It’s that time of year. Once again, we find ourselves excessively stuffed with holiday ham, minds full of new memories with loved ones and contemplating how we are already rapidly approaching the New Year. (Also, how are we already 25 years into this new millennium?) As you contemplate how you will ring in 2025, we recommend shaking off the post-Christmas hibernation with these awesome event and activity ideas to celebrate the new year, Loveland style.
EVENTS
LIVE from Times Square – Come celebrate New Year’s Eve with Backyard Tap as we bid farewell to the old and welcome the new style. Prepare yourself for a night that will be filled with delicious food & drinks, laughter, dancing, and joyous celebrations.
Rosie’s Barbershop & Bar, Y2K PARTY. The party starts at 9pm and there is no fee for entry!
Grab 2025 by the horns! The Pedersen Toyota New Year’s Eve Extreme Rodeo Challenge, presented by Conduct All Electric, is back and will ring in the New Year at Blue Arena on December 31! The event will return with rodeo events including Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Riding, Bull Riding, Bull Fighting, and the fan-favorite, Mutton-Bustin’. You don’t want to miss this one! Tickets on sale at the Ranch Events Complex Box Office.
The annual Loveland Laser Tag NYE Party is BACK! Unlimited fun from 8pm-1am with laser tag, 9 thrilling attractions, food, drinks, and so much more included!
Unlimited Attractions ALL NIGHT!
Virtual Reality and PXL Games
Pizza + Buffet + A New Year’s toast!
Party Favors!
Don some American Eagle and pump up the Vanilla Ice: it’s Loveland Aleworks’ Back to the 90s New Year’s Eve Party! Dress in your best 90s-inspired attire, dance to the ultimate throwback tunes, and enjoy a night of nostalgia as we count down to 2025.
What to Expect:
Ring in 2025 at Tom Davis Saloon’s “Backwoods Bash” with DJ DR3W, drink specials, a balloon drop, and a free midnight toast!
$10 cover or $20.25 combo includes dinner at Cactus Grille + entry to Wicked or Tom Davis. Reserve now: https://tinyurl.com/ym5aa6dc
Celebrate NYE Rio-style at Wicked Tequila Room’s Carnaval de Wicked!
Throw on your sparkliest sequins, fluff up those colorful feathers, and join us for a night of nonstop vibes with a live DJ spinning from 8pm till close! Enjoy a midnight balloon drop and tequila toast, all included in the $10 cover.
Want the full experience? Grab a $20.25 ticket for dinner at Cactus Grille (served till 10pm) PLUS entry to Wicked or Tom Davis Saloon for the ultimate New Year’s bash!
Join the Boot Grill for their annual NYE Bash with Live Music from Joy Jackson Band, a midnight toast and late night appetizers. PLUS, you could win a night in Blackhawk!
Limited seating reservations are available so reserve your space soon. $40 per person.
ACTIVITIES
Winter Wonderlights
If you love Christmas lights and music as much as we do, you can enjoy the final nights of Winter Wonderlights on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Eve. Each night, visitors can walk through Chapungu Sculpture Park and enjoy 180,000 lights. These include holiday string lights, twinkling bulbs, LED mappable snowflakes, illuminated African stone sculptures and 30-minute music and light shows every night. The light and music show features eight total songs and moving lights on the 23 foot tall LED mappable Christmas Tree and surrounding pine trees.
New Years Day Hike
It’s a long-standing Colorado tradition to take in a New Year’s Day hike. Fortunately, Loveland has plenty of options to take advantage of. If you’re the more urban type and prefer the consistency of the concrete or propulsion by way of pavement, Loveland has 26 miles of trails via the Recreational Trail System, which encircles Loveland and even connects to other regional trails. These trails consist entirely of paved trails with many access points across the entire area. It’s designed to accommodate many forms of travel, but is great for getting out for an urban jaunt to ring in the New Year.
For those that prefer more challenging terrain, check out some of Loveland’s awe-inspiring natural areas like Devil’s Backbone Open Space. Its 12 miles of trail connect to Rimrock Open Space and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space for a number of activities, including hiking. The Devil’s Backbone itself is one of the most impressive and visible geologic landmarks in Larimer County, as well as an important cultural feature with a rich and colorful history.
Know before you go: while many of the trails and parks in Loveland have access to water and restrooms in the warmer months, these amenities may not be available in the winter months, so be sure to pack water and plan accordingly.
Explore Public Art
More than 500 public works of art, including 200 bronze sculptures valued at nearly $9 million, are on display around Loveland. The best part? Most are accessible for free. Visitors can find locally produced paintings, photographs and murals integrated throughout town.
The city even has entire parks dedicated to public art, such as the Benson Sculpture Garden and Chapungu Sculpture Park. These great parks are fantastic places to explore year-round and are friendly for people of all ages and abilities.
Keep an eye out for public art such as smaller heart statues in the lawns of some homes, businesses, and along street corners. You never know what you will find as you explore the creativity that thrives within Loveland.
With that, we wish you a happy New Year and hope the best parts of your 2024 become the worst parts of your 2025. Here’s to 365 days of opportunities to find something special in Loveland. Cheers!
