The Ultimate UK Winter Bucket List
In the words of Ned Stark, “winter is coming!” It’s the season of festivities, celebrations and all things cosy,...
by Steph Boal / Winter
If you’re struggling to come up with some ideas for how to ring in 2025, look no further than our guide to 15 things to do this New Year’s Eve.
Whether you want to celebrate the new year with a cosy night in or by going out, there’s something for everyone on this list. From family nights to black tie events, you’re sure to find something to do to bring in 2025!
Make the last night of the year a memorable one with these 15 things to do on New Year’s Eve 2024…
Going Out New Year’s Eve Ideas
New Year’s Eve Ideas for Staying at Home
Kicking off our list with a bang is fireworks displays; a tradition in many parts of the world, watching local fireworks should definitely feature on your list of things to do on New Year’s Eve 2024.
In the UK, the main event is held in the heart of London and is truly spectacular, with fireworks soaring through the skies and lighting up the city’s iconic landmarks, including Big Ben! If you are unable to attend in person, you can always tune in to BBC One’s live coverage.
Don’t worry if you’re not based in London; there are plenty of displays taking place throughout the UK and Ireland. Sunderland, Reading, Newquay and Lincoln are just a handful of other locations hosting NYE fireworks displays, too – be sure to check them out if you can!
A Winter Wonderland isn’t just a great place to visit during Christmas, but it’s the perfect thing to do for New Year’s Eve. There are many beautiful Winter Wonderlands and amazing Christmas markets that continue to run up until the New Year!
One of our favourites is Edinburgh, this winter bucket list attraction had to feature on our list of recommended things to do on New Year’s Eve 2024 thanks to the large amount of festive activities on offer. Before welcoming in 2025, you can look forward to thrilling rides, ice skating, street food, and meeting Santa.
Whether you’re after a family-friendly outing or a romantic spot for a midnight kiss, Winter Wonderland is a superb choice for a New Year’s Eve to remember.
Another of the best things to do on New Year’s Eve 2024 is to join the Scottish celebrations of Hogmanay. You’ll find an array of Hogmanay events across Scotland, but Edinburgh‘s is arguably the most popular.
Lighting up the city, this incredible event will feature spectacular live music from Pulp, an array of fireworks and an unforgettable street party. The celebrations actually begin on the 29th of December with a torchlight procession.
Other events during this magnificent Hogmanay celebration include a Night Afore Disco, a candlelit concert, a silent disco and a concert in the gardens – there are endless things to do on New Year’s Eve during Hogmanay.
Going to a New Year’s Eve party should definitely be at the top of your list of things to do on New Year’s Eve 2024. Whether it’s a friends’ get-together or a bash at a fabulous venue, you’re bound to have a ball!
Party the night away with the friends you love most, or attend one of the countless fun-filled parties across the UK and Ireland. Newquay hosts a glamorous New Year’s Eve party at Fistral Beach Hotel, which consists of a three-course meal and live music!
If you’re looking for a night out on the town, the UK’s cities are bursting with parties. Head to Manchester to experience the Epic New Year’s Eve party at Malmaison or to York where there is a New Year’s Eve Party at Sora.
If you’re looking for stylish New Year’s Eve ideas, a black-tie event could be perfect for you! Don a tuxedo or a glitzy gown and enjoy a night of champagne, five-star meals and glamour.
Are you struggling to find locations hosting black tie parties? In Staffordshire, Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat is hosting a New Year’s Eve Black Tie Ball, while in Caernarfon Celtic Manor Resort is throwing a Midnight Ball!
Alternatively, head to a James Bond New Year’s Eve Royale at The London Cabaret Club or delight in the festivities of The Old Hallely New Year’s Eve Party in Cambridgeshire; all undoubtedly brilliant things to do in New Year’s Eve.
My personal favourite of these New Year’s Eve ideas is staying with family in a cosy cottage! The perfect choice for families and those who don’t live close by or simply for a festive getaway!
This year my family are venturing to the Peak District to celebrate the New Year together, where will you go?
It’s not too late to secure your own New Year’s Eve holiday. Check out this selection of cottages available over New Year and book now! You can then look forward to making unforgettable memories with loved ones. Enjoy cosy nights in, competitive game nights and a whole host of delicious food.
We’re beginning this section of things to do on New Year’s Eve at home with cocktail making! It is the perfect time to indulge in extra bubbly, so this year why not host your own cocktail-making masterclass?
It is a great way to liven up the evening, with many types of cocktails waiting to be mixed up. Host a masterclass with your household or invite some friends over and enjoy a night of creating tasty concoctions, before kicking back and trialling them together.
You need zero-bar skills, and you are promised a boozy end to 2024! My personal recommendation is an espresso martini, a delicious caffeine boost guaranteed to help you stay awake past midnight!
