Happy (almost) 2026, Wichita! Come and ring in the new year, ICT style! Our city has loads to offer when it comes to NYE celebrations, events, and just enjoyable locations to toast to 2026. Below we have listed out events, places, and even some fun local hot spots we suggest for you.
We’ve put the events into three sections below:
Whatever you choose to do, we wish you a happy and safe New Year!
FYI, if you have a nuisance or noise complaint that is not an emergency, Sedgwick County has issued a number to call so we don’t clog up 911. Here is the information they sent us:
The Sedgwick County Emergency Communications’ non-emergency phone line, (316) 290-1011, will be available during the following hours:
9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1
Of course, 9-1-1 continues to be available for emergencies.
*Be sure to check the date of each event, as some may not actually be held on December 31!
Here are some other New Year’s articles:
New Year’s Easy and Cheap Traditions
State Park First Day Hikes on New Year’s Day
…keep checking back! We know there are more family-friendly NYE events to list here. 🙂
New Year Events in Wichita: Family-Friendly
Botanica Illuminations on New Years
See Wichita’s largest light display with over 2 million lights before it’s too late! If you haven’t been yet, you should go. It’s a fun, relaxed holiday walk through amazing festive light displays. Make sure you reserve your time slot online before arriving.
- Date: Goes until January 4th
- Time: 5:30 pm – 9:30 am
- Price: $19 and under
- Location: 701 Amidon St, Wichita
Chicken N Pickle Ice Rink on New Years
Chicken N Pickle‘s outdoor pond will be open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s. Skating costs $11 per person; skate rental is $4. (Kids 3 and under Free.) Make sure you double-check the schedule before you go, since this is an outdoor event. There may be weather-related changes or cancellations.
- Date: New Years
- Time: Normal operating hours
- Price: $16 and under
- Location: 1240 N Greenwich Road, Wichita
Blast Off Bay New Year’s Eve Waterpark Party
Escape the cold and dive into the new year with a splash at this festive, fun-filled waterpark NYE event. This could be for a couple or for the whole family.
- Date: December 31
- Time: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Price: $39.99
- Location: 435 N. Crowne, Goddard, KS
Noon Year’s Eve at Derby Rec Center
Ring in the NOON year at this family-friendly New Year’s eve event in Derby, KS. Kids ages 10 and under will enjoy games, snacks, party hats, whistles, a photo booth, with a countdown and balloon drop at 12 p.m. noon.
- Date: December 31
- Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Price: $5 per kid
- Location: Derby Recreation Commission, 801 E. Market St., Derby, KS
Noon Year’s Eve at Goddard Library
Count down to the New Year at the Goddard Public Library! They’ll have a dance party, crafts, snacks, and a balloon drop. The whole family is invited!
- Date: December 31
- Time: 11:30 a.m. to noon
- Price: FREE
- Location: 201 N. Main St., Goddard, KS 67052
Dave & Buster’s Ring in the (afternoon) New Year
Food, fun, noisemakers, and ginger ale toast! This celebration ends before the kids’ bedtimes, so the adults will still have some energy to stay up late.
- Date: December 31
- Time: 4 p.m.
- Price: $33 and up
- Location: 2644 N. Greenwich Ct., Wichita, KS 67226
Bowlero NYE Party Packages
Bowlero’s three Wichita locations will be offering NYE specials all day long, into the late evening hours to ring in the new year.
- Date: December 31
- Time: noon to 1 a.m.
- Price: $19 and up
- Location: 3 Wichita locations
Exploration Place
Wichita’s kid-friendly science museum will be open late on New Year’s Eve with plenty of fun things to do. Get home at a reasonable hour and rest up for midnight! This will be especially fun if the family received a gift membership for Christmas!
- Date: December 31
- Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Price: Free for members
- Location: 300 N. McClean Blvd. in Wichita
Other New Year Activities and Ideas for Kids
Exploration Place Deals, Exhibits, and Info
- It offers a dynamic and ever-changing range of activities, ensuring each visit is a unique experience. The facility features a rotation of exhibits, allowing visitors to explore new adventures regularly.
Top Golf on a Budget in Wichita
- Take the family and hit some golf balls. The bays do have heaters.
The Arcade in Downtown Wichita
- This is a fun place for all ages. They have hundreds of games, food, and a bar.
Sedgwick County Zoo
- Sure, it will probably be cold but the zoo is open every day of the year. (Animals have to eat every day, so no holidays off!) And if New Year’s Eve turns out to be unseasonably warm, the zoo is a great idea!
