For families and those looking to celebrate earlier in the day, the Appalachian Theatre hosts a charming Noon Year’s Eve event in downtown Boone. Guests are treated to a special 75th anniversary screening of Disney’s Cinderella (1950), followed by a playful countdown complete with party favors, a balloon drop, a sparkling cider toast, and a photo booth. It’s a magical way for little ones to join in the excitement without waiting until midnight.
Dining takes center stage throughout the region on New Year’s Eve. In West Jefferson, the High Country Tea & Grazing Room offers a unique British-inspired celebration with a four-course dinner, champagne toast, and festive touches as guests count down to midnight overseas. In Blowing Rock, both Chetola Resort and Westglow’s Daingerfield’s present elevated culinary experiences, featuring chef-driven menus, seasonal ingredients, and optional wine pairings designed to turn the evening into a true occasion. The Embers Restaurant in Blowing Rock also joins the celebration with a refined three-course New Year’s Eve dinner, perfect for those seeking an intimate and polished night out.
For guests drawn to themed celebrations and live entertainment, the High Country delivers in style. OH Restaurant in West Jefferson transforms the evening into a Roaring 20s Gatsby-inspired affair with ballroom dancing, live music, hors d’oeuvres, and cocktails, while Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis offers its own Jazz Age soirée complete with cocktails, a seated dinner, a champagne toast, and a ball drop- encouraging guests to dress to impress. Brew Haus Events Center brings the energy with an 80s-themed New Year’s Eve party featuring iconic hits, themed costumes, drink specials, and a lively atmosphere well into the night.
Outdoor enthusiasts can ring in the New Year slopeside. Appalachian Ski Mountain and Sugar Mountain Resort both host festive evenings featuring night skiing, torchlight parades, live music, and fireworks to close out the night. Beech Mountain Resort offers a family-friendly celebration with live entertainment and fireworks at midnight, best enjoyed from the lodge deck or throughout the village near glowing fire pits.
Back in downtown Boone, celebrations continue close to The 1850. Lost Province welcomes the New Year with live music and a complimentary champagne toast, while The Beacon hosts an elegant six-course Italian dinner for guests who prefer a more intimate culinary experience. The Appalachian Theatre also marks the occasion with a lively evening featuring live yacht rock, dancing, party favors, a photo booth, and a live broadcast of the Times Square ball drop.
As midnight approaches, the Boone Ball Drop remains a local tradition. While the ball is best viewed from outside, particularly from the Jones House lawn across King Street, the Horton Lounge stays open late for those looking to toast the New Year nearby. For a more exclusive experience, private rooftop tickets are available directly through the hotel.
And of course, the 1850's own, Daniel & the Dog will be open late with both food and drink specials.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, New Year’s Eve in the High Country offers a blend of warmth, elegance, and unmistakable mountain charm. From candlelit dinners to fireworks-filled skies, it’s a beautiful place to close one chapter and begin the next.
