Experience a Wilmington NC New Year’s Excitement with These Local Events

Whether it’s your first time visiting Wilmington, NC, for New Year’s or seeking a new way to ring in 2025, there is a calendar full of events in the coastal North Carolina area to bring in the new year the right way!

Here are a few of the most exciting events to look out for during your stay with Sea Scape Properties.

New Year’s Eve Cruise Aboard the Henrietta

• When: December 31, 2024 @ 10pm
• Where: Downtown Wilmington
• https://capefearriverboats.com/

All aboard! Riverboat cruises alongside the Wilmington Riverfront all year long. But the NYE holiday brings even more excitement to this water excursion. The legendary Henrietta III Riverboat leaves the dock in Historic Downtown Wilmington in 2024 and won’t be back until 2025—don’t worry, it’s just a two-and-a-half-hour cruise!

Spend the night of New Year’s Eve on a festive boat providing all passengers with hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, and NYE party favors. You’ll be aboard when the clock strikes midnight to enjoy a champagne toast to the new year.

10th Annual Plunging into the New Year

• When: January 1, 2025
• Where: Wrightsville Beach (Free shuttles from Wrightsville Beach Park
• https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/WrightsvilleBeach/Wrightsvilleplunge

Thank goodness for the warm coastal weather because the annual plunge at Wrightsville Beach will give you a splashing entrance into the new year. For the past decade, it’s been one of the popular things to do in Wrightsville Beach for New Year’s. More than one thousand participants shed last year’s clothing and wash away yesteryear with a chilly plunge in the Atlantic Ocean on New Year’s Day.

Those brave enough to endure the cool waters are rewarded with the first afterparty of the year featuring pizza, music, and craft beer from Wilmington Brewing Company.

Island of Lights New Year’s Eve Celebration

When: December 31, 2024

Where: Carolina Beach Boardwalk

http://www.pleasureislandoflights.com/the-new-year-celebration.html

Your family is invited to celebrate New Year’s at Carolina Beach at the Island of Lights event. This annual event alternates between Carolina Beach and Kure Beach–this year, the Carolina Beach Boardwalk has the pleasure of hosting the festivities.

Put on your favorite New Year’s swag (there will be plenty for sale around the boardwalk), and get ready to party into the new year. A live DJ sets the fun atmosphere as you dance and pick a spot on the beach and boardwalk for midnight. The new year rings in with a beach ball drop and a spectacular firework show bursting above the boardwalk.

This event is free!

Local parties and events on New Year’s Eve

Want to be part of the local party scene this New Year? Check out these events at some of the hottest places in town. Make sure to get your tickets early!

Pink Pony Club New Year’s Party

• When: December 31, 2024 @ 8pm
• Where: The Eagle’s Dare in Downtown Wilmington
• https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pink-pony-club-new-year-w-the-beehive-blondes-tickets-1092448375499?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Spend your Wilmington, NC, New Year’s Eve partying with the best local musician talent. This indoor/outdoor retro-style bar in Downtown Wilmington keeps the house rocking all night with two exciting performers until the early morning hours on New Year’s Day.

The Beehive Blondes are a fitting DJ duo for the venue. They bring their retro classics for an authentic party that will bring you back to the greatest years of dance music. Finish the night jamming to the live instruments of the Kicking Bird Band, one of Wilmington’s favorite local indie pop bands who always know how to get the party started.

Ibiza Nightclub New Year’s Eve Dance Party 2025

• When: December 31, 2024 @ 9pm
• Where: Ibiza Nightclub Wilmington
• https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ibiza-nightclub-new-years-eve-dance-party-2025-tickets-1091225959219?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Ibiza Nightclub brings one of the world’s most iconic party destinations to Wilmington. This modern nightclub isn’t typically open on Tuesdays, but NYE is a special exception you don’t want to miss out on. Turn up on the dance floor to a live DJ set that keeps the music bumping until two in the morning!

Get your glasses ready because there will be a complimentary champagne toast to the New Year. And the best is yet to come at midnight! Heads up because this venue is doing a cash balloon drop with $1,000 up for grabs when 2025 arrives. It’s always good to start the year with some money in your pocket.

2025 New Year’s Eve Bash at Bluewater Waterfront Grill

• When: December 31, 2024 @ 9pm
• Where: Bluewater Waterfront Grill on Wrightsville Beach
• https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-new-years-eve-bash-at-bluewater-tickets-1063395106389?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

One of Wrightsville Beach’s most popular oceanfront restaurants attracts an even bigger crowd on New Year’s Eve. The Bluewater Waterfront Grill is back again with their annual New Year’s Bash, slated to be the biggest party in Wrightsville Beach.

Uptown Easy, one of the top local party bands, breaks out their instruments for a night of live music fun. Two-step to the funky trombone, sway to the smooth saxophone melodies, and sing along with the soulful vocals that helped establish this band’s reputation throughout the coastal North Carolina area. The venue features two floors of music, drinks, and access to the Oceanview patio to catch your breath between songs.

This event sells out every year, so get your tickets early.

South Front Tavern’s New Year’s Eve Bash

• When: December 31, 2024 @ 9pm
• Where: South Front Tavern in Wilmington
• https://www.eventbrite.com/e/south-front-taverns-new-years-eve-bash-tickets-1091469367259?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Wilmington’s South Front District is known for its shopping and dining. But this New Year’s Eve, it’s the NYE Bash at South Front Tavern that everybody will be talking about.

This industrial-style venue brings out the party favors with New Year’s inspired accessories for guests, multiple food stations, and a midnight champagne toast. Turn your eyes to the big screen TVs around the restaurant at midnight for the ball drop.

Oceanic’s 2025 New Year’s Eve Celebration

• When: December 31, 2024 @ 9pm
• Where: Oceanic at the Crystal Pier in Wrightsville Beach
• https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oceanics-2025-new-years-eve-celebration-tickets-1082287734749

Oceanic at the Crystal Pier hosts Wrightsville Beach’s fanciest cocktail party. Don’t forget to pack your elegant dress and hard shoes for your Wrightsville Beach vacation because everyone will be dressed to the nines for this event.

Arrive early for dinner at the restaurant before the party starts for a special NYE meal specially curated by the chef. After, head upstairs, where you’ll be greeted by music from a live DJ and an open dance floor. Keep it classy with cocktail drinks and show off your best poses for the 360 photo booth.