Free and Cheap New Year’s Eve Events in Portland

New Year’s Eve events in Portland are the perfect way to ring in a brand new decade. 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 will come at an additional cost. 

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

2022 Free and Cheap New Year’s Eve Events

Birdie Time Pub

Visit Birdie Time Pub for indoor mini golf, a full bar and a menu of snacks, burgers and pizza, and music from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. on NYE. 

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

Blank Slate

Dress to impress for this Montavilla NYE party. Blank Slate is hosting a gold and white party with a disco ball piñata at 9 p.m., dance party at 10 p.m., homemade fortune cookies and a champagne toast at midnight. There is no cover charge to enter this party. The bar is open 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Blank Slate is at 7201 NE Glisan St. Suite C in Portland.

Clinton Street Theater

Ring in the new year at the midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Tickets are $12 per person.

Clinton Street Theater is located at 2522 SE Clinton Street in Portland.

Doug Fir

Enjoy a free dance party at Doug Fir Lounge! The Portland bar and music venue will feature a New Year’s Eve Dance Party with seven sets from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Show up before 9 p.m. for free admission. After 9 p.m., tickets will be $10 at the door. This is a 21+ event.

In addition to a DJ spinning beats all night long, you’ll enjoy a sparkling toast at midnight, festive drink specials, glamorous decor, and a NYE countdown to usher in the new year.

Doug Fir is at 830 E. Burnside St. in Portland.

Freeland Spirits

The Portland distillery is hosting a New Year’s Eve Kick-Off Party from 6 to 9 p.m. Freeland Spirits will have NYE-themed cocktails along with beer, wine and mocktails. Pizza by the slice will be provided by Pizza Thief.

The 21+ event is free to attend.

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

Ground Kontrol

The downtown Portland arcade is hosting New Year’s Eve free play. Ground Kontrol‘s 100+ games will be open to play for one admission price on December 31. The venue also has a full bar and food menu.

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 is hosting an NYE Party with live music, balloon drop, midnight toast, and festive hats and party favors. Times for the event have not been shared. The price is $20 at the door or $10 presale tickets can be purchased at the pub.

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

Kennedy School

McMenamins Kennedy School is hosting a special New Year’s Eve party. Free live music with fiery rhythm and blues artist Sonny Hess will be cranked in the gymnasium from 9 p.m. to midnight. The venue will host a sparkling wine toast and balloon drop at midnight. You can also get delicious drink and food specials throughout the night. 

Another option at Kennedy School is live music with local R&B artists Moorea Masa & the Mood with Swatkins playing the hits from every generation from 9 p.m. to midnight. This show costs $25. This is a 21+ event.

Kennedy School is at 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave. in Portland.

Nebulous Taproom

Head to Nebulous Taproom for an NYE party full for games, singing and dancing from 7 p.m. till past midnight. You can get $1 off select pints and prizes all night. There’s no cover charge.

Nebulous Taproom is at 11645 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy. in Beaverton.

O’Dear Bar

O’Dear Bar is hosting music by country and classic rock band River Divide, a champagne toast, balloon drop. The bar is also serving a special prime rib dinner. Music starts at 9 p.m. The price is $5 at the door. 

O’Dear Bar is at 10810 NE Sandy Blvd. 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 are $22 per person. Conventional skate rental is included at no additional charge. If you want to attend but not skate, tickets are only $5 per person. This event is open to all ages.

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

Olympia Provisions

Head to Olympia Provisions for a New Year’s Eve Apres Ski Retro Soiree. This retro-inspired dance party features a DJ, fake snow, and Alpine eats and drinks. Come dressed in your best or worst retro ski attire.

This 21+ event is from 6 p.m. to midnight and is free to attend. Olympia Provisions is at 3384 Southeast Division Street in Portland.

Oregon Convention Center

Looking for a sober NYE celebration full of tradition? Head to the convention center for the 34th annual Native American New Year’s Eve Sobriety Powwow from 1  p.m. to midnight on Saturday. 

This is a free, family-friendly event. The Oregon Convention Center is at 777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. 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 Taj Maluk complete with a dance floor and a balloon drop at midnight. General admission is $10 per person. This is a 21+ event.

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

Retro Game Bar

Ring in the new year at Retro Game Bar with live music from J-Rad, giveaways, cocktail and food specials, and a champagne toast at Midnight. The bar opens at 5 p.m. There is no cover charge.

Retro Game Bar is at 6720 N MLK Jr Blvd. in Portland.

River Pig Saloon

Kiss 2022 goodbye in the Pearl. From 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., River Pig Saloon is hosting NYE party with DJ and dance floor, a ball drop, and champagne toast. This is a 21+ event. Prices have not been announced.

River Pig Saloon is at 529 NW 13th Ave. in Portland.

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 will be on from dusk to dawn. Christmas music will play from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. 

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

The Highland Stillhouse

From 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., The Highland Stillhouse is hosting a New Year’s Eve party with with music, cocktails, champagne, and party hats. The New York Ball Drop will be on upstairs and live music from Thom Dudley from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. downstairs.

The Scottish pub is located at 201 S 2nd St. in Oregon City.

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 17 viewing locations along the coastline.

White Eagle Saloon 

The McMenamins location is hosting a Flashback New Year’s Eve. Experience an 80s night out with request friendly DJs who know the 80s alternative music scene. The 21+ event starts at 9 p.m.

Tickets are $15 per person. White Eagle Saloon is at 836 N. Russell St. in Portland.