Party Like It's 2024! New Year's Eve in Winston-Salem

The Millennium Center has been one of the most popular places to welcome the new year in Winston-Salem -- but it's certainly not the only option. Keep reading to see all the ways to ring in the new year.

Looking for a memorable start to 2024? Then look no further than Winston-Salem. Whether you’re looking to ring in the new year with a glamorous celebration, high-energy dance party, or just a quiet night with the ones you love, Winston-Salem has just what you're looking for, including the return of some beloved Camel City events and traditions. Throughout the city, you'll find everything from champagne toasts to themed dance parties to a one-of-a-kind midnight run. Here are a few of our top bets for New Year's Eve 2023.

The Village Inn's NYE Throwback Party

The Village Inn in Clemmons will welcome 2023 by going back to the future this year with an 80's and 90's throwback party that promises to be "Totally Awesome." The event will feature two bands (Kids in America and 10 Spot), along with three DJ's, hors d’oeuvres, party favors, a cash bar, and a champagne toast at midnight. The party starts at 8 p.m., and admission is $45 per person. Don't want to drive home? No worries! You can stay the night by booking a New Year's Eve Room Package for $199.99, which includes two tickets to the NYE party, overnight accommodations, and a full hot breakfast buffet for two the next morning.  

Where: Village Inn & Events Center, 6205 Ramada Drive, Clemmons.

More info: For more details on the party, or to book your overnight stay, click here.

"Back to the 80's" Party at The Shaffner Inn

Ring in the New Year with a BANG at The Shaffner Inn’s NYE '80s Party! Get ready to travel back in time to the raddest decade and "party like it's 1999" with all the fun, fashion, music, and energy of the decade. Treat yourself to drinks at the cash bar, enjoy a cigar on the deck with your closest pals, cheese big and capture unforgettable memories at the photo booth, and make some noise with favors and noise makers while you count down to the new year with a champagne toast to top it all off! Book your ticket for just the party or extend the night with a stay in one of their beautifully appointed historic guest rooms. The party starts at 8:30 p.m. and goes all the way until 1 a.m., so be there or be square!

Where: The Shaffner Inn, 150 S Marshall Street, Winston-Salem, NC

More info: For more details, hotel booking information, or to purchase your event tickets click here.

Dram & Draught's Disco Rodeo

Dust off your best suits and sequins – it's time to party at the champagne disco rodeo! Head over to Bailey Park in Winston-Salem's downtown Innovation Quarter neighborhood to boogie into the new year with Dram & Draught! Individual tickets can be purchased here for $125 and includes an open bar featuring themed cocktails, a selection of food to nibble on, and a champagne toast at midnight. Don't want to worry about heading home after all the fun is over? The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel is located just steps away from Dram & Draught: learn more about booking and special packages here.

Where: Dram & Draught Winston-Salem, 486 N Patterson Ave Suite 120, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

More details: For more info or to purchase tickets, click here.

Millennium Center's NYE Dance Party

Held annually for nearly three decades, the Millennium Center's annual New Year's Eve celebration will feature DJs playing tunes from the past 25 years, complemented by incredible lighting displays, music videos playing on large-screen TVs, and a live broadcast of the Times Square ball drop at night. Individual tickets are $35 and include a complimentary glass of champagne to toast 2023 followed by a post-midnight breakfast buffet to send you home happy. VIP seating — which guarantees a reserved table for you and your guest, along with party favors — is also available for $45.  

Where: The Millennium Center, 101 W. Fifth St., Winston-Salem (downtown)

More details: For more info or to purchase tickets, click here.

Running of the Lights 5K

Skip the New Year’s Eve parties and get a running start on your new year (and health goals!) at the annual Running of the Lights at Tanglewood Park. This family-friendly 5K race begins shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve and traipses through Tanglewood’s Festival of Lights display. Participants watch a live feed from Times Square counting down to the new year, and when the clock strikes 12, the fun run/walk begins. You’ll wind through the park aglow with Christmas lights and toast the new year with hot chocolate provided at the finish line. The event also serves a good cause, doubling as a food drive for the St. Peter's Outreach Center. In addition to the 5K race, there will be a 1.75-mile Fun Run/Walk that also begins at midnight. Not wanting to drive home after the run? Have no fear; convenient accommodations are available onsite at the quaint Tanglewood Manor House B&B or at the nearby Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Clemmons.  

Where: Tanglewood Park, 4061 Clemmons Road, Clemmons, NC

More details: Registration closes on New Year's Eve at 11:30 p.m. For details on registration, course maps, and more, go to runningofthelights.com

Stay The Night!

In addition to Village Inn's overnight NYE party package mentioned above and special room + ticket deals at The Shaffner, several other hotels in Winston-Salem are offering special packages to help you ring in the new year. This includes several of downtown Winston-Salem’s best hotels, allowing you to stay close to all the action mentioned above (and forego the need to find transportation home.)

• The Historic Brookstown Hotel is the perfect place to ring in the new year with someone special: celebrate another year together with a complementary bottle of chilled champagne, fresh flowers in your room, and a late 1 p.m. check out. For more information and booking, click here.
• The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel will help you ring in 2024 with a chilled bottle of champagne every night of your stay. Plus, don't worry about partying too hard and missing your early morning check out time: catch some extra zzz's with a late 1 p.m. check out. For more information and booking, click here.