Free and Cheap New Year’s Eve Events in Portland

Photo by cottonbro studio

New Year’s Eve events in Portland are the perfect way to ring in 2026. Yet trying to find a celebration that doesn’t cost a fortune can be difficult. Here’s a round up of free and cheap New Year’s Eve events in Portland. 

Keep in mind that entrance to these parties may be free or cheap, but food, beverages and activities are available at an additional cost. Here’s also a list of Portland restaurants open on NYE.

Another great way to save on New Year’s Eve is by leaving your car at home. Trimet offers free rides on December 31 during select hours.

If you’re feeling ambitious on New Year’s Day, take advantage of free state park entrance in Washington and first day hikes at Tryon Creek.

Is your favorite Portland business hosting a public New Year’s Eve event? Send me a message with the details.

2025 Free and Cheap New Year’s Eve Events

New Year’s Eve Celebration and Drone Show

Are you ready to welcome 2026 in the most spectacular way? Attend this family-friendly celebration complete with live drones, dancing and fun.

Head to Pioneer Courthouse Square on December 31, 2025, from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. for a free, all ages New Year’s Eve celebration. Here are the full details.

Chopsticks

Dubbing itself Portland’s most favorite karaoke bar, Chopsticks hosts a New Year’s Eve karaoke party with no cover charge. The bar is open from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. with champagne for purchase and a countdown at midnight.

Chopsticks is at 3390 NE Sandy Blvd. in Portland.

Ground Kontrol

The downtown Portland arcade hosts New Year’s Eve free play party. Ground Kontrol‘s 120+ games are open to play for one admission price on December 31. The venue also has a full bar and food menu. There’s a champagne toast at midnight.

Tickets are $10 for all ages from noon to 5 p.m. and $25 for 21+ after 5 p.m. 

Ground Kontrol is at 115 NW 5th Ave. in Portland.

Kells Brewery

Kells Brewery hosts an NYE Party that promises a night filled with laughter, dancing and unforgettable memories.

The celebration is from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Get two-for-one tickets for $12. General admission is $22.

Kells Brewery is at 210 NW 21st Ave. in Portland.

Kennedy School

McMenamins Kennedy School hosts a special New Year’s Eve party. Free live music by Family Mystic is in the gymnasium starting at 9 p.m. You can also get delicious drink and food specials throughout the night. This performance is free to attend. 

Another option at Kennedy School is enjoying contemporary tunes with a swingy, jazzy, campy, loungey, wild and crazy flare by Cowboy Disco Ball starting at 9 p.m. The theater will host a sparkling wine toast and balloon drop at midnight. This show costs $28 in advance and $35 at the door. This is a 21+ event.

Kennedy School is at 5736 NE 33rd Ave. in Portland.

Laurelthirst Pub

Head to the free Stragglers’ Jam NYE Party at Laurelthirst Pub. For entertainment, the bar invites local musicians to the stage. 

The event is free to attend and starts at 9 p.m. Laurelthirst is at 2958 NE Glisan St. in Portland. 

Oaks Park

Rink in the new year at Oaks Park! Bring together your whole family or a group of friends for a special New Year’s Eve party at the roller rink. The New Year’s Eve Skate party at Oaks Park is counting down to the new year with a live DJ, party favors, and a special, extended skate session from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Tickets start at $25 per person. Conventional skate rental is included at no additional charge. If you want to attend but not skate, tickets are only $9 per person. This event is open to all ages.

Oaks Amusement Park is located at 7805 SE Oaks Park Way in Portland.

Milwaukie

The Milwaukie Arts Committee invites the community to join in the revelry at the free event, aptly named Bing in the New Year, where the star of the show is none other than the beloved Bing cherry.

From 6 to 9 p.m., enjoy live entertainment, crafts food, beer garden and the cherry drop. 

The event is in the parking lot at the intersection of SE Main and SE Harrison streets in downtown Milwaukie.

Mississippi Pizza and Atlantis Lounge

Kicking off December 31 with a the New Year’s Eve party featuring Temporary Lesbian Bar Dance Party, a safe and inclusive queer event.

