It’s time to watch the ball drop, eat the last of the holiday cookies and make resolutions you may or may not keep. Rather than staying at home and falling asleep on the couch with your dog, why not get out on the town with your friends and family? It’s also a great chance to meet new people and mingle with the community.

Whatever motivates you, check out these fun things to do on New Year’s Eve in Tacoma and surrounding areas.

First Night Tacoma

December 31: 5:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

Tacoma Arts Live, 901 Broadway, Tacoma

Returning after a year hiatus, First Night Tacoma is a non-alcoholic, family-friendly way to ring in the New Year in Tacoma. First Night is a global event that highlights what the Tree of Life represents in each community: new beginnings, nature, harmony and the connections of a community. First Night Tacoma highlights include the World’s Shortest Parade, live performance on several stages, a night market with local goods, interactive family activities and more. There is a special Kid’s Countdown at 9:00 p.m., so they can ring in the New Year with the East Coast and not have to stay up too late! There will also be fire pits to keep you warm and a food court to keep you fed.

Broadway will be closed off to vehicles from 9th and 11th Street.

Tickets are $14 until December 30, $18 at the event. Kids 11-years-old and under are free. Purchase tickets through the Tacoma Arts Live website or by calling the Tacoma Arts Live Box Office at 800-291-7593, or in person at 901 Broadway, Tacoma.

Frozen Fountain Ice Rink
Skate into the New Year at the Chi Frozen Fountain Ice Rink. Photo courtesy: CHI Franciscan Frozen Fountain Ice Rink

The CHI Franciscan Frozen Fountain Ice Rink

December 31: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

Point Ruston Grand Plaza, 5005 Ruston Way, Tacoma

If you are looking for a fun, family-friendly activity to do while ringing in the New Year in Tacoma, then the Frozen Fountain Ice Rink at Point Ruston may be a good choice! You can skate past midnight and into the new year as they are open until 1:00 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. Admission starts at $13 at the rink. Have a group? Call 253-397-8445 early and reserve the Polar Room for your own private NYE Party!

Ocean5
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with your entire family at Ocean5, packages include all the fun you could ask for as you ring in 2020. Photo courtesy: Ocean5

Ocean5 New Year’s Eve Celebration

5268 Point Fosdick Drive, Gig Harbor, WA

Ocean5 is a great place to spend the last moments of 2019 and the first of 2020 eating, playing and laughing. They have special New Year’s Eve Party Packages that include all the fun you could want for six people: two hours of unlimited bowling (including shoe rentals), 100 game room play points, unlimited laser games, food and drinks, including a pizza buffet, New Year’s accessories and more. Early bird pricing starts at $145 for 6 people. These packages are all family friendly, so you can bring your kids to celebrate the New Year with you! Get your tickets on their Facebook event page.

New Years Eve Tacoma 2019 Puttin on the Glitz 2020 Gritty City Sirens
Get gussied up in your 1920s best and have a roarin’ good time with the Gritty City Sirens at the Puttin on the Glitz 2020 New Years Eve in Tacoma. Photo credit: Heather Schofner

Puttin on the Glitz 2020

December 31: 8:00 p.m.

Fawcett Hall at Alma Mater, 1322 Fawcett Avenue, Tacoma

If you are looking for something fun and racy for New Year’s Eve, this is your event! Puttin on the Glitz 2020 is a 21+ party with performances by Tacoma’s burlesque troupe, Gritty City Sirens. The theme is the Roarin’ 20s and it’s going to be a night to remember as you party through midnight, dressed to the nines, enjoying music by Mirrorgloss and DJ Broam as well. Tickets start at $15 and are available on Eventbrite.

Ring in the New Year with Got 90s?

December 31: 9:00 p.m.

The Swiss Restaurant & Pub, 1904 Jefferson Avenue, Tacoma

Do you miss your favorite boybands from the 90s? Or maybe you need a bit of Britney to get you through to 2020. If so, then head to The Swiss’s Ring in the New Year with Got 90s? party! The 21-years-old and over event will feature drink specials, raffle prizes and their traditional Fireball whiskey toast at midnight and of course the 90s tribute band, Got 90s?.  Tickets are $15 and are available at The Swiss or via the Eventbrite website.

New Year’s Eve Parents Night Out

December 31: 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Two Dragons Karate, 10109 224th Street E, Graham

If you need a bit of alone time for a date night on New Year’s Eve, Two Dragons Karate has you covered! While you can’t ring in the New Year while leaving your kids with them, you can have a nice dinner and maybe do some dancing or catch a movie while your kids are having what Two Dragons Karate has dubbed “Fortnite Floss Off” as well as a Nerf war and a movie. Their blackbelt instructors will be there to entertain while you have a night out. They will provide pizza and popcorn as well as tons of fun. Cost is $49 and can be purchased on the Two Dragons Karate website.

Tacoma Polar Bear Plunge
Plunge into the new year at the Point Defiance Polar Bear Plunge on January 1, 2020. Photo credit: Russ Carmack

Point Defiance Polar Bear Plunge

January 1: 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Point Defiance boat launch, 5912 N. Waterfront Drive, Tacoma

Jump into the New Year with the Point Defiance Polar Bear Plunge! All the fun starts at 11:30 a.m. with the cub plunge, for kids under 10-years-old, followed by the adult/family plunge at 12:00 p.m. There is free parking at the event and also a free shuttle service from Owen Beach from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Cost is $5 and there will be heating tents and free hot drinks available afterward for those who made the plunge. Free t-shirts are included as well, while supplies last. Snacks will be available for purchase. You can also get a coupon for $3 admission to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium for use that day.