Kick off your New Year’s Eve weekend in style at Belleflower Brewing Co.! They’re hosting a fantastic celebration that includes the launch of a fresh, exciting sour beer, live music courtesy of Desert Wax Music, an oyster bar provided by Lady Shuckers for all your oyster cravings, and eats from Ironclad Eats to keep you fueled for the festivities. It’s the perfect way to start your NYE weekend with a bang, combining great beer, music, fresh oysters, and delicious tacos. Mark your calendar for this evening of fun and celebration!
The last Weekend Guide of 2023, the grand finale! Bid adieu to 2023 and welcome 2024 with a bang in this special New Year’s Eve edition of our Weekend Guide. A dazzling array of events and celebrations to help you ring in the new year in style.
From sizzling dance parties and live music extravaganzas to delectable dining experiences and even a few unconventional surprises, this guide is your passport to an unforgettable New Year’s Eve (and PRE New Year’s Eve). Gather your friends, put on your finest attire, and let’s transition into the next chapter!
Looking for the full rundown on New Year’s Eve in Portland, Maine? Check out Where to Dine In, Take Out or Hang Out for New Year’s Eve.
Friday the 29th
Last Friday of the Year | Belleflower Brewery Co. | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Cut Your Teeth | Empire Comedy Clube | 7:00 PM
Laugh your socks off at Cut Your Teeth, the live comedy show where comedians go head-to-head with their freshest material, hoping to make the cut. Each comic gets a precious 3 minutes in the spotlight, but here’s the twist – they’re granted immunity for the first 60 seconds to woo the crowd without interruption. Once that minute’s up, it’s open season, and a panel of fellow comedians can unleash their heckling skills for the rest of the set. It’s a hilarious battle of wits and humor, where only the funniest survive the cut! Tickets.
New Years Prix Fixe | Maine Oyster Company | Reservation times between 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Repeats Saturday)
Indulge in a mouthwatering New Year’s Prix Fixe at Maine Oyster Co.! Prepare your taste buds for a tantalizing 3-course Maine seafood extravaganza. Start with the exquisite Oysters Rockefeller, featuring Pemaquid jumbos stuffed with sautéed spinach, bacon, parmesan, and buttered breadcrumbs – a cherished family recipe. Then, savor the delightful Spanish Mussels, featuring Bangs Island mussels, chorizo, smoked chilies, tomato broth, and fennel, served with sourdough. The grand finale is the Lobster Thermidor, showcasing Maine lobster, sherry béchamel, parsnip, and gruyere, paired perfectly with truffle Dutch creamer potatoes. Of course, you can complement your meal with raw bar, caviar, and Champagne specials, along with an extensive selection of beers, wines, and cocktails. Reserve.
DIONAMIC w/ Fire on Fore | Citrus | 9:00 PM -1:00 AM
Prepare to set the dance floor ablaze at Citrus, where they’re turning up the heat for the hottest night of dancing in town! DJ Dionamic will be your musical maestro, unleashing mind-blowing beats of tech house music all night long, creating the ultimate electric atmosphere. What’s more, in an exclusive partnership with Fire on Fore, Citrus is giving four lucky partygoers the chance to win a sizzling $50 gift card and a ticket to their NYE Masquerade party. Rally your crew and make sure you’re part of this epic night.
Saturday the 30th
Tales of Bells and Drums | Merrill Auditorium | 6:00 PM
Prepare to embark on a rhythmic and dance-filled journey that transcends borders and shares the vibrant stories of life! Tales of Bells and Drums brings together a talented ensemble of artists who pour their hearts into the ancient traditions of African-style drumming and dancing hailing from Burundi, Guinea, and Rwanda. These performers will transport you to the heart of their life stories, offering a mesmerizing experience that celebrates culture, heritage, and the universal language of artistry. Tickets.
Kate Schrock and Married with Chitlins Benefit Concert for Milestone Recovery | The Hills Art | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Join for a heartfelt fundraiser show featuring the musical talents of Married with Chitlins, an acoustic duo that weaves together Traditional American tunes, Old Time Country, Blues, Jazz standards, Celtic reels, jigs, and their own captivating originals. Liz and Chris Lannon lead the way with soulful vocals and masterful guitar, mandolin, harmonica, and fiddle skills. Adding to the evening’s magic is the exceptional Kate Schrock, a songwriter whose gift lies in her ability to infuse a sense of calmness into her songs, inviting listeners to explore the delicate balance between outrage and forgiveness. With an authentic approach to tackling the complexities of love and spiritual well-being, Kate Schrock’s music resonates with the spirit of these perplexing times. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a night of beautiful music and support a great cause! Tickets.
All proceeds to benefit Milestone Recovery. Milestone Recovery is a Portland-based non-profit working at the intersection of homelessness and substance use disorders. It’s HOME Team outreach program and 36-bed Emergency Shelter on India Street serve hundreds of Mainers each year, helping to meet basic needs like shelter, food, and medical care, while also providing pathways to long-term housing and substance use treatment.
