Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Downtown Bangor with one of Maine’s largest, free* public New Year’s Eve celebrations, Downtown Countdown. Each year crowds gather in West Market Square to watch the ball get thrown into the square and celebrate the New Year. Businesses throughout Downtown will have events happening throughout the day and evening. The evening is jam-packed with music, dancing, kid-friendly activities, karaoke, games, a ball drop, and more!
This year, the ball will be dropping from a NEW LOCATION off of the Wabanaki Health & Wellness Building at the corner of Hammond and Central Streets.
Here’s a preliminary list of all the activities, events and specials happening around town:
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023
6:00PM to 7:30PM :: The Spiral Goddess Collective :: Full Moon 2023 Release. Harness the energy of the full moon to illuminate all areas of your life where you may not be living in alignment with your soul’s true purpose.
7:30PM to 1:00AM :: Queen City Cinema Club :: Heavy for a Hearth! A night of metal so come and get out of the cold for some great drinks and amazing food. Click here for more info.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2023
1:00PM to 4:00PM :: Bangor Public Library :: Let’s celebrate the new year with a magical afternoon at the library. We will be open on Sunday just for this event! This year’s annual event features Wes the Magician, planetarium shows, NASA goodies, arts & crafts for the entire family, a selfie-station, cake, and more! Click here for more info.
4:00PM to 12:00AM :: Orono Brewing Company :: OBC Tasting Room in Bangor will be open until midnight and having a special champagne toast! Click here for more info.
4:00PM to 6:00PM :: Maine Discovery Museum :: Get dressed up & celebrate NYE at MDM! Admission includes pizza, drinks, and snacks, dance party, and NYE crafts. Kid friendly raffles to raise $ for MDM too! Complete with a countdown at midnight* (6 PM, *don’t tell the kids). Click here for more info.
4:00PM to 2:00AM :: Happy Endings Martini, Tapas & Dessert Bar :: Featured cocktails, food specials, and live music starting at 8:30pm with Michelle Boone
6:00PM to 7:30PM :: The Rock & Art Shop :: One Hour Disco. Come celebrate Emily Burnham and her new book Downtown Up River, Bangor in the 1970’s. Dress up in your 70’s attire and kick off your New Years Eve Disco style. Because Queens (Emily and Bangor) must be celebrated!!!
6:00PM to END :: Paddy Murphy’s :: Mike Billings on 6-string guitar/bass. New Tunes! Funkin’ up New Years with the peeps! Originals, covers, hip-hop, jams. 9:30 – 12:30 – Get Funk’d with us! MC Tew Phat, Spence Nelson, John Patterson, Les Rhoda, Special Guests TBA
7:00PM to 10:00PM :: Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness :: First Night Wabanaki Warming. We will be opening our doors for folks to come in and warm up while waiting for the Countdown. We will be having hot cocoa and tea and hot cider. We have merchandise for First Night available to purchase.
8:00PM to 10:00PM :: Penobscot Theatre Company :: Ring in the new year with a celebration to Rock and Roll! Bangor’s Rock Revelation takes us on a 50-year journey through rock in one spectacular night. For two performances only, rock in the new year!
9:00PM to 2:00AM :: Benjamin’s Pub :: Cheers to the New Year! Ring in the new year at Benjamin’s! Drink specials, giveaways, and more!
10:00PM to END :: Eye Candy Dance & Fitness Studio :: Eye Candy NYE Masquerade Ball! Expect music, snacks and lots of fun! We will be doing a burlesque dance in celebration of the new year a little before new years! Did we mention the amazing view we have of the ball dropping? You’ll have so much fun – so grab your tickets bc they are limited!! BYOB must be responsibly and respectfully.
MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 2024
12:00PM to 3:00PM :: The Spiral Goddess Collective, :: New Year, New You! Join The Spiral Goddess Collective curators for a special New Year’s Day event, including embodied movement, yoga nidra, and introspection/connection that will help us manifest our dreams for the new year! Sliding scale starts at $20. Scholarships available.
