New Year's Eve is almost here and there is no better place to celebrate than in Howard County, Maryland! Find fireworks, festive holiday events, champagne toasts, all night parties, and the perfect overnight stays to help you ring in 2026 in Howard County.
Midnight at 7 at The Merriweather Symphony of Lights (Columbia, MD)
Celebrate New Year's Eve in Howard County with your entire family at the Merriweather Symphony of Lights from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods and Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Walk through festive light displays, celebrate the New Year with fireworks, and still get the kids in bed before 10. Fireworks begin at 7:00 PM, and you are welcome to bring your own chairs, strollers, and wagons to catch the show. Food trucks and live music will be available for visitors! Tickets are just $15 per person, or gather your crew with a group deal at $50 for four. Children 3 and under are free.
This is the final walk through night at the Merriweather Symphony of Lights, so don’t miss your chance to experience this dazzling winter stroll!
Midnight at Merriweather Lakehouse: A New Year’s Eve Celebration (Columbia, MD)
Looking for an elegant end to your year? Book a stay at the Merriweather Lakehouse in Columbia, Maryland, for a unique and captivating evening of celebration.
Begin your stay on December 31st in a beautifully styled guest room where a chilled bottle of champagne will be waiting for you, then continue your evening with a prix fixe dinner for two at LAK featuring a specially curated New Year’s Eve menu. Ring in the 2026 with a live acoustic set by Tom Starr from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM as you sip craft cocktails, enjoy drink specials, taste complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and toast the New Year with a midnight champagne toast.
The next morning guests can enjoy a New Year’s breakfast buffet featuring a delicious spread to start your year right.
Midnight Under the Big Top at Turf Valley Resort (Ellicott City, MD)
Step right up to an unforgettable New Year's Eve under the big top at Turf Valley Resort, in Ellicott City, Maryland!
The stage is set for a dazzling night of champagne toasts and spellbinding celebration. Ring in 2026 with a circus of sophistication and wonder!
This circus-inspired evening features mesmerizing aerialists from the Shadow Cirque Performance Group, vintage glamour, DJ Derek with music all night long, and a touch of mystery.
Book your overnight package now for a New Year’s Eve you won’t forget. The New Year’s Eve Package includes two tickets to the NYE Celebration, overnight accommodations, and a buffet breakfast for two at Alexandra’s Restaurant.
If you're looking to relax, be sure to book a treatment at the Turf Valley Spa to recover and start your New Year on a calm and blissful note.
New Year’s Eve at The Collective (Columbia, MD)
Experience New Year’s Eve like never before with a legendary all-inclusive party at the Columbia Lakefront hosted by The Collective.
Ring in 2026 in style with a premium open bar, a midnight countdown, champagne toast, a buffet with delicious hors d’oeuvres, and live entertainment. Celebrate with a DJ spinning hits all night at The Collective Offshore, and The Bachelor Boys Band taking over the stage at The Collective Encore at 9:30 PM.
New Year’s Eve Bash with Frisco and The Reckless Shepherd (Columbia, MD)
Party this New Year’s Eve at Frisco and The Reckless Shepherd with two unique celebrations, and one massive midnight countdown! Tickets are $25 for general admission and $125 for an exclusive VIP experience. 21+ only.
Frisco VIP Barrel Room Experience
For those looking for an exclusive celebration, don’t miss the barrel room experience at Frisco. Enjoy an all-inclusive ultra-premium bar with all your favorite brands available, plus an upscale pub-luxe buffet featuring A5 Wagyu tasting! The private selection & top-shelf will be available all night.
VIP tickets get access to the full party throughout the evening, plus a 360 photo booth. Finish your evening with a champagne toast at the midnight countdown.
Reckless Shepherd Brewery Shake the Room General Admission Pass
Join the fun with access to the live performance by the band “Shake The Room” and a DJ playing all night. Enjoy food stations with Reckless Shepherd favorites and late night snacks to accompany all night beer specials.
Doors open at 8:00 PM, live music starts at 9:00 PM, midnight countdown at 12:00 AM, and the party keeps going until 2:00 AM!
Ultimate Night Out for New Year's Eve at GameOn bar+arcade (Columbia, MD)
Ring in the New Year with exciting drink specials, games, activities, and special events in the Merriweather District at GameOn bar+arcade! Join the party, or choose between 3 awesome packages to set your New Year's Eve night up for endless smiles. Tickets / packages not required for entry.
- $50 Basic Package: 3 hours open bar with beer, wine, and rail plus 30 game tokens
- $65 VIP Package: 3 hours open bar with beer, wine, mixed drinks, and signature cocktails plus 40 game tokens
- $90 Ultimate Package: 3 hours open bar with beer, wine, mixed drinks, signature cocktails, top shelf liquors, plus a GameOn Koozie and 40 game tokens
New Year's Eve Dinner at 18th & 21st (Columbia, MD)
Enjoy a special 4 course prix fixe dinner in the romantic and jazzy atmosphere of 18th & 21st. Named after the Constitutional Amendment that enacted Prohibition and the subsequent Amendment that repealed it, 18th & 21st promises to bring back a bygone era through an elevated, tailored evening experience. Find unique cocktails, fine dining, and live music to set the mood for your final day of 2025.
