New Year's Eve in Portland, Oregon

New Year's Eve is celebrated annually in the American city of Portland, Oregon. The city has seen a variety of events and activities to commemorate the holiday, including balls and special dinners, concerts, drone shows, and sobriety powwows.

Events and activities

DJ Anjali and the Incredible Kid (top, pictured in 2020), Jenny Don't and the Spurs (middle, pictured in 2024) and Pink Martini (bottom, pictured in 2012) often perform in Portland for New Year's Eve.

The city has seen a variety of events and activities to celebrate New Year's Eve (NYE),[1] some of which are annual. The Portland Institute for Contemporary Art hosted its first annual "New Year's Eve Art Drop" in late 2013.[2] The Oaks Park Roller Skating Rink at Oaks Amusement Park has hosted a NYE party, attended by hundreds of people.[3][4] QuarterWorld has hosted a balloon drop for the holiday for several years.[5] In late 2023, the drag venue Darcelle XV Showplace hosted a NYE celebration with champagne and breakfast served at midnight.[4][6]

Some hotels and event venues host special events. The Crystal Ballroom hosts an event annually,[7] and The Hoxton held a celebration in late 2023.[8] Some local bars and restaurants have hosted dinner events and special menus for the holiday, including Brix Tavern, Champagne Poetry Patisserie, Portland City Grill in late 2025.[9]

Fireworks have been illegal in the city limits since 2022. Residents are able to report illegal fireworks via an online tool.[10][11]

Champagne Ball

The Champagne Ball at the Hyatt Regency has been described by Portland Monthly as "the closest thing we have to the Times Square ball drop—except it's black tie-ish, with dance floors, karaoke, and the option to don 'singles beads.'"[7] Willamette Week has described the event as "Portland's most popular New Year's Eve Party" and said: "This 5-star NYE celebration is in a 5-star hotel and features Portland’s top entertainment, multiple bars, fantastic food, amazing party vibes, fabulous party favors, and a massive video countdown at midnight."[12] Previously, the Champagne Ball was held at the Hilton Portland Hotel, as well as the Portland Art Museum in late 2023.[4]

In 2019, the Daily Hive said approximately 40,000 people have participated in the event since its inception in 1990.[13]

Concerts

DJ Anjali and the Incredible Kid perform annually for the holiday.[14] During the early 2010s, the concert was held at Bossanova Ballroom and featured acrobatics, fire performance, a marching band, and Punjabi music.[15] "Cowboy Prom" with Jenny Don't and the Spurs has been described as "a New Year's Eve tradition several years running with deep roots" at the Landmark Saloon.[16] Pink Martini traditionally performs at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on NYE.[17] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the band streamed a concert for the holiday called "Good Riddance 2020".[18][19] Brandi Carlile held a "New Year's Eve Party" at the Moda Center in late 2022.[20]

Drone shows

The city commemorated the arrivals in 2025 and 2026 with drone shows at Pioneer Courthouse Square. The late 2024 event cost approximately $150,000 and was attended by approximately 20,000 people.[21] The late 2025 event had approximately 250 drones.[22] It was supported by Prosper Portland's Portland Events and Film Office and included a dance party and a countdown to midnight.[23][24][25] Drag queen LadyBerri Matthews has been the master of ceremonies and mayor Keith Wilson was slated to speak at the late 2025 event.[26]

Sobriety powwow

One of the city's most popular annual events for NYE is the Native American Rehabilitation Association's sobriety powwow, which has been held for approximately 30 years. The event features dance and music without alcohol or drugs.[27] Approximately 3,00 and 4,000 people were expected to attend in 2009 and 2011, respectively.[28][29] The late 2025 event was held at the Oregon Convention Center.[30]

Public transport and services

The city has extended TriMet and Portland Streetcar service on NYE, offering free rides after 8pm.[23][31] The Portland Bureau of Transportation has also offered rideshare coupons as part of the Safe Ride Home Program.[24] In late 2024, the program helped approximately 2,100 people "celebrate New Year's Eve responsibly and return home safely, according to the city".[32]

