Raise a glass and celebrate the new year

Find the best places to dine out and party hard on New Year’s Eve! Whether you’re craving an unforgettable dinner, a lively atmosphere, or a cozy spot to toast at midnight, this guide has you covered. From festive menus to late-night celebrations, discover the top local favorites guaranteed to make your night memorable.

 
 

Discover what's happening in Ames

 

December 26-27, 2025

Winter Wonderscape at Reiman Gardens

Featuring more than 200,000 lights throughout 17 acres of outdoor gardens, this walk-through light show includes popular favorites, as well as fun new surprises. Experience captivating tunnels that surround you with color, massive laser-lit disco balls, light strands dancing across a frozen lake, and more.

 

January 24, 2025

Delirium Musicum

Discover Delirium Musicum, a self-conducted chamber orchestra that pulses with ferocious passion and infuses L.A.’s crackling energy into every performance, disrupting expectations and redefining “classical” music as the new red-hot concert experience. Enjoy this intriguing show at Stephens Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. on Jan. 24!

 

January 30 - February 8, 2025

Ames Restaurant Week

Ames Restaurant Week is a new winter tradition celebrating local dining and giving our community a reason to bundle up and eat out. It runs from January 30 to February 8, 2026 and includes two full weekends of special offers, secret menu items, and spotlight moments for restaurants around town.

 

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