They will have seatings from 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM.
Celebrate and Then Wind Down at White Oak Tavern (Ellicott City, MD)
End your 2025 and begin your 2026 at The White Oak Tavern! They are hosting a special New Year's Eve Celebration, followed by a bottomless New Year's Day brunch.
On New Year's Eve, enjoy a celebratory dinner and drinks with live music from Mixed Business. The festivities include a free midnight toast, and no tickets are required! The kitchen will serve until 10 PM, and the bar will remain open until 1:00 AM.
Start 2026 with a delicious brunch on January 1st, featuring bottomless brunch cocktails until 3 PM. Following brunch, dinner service will be available from 3:00 PM until 10:00 PM.
New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe at Ranazul (Columbia, MD)
Feast into the new year with a touch of sophistication! Ranazul Kitchen & Wine Bar is offering a special three-course, prix fixe dinner for $60. Indulge in a delicious end to the year with mouth-watering options like lobster and lamb chops. Be sure to make your reservations and enjoy the sleek and classy atmosphere.
Annual New Year's Eve Barn Bash at Blackwall Barn & Lodge (Columbia, MD)
Party barn-style on New Year's Eve with the Annual Barn Bash at The Blackwall Barn & Lodge!
Your ticket includes passed appetizers, carving stations, made-to-order pasta, and indulgent desserts, along with complimentary beer and wine. Don't forget the champagne toast at midnight to ring in the new year!
The festivities run from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM, with dinner starting at 8:30 PM. DJ J Dot will be performing live throughout the evening from 8:30 PM to 1:00 AM, providing endless music for dancing and entertainment.
New Year's Day Breakfast Specials at Alexandra's American Fusion (Ellicott City, MD)
Start your 2026 in the best way - with breakfast at Alexandra's. Indulge on New Year's Day between 7:00 AM–12:00 PM for festive breakfast specials worth waking up for. Whether you’re in the mood for french toast, waffles, or pancakes, there’s a delicious option for everyone.
New Year's at Manor Hill Tavern (Ellicott City, MD)
Join Manor Hill Tavern on December 31 for a night of chef-driven specials, festive drinks, and a fun New Year’s Eve celebration! The kitchen will be open until 11:00 PM, and the bar will stay open until 1:00 AM. Watch the ball drop in the bar and enjoy a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.
Don't feel like changing out of your pajamas the next day? No problem! Feel free to stay comfy in your pj's on January 1st and enjoy 10% off their Brunch Specials from 11:00 AM-2:00 PM.
New Year's Eve Party at The Woodstock Inn (Woodstock, MD)
Celebrate the start of the new year with an unforgettable night at The Woodstock Inn's New Year's Eve party! Beginning at 8:00 PM, get ready for energetic vibes with a live DJ spinning your favorite party anthems, a delicious holiday dinner, and a tempting late-night menu to keep the celebration going strong.
As the clock strikes midnight, raise your glass for a fabulous complimentary toast. You can choose between a delightful glass of house champagne or a zesty cherry bomb to welcome 2026 in grand style.
Savage Community New Year's Eve Celebration at Carroll Baldwin Hall (Savage, MD)
Carroll Baldwin Hall is hosting a free, family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration! All ages are welcome to join the fun. Guests are encouraged to bring their own food, drinks, games, and craft activities to share.
Enjoy live musical entertainment starting at 7:30 PM with the Americana/punk trio Ammonite. Savage's own 8-Ball Deluxe, a cover band playing classic rock, pop, soul, and Motown hits, will take the stage from 8:45-10:30 PM.
While not required, RSVPs via the Facebook event or email are appreciated. Volunteers are also needed to help with setup and to provide snacks for the evening.
Rest and Recover at The PEARL (Columbia, MD)
After a night of dancing and celebration, give yourself the rest you deserve with a relaxing trip to The PEARL wellness spa & boutique.
Calming classes like yoga and lymphatic flow will help you restore internally and externally with mindful movement. Treat yourself to a massage or pedicure to start the New Year on a bright note of self care, or take advantage of their healing waters features to cleanse and refresh for a new start.
Book a New Year’s Eve Stay Now:
With such an incredible lineup of events, the question isn't whether to celebrate in Howard County, but where! Need a place to stay for the night? Be safe this New Year's Eve and book a room at one of Howard County's comfortable hotels.
Stay longer, and turn your stay into a winter wellness getaway to begin your new year with a fresh start. There are plenty of things to do in January that will help you start 2026 with magical winter memories.
Grab your tickets, book your room, and get ready to ring in 2026 with a bang in Howard County, Maryland!
