Whether you’re looking for an early celebration or late-night fun, a party for the whole family or an adult-themed get-together, here is everything you need to know about celebrating 2017 New Year’s Eve in Wichita.
Adults only
One of the hottest tickets in town this year is the New Year’s Eve party being hosted at Mark Arts, before the new 40,000-square-foot prairie-style arts center officially opens to the public on Jan. 6. Dance your way into 2018 to music by No Limits. Be inspired by Mark Arts’ inaugural exhibition featuring artists with Kansas connections. The event has three ticket options: Event Host at $1,000 for two, Party Reveler at $250 per person and Night Owl for $150 per person. The top two ticket tiers sold out early, a few Night Owl tickets remain and include entrance from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., late-night fare, beer, wine and midnight countdown and toast. Attire is creative couture.
Hyatt Regency Wichita Hot Havana Night
It will be a hot night in Old Havana this New Year’s Eve at the Hyatt Regency Wichita. Hosts from 103.7 KEYN radio are bringing Annie Up, a high-energy cover band that will play until 1 a.m. There will also be an outdoor heated cigar lounge featuring hand rolled cigars available to purchase and enjoy. Dress for the evening is dressy casual, but a bit of tropical wear is always welcome!
A one-night stay package for two is $279 and includes dinner buffet, party, breakfast buffet, parking and late checkout. Tickets are available for dinner and dance only ($75). All packages include a toast at midnight and there will be a cash bar available.
Back to the ’80s! New Year's Eve at the Wichita Marriott
Ring in the New Year with a flashback to the ’80s at the Wichita Marriott. The celebration features high-energy party band The Source as well as ’80s-themed contests, party favors and specialty drinks. B98 Radio personalities will host the evening. A one-night stay package ranges from $195 for singles to $289 per couple and includes hors d’oeuvres, dinner buffet, party, breakfast buffet, parking and late checkout. Contact the hotel for ticket pricing for dinner and party only. All tickets include a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight, and there will be a cash bar available.
NYE 2017 with comedian Alex Ortiz
Wichita’s comedy club, The Loony Bin, is hosting two shows open to ages 21 & older on New Year’s Eve. Come out early and enjoy the 7:30 p.m. show for $15 per person or plan on the late show at 10 p.m. for $25 per person. The late show includes party favors, a champagne toast at midnight and a party until closing time! One of the hottest and most sought after comedians touring today, Alex Ortiz has both headlined and featured at The Apollo, Funny Bones and The Improvs. He has rocked the stage as opener for Bernie Mac, Damon Wayans, Eddie Griffin, D.L. Hughley and Bobcat Goldthwaite. Ortiz has been on Comedy Central's "Premium Blend," the Latino Laugh Festival with Pablo Francisco and Puff Daddy's "Bad Boyz of Comedy" on Showtime.
Mort's Martini & Cigar Bar invites you ring in the new year with live music, bubbly cocktail specials and cigars on their heated patio. The four-piece alternative rock band Sunshine the Bunny will play original songs and covers from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Mort’s will provide the party favors.
A night at the Dockum Speakeasy
The Dockum Speakeasy in the basement of the Ambassador Hotel Wichita is ushering in the new year with specials from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. There is no admission cost, though reservations are encouraged. Once inside the speakeasy, you can purchase featured champagne cocktails or order from the full drink menu. The Molly Neeley Trio will play from 9-midnight. Party favors will be provided for all guests and there will be a complimentary champagne toast offered at midnight.
Join Mosley Street Melodrama for a one-night New Year’s Eve performance: Rockin' & Ringin' in 2018. The cast will perform their favorite songs and skits from the 2017 season, along with hilarious surprises! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a buffet provided by Pig In Pig Out Barbecue. Show begins at 8 p.m. $50 per person or $380 for a table of eight.
