top of page
Search

Where Seattle Welcomes 2026: New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day Across the Puget Sound

  • Linda Lowry
  • Dec 30, 2025
  • 4 min read

By Linda Lowry


Seattle is closing out the year with the kind of energy that defines this city at its best: creative, elegant, community‑driven, and full of possibility. Whether it’s downtown’s grand hotel celebrations or neighborhood gatherings across the Sound, the region is ready to welcome 2026 with intention and style.


Below is your Social in Seattle guide to the most notable celebrations, beginning with the Fairmont Olympics’ signature lineup and expanding across the Puget Sound.


THE FAIRMONT OLYMPIC: SEATTLE’S SIGNATURE NEW YEAR’S DESTINATION


NYE Jazz Soirée — The Golden Lounge (Spanish Foyer)

8 PM–1 AMA new addition to the Fairmont’s holiday programming, the Jazz Soirée transforms the Spanish Foyer into a golden, bigband lounge with a culinary showcase, dancing, photobooth, fortunetelling DJ, countdown, and party kits.Learn more and reserve: https://www.fairmontolympic.com/happenings-at-fairmont-olympic/new-years-at-fairmont-olympic/


Olympic Countdown Party — Olympic Bar

9 PM–12 AMA lively celebration featuring two drinks, light bites, a DJ, live music, and festive party kits. Guests may choose General Admission, Table Experience, or Premium Experience tiers.Learn more and reserve: https://www.fairmontolympic.com/happenings-at-fairmont-olympic/new-years-at-fairmont-olympic/


A Crimson New Year’s Eve — Founders Club

Two ways to experience one of Seattle’s most intimate cocktail lounges:

New Year’s Eve Dinner at The George

A refined fourcourse prixfixe dinner offered in two seatings:

New Year’s Eve Dinner at Shuckers Oyster Bar

5–9 PMA fourcourse prixfixe seafood dinner with a glass of bubbles.Learn more and reserve: https://www.fairmontolympic.com/happenings-at-fairmont-olympic/new-years-at-fairmont-olympic/


New Year’s Day Brunch at The George

A two or threecourse brunch featuring an elevated scone cart and a drink included.Details: https://www.fairmontolympic.com/happenings-at-fairmont-olympic/new-years-at-fairmont-olympic/


ACROSS THE SOUND: MORE WAYS TO RING IN 2026

Seattle Center: Fireworks, Drones, and Citywide Celebration

The Space Needle’s fireworks and drone show remain one of the region’s most iconic New Year’s traditions, drawing thousands for music, comedy, and immersive light programming.


Art Love Salon: New Year’s Eve Gathering

A creative, communitycentered event to start the year with intention.Details: https://artlovesalon.org/event/912


Live Music Around the City

Seattle’s music venues are offering standout performances for those who want to dance or listen their way into the new year.


Laughs Comedy Club NYE Shows

Two New Year’s Eve performances featuring comedian Matt O’Brien, complete with a midnight toast.Tickets: https://www.laughscomedyclub.com


Populus Seattle: A Journey of Taste, Toasts, and Tunes

A fourcourse dinner at Salt Harvest paired with live Latinfunksoul by REPOSADO and a midnight toast .Details: https://www.populusseattle.com


The Butcher’s Table NYE Dinner

A four course dinner by Chef Morgan Mueller, served from 4–10 PM.Reservations: https://thebutcherstable.com


ADDITIONAL CELEBRATIONS ACROSS THE SOUND


Sound Bite Lounge New Year’s Eve Celebration

Sound Bite Lounge is offering a New Year’s Eve experience designed to feel personal, elevated, and full of atmosphere. Guests can expect an evening of music, dancing, curated bites, and a champagne toast at midnight. With skyline views and a festive, intimate setting, it’s a beautiful way to step into 2026.


Location: Sound Bite Lounge

Date: December 31

Time: 8:30 PM–12:30 AM


Includes: Appetizers and champagne toastHighlights: Music and dancing throughout the evening; limited Space Needle viewsAge: 21+Details: RSVP HERE 


NYE Celebration at Cedarbrook Lodge – Copperleaf Restaurant

Cedarbrook Lodge is offering an elevated New Year’s Eve culinary experience at Copperleaf Restaurant, designed for guests who want a refined, seasonal, and beautifully crafted celebration. This reservationonly dinner highlights the lodge’s signature approach to Northwest dining.


Location: SeaTac Price: $135 per person Reservations: https://www.cedarbrooklodge.com/dining/copperleaf-restaurant


New Year’s Eve at Aadat Seattle

Aadat Seattle is hosting a vibrant, familyfriendly New Year’s Eve celebration inside Four Points Seattle Airport South. The evening features a Bollywood dance party, belly dancing, a full dinner, and a midnight champagne toast. A lively, cultural, communitydriven way to welcome 2026.


Location: Des Moines (inside Four Points Seattle Airport South) Price: $69 Ages 10+ | $49 Under 10 Time: 7:30 PM Tickets: https://www.aadatseattle.com


NEW YEAR’S DAY: RESET, REFLECT, RECONNECT


West Seattle New Year’s Day Walks

Hosted by Emerald City Wanderers, these community walks offer 5K and 10K routes with views of Alki, downtown, and Jack Block Park.Registration: https://www.walkingwithecw.org


Bellevue New Year’s Day Activities

Family friendly parks, winter walks, and community programming for a gentle start to the year.City events: https://bellevuewa.gov/events


Seattle enters 2026 with momentum—culturally, creatively, and economically. Across the city, you’ll find celebrations that feel distinctly ours: a toast under the chandeliers of the Fairmont Olympic, live music echoing through intimate venues, laughter spilling out of comedy clubs, or a quiet sunrise walk along Alki. However you choose to welcome the new year, the Puget Sound offers countless ways to step into 2026 with intention and a sense of community.


Hot Mess Chrome NYE 2026 — Cannonball Arts

For those seeking a high‑energy, art‑driven New Year’s Eve, Cannonball Arts is hosting Hot Mess Chrome NYE 2026, a late‑night celebration featuring DJs, immersive visuals, live performances, and a crowd that embraces creativity and self‑expression. It’s a bold, alternative way to step into 2026.


Location: Cannonball Arts Date: December 31 Time: 9 PM–Late Tickets: https://cannonballarts.com/cba-event/hot-mess-chrome-nye-2026/

 

Stay’n Up at the Sorrento: Roaring 20s New Year’s Eve Edition

Hotel Sorrento is hosting a Roaring 20s–themed New Year’s Eve celebration that channels vintage glamour inside one of Seattle’s most storied boutique hotels. Expect crafted cocktails, festive bites, themed entertainment, and a lively countdown in a setting that feels both historic and celebratory.




 
 
bottom of page