CLT NYE is back this year! This free celebration takes place December 31st, 2021, at 8 p.m., at Levine Avenue of the Arts. It will feature live music, paper crowns for the kids, and fireworks at midnight.

On New Year's Eve, Carowinds' Winterfest stays open until 12:30 a.m. and holds a countdown to midnight (as well as several earlier in the evening for kids) and welcomes 2022 with a spectacular fireworks show. We have discounted tickets! We can save you more than $9 per ticket, compared to Carowinds' best online price.

Dance the night away at Starlight on 22nd's Studio 54 New Year's Eve Disco. Admission is free for members. Membership is $1 a year. There will be a champagne toast at midnight.

Charlotte Beer Garden, at 1300 S. Tryon Street, is hosting a Mask-Erade New Year's Eve party. Dress up your mask for a chance to win a prize. There will be a DJ, and a champagne toast at midnight. Cover is free before 10 p.m., and $10 after.

Coyote Joe's is hosting a New Year's Eve party that costs $12. It includes live music from Out of the Blue, a champagne toast, party favors, and $1,800 in cash and prize giveaways throughout the night. Age 18+ to attend. Age 21+ for the champagne toast.

Dave & Buster's, at Concord Mills, is hosting an early New Year's Eve party for families, on December 31st, 2021, fro 5 to 8 p.m. It's pricier than what we usually include, $46.35, but if you have a game-loving kid it might be worth the price. It includes unlimited video game play, an appetizer buffet, dessert, unlimited soft drinks, a $20 Power Card and a video ball drop to ring in the (early) New Year.

Hattie's Tap & Tavern is hosting a free low-key party from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. There will be a balloon drop at midnight, as well as a free mini High Life. Come as you are!

Lenny Boy is holding an early New Year's Eve party on December 31st, 2021, starting at 1 p.m., with music from Nathan C. Davis. Then come back January 1st for the New Year's Day postgame at 2 p.m., with live music from Cameron Moore. $3 beer both days.

This is one for the kids. Bring them to Matthews Community Center for a party and early countdown. It takes place on December 31st, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and costs $7. Buy tickets in advance.

Great Wagon Road Distilling Co., in NoDa, is celebrating with a free party that includes a free pizza buffet from 4 to 8 p.m., live music by Something Like That at 7 p.m., and a champagne toast at midnight.

Sing in 2022 with karaoke at NoDa 101. There's no cover, and there will be a free champagne toast at midnight, as well as cheap bottles of champagne.

Devil's Logic Brewing is hosting a free New Year's Eve party with a funky dance party with Aarodynamics.

Cabarrus Brewing Company is celebrating New Year's Eve starting at 4 p.m., but the official party will start at 8 p.m. There will be a keg drop and a toast at midnight. No cover!

El Thrifty Social, at Optimist Hall, is hosting New Year's Eve Masquerade on December 31st, starting at 8 p.m. It's free, but Eventbrite tickets will let you skip the line. There will be $10 duckpin bowling all night, a champagne toast at midnight, a DJ all night, and a masquerade photo wall with props.

Big Ben Pub is celebrating New Year's Eve twice. First at 7 p.m., when the clock strikes midnight in the U.K., and then again at our midnight. Reservations are strongly recommended for both seatings.

Petty Thieves Brewing Co. is presenting a New Year's Eve party with live jazz music and a performance by the Queen Charlotte Shimmy Show. There will be a champagne toast and ball drop at midnight. General admission is $10.

JackBeagle's NoDa is hosting a New Year's Eve party with live music from Swim in the Wild, New Creatures, David Taylor & the Tallboys, Wag, Falllift. Hosting is Nige Hood. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Limited capacity.

Petra's is hosting Shadow Play, an 80s/90s Alternative Dance Party. Cover is just $5 for this party, which features four DJs. Dance to all your favorite underground Shoegaze, Art Pop, Dark Wave, Dream Pop and Gothic jams.

Smokey Joe's is celebrating New Year's Eve with a party that starts at 9 p.m. and features bluegrass and Americana music from The Local Boys. Cover is $10 and that includes party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.

The Roxbury, at 116 West 5th Street, is holding a Back to the Future Bash. They've got two levels, with dance floors, four bars, retro arcades and a large outdoor patio. Tickets are $30 in advance and include party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.

DreamChaser's Brewery is hosting a New Year's Eve party starting at 6 p.m. Enjoy live music by Late Night Kitchen and Modern Alibi. There will be a pig roast, with BBQ available for purchase from 6 p.m. until sold out.

Trolley Barn Fermentory and Food Hall is hosting a free New Year's Eve party. At 11 p.m. the food stalls will close. Head up to the Mezzanine, where there will be buffet-style bites throughout the evening. At midnight, watch the ball drop on the big screens and enjoy a free champagne toast.

Stop by Birdsong Brewing on New Year's Day, starting at 10 a.m., for free bagels and cream cheese from Original NY Bagels, and free coffee from Central Coffee, while supplies last. Donations accepted for Second Harvest Food Bank Metrolina.

Celebrate the Scottish tradition of Hogmanay at Rural Hill's annual First Footin' celebration on New Year's Day. Take a vigorous 2.25 mile walk around the Rural Hill property, stopping to learn about history and folklore. Then hear the story of "Stone Soup" and share a lunch together. This event is free, but please bring an item to share for the lunch.

Every New Year's Day, Free Range Brewing hosts Free Soup Day. No strings attached. Get free soup starting at 11 a.m. until it's gone.

Run or walk a 5K along the Blue Line on North Tryon. The price of the race ($30 to $40, depending when you sign up) includes a brunch with pancake and a hot chocolate station, beer and cider sampling, and an all-day LYNX ticket.

Start 2022 with a BMX race with Hornets Nest BMX, at Hornets Nest Park. All ages are welcome. It costs $10 to race, and you need to be a USA BMX member, but you can get a free one-day membership. All ages! And it's free to watch.

Enjoy a guided family hike at Reedy Creek Nature Preserve on January 1st, at 2 p.m. It's free, but registration is required.

You won't find a more magical way to spend New Year's Eve or the evening of New Year's Day than Holidays at the Garden, at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. The light display is integrated into the garden, and illuminates the fountains, trees and landscape.

Our list of Christmas light displays is so extensive that there are almost certainly amazing festive displays that you haven't experienced yet. Many, but not all, are still operating through New Year's Day. We include an interactive map to help you plan your journey.

Go ice skating at the expanded ice rink at U.S. National Whitewater Center. You'll need a single activity pass for skating, which is $25. Parking is $6.

Speedway Christmas is open both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Drive through a 3.75-mile course that boasts more than 4 million lights. Tune into 101.3 FM for Christmas music.

Check out some of these walks to take on New Year's Day. We've included hikes through nature preserves, self-guided city walks and more.

North Carolina State Parks will be open on New Year's Day. Check out our guide for hiking at 12 of them. Plan to get there early, as New Year's Day might be a popular time.