What exactly do you do on New Year’s Eve? Personally, as I have gotten older, I have found I am much more preferable to a night in, a good bottle of gin and some dodgy TV shows, but that’s just me.

In years gone by, I have run the gamut of appropriate (and probably inappropriate) new years eve activities, from spending the whole night out at my once favourite club (even buying the extortionately priced ticket for what would usually be free entry) and rolling home when the sun came up after ending up at a party and being unable to get a taxi home, to spending time at family parties. To family get-togethers once more kids arrived on the scene within our family to solitary nights at home.

But the reality is, as life changes, your priority changes and what you once considered fun is now not even on your radar, subtly replaced with a different kind of fun to represent who you are.

But if you are stuck looking for things to do on New Year’s Eve, I have put together a little list of ideas for trying.

Go Big

For those who still want to make the most of the biggest night out of the year, why not make an event of it? Head to one of the UK party cities; I recommend Liverpool, and book a hotel; tickets to an event really go big.

You can head to London, book a hotel for a night or two (this way, you can avoid travelling when worse for wear!) and watch the iconic countdown to midnight or book one of the many London New Years Eve events that will be happening all over London.

Maybe you want to head up north and across the border to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh and experience everything this lively city has to offer revellers over the new year.

Host A Party

If, like me, the thought of getting a taxi home or paying over the odds for mediocre entertainment and drinks sends a shiver down your spine, host your own party at home.

This way, you can get the drinks in, have nibbles to hand and invite precisely who you want to ring in the new year with no worries about how you’re getting home. Great party ideas include;

• Fancy dress
• Themed parties
• Kids Parties
• Masquerade ball
• Pyjama party
• Fondue party
• Cook-a-long party
• Movie night in
• Karaoke
• Quiz night
• Murder mystery parties

Book an Experience

Not everyone enjoys a boozy night out or wants to usher in a new year with the after-effects of one too many celebratory glasses of gin and lemonade (me 1st Jan 2022 after a rowdy night out at a local social club). If that sounds like you, why not look around your local area to see what special events or days out are happening close to you or look further afield?

Great ideas include;

• Booking a visit to an escape room
• Catching a movie
• Heading to a local zoo
• Book a trip on a steam train (why not book on the British Pullman?)
• Catch a firework display
• Adventure Golf
• Book a river cruise (Mersey Ferries run one every year, for example)

Eat Out

Foodie lovers might find they prefer the ambience of good food, low lighting and great company instead of donning party clothes and heading out. Contact your local restaurants and see if they have any special events or live music on for New Year’s Eve. Support a local business or your favourite restaurant and usher in 2023 with a full stomach and happy heart.

Alternatively, if an evening meal out doesn’t suit you, look for bottomless brunches to help you get into the party spirit and be home before dark!

Go To Bed

Lastly, there is absolutely no obligation to celebrate a new year at all. And if you don’t want to do anything, then simply don’t. Head to bed, sleep through all the craziness and wake up ready and ready to go on New Year’s Day. I have done this more than a few times in life, and I have felt better for it.

What am I doing this new year’s eve?

In all honesty, not a lot. Last year, as mentioned above, we got tickets to our local social club, and despite my reservations, we had a really good time. We were within walking (stumbling) distance on the way home, so no taxi was needed, and while the resulting hangover wasn’t nearly as fun, we all had a good night. 

But this year, we have little Miss Tegan, and she doesn’t do too well being left home alone after dark or for longer than 4 hours. Plus, fireworks stress her out too. On top of this, Oliva now works, and her workplace is a venue many people local to us head to for new years eve, so she may be working, meaning I need to be a driver. It will be a quiet, possibly sober new year’s eve for me, but in no way is that a bad thing at all!

Whatever you do, I hope you have the best time, and this list of what to do on new years eve gives you some inspiration.