New Year Events for Adults in Wichita
Holiday Pop-Up Bars and Igloos
Round up your friends and reserve a spot early inside one of the Igloos or at a Pop-Up bar in Wichita. <– Click the link to read more in our article about the ones we’ve found around town. This year, you’ll find pop-up bars or igloos at:
- Chicken N Pickle
- River City Brewery
- Public at the Brickyard
- Norton’s Brewery
- Ziggy’s
- and more!
Mortdecai’s New Year’s Eve Party
- Enjoy Mortdecai’s Tavern and Eatery for a great night and ring in the new year with all your friends! Some bumping music all night long and taking requests to help us ring in the New Year with a bang! They will have tables/seats open for reservation, a champagne toast as midnight, give aways, amazing food and drink specials, and more!
- Party the night away for just $5 after 7:30 pm. Seat reservations will be released at 7:30 pm, with no exceptions.
Walker’s Jazz Lounge on New Years
- Ring in the New Year at Walker’s Jazz Lounge! Enjoy an unforgettable evening of live jazz, signature craft cocktails, and a vibrant atmosphere, all while celebrating the start of a new year. It’s the perfect way to welcome the new year with style and great music! Along with a champagne toast at the end of the night, courtesy of our establishment, you can expect the following musicians to help celebrate the New Year!
New Year’s Eve at Wichita Union Stockyards
Bring in the New Year with Bucky Fowler and Southern Charm at the Stockyard.
- Sunday, December 31 at 7 pm
- 6425 W. MacArthur Road
- $30
- Toast the New Year, have breakfast with Rent the Chef, and dance the night away.
The Cotillion 80s New Year’s Eve Party
Party like it’s 1979! The 80s tribute band PARAMOUNT will rock in the New Year with your favorites from Journey, REO Speedwagon, and more. at The Cotillion.
December 31, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance.
Top Golf New Year’s Eve Party
Bring your own party of six (including yourself) for plenty of food and drinks, games, music, and countless memories. Swing in the new year at Top Golf.
- Date: December 31
- Time: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Price: $360 for a party of 6
- Location: 2976 N. Greenwich, Wichita, KS 67226
Omalley’s Irish Pub New Year’s Eve Prom Night
The theme is the Wild West. Dress in your best formalwear for a night of fun, music, and drinks.
- Date: December 31
- Time: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- Price: varies
- Location: 2405 W. 31st St. in south Wichita
Red Shed Music Venue (Hutchinson)
Wichita Blues Society will be at the Red Shed on NYE to welcome in the New Year with Dustin Arbuckle.
- Date: December 31
- Time: Doors 7 p.m. Show 8 p.m.
- Price: $28 general admission
- Location: 6607 N. Old K-96 Hwy, Hutchinson, KS 67502
Norton’s Brewing NYE
Ring in the new year with a champagne toast at midnight.
- Date: December 31
- Time: 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Price: varies
- Location: 125 N. St. Francis, Wichita, KS
Crown Uptown New Years – Not Confirmed
- Date: December 31
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Price:
- Location: 3207 E. Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218
The Depot
Enjoy a DJ, drink specials, and a champagne toast at Midnight.
- Date: December 31
- Time: 9 p.m.
- Price: $15 cover
- Location: 711 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67202
New Year’s Eve Party at Jerry’s Bar & Grill
Live performance by Suite 68, with “antics and hijinks” and a champagne toast at midnight.
- Date: December 31
- Time: 5 p.m. to midnight
- Price: $5 cover
- Location: 630 N. Robin Road in west Wichita
New Year’s Eve Dinner Ideas in Wichita
Reservations are almost always recommended, if not required.
Public at the Brickyard
129 N. Rock Island St.
- Celebrate NYE in style with a five-course chef dinner or choose a steak, salmon or pasta special. Enjoy live jazz and festive cheer with your meal.
- They’ll also be open for New Year’s Day Brunch.
6S Steakhouse
6200 W. 21st N.
- Enjoy a special 4-course dinner, live entertainment, and hand-crafted cocktails to kick off your NYE evening! Reserve your table online to make sure you get a spot.
Siena Tuscan
104 S. Broadway Ave
- Spend an evening of elegance in the Ambassador Hotel restaurant with a chef-curated 3-course dinner.
Here are some other New Year’s articles:
New Year’s Easy and Cheap Traditions
(Have a hot tip for New Year’s Eve in Wichita? Drop it in the comments to let us know!)
