Charlotte New Year's Events: 2020 Guide

CHARLOTTE, NC — Love it or hate it, New Year's Eve is happening again this year. Whether you plan to ring in 2020 at your favorite restaurant, a buzzing party with your friends, or all cozied up in front of the TV, we've got you covered.

So pop the bubbly, come up with some resolutions you can actually stick to and get ready to celebrate the New Year. Check out town-by-town listings below of New Year's celebrations and events this year in Charlotte if you're one to want to go out, plus a look at what television programming may make you want to stay in.

If you want to go out in Charlotte…

• New Year’s Eve Winterfest at Carowinds — Carowinds Boulevard, Charlotte. Say organizers, “Millions of twinkling lights, the aroma of gingerbread cookies in the air, live entertainment throughout the park, Midway Merriment characters greeting you at every turn - it all puts you right in the spirit of the season. We open at 5 p.m. on New Year's Eve, so plan to spend some time enjoying WinterFest before the New year's Eve party starts after the parade. Which, by the way, is a can't-miss spectacular. The WinterFest Wonderland Parade will start at 7:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve. The best places to see it are in the County Fair area, Tinsel Town and Celebration Plaza. Grab a loaf of cinnamon pull-apart bread to share and enjoy this dazzling addition to WinterFest.”
• The Biggest 90s Party Ever on NYE — The Underground at the Fillmore Charlotte, 820 Hamilton Street, Charlotte. Say organizers, “A: 90's music, 90's clothes, all 90's everything! Join us for a nostalgic night of vibes and music we all grew up on!”
• CLT New Year’s Eve — Charlotte Center City, 420 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte. Say organizers, “Charlotteans are invited to close out 2019 and welcome the new year at CLT New Year’s Eve, Presented by Ally, in the heart of Uptown Charlotte. This free, annual New Year’s Eve celebration returns to Tryon Street at Levine Avenue of the Arts and will feature live music, the lighting of the Queen City crown and a spectacular fireworks display at midnight.”
• Holiday on Ice — NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E. Martin Luther King Boulevard, Charlotte. Say organizers, “Uptown Charlotte’s outdoor ice rink returns to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza. Skaters and non-skaters alike will want to have their pictures taken with the giant polar bear, under the tree or in the Ceremonial Garden decorated with thousands of glimmering holiday lights. And guests won’t want to miss holiday-themed merchandise from the ice rink souvenir stand and snacks and hot cocoa from the concessions hut. Admission is $12 for those that bring their own skates and $16 with a skate rental.”
• New Year’s Eve Party at Coyote Joe’s — 4621 Wilkinson Boulevard, Charlotte. Say organizers, “Featuring $1200 in cash give-aways. Free party favors. Free champagne toast at midnight for patrons 21 and over. Tickets are on sale now for $12/each. Doors open at 7pm. Out Of The Blue kicks off the live entertainment around 9 p.m. 18 and over welcome (21 and over to consume alcohol).
• Crawl Til The Ball Falls: Charlotte NYE 2020 Bar Crawl — Say organizers, “Barcrawlerz is a Charlotte Bar Crawl like no other. Crawl Til the Ball Falls features The Best Drink Specials and The Best Bars in Town. Participating Venues: The Local Charlotte, Rí Rá Charlotte, Mortimers Cafe and Pub, World of Beer.”
• Kid’s New Year’s Eve Pizza Party — The Pizza Peel Plaza Midwood, 1600 Central Avenue, Charlotte. Say organizers, “At The Pizza Peel the grownups aren't the only ones who get to have fun on NYE! Free cheese & pepperoni pizza buffet for kids 12 and under.* *Must be accompanied by a legal parent or guardian. Drink not included. Party favors, countdown & sparkling juice toast at high noon for all kids ages 12 and under. Parents, you can enjoy our cheese and pepperoni buffet too, for $5. Drink not included.”
• New Year’s Eve: Roaring into 2020 — Tin Roof Charlotte, 210 E. Trade Street, Charlotte. Say organizers, “We're throwing the biggest NYE party this year! Come dressed up to celebrate the new Roaring 20s! Live Music from the Jump Cut & DJ Ricky Spinz will be in the Green Room + Revelry plays early right after the Belk Bowl ends! One cover charge at the door gets you access to everything!”
• NYE 2020 “The Grown Edition — Harvey B. Gantt Center for African -American Arts + Culture, 551 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte. Say organizers, “Grown energy, all night w/Hip Hop Legend DJ "Fatman Scoop" PERFORMING LIVE Tuesday, Dec. 31st at the Harvey B.Gantt Center 551 S. Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 (discount parking available at Duke Energy Building).”
• New Year’s Eve Trail Race — U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte. Say organizers, “One race, two years… The Whitewater Center is holding its inaugural New Year’s Eve Trail Race. So, set your resolutions, turn on your headlamps, and kick off 2020 in true celebration of the active, outdoor lifestyle, surrounded by friends and family. 5K and 10K distances start in 2019 and finish in 2020.”
• Laid Back New Year’s Eve — Sycamore Brewing, 2161 Hawkins Street, Charlotte. Say organizers, “Super Casual, low key New Year's Eve at Sycamore! Ring in 2020 with Live Music, Food Trucks, Bubs Seltzer,no cover, no dress code!”
• New Year’s Eve Celebration with the Charlotte Symphony — Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte. Say organizers, “Ring in the New Year with your Charlotte Symphony! Experience an unforgettable evening of exquisite music, topped off with George Gershwin's vibrant Rhapsody in Blue. A true American classic, Rhapsody in Blue captures the soul of the Roaring 20s with a cocktail of jazz, ragtime, and classical.”