The event is $11.50 per person and takes place from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Mississippi Pizza and Atlantis Lounge is at 3552 N. Mississippi Ave. in Portland.

Peacock Lane

December 31 is the last night this decade to enjoy the lights at Peacock Lane! The lights will be on from 6-11 p.m. Best of all, this light show is completely free and open to all ages.

The street is located at SE Peacock Ln in Portland, between SE Stark and SE Belmont.

Quarterworld

Spend your NYE playing classic and contemporary pinball and arcade games at Quarterworld. From 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., the SE Hawthorne arcade is hosting NYE drink specials, live music by DJ Easy Egg, arcade games and a balloon drop.

General admission is $10 per person. This is a 21+ event.

QuarterWorld Arcade ​is at 4811 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard in Portland.

Sobriety Powwow at Oregon Convention Center

Looking for a sober NYE celebration full of tradition? Head to the convention center for the Native American New Year’s Eve Sobriety Powwow from 1 p.m. to midnight on December 31.

This is a free, family-friendly event. The Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in Portland.

Space Needle Live Broadcast

If you want to celebrate New Year’s Eve from the comfort of your home, tune in to the New Year’s Eve fireworks display at the Space Needle.

Christmas on the Campground

Take in the sights of the last day of Christmas on the Campground. The light display features life-size nativity, thousands of lights and the tallest decorated Christmas tree in Southeast Portland.

Lights are on from dusk to dawn. Christmas music plays from 4:30 to 9 p.m. 

The Christmas display is located at the Apostolic Faith Church at 5414 SE Duke Street in Southeast Portland.

The Goodfoot Lounge

The bar and venue is hosting two NYE dance parties starting at 9 p.m. The upstairs venue is hosting hot funk, soul and disco 45’s with Soul Stew DJ and the downstairs venue features Yak Attack, a powerful live electronic trio.

Ticket prices range from $25-$30.

The Goodfoot Lounge is at 2845 SE Stark St. in Portland.

Whale Watching

I know this isn’t technically in Portland, but it is whale watching season on the Oregon Coast! Take a spontaneous trip to one of 15 viewing locations along the coastline.

2024 Events

Birdie Time Pub (2024)

I will update this event as soon as 2025 details are announced. 

Visit Birdie Time Pub for indoor mini golf, a full bar and a menu of snacks, burgers and pizza, and music until 1 a.m. on NYE. 

Here are the special happenings at this event:

• Free entry. 
• Happy hour prices.
• Two for one mini golf. 
• Champagne toast.

Birdie Time Pub is at 925 SE Main Street in Portland.

Freeland Spirits (2024)

I will update this event as soon as 2025 details are announced. 

The Portland distillery is dressing up its tasting room for a New Year’s Eve Kick-Off Party from 5 to 9 p.m. Freeland Spirits will have a DJ, classic cocktails, sparkly French 75’s, champagne jell-o shots, and tasting snacks all day.

The event is free to attend. Minors are allowed.

Table service and seating is first come, first served with options to sit inside or outside on our patio with heaters.

Freeland Spirits is at 2671 NW Vaughn St. in Portland.

Red Castle Games (2024)

Red Castle Games is hosting a New Year’s Eve Gaming Extravaganza. Spend the evening playing games and trivia, singing your heart out during karaoke and winning cool prizes. Activities include open gaming, a staff-led game of werewolf, nerd trivia, karaoke, raffles for some awesome prizes and a champagne toast as the ball drops at midnight.

This event does not require pre-registration. All entries include two drink tickets. Tickets are $15 for champagne and $10 for nonalcoholic. 

Red Castle Games is at 7160 SE Foster Rd. in Portland.

Thirsty Sasquatch (2024)

I will update this event as soon as 2025 details are announced. 

The Vancouver bar and pizzeria is hosting an NYE celebration from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. There’s a music and visual experience hosted by Sync Up VNC and dancing in the arcade. 

This event is 21+ after 10 p.m. The event is free to attend. 

Thirsty Sasquatch is at 2110 Main St. in Vancouver.