It’s nearly time to celebrate the start of another year and kick 2026 off in style. Luckily there are lots of parties, live music shows and New Year’s Eve events for you to choose from.
Taco Drop
Every Tucsonan knows we celebrate New Year’s in our own unique way. The Taco Bell New Year's Eve Taco Drop has been a staple of here since 2019, and this year it’s back and bigger than ever.
The festivities will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 31, and partygoers can expect music, a silent disco, food trucks (including the Taco Bell truck) and beer stations. Fireworks and the big taco drop will happen when the clock strikes midnight.
“We're really excited,” says Arizona Bowl Executive Director Kym Adair. “At 7 p.m., we have Sophia Rankin & The Sound opening up for us. At the same time, we also have our silent disco opening up. We have three different DJs performing for the silent disco. And then around eight o'clock we have our headliner band, which is The Lucky Devils Band.”
This year the Arizona Bowl Taco Drop will be held in a new location, Adair said, to accommodate the up to 10,000 people expected to attend. The new spot is Jacome Plaza, 101 N. Stone Ave.
“Our taco event every year gets so much social media attention that people from all over the country travel in to come see our taco touch down at midnight, and be a part of the festivities,” she said.
Adair said attendees in past years have really embraced the taco theme, sporting taco hats and other taco-themed attire.
“It's so much fun for everybody,” Adair said. “We want everybody to come out and ring in the New Year together as a community.”
For more information, see the event page at thearizonabowl.com.
Hotel Congress
Over at Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress Street., you can step back in time and explore bygone eras ranging from the Old West to Studio 54 as you drink and dance until the morning.
“We'll be bringing people through a variety of different eras,” said entertainment director Curtis McCrary. “Each space is kind of themed a little differently: Some fun prehistoric things with dinosaurs on the plaza, Studio 54 disco era in the club, the Old West, etc. So we're going through these fun tropes of time travel and decorating the property in such a way that we transport people to these various different eras with music and decor."
The event starts at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 and runs until 2 a.m. Early bird tickets are $45, general admission is $60 and VIP is $125.
Visit the event page at hotelcongress.com for more information.
For even more New Year's fun, you can also check out these other Tucson events and keep the party going:
New Year’s Eve Eve at The Century Room
Start your New Year's celebrations early at The Century Room. Tucson vocalist Katherine Byrnes brings her signature blend of glamour, soul and sophistication to a festive evening.
When: 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
Where: Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress Street.
Cost: Tickets start at $30.90 through hotelcongress.com.
New Year’s Eve Tucson Bar Crawl
This is for those folks who just can’t make up their minds. Instead of sticking to one party or one bar, why not join Tucson’s NYE Bar Crawl and hit all the best spots in town? Enjoy exclusive drink specials, capture unforgettable moments with friends and get featured on social media, dance to live music at select venues, and welcome the New Year with a celebratory toast.
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Multiple venues
Cost: $24 and up. This event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit the event page for more information.
Saddle Up: New Year's Eve Bash at The Maverick
Country bar The Maverick is hosting its annual New Year's Eve bash with music, a special menu, party favors and a champagne toast.
Country bar The Maverick is hosting its annual New Year's Eve bash with music, a special menu, party favors and a champagne toast.
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: The Maverick, 6622 E. Tanque Verde Road
Cost: $20. This event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit the event page for more information.
New Year’s Sleaze
Party like it's 2007 at this dance party! This New Year’s event is paying tribute to the indie sleaze era, including activities like a tattoo pop-up, a flash photo booth, drink specials and more.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: La Rosa, 800 N. Country Club Road.
Cost: $25.45; this is a 21+ event
Visit the event page for more information.
An Evening with Bruce Hornsby - Fox Tucson Theatre
Bruce Hornsby returns to the Fox Tucson Theatre this New Year's Eve to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Fox reopening event.
Bruce Hornsby returns to the Fox Tucson Theatre to commemorate the anniversary of the Fox reopening event. Twenty years ago, Hornsby was the first concert event after the Fox’s renovation project.
After the concert, celebrate the New Year with champagne and dancing.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W Congress St.