References

  1. ^ "21 Portland New Year's Eve Events, in Order From Lit to Chill". Willamette Week. 2018-12-26. Archived from the original on 2019-04-14. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  2. ^ "Guide to 2013's New Year's Eve Parties and Concerts". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  3. ^ "Ringing in the New Year at the Oaks Park Roller Skating Rink". East PDX News. Archived from the original on 2026-01-16. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  4. ^ a b c "New Year's Eve celebrations happening across the Portland metro area". KGW. 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  5. ^ "Where to celebrate New Year's Eve in Portland". KOIN.
  6. ^ "As drag queens prepare to ring in 2023, Portland's Darcelle reflects on decades of artistry". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2025-12-14. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  7. ^ a b "Where to Party in Portland for New Year's". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  8. ^ "Ring in 2024 at these Portland-area New Year's Eve celebrations". KOIN. Archived from the original on 2024-01-01. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  9. ^ "Six New Year's Eve Portland-Area Dinner Specials to Wolf Down". Willamette Week. 2025-12-30. Archived from the original on 2026-01-17. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  10. ^ "Portland Fire urges residents to report illegal fireworks on New Year's Eve". KGW. 2025-12-31. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  11. ^ "Drones not Fireworks this New Years". Montavilla News. 2025-12-29. Archived from the original on 2025-12-29. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  12. ^ "Whimsical Gifts". Willamette Week. 2024-11-20. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  13. ^ "Welcome the new year in style at Portland's Champagne Ball | Events". Daily Hive. 2019-08-20. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  14. ^ "Where to Spend New Year's Eve 2017 in Portland". Willamette Week. 2016-12-29. Archived from the original on 2018-07-20. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  15. ^ "Portland's Best New Year's Eve Events". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  16. ^ "The Mercury's Do This, Do That: Your Top Events for December 29-January 4". Portland Mercury. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  17. ^ "Pink Martini's Portland New Year's Eve tradition returns, with local all-stars and a rediscovered film". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2024-03-03. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  18. ^ "How to safely celebrate New Year's Eve in the Portland metro area". KGW. 2020-12-31. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  19. ^ "OPB partners with Pink Martini to make the band's virtual New Year's Eve concert available across the Northwest". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  20. ^ Brandi Carlile:
  21. ^ "New Year's Eve drone and dance party will return to downtown Portland to ring in 2026". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2026-02-17. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  22. ^ Park, Victor (2026-01-01). "Behind the scenes at Portland's New Year's Eve drone show". KATU. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  23. ^ a b "Portland area welcomes 2026 with drones and more at public celebrations". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  24. ^ a b "Drones, Bing cherries play starring role in Portland-area New Year's Eve celebrations". KOIN. Archived from the original on 2026-01-02. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  25. ^ "Portland will ring in 2026 with vibrant drone show, dance party". KOIN. Archived from the original on 2025-12-29. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  26. ^ "What to Do in Portland (Dec. 24, 2025-Jan. 6, 2026)". Willamette Week. 2025-12-24. Archived from the original on 2026-01-13. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  27. ^ Bakall, Samantha. "Make your plans now for New Year's Eve 2018 in Portland". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-08-22. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  28. ^ "NARA hosts Sobriety Pow Wow, one of Portland's largest New Year's Eve events". The Oregonian.
  29. ^ Graves, Bill (2012-01-01). "Native Americans gather for powwow in Portland to celebrate the New Year without alcohol". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  30. ^ "Winter Whale Watching, 'A Charlie Brown Christmas', and Joyous Kwanzaa: 10 things to do this week". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2026-01-03. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  31. ^ "Portland New Year's Eve: Need a ride? Consider these options for getting home safely". The Oregonian.
  32. ^ Seibold, Hannah (2025-12-31). "Getting home safely on New Year's Eve? Here's how Portlanders can score free or discounted rides". Portland Tribune. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
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