Ring in the new year with celebrations around the Flathead Valley

Say goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024 the right way with these New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day celebrations in the Flathead Valley.

Here’s a roundup of events happening on Sunday, Dec. 31.

• Ring in the New Year on the slopes at Whitefish Mountain Resort. The resort will host a torchlight parade and fireworks show from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m just outside of Ed and Mully’s Restaurant. Ski under the lights on chairs 2, 3 and 6 until 8:30 p.m. Night skiing will close from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on chair 2 for the torchlight and fireworks, chair 3 and 6 will remain open.

• A New Year’s Eve celebration at The Boat Club at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake features live music from Brent Jameson. The event runs from 9 p.m. to midnight. Dinner reservations are strongly encouraged by calling 406-863-4040.

• Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a Ring in 2024 Party at the Craggy Range Bar and Grill in downtown Whitefish. From 9 p.m. to midnight enjoy beer pong, fire pit hangs on the patio and champagne cheers at midnight. 

• Enjoy an Intergalactic Celebration on New Year’s Eve at 101 Central in downtown Whitefish from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets range from $50-$350. Dance the night away under mesmerizing lights and an electrifying atmosphere with beats from talented DJs spinning the hottest tracks across the galaxy. 

• Grouse Mountain Lodge hosts live music with Ben Darce on New Year’s Eve from 6-10 p.m. 

• The Sitting Duck on Flathead Lake will hold a New Year’s Eve brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be brunch dishes and drink specials including Bloody Marys, mimosas and hot cocktails. For information, visit https://www.sittingduckmt.com.

• The White Raven Winery, 7457 U.S. 2 in Columbia Falls, will host a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball. Festive formal wear and masks are encouraged. The DJ kicks off the night at 7 p.m. followed by a countdown to an early East Coast ball drop at 9 p.m. 

• The Lodge at McGregor Lake, 12250 U.S. 2 in Marion, hosts the Shauney & The Fischer River Band from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

• The Remington, 130 Central Ave., Whitefish, holds a New Year’s Eve party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Known for his eclectic mixes, DJ MC Escher will take the celebration to new heights.

• Brunch at Schafer’s Restaurant, 14735 Sylvan Dr., Bigfork, on New Year’s Eve from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy plated menu items created by Chef Dan Solberg. Reservations are encouraged by calling 406-837-3463.

• Play Bingo at The Sip of Montana, 14509 Montana 35, Bigfork, from noon to 3 p.m.

• Ring in the New Year with a bang at A Killer New Year’s Eve murder mystery experience at Waters Edge Winery and Bistro, 2593 U.S. 2, Kalispell, from 7-9 p.m. Tickets on Eventbrite.

• Enjoy a 2024 Karat Gold New Year’s Eve Party at The Coop in Columbia Falls. For ages 21 and older, enjoy a night of glitz with DJ Bucky spinning music and a photo booth. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the champagne toast is at 1 a.m. 

Here’s a roundup of events happening on Monday, Jan. 1.

• Celebrate the first day of 2024 with a New Year’s Day Brunch Pajama Party at the Boat Club at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. Enjoy over-the-top breakfast items including “hangover specials” & hearty Bloody Mary skewers from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. enjoy the DJ spins by Halladay. Reservations suggested by calling 406-863-4040. 

• The Annual Polar Bear Plunge into Flathead Lake hosted by The Raven, 15321 Montana 35, Bigfork. This long-time tradition starts with doors open at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. and features breakfast, bloody marys and burgers. The plunge takes place at 2 p.m. — remember to bring a change of clothes, warm socks, and water shoes.

• Start off the New Year with a guided hike at Somers Beach State Park at 10 a.m. The hike is roughly one and a half hours and is about 1 mile. Wearing ice cleats is strongly encouraged. The hike is limited to 20 participants.