14 FUN Ideas To Start The New Year With Your Friends

Put on your party hats because the new year is just around the corner and December 31st will be here in a heartbeat. It's time to get together with friends and toast the horizons of the upcoming year as the old year ends and the new one begins. 

After you've decided what to do and how to celebrate the upcoming Year, the first step is to make a list of friends to invite and stock up on supplies for the activities. A little planning will help you stay on track even more. There are countless ways to ring in the new year with your dear ones, whether you like to throw the best parties or prefer smaller, more private gatherings.

Let this list serve as your road map for a fun and unforgettable celebration, from shimmering parties to cozy bonfires. So gather your pals and get ready to party!

1. Hosting New Year's Eve party

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A house party on New Year's Eve is a fantastic way to start the year with your friends. Set up a dancefloor or karaoke machine to play some groovy music. You can also decorate your home with balloons, streamers, and other holiday-themed accents. For your guests, have a variety of snacks, sweets, and drinks on hand for when they get peckish from all the dancing. Most importantly, don't forget the new year's countdown at the top of your lungs, and usher in 2023  with your besties as the clock strikes midnight.

2. Hit The Bar

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One common way to ring in the New Year with friends is to go to a local bar or club. If you want to dance, drink, and have fun, the best idea is to dress to the nines and go out on the town. To avoid long waits and crowded venues, make a reservation or get there early. Almost every bar hosts a DJ party with fireworks to welcome the new year. So you can easily grab a few drinks, enjoy the firework show with your friends and get down on the dance floor to the music. You can check out The Blind Elf in Buckhead or Ground Zero Blues Club for best experience!

3. Host a movie night

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Do you not like gatherings and want a quieter and more laid-back way to celebrate the new year with friends? A movie night in would be perfect. Invite your friends over to your home, pop some popcorn, and settle under a warm blanket to watch some classic New Year's Eve films. If not movies you can watch concert films that a lot of artists release during new year's eve. You can also stream Taylor Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour or Beyonce's Homecoming on Netflix.

4. Throw A Potluck Dinner Party

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Potlucks aren't just for Thanksgiving. You can host a potluck event on the 31st night too. Invite your friends over and have them each bring a dish. In this way, you can try new foods while also having a fun and comfortable evening with friends. A benefit of a potluck is that it relieves the host of a lot of stress. Just be sure to keep track of who is bringing what so you can avoid having mishaps like everyone bringing dessert and no one else any savory fare. After dinner, you can continue the celebrations with a karaoke or dance party.

5. Go to A Comedy Club

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Start 2023 with lots of laughs. Visit a comedy club or comedy show with your friends for some lighthearted fun. When you laugh your way into the new year with friends, it will undoubtedly be a memorable and hilarious evening.

You can check out Turning 23 New Years Eve Comedy by The Denver Comedy Lounge, Denver or New Year's Eve Comedy Night by DAR Constitution Hall,  Washington DC.

6. New Year's Eve Concert

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Go to a New Year's Eve concert or music festival and dance the night away. This is a great way to celebrate the new year with friends who love music, and sure to be an unforgettable night of fun and entertainment. Make sure to buy tickets in advance and plan your transportation to and from the event. There are lots of options near and far from you. I think these two will be crazy: New Years Eve 2023 featuring the Arrivals at Reggie's Rock Club, Chicago, IL and 3rd Annual Nye Labyrinth Masquerade Ball at Thunderbird Lounge, Phoenix, AZ

7. Ball Drop At Times Square

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Aside from concert, one most anticipated tradition in America is to watch the ball drop at Time Square. While attending the ball drop in person remains supreme, you can still tune in to ABC, NBC and CNN to watch the balldrop from home. You can also stream it on Youtube, HULU+ or Time Square's official website from wherever you want.

There's celebration in every state. If you cannot make it to Times Square, go to the one closest to you. You can find more in this article.

8. A Game Night

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Invite your gaming friends for board game competitions because who wants to deal with naysayers? Pick a game that everyone will enjoy playing. My favorites for a board game marathon are Taboo, Mafia, and Celebrity.

Make finger foods like chips and dips or desserts like doughnuts; even better, order some pizzas so that you won't have to worry about doing the dishes later. To get the party started, make sure there is enough booze and drinks.

9. Lavish Outdoor Dinner

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A fancy outdoor dinner with friends is a more elegant way to celebrate the new year. You can book a table at a nice restaurant and enjoy a delicious meal with your friends. Raise a glass of champagne to toast the new year at midnight.

10. Take A Shot At Mixology

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There's no denying that New Year's Eve calls for cocktails. Why not have your friends compete in mixing the best cocktails if you're celebrating?  Have your guest come prepared to mix up a batch of their favorite drink. Make sure you have enough supplies on hand, such as alcohol, ice, fruit juice, and so on. Get a bottle of champagne for the best mixologist as a prize.

11. New Year's Eve Costume Party

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A unique and enjoyable way to celebrate with friends and keep the laughter going into the New Year is to host a New Year's Eve costume party. You can decide on a theme for the celebration, such as a decade or a certain musical style, and invite your friends to wear outfits inspired by their New Year's resolutions. I recall one occasion when one of my friends showed up dressed with his gym membership card and the other as "Quit smoking." A gift card or trophy, in my opinion, would make a fitting award for the best costume.

12. Hit The Road

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Going on a road trip with your favorite gal pals is the best way to ring in the new year. You and your friends can load up the car and travel to a nearby city or town with thriving nightlife and lots to do. Once you get there, you can book a room at a hotel and then spend the evening exploring the area, dining at fresh places, and taking in the sights.

13. Backyard Bonfire and BBQ

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On a chilly winter night, nothing beats a backyard bonfire and bbq. Gather around the fire, get your grill out, and cook some mouthwatering kebabs for your friends.  For the late-night drinking game, roast marshmallows or make s'mores. Since you are already at home, you can enjoy each other's company without worrying about passing out there!

14. Never-Before-Seen Talent Show

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Among all the fun ideas to celebrate 2023, this might be the most hilarious one.  Host a talent show at your New Year's Eve party so that your friends can show off their oddest hidden talent. By talent show, I'm not referring to singing or dancing ability. I'm talking about who can make the best bird noises or touch their nose with their tongue the fastest.

Concluding Thoughts

New Year's Eve, the year's final celebration, is a superb excuse to go out and have fun with your friends. Take a moment as the clock strikes midnight and the new year begins with endless possibilities. A year full of joy, love, and adventure is in store for you when your friends are by your side. So, bring your friends together, decide how you like to celebrate and have lots of fun! Happy New Year! May it be a time of joy, happiness, and fulfillment of all your heart's desires.