Milwaukee does New Year’s Eve in style. From family-friendly noon countdowns to skyline-view champagne toasts and late-night dance parties, there’s a celebration for every mood and budget.
If you’re planning to ring in 2026 in MKE, here are some of the standout events currently on the calendar, plus a few ideas for turning the night into a bigger Milwaukee adventure.
(Always double-check event websites before you book; details can change.)
Family Fun: “New Year’s Eve at Noon” at Betty Brinn
If you’d rather have the kids tucked up long before midnight, New Year’s Eve at Noon at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is a great choice. The 2025 event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on December 31 and includes crafts, music, and a festive ball drop at noon, so little ones still get that countdown moment without the late bedtime.
👉 Details: check the Betty Brinn event listing via Visit Milwaukee.
Zoo Year’s Eve: Wild Lights at Milwaukee County Zoo
For a sparkling outdoor option, the Wild Lights: Zoo Year’s Eve event at the Milwaukee County Zoo gives you one last chance to stroll through its glowing, animal-themed light trail before the season ends. The special NYE edition typically runs early evening (think late afternoon into night), with a mile-long path of illuminated sculptures and plenty of hot cocoa along the way.
It’s a relaxed, family-friendly way to say goodbye to 2025, and still be home (or downtown) in time for later celebrations.
👉 Details: see the Wild Lights Zoo Year’s Eve listing.
Fireworks in Cheer District
If fireworks are non-negotiable for your New Year’s Eve, head to the Cheer District outside Fiserv Forum. For 2025, Cheer District, presented by the We Energies Foundation, is set to host a free New Year’s Eve fireworks show at 10 p.m. on December 31, following the Bucks game.
Bring chairs or blankets, bundle up, and enjoy the display framed by the lights of the Deer District. Surrounding bars and restaurants usually offer NYE specials, so it’s easy to turn this into a full night out.
👉 Overview: see the Milwaukee Downtown NYE events roundup.
Dinner & Drinks: Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel
For a more refined celebration, Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel downtown offers multiple ways to toast the new year:
- New Year’s Eve at the Bar: from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m., with live music, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight.
- New Year’s Eve Dinner at The Studio: a prix fixe menu from 5–11 p.m. with an elevated, celebratory feel.
This is a strong pick for couples or small groups who want a polished evening with everything in one place.
👉 Event info: start with the Saint Kate New Year’s Eve listings on Visit Milwaukee.
Skyline Views at The Pfister’s Blu Lounge
If your ideal New Year involves dressing up and looking out over the city lights, Blu, the 23rd-floor cocktail lounge at The Pfister Hotel, is hard to beat.
The “Your Window to the World on New Year’s Eve” package for 2025 includes reserved tables, live music, skyline views, party favors, desserts, and a bottle of bubbly, with seatings starting at 7 p.m.
It’s a splurge, but a memorable one — especially if you want a more intimate celebration above the crowds.
👉 Details: see the Pfister event listing.
Big Night Out: Stellar Spark at The Rave/Eagles Club
For a full-throttle party, Stellar Spark New Year’s Eve at The Rave/Eagles Club has become a Milwaukee tradition. The 2025 edition features electronic artist Sullivan King with support acts and kicks off at 8 p.m. on December 31.
Expect a high-energy crowd, big production, and music well past midnight. Advance tickets start around the $40 mark, with prices higher day-of.
👉 Info and tickets: head to The Rave’s official NYE event page.
Making a Night of It with City Tours MKE
Whichever event you choose, New Year’s Eve is a night when not driving is a bonus. If you’re celebrating with a group, a private City Tours MKE Tour Experience or MKE Party Bus can handle the transport so everyone arrives together and gets home safely.
Think: an early evening sightseeing loop around the city’s winter lights, then drop-off at your chosen NYE spot – Cheer District fireworks, a downtown hotel party, or The Rave – with a warm ride waiting at the end of the night.
However you decide to ring in 2026, Milwaukee has a celebration that fits your style. Plan ahead, book early, and get ready to count down in true MKE fashion.