Ring in the New Year in Downtown Indianapolis

New Year’s Eve Events in Downtown Indianapolis.

By Taylor Newell
Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.
http://indydt.com/

Forget hosting a New Year’s Eve get-together this year. These Downtown parties, events and specials offer everything from exciting daytime sports matchups to classy top-shelf parties in the sky.

*Family-friendly option

Be safe – don’t drink and drive. Plan out your transit to and from your Downtown NYE destination ahead of time. IMPD and Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. have teamed up to place taxis in metered parking zones along Illinois, South and South Meridian streets from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. on Dec. 31. For more information on Downtown taxis and buses, visit www.indydt.com/TaxiBus.cfm?&lm=vd.

*Indiana Ice vs. Chicago Steel: New Year’s Eve Celebration (Dec. 30), $11 – $29
Bankers Life Fieldhouse

New Year’s fun takes place a day early with the Ice as they match up with the Steel at 6 p.m. Tickets start at just $11 with discounts for children, seniors and military service members. www.indianaice.com

*Indiana Pacers vs. Memphis Grizzlies, $15 & up
Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Have some daytime fun with big-time NBA action as the Pacers take on Rudy Gay and the powerhouse Memphis Grizzlies in a 3 p.m. tipoff. www.pacers.com

*Countdown to Noon, $17.50 adults, $12.50 kids
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Instead of counting down to midnight, celebrate during the day with music, fun activities and a Water Clock countdown that kids can enjoy without staying up late! www.childrensmuseum.org

*Family New Year’s Event, $6 member, $11 non-member
Indiana State Museum

Enjoy face painting, stilt walkers, clowns and music by The Tides with an 8 p.m. balloon drop. A fun, alcohol-free celebration for the family. www.indianamuseum.org

ComedySportz Celebrates New Year’z Eve, $20 adults, $15 students/seniors
The Athenaeum Theatre

Celebrate with the most unique comedy show around! Admission to the ComedySportz match includes hats, noisemakers and a sparkling cider toast. Second show ends with a countdown to midnight. www.indycomedysportz.com

6 X 13: New Year’s Eve at the IMA, $125 – $175
Indianapolis Museum of Art

Don your festive cocktail attire and peruse the IMA’s fantastic galleries as you sample drinks from a champagne bar and select Upland Brewery offerings. Live music by The Cultural Cannibals. www.imamuseum.org

Hard Rock’s NYE Bash, $30 – $95
Hard Rock Cafe

Celebrate with live music from Brent James & the Contraband, coming straight off their tour with Third Eye Blind. www.hardrock.com/locations/cafes3

New Year’s Eve Party at The Rathskeller, $50 in advance, $55 at the door
The Rathskeller

Enjoy some local brew and live music from Zanna Doo! Includes hors d’oeuvre Buffet and a champagne toast at midnight. www.rathskeller.com

New Year’s Eve at Howl at the Moon!, $30 – $90

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the World’s Greatest Rock N’ Roll Dueling Piano Bar! Seating package includes gourmet dinner buffet, champagne toast. Standing room package includes champagne toast. www.howlatthemoon.com

Cheer to the New Year, $100
Chef Joseph’s at The Connoisseur Room

One of Indy’s top new restaurants, Chef Joseph’s is offering a wine pairing dinner and cabaret with Nancy Moore and Sean Baker the Music Maker. www.chefjosephs.com

NYE with James Johann: “Rural Genius,” $22.50
Crackers Downtown

Welcome the New Year with stand-up comedy by James Johann, who has been featured on Comedy Central and The Slackers Tour. www.crackerscomedy.com/nye

New Year’s Eve Blue and White Ball, $25
Cadillac Ranch and Bartini’s

Party with DJ Slater Hogan, DJ Cory James and X103 personality Deuce, and enjoy the pre-party dinner with a special menu at Bartini’s. www.cadillacranchgroup.com/event/new-years-eve-blue-and-white-ball

ChaCha presents CIROC the New Year, $125
Regions Bank Tower

Party in the sky with a 360-degree view of Downtown! Features an all-inclusive top-shelf  bar with light gourmet hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast, special fireworks show & party favors. www.cirocnewyears.com

New Year’s Eve Rock ‘N’ Roll Ball, $40 – $375
Hyatt Regency Indianapolis

Live music from local musicians and DJs, plus the biggest balloon drop in Indy! Admission to the party is $40 or $65 for VIP and room + party packages are available starting at $225. indianapolis.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-indianapolis

New Year’s Eve with Toxic Reasons, $10
Radio Radio

Be at one of Fountain Square’s coolest venues for a NYE punk rock show featuring Toxic Reasons, Creepin’ Charley & the Boneyard Orchestra and others. www.futureshock.net

New Year’s Eve Murder, $50
Indianapolis Propylaeum

Enjoy a fabulous dinner at the Propylaeum – but be careful. Other things besides champagne corks are popping… the host is dead! www.thepropylaeum.org

Stella Artois New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball, $55 (VIP $110 – $135)
Union Station

This New Year’s Eve party takes over three ballrooms at Union Station, each with their own theme and entertainment! www.indynewyears.com

New Year’s Eve Party at Blu & Hideaway, $80 – $100
Blu

Open bar from 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. DJ John Larner and live music, hors d’oeuvres, balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight and prize package giveaways all night! www.bluindy.com/new-years-eve-2012

NYE Shows at the Noodle, $30 – $250
The Slippery Noodle Inn

$30 admission includes admission to The Why Store show plus champagne toast, hats and noisemakers. $250 table of four available for Big James & the Chicago Playboys show with reserved seating and buffet dinner. www.slipperynoodle.com/calendar.php

New Year’s Eve Party at Adobo, $59.99 – $89.99
Adobo Grill

Complete your New Year’s Eve party with unlimited drinks, dancing and light appetizers. The $90 option includes a four course meal and tequila toast. www.adobogrill.com/indianapolis/events.aspx

New Year’s Eve at Scotty’s Brewhouse, various discounted prices
Scotty’s Brewhouse

$10 all you can eat wings, $7 pitcher specials, $3 Thr3e Wisemen Brewing Company pints and a special tapping of King Solomon’s Imperial Stout. www.scottysbrewhouse.com

New Year’s Eve at End of the Line Public House, $30
End of the Line Public House

Starting at 5 p.m., get a special prime rib dinner for two for only $30 at this unique restaurant inside the Fountain Square Theatre Building. www.fountainsquareindy.com/publichouse/index.asp

For more information, visit http://indydt.com/, or call 317-237-2222.