eve Wine Dinner featuring top Gruet wines paired with a gourmet, multiple-course meal including dessert.
Located off of historic Route 66, the Sheraton Uptown is known for putting on spectacular New Year’s Eve parties throughout the years. The Battle of the Decades Bash is a 21+ theme party where you can dress like your favorite decade and enjoy live DJ entertainment, dancing, games and prizes, hors d'oeuvres, a dinner buffet, champagne toast, and midnight snack.
The Resolutions New Year’s Eve Bash is known as one of the wildest and best New Year’s Eve parties in Las Cruces. Hosted at the ultra-cool Rad Retrocade, which boasts dozens of vintage arcade games in a fun throwback setting, this exciting bash includes live music entertainment, dancing, and free photos followed by a confetti blast, balloon drop, complimentary champagne toast at midnight.
Forget choosing just one bar this New Year’s Eve! Celebrate the New Year at all the premier bars and clubs in Albuquerque for a truly distinctive experience. Albuquerque’s New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl features a welcome party, amazing drink specials, and a list of the best bars to visit. It’s a great way to mingle with interesting people in a variety of venues.
Bring your little ones to the South Valley Library for a mid-day New Year’s Eve celebration complete with snacks, craft activities, a balloon drop, and countdown to noon. This family-friendly event is open to all ages and is designed to help young children feel included in the New Year’s Eve festivities.
Spend New Year’s Eve relaxing at one of New Mexico’s premier mountain resorts, the Inn of the Mountain Gods. Their Ring it INN New Year’s Eve Celebration offers a lovely dining experience with gourmet fare along with dancing and live entertainment by three top cover bands in the area, followed by a midnight champagne toast.
All ages are welcome to attend Santa Fe’s free New Year’s Eve festival on the plaza for a peaceful evening with live music and cozy bonfires while munching on complimentary biscochitos. Attendees also gather at the historic La Fonda on the Plaza hotel for the countdown to midnight and enjoy a dazzling fireworks display and watch the rising of the colorful Zia symbol.