Griffin William Sherry | PHOME | 8:00 PM (Also happening New Year’s Eve)
Get ready for a musical journey that traverses the realms of modern catharsis and American folklore, led by the incredibly talented Griffin William Sherry! Rooted in the rich soil of Folk, Americana, and Rock & Roll, Griffin’s music draws its strength from his New England rural upbringing. With each song, he crafts a unique sonic tapestry that’s visceral, heartfelt, and brimming with passion. Co-founding the independent band The Ghost of Paul Revere in 2011, Griffin embarked on a musical adventure that captured the hearts and minds of countless fans, marked by acclaimed releases and sold-out shows across the nation. He’s left an indelible mark on the Maine music scene, with his song “The Ballad of the 20th Maine” earning the prestigious title of Maine State Ballad in 2019. Now, in 2022, Griffin is embarking on a new solo venture, crafting his first solo record and boldly venturing into uncharted musical territory. Tickets.
Sunday the 31st – New Year’s Eve
Looking for the full rundown on New Year’s Eve in Portland, Maine? Check out Where to Dine In, Take Out or Hang Out for New Year’s Eve.
Play Your Way: New Year’s Eve Indoor Beach Party | The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Celebrate the New Year at The Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine with a special indoor seaside celebration! Meet real sea creatures like sea stars and anemones, create a sea star wand in the MakerSpace, and show off your best dance moves as you dance to summertime hits. Countdown to 2024 with a special sea star drop in CMTM’s Maddy’s Theatre. Activities and the sea star drop will be repeated throughout the day. Tickets.
New Years Eve Masquerade Party | Citrus | 8:00 PM
Citrus invites you to their New Years Eve Masquerade Party! Featuring your favorite local DJ’s for World & International Beats, Club & Dance Music, Hip Hop & Top 40’s: DJ Onax, Musonda & The Ambassatah! Offering individual champagne VIP packages, limited Bottle Service, balloon drop, and other thematic treats. Dress in your finest New Years attire, including a masquerade mask, dance the night away, and help Citrus celebrate a new year of partying! Tickets
Cuban Rhythms and Revelry: A Havana Nights New Year’s Eve Bash | One Longfellow Square | 9:00 PM
CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE IN HAVANA-STYLE! Join One Longfellow Square for a sizzling New Year’s Eve Dance Party featuring the vibrant rhythms of Primo Cubano, masters of traditional Cuban dance music. Get ready to immerse yourself in the electrifying sounds of Cuba. The evening will include: Live performance by Primo Cubano; a Salsa lesson (don’t worry if you’re not a salsa pro! OLS has you covered with a pre-party dance lesson to get your feet moving to the sultry Cuban sounds); chocolate fountain and dessert delights; a bubbly toast to raise your glass and toast to the new year as the clock strikes midnight; complimentary parking. Bring your dancing shoes and your best moves as OLS bids farewell to the old year and welcomes in the new one with a night of lively music, dance, and joy. This is a party you won’t want to miss! Tickets
New Year’s Eve Deep Sea Disco | Maine Craft Distilling | 6:00 PM
Dive into the future with Maine Craft Distilling and SWARDY! A New Year’s dance party in the Kelp Forest At Maine Craft Distilling includes 4 hours of live tunes from SWARDY & Grassfed Kal (of RubbleBucket), lots of dancing, cold drinks..all for a good cause. Join MCD for an unforgettable night that not only welcomes the new year but also champions the future of our oceans and planet. Deep Sea Disco is not just a dance party; it’s a movement towards a sustainable and vibrant ocean economy. Tickets include one free drink. % of your ticket sale will be donated to Surfrider Maine Chapter. Tickets.
Disco & Champagne | Cocktail Mary | 9:00 PM
Countdown to the New Year in style at Cocktail Mary’s “Disco and Champagne” New Year’s Eve Party! Join as DJ Ben Spalding sets the mood with groovy disco beats, starting at 9 PM. Sip on champagne and dance the night away as this cocktail bar welcomes in the new year with a glittering celebration. Don’t miss out on the disco, great music, and a fantastic atmosphere.
Art Rave NYE 2024 | Free Street | 7:00 PM
Two floors, two stages, one mind blowing New Year’s extravaganza at Free Street! This year’s lineup is crazy stacked. The theme for this event is Disco/Sparkles, so wear your most dazzling glitzy fit! Downstairs at the Bass Stage, there will be solo sets and a special b2b with: Chmura and Josh Teed. They will be supported by Mcwavy, and Phurn spinning beats that’ll leave you breathless! Upstairs at the Jam Stage, there will be a line-up that’ll make your heart race: The Trichomes, The Humans Being, and The Caylin Costello Band. Elevate your night with Bottle Service, VIP Upgrades, and an EXTRA LATE NIGHT experience that’ll keep you dancing ’til dawn. Tickets.
For more events head to our Events Calendar here.
