20 New Year’s Eve things to do in Indianapolis

The final day of 2018 promises memorable entertainment throughout Indianapolis, including kid-friendly countdowns, a tribute to disco's golden era and an immersive murder mystery.

Check out our suggestions for 20 New Year’s Eve events:

1 ‘A Night at Studio 54’

9 p.m. Dec. 31, Pavilion at Pan Am, 201 S. Capitol Ave., $100, thepavilionnye.com, 317-658-0085.

OK, so this massive party at the Pavilion may not be an actual time machine, but it’s the closest you’ll get to the over-the-top, dazzling debauchery of iconic New York City nightclub Studio 54. DJ Amp, Slater Hogan and Hugh Jeffner will keep it sizzling — and hopefully slip in some classic disco tunes. It’d be only right.

2. ‘Ciroc the New Year’

8 p.m. Dec. 31, Regions Bank, 1 Indiana Square, $130, cirocnewyears.com.

Going down at the city's only heated rooftop party space, this big, glittery throwdown gives you an incredible view without freezing conditions. The entertainment lineup reads like a who’s who of Circle City DJs: Indiana Jones, Gabby Love, Lockstar, Action Jackson and more — plus a special live performance at midnight.

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3. ‘The Indy Masquerade’

8:30 p.m. Dec. 31, Crowne Plaza Indianapolis, Downtown Union Station, 123 W. Indianapolis St., $129.99, indynewyears.com.

Party can mean different things to different people. But "The Indy Masquerade" covers a lot of bases. Inside Union Station, you’ll find a speakeasy with comedy, dueling pianos, magicians, a club room for DJs to get you moving and a ballroom with live bands, casino games and 1920s signature cocktails.

4. ‘New Year’s Eve Bash’

8 p.m. Dec. 31, Hyatt Regency Indianapolis, 1 S. Capitol Ave., $55 to $90, eventbrite.com, 317-632-1234.

Twenty-two floors. That’s a mighty big atrium, and you’ll be at the center of it for the Hyatt Regency’s party. It’s an especially good spot to enjoy the 15,000-balloon drop at midnight. Dance to music provided by the Flying Toasters, My Yellow Rickshaw, Corey Cox and more.

5. ‘New Year’s Eve Extravaganza’

9 p.m. Dec. 31, the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts, 1 Center Green, Carmel, $75, thecenterpresents.org, 317-843-3800.

Live music, gourmet food and desserts, plenty of room to spread out and only a short drive away — what's not to enjoy? The Center for the Performing Arts knows how to entertain, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. Don’t miss Living Proof on the Palladium’s stage.

6. ‘NYE 2019’

9 p.m. Dec. 31, Indiana Roof Ballroom, 140 W. Washington St., $100, ccasports.com.

You may know Circle City Athletics best from all those times your buddy Chad invites you to watch him play dodgeball (you should really go sometime), but they throw some impressive parties, too. Get down with DJ Cool Hand Lex, play some casino games and down your share of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

7. ‘Countdown to Noon’

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 31, Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St., free with paid museum entry, childrensmuseum.org, 317-334-4000.

Honestly, we think this is the hottest ticket in town. Grammy-nominated Zak Morgan will perform before noon and 1 p.m., leading to two countdowns and grand confetti drops. Learn how to say “Happy New Year” in different languages, create a time capsule, and get home in time for a good night’s sleep.

8. Flint Eastwood

8 p.m. Dec. 31, the Hi-Fi, 1043 Virginia Ave., Suite 4, $25 to $30, hifiindy.com, 317-986-7100.

Detroit-based musician Jax Anderson, aka Flint Eastwood, will close out 2018 by playing her second show at Fountain Square's Hi-Fi this year. Anderson brought her trip-hop-influenced sound to the venue in February, eight months before the release of Flint Eastwood EP "The Handbook (This is a Coping Mechanism for a Broken Heart)." 

9. Kim Waters

7:30 and 10 p.m. Dec. 30 and 8 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31, the Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave., $50 to $75, thejazzkitchen.com, 317-253-4900.

Saxophone player Kim Waters built a career on his sweet, smooth, sexy sound, and he knows it — his debut was called “Sweet and Saxy,” and “Sax Appeal” followed a few years later. If you want your New Year’s Eve to groove and soothe rather than rage, this is a great place to start.

10. Heywood Banks

8 p.m. Dec. 31, Irving Theater, 5505 E. Washington St., attheirving.com, 317-356-3355.

The corny, askew comedy of Heywood Banks is at home in the Midwest. Banks grew up in Michigan, he's amused "Bob & Tom Show" listeners for years and his popular novelty song "Big Butter Jesus" was inspired by a roadside statue in Ohio. Banks is revered from coast to coast for his enduring tribute tune "Toast." Yeah, toast!