Cost: $58-116
Visit the event page for more information.
Cherry On Top Celebration at Playground
Dance the night away at Playground this NYE. Expect a lineup of DJs on both floors, and a champagne toast at midnight.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31
Where: Playground, 278 E. Congress St.
Cost: $20-50; this event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit the event page for more information.
New Year's Eve Masquerade at Surly Wench
Surly Wench Pub is hosting a masquerade dance party for New Year's Eve. They will be playing favorites from both Fineline Revisited and 80s Dance Party nights.
When: 8 p.m. - 2 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31
Where: Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. Fourth Ave.
Cost: $10. This event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit the event page for more information.
The Masquerade: Queer Year's Eve
Celebrate the start of the new year at this queer dance party with DJs Isis, Atlantis Moreupset, Mijito, and Tito Suavecito, capped off by a midnight toast. Dress to impress — glitter and masks are encouraged.
When: 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: 191 Toole, 191 E. Toole Ave.
Cost: $20. This event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit the event page for more information.
New Year’s Eve Comedy Countdown - Tucson Improv Movement
Welcome the new year in Tucson Improv Movement style, with drinks and laughter and an improv comedy show, featuring a comedic look at the past year.
When: 9- 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Tucson Improv Movement, 414 E. Ninth St.
Cost: $9
Visit the event page for more information.
New Year’s Eve Karaoke at Salty Dawg II
Sing your heart out at the Salty Dawg’s New Year’s Eve event. Enjoy lively karaoke, a champagne toast and party favors.
When: 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: The Salty Dawg II, 6121 E Broadway
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Tejano New Year’s Eve Celebration
Enjoy the music of TexManiacs, Hermanos Cuatro, Grupo Generacion, and DJ Luces, all live in the Sunset Room at Casino Del Sol.
When: 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Casino Del Sol Event Center, 5655 W. Valencia Road
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Gigi and the Glow NYE
Dance music cover band Gigi and the Glow return for another year, taking the stage at Casino Del Sol New Year's Eve celebrations.
When: 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Casino Del Sol Event Center, 5655 W. Valencia Road
Cost: Free to attend. This event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit the event page for more information.
For Kids and Families:
Noon Year's Eve at the Desert Museum
Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum to watch their giant Spadefoot toad leap into the new year. Activities include face painting, a live show in the Warden Oasis Theater, crafts, games and live music.
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road
Cost: Included with admission, which is $29.95 for ages 13 and up. Kids ages 3-12 get in for $24.95.
Visit the event page for more information.
Trail Dust Town
Ring in the New Year and bring the family to this event for live country music from Mamma Coal, crafts, photo ops, unlimited rides on the Ferris wheel and train, and a balloon drop and apple cider toast when the clock hits noon.
When: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road
Cost: $16 for ages 2 and up, $5 for kids under 2, in advance. $20 at the door if there are any leftover tickets.
Visit the event page for more information.
Tucson Improv Movement
Bring the family to Tucson Improv Movement for a kid-friendly comedy show on New Year's Eve.
When: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Tucson Improv Movement, 414 E. Ninth St.
Cost: $7; or $21 for a family of four
Visit the event page for more information.
Park Place Mall
Park Place is hosting a Noon Year’s Countdown for the whole family, featuring live performances and hands-on art activities celebrating traditions from communities around the world. Kids can explore interactive art stations inspired by cultures from 10 countries, watch captivating cultural performances, and learn how families around the world celebrate renewal, luck, and hope.
The celebration culminates in a countdown to Inflatable Earth Drop, symbolizing global unity and hope for the year ahead.
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Park Place Mall, 5870 E. Broadway
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Children's Museum Tucson
A child sticks his arm up a giant nose sculpture at the Children’s Museum Tucson. The museum is celebrating New Year's Eve with a Noon Year party.
Children's Museum Tucson is celebrating NYE with a Noon Year party. Expect interactive crafts and activities, confetti, and a cactus drop, followed by a cheerful apple juice toast at noon.
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Children's Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost: Included with admission, which is $12 per person
Visit the event page for more information.
