Parties and Galas
International Spy Gala DC
If you’ve dreamed of living in the world of James Bond’s Casino Royale, New Year’s Eve could be your chance. Dress in a glam gown or tuxedo to accept your mission at the International Spy Gala DC, where mock casino games, martinis, multiple deejays and ice sculptures await you.
Where: Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle, NW
Doors open: 6:30 PM
Tickets: $119 and up
Big Night DC
Why go to one New Year’s Eve party when you could attend 15? The annual New Year’s Even Extravaganza at the Gaylord National Hotel & Resort is filling their spacious hotel with 15 themed parties, five dance floors, and several deejays to ensure the party continues well past midnight.
Where: Gaylord National Hotel & Resort, 201 Waterfront St., National Harbor, MD
Doors open: 9 PM
Tickets: $150 and up
NYE at Sax
At this “Palais Garnier meets Moulin Rouge” bash you’ll find burlesque performers, a bounty of bubbly, and a full-service cash bar. A glass skybox stage above the bar will provide entertainment, while Sax executive chef Mike Fusano will provide the cuisine.
Where: Sax, 734 11th St., NW
Doors open: 9 PM
Tickets: $19 and up
Grandiose NYE 2016
For a more semi-formal affair, head to the W to party with deejays DJ Alizay and Jerome Baker III. Toast to the new year with a midnight Champagne toast, snack on passed hors d’oeuvres, and take home some NYE party favors.
Where: Great Room at W Hotel, 515 15th St., NW
Doors open: 8 PM
Tickets: $100 and up
New Year’s Eve Masquerade
Add some mystery to your New Year celebration with this masked fete at Public Bar. Drink from the open bar from 10 PM to 1 AM while dining on heavy hors d’oeuvres before the midnight Champagne toast.
Where: Public Bar, 1214 B 18th St.
Doors open: 9 PM
Tickets: $80
Yuletide Ball New Year’s Eve Gala
If your never change the channel when “Dancing With the Stars” is on, then you can look forward to spending the New Year with DWTS veteran Karina Smirnoff and professional dancer Slavik Kryklyvyy. The gala will feature a four-course dinner, a Champagne toast, a dance performance, and a Dance for the Cure Face Off.
Where: Sheraton Premiere, 8661 Leesburg Pike, Tysons
Doors open: 6:30 PM
Tickets: $260 and up
Cirque Du Celebration of Many Nations Gala
Party with the Racing Presidents at this around-the-world event featuring 15 international-themed parties spread throughout seven party rooms. An open bar, a midnight balloon drop, an African dance show, and strolling entertainers all await you at this New Year’s Eve extravaganza.
Where: Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St., NW
Doors open: 8:30 PM
Tickets: $129 and up
New Year’s Social Prohibition Style
Celebrate the new year like it’s the 1920s at this Prohibition-themed party, featuring Prohibition cocktails, a full bar, appetizers, a house DJ, a live performance by 7 Deadlies, and a midnight toast.
Where: Kelly’s Irish Times, 14 F St., NW
Doors open: 9 PM
Tickets: $69 and up
New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise
Take to the seas this New Year’s Eve with Odyssey III DC. The three-and-a-half hour cruise includes a three-course meal, a Champagne toast, an open bar, and an evening of entertainment.
Where: Departs from 600 Water Street, SW
Boarding: 8 PM
Tickets: $240 and up
Capitale New Year’s Eve
Hit the club for New Year’s Eve with this bash at Capitale. A four-hour open bar that starts at 9 PM will get the party started while DJ EPX keeps the energy in the room high.
Where: Capitale, 1301 K St., NW
Doors open: 9 PM
Tickets: $105 and up
Masquerade Ball at The Howard Theatre
Dig out your Phantom of the Opera mask for a night of reveling at The Howard Theatre. Burlesque performers will offer entertainment for the evening as the theatre transforms into a “high-voltage nightclub.”
Where: The Howard Theatre, 620 T St., NW
Doors open: 10 PM
Tickets: $60 and up
Bliss 2016: New Year’s Eve at Scarlet Oak
Hosted by 360 Nightlife and Scarlet Oak, tickets to this event will feature a one-hour open bar and hors d’oeuvres from 9:30 to 10:30 PM with music by DJ Little Deville and Open Format. A Champagne toast will welcome in the new year, and attendees will all take home party favors.
Where: Scarlet Oak Restaurant & Bar, 909 New Jersey Ave., SE
Doors open: 9:30 PM
Tickets: $54 and up
Penn Quarter’s New Year’s Eve Party
The night will kick off with a one-hour open bar from 9 to 10 PM, followed by a viewing of Times Square as the ball drops from the feed on 40 flat screen televisions. A complementary Champagne toast at midnight and dancing to Top 40 music by DC deejays will keep the party rolling.
Where: Redline, 707 G St., NW
Doors open: 9 PM
Tickets: $25 and up
New Year’s Eve Casino Night
This party will fill eight rooms with eight deejays and a live jazz band supplying the entertainment, along with casino games, vintage cars, magicians, photo booths, 15 cash bars, a movie theater with three showings, and a midnight confetti shower.
Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Crystal City
Doors open: 8 PM
Tickets: $95
Concerts and Shows
New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage
If you can’t bear listen to another 2015 top pop playlist, take it back to the ‘70s at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage New Year’s Eve concert. Jazz and soul singers Michael Mwenso & The Shakes, featuring Brianna Thomas, will ring in the new year with funky retro beats. Plus, there will be a special performance by Sir Joe Quarterman & FreeSoul.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St., NW
Show starts: 6 PM
Tickets: Free
Black Cat New Year’s Eve Ball
Thirty bucks will give you access to see two bands and DJ Dredd at Black Cat’s annual New Year’s Eve party. Peaches O’Dell & Her Orchestra will perform an eclectic mix of music from the 1920s through the 1950s, and Tony Anthony & His Malvivants will play a few retro sets from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Backstage, DJ Dredd will lay down heavy beats and dance mixes.
Where: Black Cat,1811 14th St., NW
Doors open: 7:30 PM
Tickets: $30 for both floors
Papadosio at The Fillmore Silver Spring
For those of you who need a little help to stay awake until midnight, this concert is for you. Papadosio’s stimulating songs—mixing electronic, acoustic, psychedelic, and orchestral instruments with melodic vocals and alt-rock undertones—will keep you dancing all night long.
Where: The Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring
Doors open: 8 PM
Tickets: $40
New Year’s Eve Blowout at the Rock & Roll Hotel
An open bar, appetizers and snacks, 10 deejays, and a photobooth—the Rock & Roll Hotel will have everything you could possibly need for a great #NYE in DC. The Clown Prince, Rex Riot, and Mathias will be hosting the party, along with performances from James Nasty, Gun$ Garcia, Yolo Ono, and more.
Where: Rock & Roll Hotel, 1353 H St., NE
Doors open: 8 PM
Tickets: $65-$100
The Legwarmers New Year’s Eve Party
Washington’s ’80s tribute band will have you doing the safety dance, rocking the casbah, and partying like it’s the end of the world as you know it as we groove into the new year.
Where: The State Theatre, 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church
Doors open: 8 PM
Tickets: $50
Celebrate NYE With Pimps of Joytime at Gypsy Sally’s
Pimps of Joytime mashes ‘70s funk and soul with modern EDM, creating the perfect atmosphere for dancing the night away into 2016.
Where: Gypsy Sally’s, 3401 K Street, NW
Doors open: 7 PM
Tickets: $30-$38
And before you head out for your New Year’s Eve parties and events, grab a bite to eat at one of the many DC restaurants serving up regular (not pricey prix-fixe) menus.