11. The Why Store, Gordon Bonham Blues Band

8:30 p.m. Dec. 31, Slippery Noodle Inn, 372 S. Meridian St., slipperynoodle.com, 317-631-6974.

Get down, dirty and bluesy with these long-running acts as they lay down some grooves at the iconic Slippery Noodle Inn. No DJs here, just real-deal rocking. Plus cold drinks, good friends (or new friends if you’re flying solo) and great tunes.

12. Chuck Love

9 p.m. Dec. 31, the Patron Saint, 250 S. Meridian St., $20, facebook.com/thepatronsaint/, 317-590-7000.

You could stay on the surface with Top 40 hits or dive down deep into some soulful house music until the early morning. If the latter sounds like your jam, let Chuck Love be your host. The house producer will spin after openers Nick Samaro, Sweater Disco and Neighbz set the stage, and he won’t quit until you’ve been reduced to a puddle on the floor.

13. ‘Punk Rock Night NYE’

9 p.m. Dec. 31, Melody Inn, 3826 N. Illinois St., $10, punkrocknight.com, 317-923-4707.

On the absolute opposite end of the musical spectrum from deep house comes the Melody Inn’s "Punk Rock Night NYE," featuring awesomely over-the-top local acts such as Prince tribute band the Beautiful Ones, alt-rockers Wife Patrol, burlesque via Meaella Cai Vane and old-school punks MethMatics.

14. The Doo!

7 p.m. Dec. 31, the Rathskeller, 401 E. Michigan St., $50 to $55, rathskeller.com, 317-636-0396.

The Doo! have one mission and one mission only: to make you dance. And they do it with electrifying covers of your favorite pop song. Don’t think they know it? They do (or, rather, they doo!) — the band counts about 500 songs in its repertoire. So don’t be surprised when they effortlessly knock out tunes by Outkast, James Brown, Pat Benatar and Led Zeppelin.

15. ‘Beats and Bubbles’

9 p.m. Dec. 31, the Vogue, 6259 N. College Ave., $25 to $100, thevogue.com, 317-259-7029.

Champagne is synonymous with New Year's Eve, so do you part and check out the Vogue's "Beats and Bubbles." Resident DJ Marcus will handle the soundtrack as bottles make the rounds. Belaire champagne is offering complimentary suds, and you can buy more after the cash balloon drop.

16. ‘Elf the Musical’

8 p.m. Dec. 31, Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, 9301 Michigan Rd., beefandboards.com, 317-872-9664.

Squeeze out a bit more joy from the Christmas season with the final performance of Beef and Boards’ adaptation of 2003 Will Ferrell modern classic “Elf.” Musicals don’t more joyous than this one — and we all know the potential of a New Year's Eve letdown. Beef and Boards is a safe bet.

17. Saved by the ’90s

8:30 p.m. Dec. 31, Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, 4300 N. Michigan Rd., Shelbyville, caesars.com/indiana-grand, 877-386-4463.

This Ohio act specializes in the musical version of your favorite type of meme: '90s nostalgia! Expect the Beastie Boys and the Backstreet Boys, plus plenty of other bands made of men, women and girls (hey there, Spice Girls and Baha Men). Plus, if you kill it at the Indiana Grand slots, your New Year’s Eve pays for itself.

18. Toy Factory

8:30, 10 and 11:30 p.m. Dec. 31, Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, 4500 Dan Patch Circle, Anderson, caesars.com/harrahs-hoosier-park, 765-642-7223.

The members of Toy Factory do it all, and they want you to do it with them. The band pumps out covers of soul, funk, R&B, gospel and even a few country covers — and Toy Factory will play all evening at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.

19. ‘Murder at the Mansion: New Year’s Eve Dinner’

5:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 31, Indianapolis Propylaeum, 1410 N. Delaware St., $70 to $75, thepropylaeum.org, 317-638-7881.

What happens when a group of townspeople is brought together at a mysterious masquerade ball — in Bloodsworth Falls, no less? You’ll find out, if you make it out. The Propylaeum’s New Year’s Eve dinner includes a cocktail hour, three-course meal, beer and wine and a fully immersive murder mystery experience. Keep your eyes open.

20. ‘Exchanging Out the Years’

9 p.m. Dec. 31, The Westin Indianapolis, 241 W. Washington St., $37.50 to $100, exchangingouttheyears.com.

The Indianapolis Urban League’s the Exchange helps mobilize the next generation of leaders in the city’s minority communities — and they’re kicking off 2019 in a big way. Drinks, food, a champagne toast and DJ Godzillist (well done, Mr. DJ) will all be on tap. Start your year by doing some good — and having some fun, of course.  

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