Whether you managed to complete your 2024 New Year’s resolutions or not, there is optimism that 2025 will be the year of new adventures. If you’ll be staying at home this New Year’s Eve, there is plenty of time to write down your goals and aspirations for the New Year ahead.
Need ideas for New Year’s Eve resolutions? We’ve found the most popular resolutions, including improving fitness, saving money, and improving diet.
If you’re looking for more unique ideas for New Year’s Eve resolutions, we recommend trying out a new activity each month, supporting local businesses and journalling.
Reflecting on the year is a normal thing to do on New Year’s Eve, and what better way to do it than with a quiz?
2024 has had its fair share of historic events that are unlikely to disappear from memory anytime soon. So, let’s round off the year with a year-in-review quiz! What remarkable events can you think of that took place in 2024?
Alternatively, you could stay in the festive mood by hosting a quiz on New Year’s Eve traditions or even fun Christmas facts!
If you’re looking for something a little different for New Year’s Eve 2024, then perhaps a karaoke party is the perfect idea for you!
Imagine singing your favourite songs at the top of your lungs alongside your favourite people as the ball drops, welcoming 2025. Delight in dramatic solos, cohesive duets or rocking group numbers; there is truly no better way to spend New Year’s Eve.
Whether you go all out with microphones and disco balls or you simply play your favourite songs and sing along, it is a wholesome way to spend an evening. If you need some inspiration on what to sing we’ve found the most popular karaoke songs in the UK for you to debut on New Year’s Eve.
Hosting a murder mystery party for your household is a fantastic thing to do on New Year’s Eve! You are promised an evening of drama, fun and of course, mystery, a perfect end to 2024!
With Red Herring Games you can purchase a dinner party game from £22.99. If you are a small household, we recommend ‘An Isolated Case’ as it is suitable for 4-6 players.
The party kit will give you a story about the murder, and you must cast your family members as characters in the story. Dressing up is encouraged for extra evening entertainment!
If you are seeking a game for a larger group, Red Herring Games also offers games for up to 20 players. From Bake Off and Death in Paradise to gangster and The Orient Express-themed murder mysteries, there is something for everyone this New Year’s Eve!
If you’re looking for New Year’s ideas that feature ways to kick back and relax at home, why not throw a pyjama party?
This is an excuse to dress up in your animal print onesies, most festive attire or fanciest PJs, and best of all, after all the activities of the evening, you can just crawl into bed! Perfect!
There’s plenty to enjoy on the TV during a pyjama party this NYE, including The Graham Norton New Year’s Eve Show on BBC One, Jools’s Annual Hootenanny on BBC Two, and of course, live footage of the fireworks at midnight.
This next New Year’s Eve idea is perfect for those with a competitive streak! A games night is an ideal way to see in the New Year. Gather your most competitive friends or family members and battle it out with your favourite games.
Whether you like to play team games such as charades and Pictionary or you’d rather play on your own in Monolopy or a range of card games; there is plenty to keep you entertained during games night.
Why not mix it up by playing some quirky games? Some of our favourites include Exploding Kittens, Game of Phones, Herd Mentality and Hues and Cues. Undoubtedly one of the best New Year’s Eve ideas!
Taking the penultimate spot on our list of New Year’s Eve ideas is a family movie night. Enjoy a cosy night in with the ones you love most to celebrate the beginning of 2025.
Snuggle up on the couch with mountains of blankets and a selection of tasty treats and watch your favourite films. Watch a range of different films or begin a binge-worthy series of films. Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Toy Story are my favourites, but this list of movie marathons will help you choose!
Or hop on the trend of starting the year with an iconic movie quote! Simply start a movie are a specific time to ensure a famous quote occurs the moment midnight strikes.
Some popular ones include:
Back to the Future: Start the film at 10:19:07pm to have the Delorean send Marty back to 1985 at midnight.
Avengers Infinity War: Start the film at 9:48:52pm to have Thanos’ infamous snap occur at midnight.
Casino Royale: Start this film at 9:39:50pm to bring in the new year with the iconic saying ‘the name’s Bond. James Bond’!
Beetlejuice: Start the film at 10:41:47pm and he will say ‘It’s showtime’ as the new year begins.
As you enter the New Year, you may be dreaming about your next holiday! From beach breaks with the family to romantic escapes to the countryside, you can find the perfect holiday home to create memories next year.
What better way to end the year than by planning your next adventure? Use our Travel Guide for inspiration on where to go, then gather the family or your friends and choose your perfect cottage; a great thing to do on New Year’s Eve.
If this list of New Year’s Ideas for 2024 has got you inspired to book a getaway, browse this selection of cottages now! Be sure to use our Inspire Travel Guide to help plan your next adventure!
by Steph Boal / Winter
Hi, I'm Steph and I joined the Sykes team in 2022. I grew up in the North East of England so unsurprisingly I love exploring the w...
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