Last Night Rings in the New Year

The popular Carolyn Ramsay Band returns for a New Year’s Eve free performance at Last Night Wolfeboro at 4 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro, located at 115 S. Main Street.

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

Saying farewell to the old year and welcoming the new is a way to begin fresh. New Year’s Eve is a fun time when area towns pull out the stops to make it a festive celebration. Families can spend the day – and evening – celebrating with games, music, food, crafts, and of course, fireworks at events in Wolfeboro, and other places in the Lakes Region.

A wonderful way to usher in the new year and say goodbye to 2025 is the Last Night event (now in its 9th year) in Wolfeboro. Visitors are invited to explore everything happening throughout Wolfeboro on Dec. 31 with morning activities to evening entertainment. This year’s Last Night lineup is packed with music, performances, games, and family-friendly fun.

Says Brenda Jorett, content and outreach consultant for the event, “It takes about eight to nine months to plan Last Night Wolfeboro. We develop the events over time, and we try to provide something for everyone. The day of the event, we have about 20 volunteers to man all the events.”

She continues, “Returning favorite this year are the Wildlife Encounters, the Carolyn Ramsay Band and Jason Tardy, a popular juggler.” These acts are just a few of the many talented performers that make Last Night Wolfeboro a must-attend event.

Start the day of Dec. 31 at 10 am (until noon) at the Great Hall in Wolfeboro Town Hall at 84 South Main Street with crafts by the NH Boat Museum; C3Brix - LEGO fun; Kingwood Youth Center, Yum Yum Shop gingerbread decorating; kiddie axe throwing and target games.

At 2 pm, Jason Tardy returns to Last Night Wolfeboro with his high-energy juggling performance on the Great Hall stage. This is followed at 3:30 pm with Wildlife Encounters live animal show, sponsored by The Children’s Center.

From  11 am – 4 pm, a fun Escape Room, developed and presented by The Resistance from the Kingswood Regional High School robotics team offers fun. There will be a morning sign-up (mandatory) at the Wolfeboro train station building, 32 Central Ave. in Wolfeboro.

Juggler Jason Tardy and partner will amaze the Last Night Wolfeboro audience at 2 p.m. at Great Hall, Town Hall during Last Night Wolfeboro on Dec. 31.

Kids love a good magic show, and Magic by George, hosted by Wolfeboro Library, will take place in the library’s Bradley Room at 12:30 pm.

Two bingo sessions will be hosted by the Wolfeboro Lions at Brewster Estabrook Hall at 80 Academy Drive off South Main Street at 1 and 2:15 pm.

A Marimba Mischief concert starts at 1 pm at the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro, located at 115 South Main St. across from the Carpenter School in Wolfeboro.

For those who love – or want to try – ice skating, head to the Pop Whalen Ice and Arts Center at 390 Pine Hill Rd., Wolfeboro, adjacent to Abenaki Ski Area. The skating time is 2:30 to 3:30 pm.

A twilight performance by the Carolyn Ramsay Band, a Lakes Region favorite, will be held at the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro at 4 pm. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get rockin’ with this great band as you prepare to welcome in 2026!

You can also enjoy a tasty dinner for the entire family at the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro with a 4 – 6:30 pm buffet supper; tickets are purchased at the door.

Following dinner, a First Friends & Family Trivia will begin at 6:30 pm with prizes, including a gift from the New Hampshire Boat Museum, and takes place at First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro.

Plan to end the day with a glorious fireworks display over Wolfeboro Bay off Town Docks, Wolfeboro, weather permitting; (if needed, a cancellation will be announced by noon on Dec. 31.) The fireworks at sponsored by Hunter’s Shop ’n Save; Piscataqua Landscaping and Tree Service, and Black’s Paper Store and Gift Shop.

“Our partners, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters have helped make Last Night Wolfeboro a New Year’s Eve tradition,” says Linda Murray, chair of Wolfeboro’s Special Events Committee. “Support from hundreds of people across the Wolfeboro area have helped our team develop programming that provides positive exposure for our community and businesses,” she adds.

Brenda Jorett says, “In 2024 we had about 2,000 people attending. It is a very popular event, and we appreciate the donors that help fund Last Night Wolfeboro.”

All programming and updates about Last Night Wolfeboro will be posted on Facebook @LastNightWolfeboro and at Wolfeboro Parks and Recreation at www.wolfeboronh.us/672/Last-Night-Wolfeboro. Events are subject to change. Wolfeboro Community TV will offer a schedule of recorded concerts, shows, and special programming on New Year’s Eve. Last Night Wolfeboro presents free, family-friendly events (some events may have an admission charge.)

For those looking for a fun event to please holiday house guests and kids on vacation, head to Gunstock at 719 Cherry Valley Road in Gilford for a Torchlight Parade and Fireworks event on Dec. 28 from 4:30 to 7 pm.

When darkness falls, a serpentine formation of skiers and riders carrying torches will make their way down the mountain at Gunstock. (The history of ski torchlight parades dates back to the 1930s, and they have evolved from using actual flares to incorporating LED lights.)

A grand fireworks display will follow the torchlight parade. Gunstock’s Barrel Bar & Grille will be open for dining and drinks with live music leading up to the event. All are welcome to the celebration. Call 603-293-4341 or visit www.gunstock.com.

Many more New Year’s Eve events are happening around the Lakes Region; visit www.lakesregionchamber.org for listings.

If you love fireworks and the festivities that go along with them, Waterville Valley is the place to be on New Year’s Eve. Enjoy an Après Ski Party at the Freestyle Lounge (on the third floor of the Base Lodge) at 1 Ski Area Road in Waterville Valley. From 3 to 6 pm, Doug Thompson will perform.

Watch the sky light up when a dazzling array of fireworks is displayed over Corcoran Pond in Waterville Valley. The fireworks show starts at 7 pm sharp – don’t miss it! For event and other information, visit www.waterville.com.

What better way to end 2025 than a visit to the Gift of Lights at the NH Motor Speedway in Loudon? The family tradition of driving through approximately 2 1/2 miles of dazzling Christmas light displays at the Speedway continues this year with the Gift of Lights.

The annual event will have holiday cheer with about 3 million twinkly lights on display through January 4. Cruise the 2 ½ mile course past a dazzling array of sparkling lights and festive displays under the New Hampshire stars. Roll down the windows of your car, turn up your favorite holiday music, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

The Gift of Lights is open 4:30 to 10 pm on Fridays through Saturdays and Sundays to Thursdays from 4:30 to 9 pm. Holiday hours are Dec. 21 to 28 from 4:30 to 10 pm. (The Gift of Lights is a children’s charity event.)

For ticket information, visit www.nhms.com. The Speedway is located at 1122 Route 106 North in Loudon.

Make plans to attend the Lakeport Opera House festive New Year’s Eve Celebration on Dec. 31 from 7:30 pm to midnight. There will be music by the Eric Grant Band, dancing, and of course, a countdown to midnight. Get tickets at www.lakeportopera.com. The venue is located at 781 Union Avenue in Laconia.

Whatever events you choose, the last night of 2025 offers many ways to say a fond farewell to the year and to welcome in the new year of 2026, with more things to do and see in the Lakes Region.