Five-course tasting at Siena Tuscan Steakhouse
The Siena Tuscan Steakhouse inside downtown’s Ambassador Hotel Wichita will celebrate New Year’s Eve with a five-course tasting prepared by Executive Chef Josh Rathbun and his culinary staff. The duo of Roberto Bernardinello and Denny Jiosa will provide live music from 6-9 p.m. Reservations are encouraged; seating times are available on the hour beginning at 5 p.m. through the last seating at 10 p.m. The cost is $75 per person or $125 per person with wine pairing.
All ages
Join Botanica for its New Year’s Celebration and last night of Illuminations. Dec. 31 the fireworks will go off at 8 p.m. The Bar’s Open will be serving adult beverages.
This is a great event for families to come enjoy. General admission applies.
’80s Rock Night NYE featuring Paramount and The Astronauts
The Cotillion is hosting an all-ages ’80s-themed rock concert featuring two bands on New Year’s Eve. The Astronauts is a high-energy dance band with a song list full of some of the best songs of the 1980s and a few newer hits as well. They will get you dancing early and keep you moving all night. The music and spirit of the ’80s is captured on stage by the band Paramount, with amazing sound and light production. Named after the Paramount Bar in Salina, Kansas, the band recreates the soundtrack of a decade with all the rock hits from Journey, Motley Crue, Poison, Joan Jett, Prince and more. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
New Year's Eve at the Prairie Rose
Prairie Rose's special New Year's Eve chuckwagon starts with horse-drawn wagon rides and classic cowboy movies from 5 to 6:15 p.m. The all-you-can-eat chuckwagon supper is at 6:30, then be ready to get up and dance to the music of Rusty Rierson & the Forever Young Band! The celebration will wrap up around 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person and reservations are required by calling 316-778-2121.
This race is a rare opportunity to RUN into 2018, literally! Each participant will receive a commemorative hat, race shirt and finishers medal. The race starts at 11:45 p.m. on Dec. 31 at the Wichita Boathouse and ends with sparkling cider and cookies. Registration is $30-$50.
New Year's Eve Party at The Alley
If you've been searching for a place to celebrate the New Year with your family, The Alley is putting on the perfect family-friendly New Year's Eve party…twice! They have two sessions: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The early option is $110 per lane and the late option is $130 per lane – both allow up to six people per lane. The package includes unlimited bowling (shoe rental included), go karts, laser maze and arcade play during the session, as well as pizza and a pitcher of soda with unlimited refills.
Escapology New Year's Eve Party
Escapology, the real life escape game inside The Alley, is throwing a party from 9 p.m. to midnight. You’ll enjoy a New Year’s Eve quest with your friends or family with one of three themed adventures: Secret Agent (includes Cuban Crisis & Antidote games), Save the World (includes Antidote & Code games) or Mission Impossible (includes Under Pressure & Budapest Express games). The cost is $250 per group and can include up to six people. Space for the entire party is limited to 36 people. The cost includes soft drinks and appetizers before and after your escape rooms, party favors and prize drawings throughout the night.
Get locked in a room with friends or family on New Year’s Eve at Wichita Room Escape! Use your creativity for an hour of fun, teamwork and excitement as you escape one of the three rooms available. Plan to be there for about an hour and 20 minutes, including the briefing and debrief. They are offering discounted bookings of $17 per person for Dec. 31 and time slots are available between 1 and 7:40 p.m. The $17 price is also available on Monday, Jan. 1 with time slots from 11:40 a.m. to 8:20 p.m. You can book as early as 30 days before your game or as late as the day you want to play; walk-ins are allowed but there is no guarantee of availability. Two of their three rooms hold up to eight people while the other has a max of six. You can choose a private booking or join in a group.
New Year’s Day
Start your 2018 with a running tour of Wichita’s historic downtown area and Riverside Park. The half starts at 9 a.m. and the 5K starts at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 1 at the Wichita Boathouse. Each participant will receive race monogrammed touch screen gloves, shirt and finishers medal. Coffee, hot chocolate and donuts served post-race. Registration is $30-$70.