New Year's Eve 2021: Celebrations in Minneapolis and St. Paul
by Sheila Regan and Jay Gabler
December 21, 2021
If you’re heading out this New Year’s Eve, there are celebrations planned across Minneapolis and St. Paul. Here are over a dozen festive options. Watch The Current’s gig list for more music shows, IRL and online.
With the Covid-19 pandemic ongoing, be sure to check events’ and venues’ websites for updates and vaccination requirements. For more information, see the Minnesota Department of Health.
First Avenue's New Year's Eve Danceteria
Get ready to get your funky groove on at First Avenue, the iconic landmark of cool Minneapolis for over 50 years. Four DJs will be spinning an eclectic mix of beats to shake your way into the new year. Among them are DJs Espada, Michael Grey, Rowsheen, and Smitty, who are all ready to get your new year bumping with jams across a spectrum of genres as you boogie 2021 away. (Sheila Regan)
Update 12/24: This event has been canceled.
Lizz Winstead at the Cedar
Lizz Winstead’s annual satiric year-in-review tradition returns to the Cedar Cultural Center, adding levity to all the current events that have happened in the past year. A co-creator and former head writer of The Daily Show, and co-founder of Air America Radio, Winstead is a sharp stand-up comedian and writer in addition to being a fierce advocate for women’s reproductive rights. Her savvy sense of humor helps her audiences purge the past year with laughter. She’s joined by finger-style acoustic guitarist and composer Sam Breckenridge and fellow acoustic guitarist Ben Abrahamson. (Sheila Regan)
7:30 p.m., December 29-31, Cedar Cultural Center, $50 Advance, $60 Day of Show, $70 VIP.
The Suburbs at the Palace Theatre
The Suburbs make a triumphant return to the stage with a New Year’s Eve headlining show at St. Paul’s Palace Theatre, with support from fellow legends the Suicide Commandos and legends-in-the-making Scrunchies. Expect a night of high-energy performances of songs ranging from classics like “Love is the Law” to latter-day favorites like “Turn the Radio On” and material from their latest album, Poets Party. (Jay Gabler)
Update 12/24: This show has been rescheduled to Saturday, Feb. 12.
Overlook Festival NYE21:NYD22
For a haunted and mesmerizing slide into 2022, head to this rave-like experience. Intellephunk and Dark Energy transform the Concord Exchange in South Saint Paul into the Overlook Hotel from The Shining, with two days of EDM, acid, electro, and hypnotic techno music amidst a setting of comfy furniture and trippy lighting. The two day experience will include a mix of live bands and DJs over two stages, as well as eats to keep you sustained throughout the festival. (Sheila Regan)
Winter Lights at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Bundle up and head to the University of Minnesota’s Landscape Arboretum in Chaska for an outdoor evening of nature, luminaries, food, and music. The main event for the evening includes a brisk and beautiful 90-minute hike through 16 different light displays between Snyder Building and the Oswald Visitor Center. The festivities also include family-friendly games, wish-making opportunities, a photo booth, and sounds from American roots band Travelled Ground. Food vendors are available, with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The final countdown takes place at 10 p.m. complete with sparkling apple juice and party favors. (Sheila Regan)
5:00-10:30 p.m. Dec. 31, Landscape Arboretum, $15 member/$30 non-member/$5 for children (aged 2-15).
Reina del Cid at the Turf Club
If guitar fireworks are your favorite way to bring the new year in with a boom, hit the Turf Club, where Reina del Cid (featuring the fleet fingers of Toni Lindgren) returns from L.A. for a hometown headlining show with the talented TABAH opening and DJ Dave Hoenack spinning floor-fillers. (Jay Gabler)
Update 12/29: This show has been indefinitely postponed.
Crystal Ball
This longstanding Minneapolis New Year’s Eve party returns this year, taking residence at the Pourhouse for a two-level experience with DJs; indoor and outdoor games; performances by Dragons Fire Theater; and a “Hideout Lounge” with dueling pianos for VIPs. Ticketholders can reserve discounted rooms at the AC Hotel for an easy retreat in the wee hours. (Jay Gabler)
Update 12/30: This event has been canceled.
New Year's Eve International Folk Dance
For something a little different, why not adding a bit of folk dancing to your New Year’s Eve plans? Minneapolis’s Tapestry Folkdance Center has programming throughout the evening in the styles of contra (with live music featuring Danielle Enblom and Evan Snoey on fiddle, and Matt Rynkiewicz on piano) or else international folk dance led by Dan Garvin. Both groups will come together at midnight for a countdown to bring in the new year. (Sheila Regan)
90s vs. 00s at the Fine Line
What’s that? You weren’t aware the ‘90s and the ‘00s had a rivalry? Not since the ‘50s versus the ‘60s have two decades clashed with such force, and their fusion (not to be confused with ‘70s jazz fusion) will power a night of revelry at the Fine Line with ‘90s revivalists You Oughta Know and ‘00s expert DJ Foolproof. Just remember: we can all agree on Mariah Carey. (Jay Gabler)
Update 12/24: This event has been postponed indefinitely.
Annual New Year’s Bash at Brit’s Pub
Beatles’ tribute band A Hard Day’s Night rock out at Brit’s Pub after a preliminary bagpipe experience. Complimentary bubbly will help you cheers the new year at midnight at this no-cover party with drink specials. (Sheila Regan)
6 p.m., Dec. 31, Brit’s Pub, free.
Masquerade Ball at Merlins Rest
Don your fanciest getup and find an ornate mask for Merlin’s Rest’s annual Masquerade Ball. This shindig will feature music by the Inland Seas and the Northerly Gales. Prizes are given out during the party, and there’s free bubbly at midnight, with food being served until 10 p.m. (Sheila Regan)
8 p.m., Dec. 31, Merlins Rest, free.
The Shackletons at the Entry
In all this hoo-hah over the coming of 2022, it’s easy to forget the reason for the season: the Shackletons’ record release. Bugsy and the Carnegies support Colin Campbell et al as they celebrate their self-titled LP - and the fact that their song “Minnesota Girls” just broke the million-spin mark on Spotify. 51 million more plays to surpass “California Girls”? They’re coming for you, Wilson. (Jay Gabler)
Update 12/29: This show has been indefinitely postponed.
New Year's Eve Gala in the North Loop
DJ Ray Mills, DJ Cristian Baca, and DJ Nosike team up for a music-filled celebration at the Muse Event Center in the North Loop. Order VIP bottle service or grab your drinks at one of the many bars available. There’s also a coat check so you don’t have to worry about carrying your jacket when you get up to dance. Photo booths are available to capture the special night. (Sheila Regan)
9 p.m., Dec. 31, Muse Event Center, $25-100.
This feature is part of The Current’s 89 Days of Winter series, helping you enjoy the best of the season with weekly guides to events, entertainment, and recreation in the Twin Cities.