Around Lake Norman or within a short drive…

• Lady of the Lake Yacht Cruise — Queens Landing, 1459 River Highway, Mooresville. Say organizers, "Ring in the new year on the Lady of the Lake yacht! DJ music performance and a refined nightlife crowd, while cruising on Lake Norman. This New Year's Eve is sure to be one elegant affair. Come dressed in your best holiday outfit. Includes: DJ party, chef prepared heavy hors d'oeuvres and complimentary champagne toast. Upgrade to VIP status–you will be seated on the second floor with a table for up to 4 people. The VIP table will have a bottle of Moet, cupcakes, strawberries, your own buffet line, special linens and a bartender. All patrons must be 21 and older. $75, Boards 9:30.
• New Year's Eve Prix Fixe Dinner — Port City Club, 18665 Harborside Drive, Cornelius. Say organizers: "Say farewell to 2019 and ring in a new decade with our popular, New Year's Eve Prix Fixe Dinner! We'll be serving four courses from a set menu and have three seating times for you to choose from."
• Christmas Wonderland of Lights — Zootastic Park, Troutman, NC. Say organizers: "Drive through reindeer forest, the Christmas Wonderland of Lights, watch the light show dance to music and walk around part of the zoo! Tiger feeding, Giraffe Feeding, Barn Feeding, Rides, S'mores, and more available to purchase to add extra magic to the night!

• Holidays at the Garden 2019 — Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont, NC. Say organizers, "Delight in a stroll through the shimmering Mile of a Million Lights this holiday season! Along your journey, discover the colorful lights of the topiaries dancing to merry tunes, LED cherry trees glowing along Canal Garden, waves of color glittering in the Piedmont Prairie, enchanting model trains and fairy villages flourishing in the Orchid Conservatory, and so much more."

We'll be adding new events to this post as they pop up, so be sure to check back as the big day nears!

If you want to stay in...
If your idea of the perfect New Year's Eve is curling up on the couch with a hot toddy and watching the countdown in your pajamas, you're in luck. These are the top two live TV specials people are already talking about. Here's a peek so you can plan accordingly:

"New Year's Eve Live" With Anderson Cooper And Andy Cohen
Where to catch it: CNN, begins at 8 p.m.
Why you should watch: For the third year in a row, Anderson Cooper will host CNN's annual New Year's Eve Live special with none other than "Watch What Happens Live" host Andy Cohen. As these two are best friends in real life, you can expect tons of witty banter and hilarious moments from the pair.

"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2020" With Ryan Seacrest
Where to catch it: ABC, begins at 8 p.m.
Why you should watch: This year marks the 48th year of the annual holiday New Year's Eve staple that packs partygoers shoulder-to-shoulder in New York City's Times Square with performers including Post Malone, BTS, Sam Hunt and Alanis Morissette.