How Attractions Stage New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Within six months, New Year’s Eve events around the globe will bring people together. Many are familiar with the confetti-covered crowds waiting for the Times Square ball drop in New York City, the Copacabana Beach partygoers in Rio, and the masses singing Auld Lang Syne as fireworks fizz off of the London Eye along the River Thames in the United Kingdom. Attractions of all kinds can use New Year’s Eve to drive shoulder season attendance and revenue by giving guests new ways to celebrate with those who matter most.

Many attractions already have the infrastructure and experience to accommodate New Year’s Eve events. While there are operational challenges, such as increased costs and a greater need for staffing late into the night, these events can generate new revenue, capitalize on festive décor already in place, and provide a memorable shared experience for first-time and returning guests.

The Complete Package

For the Mabu Thermas Grand Resort and Blue Park water park in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, the right moment to offer a New Year’s Eve event came with a simple realization. They weren’t just offering a place to stay and have fun—they were creating lasting memories.

“What makes our event stand out is the all-encompassing experience,” says Diego Garcia, sales director at Mabu Hotels & Resorts. “We operate within a unique ecosystem that includes a hotel, resort, and water park. The Mabu New Year’s Eve celebration blends exceptional infrastructure, high-end cuisine, attractions for all ages, thermal waters, and the energy of Blue Park, with over 62,000 square meters of pure entertainment.”

Mabu’s event answers the growing demand from families for unique year-end celebrations within a fun, safe, and welcoming environment. “From personalized service to themed décor, everything is designed to ensure guests feel special,” Garcia says.

Tailored programming for children, teenagers, and adults keeps everyone happy. Parents can unwind with gourmet food and live music, while Mabu entertains the kids with themed activities and shows. “We create a space where all generations can share the joy of the moment,” Garcia says.

Mabu’s team listens closely to guest feedback. “This open dialogue has been vital in strengthening guest loyalty and improving the event year after year.”

In Brazil, New Year’s Eve coincides with the height of summer. Families often travel to the coast, visiting places like Beach Park on Porto das Dunas beach in Aquiraz, Brazil. This year, Beach Park presents two major new attractions.

Named Surreal, this WhiteWater Master Blaster water coaster takes inspiration from surfing, with curves, speed, and drops that simulate the feeling of riding a wave. Beach Park has also opened Arvorar Park, a nature-focused theme park.

According to Beach Park CEO Murilo Pascoal, the result is a destination where “guests can enjoy thrilling rides, reconnect with family and the natural world, celebrate local culture, and ring in the new year by the sea in an unforgettable way.”

Beach Park provides a festive event with entertainment for all ages, where generations can celebrate togetherness, warmth, and the magic of starting the new year as a family. Beach Park’s team continually seeks ways to enhance the guest experience.

Dining is an essential part of any celebration, and Beach Park has expanded its New Year’s Eve food and beverage offerings. The park prepares curated menus featuring regional flavors, themed food stations, signature cocktails, and specially crafted dishes.

“Our resorts and parks already offer the structure and services that families trust, and the New Year’s Eve event amplifies that, transforming the night into a moment of true connection and joy. It’s not just a party—it’s a shared memory in the making,” Pascoal says.

Strategic Programming for Multigenerational Guests

Carowinds in North Carolina first began ringing in the new year in 2018. “We realized that family-friendly options to celebrate the New Year were limited in the Charlotte area,” explains Ryan Allen, director of live entertainment at Carowinds. With families already enjoying WinterFest, Carowinds saw the potential for expansion and decided New Year’s Eve was a perfect fit. On Dec. 31, Carowinds extends its WinterFest hours to allow guests the opportunity to bid farewell to the old year.

Carowinds’ team revamps the programming to ensure guests enjoy a top-notch WinterFest and a memorable New Year’s Eve. At 9 p.m., the entire amusement park transforms into a party. “The park’s background music changes, live bands perform, and DJs keep the energy going. My favorite is our Kids’ Countdowns; these happen hourly in Camp Snoopy, giving kids the chance to celebrate before bedtime,” Allen says. Besides the entertainment and fireworks, the park offers limited-time food and beverage items, described by Allen as “specialty sips and tastes.”

Carowinds considers Santa’s elves, too. “We ensure our fabulous cast and staff get to be part of the celebration.”

A Guest-Centered Focus

Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut, designed its New Year’s Eve event with young families’ needs in mind. Like Carowinds, the theme park offers an earlier countdown so children can join in the excitement. “Add in beloved characters, festive lights and music, dance parties, select rides, fireworks, and a magical atmosphere, and it’s the perfect way for families to welcome the new year together,” says Marketing Director Meg Forno. “New Year’s Eve feels like the perfect grand finale to our Holiday Lights season.”

At PortAventura World in Barcelona, Spain, guest comfort is a priority at its New Year’s Eve event. The park began celebrating New Year’s Eve with the opening of its hotels—initially with in-hotel dinners and a party afterward at La Cantina Mariachi. “As we grew and inaugurated the convention center, we moved the celebration there, allowing guests to enjoy everything in one space. Currently, we celebrate New Year’s Eve with over 2,500 guests,” says park spokesperson Judith Lleixà Buch.

The park’s gala buffet satisfies guests’ diverse tastes, while live performances, shows, and a New Year’s Eve countdown are also on the menu.

Key Takeaways From Successful Events

At City Museum, housed in an old shoe warehouse in St. Louis, children can slide, jump, climb, and play in artful surroundings. Six months out, the museum is already looking ahead to its fourth New Year’s Eve Party.

The team knew of “Noon Year’s Eve” hotel events but chose a different approach. “We wanted to make ours a little closer to a nightly celebration,” explains Katy Enrique, director of sales and marketing. Guests can enjoy the museum’s lights and decorations all day, and then the New Year’s Eve festivities run 5-9 p.m. “It gives families a chance to have fun with their kids and still get everybody in bed at a reasonable time,” Enrique says.

Experience has taught the team to book entertainment early, before demand drives up costs and limits availability. Family activities and crafts—such as scavenger hunts and button-making—are always a hit. Face painters and balloon animal artists add to the fun.

Careful scheduling ensures the evening runs smoothly. After wrapping up the activities around 7 p.m., the team brings everyone together for a DJ-led dance party. Guests can toast the new year with sparkling, non-alcoholic juice before a big balloon drop at 8 p.m.

The kids love popping the balloons,” Enrique adds. Lucky guests will find prizes, such as tickets, inside some balloons.

City Museum’s New Year’s Eve Party is part of the popular Weirdly Wonderful Holidays event, included with general admission. “It’s definitely an attendance driver for us,” Enrique confirms. The team takes great pride in the return on investment and high guest satisfaction rates. “Our team is happy to do it. We feel like we end the year on a really good, fun, positive note with our guests. We just love this event.”