Are you hosting the annual bash this year and searching for fun New Year’s Eve party games that everyone will love? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Keep reading – we’ve got you covered with great games to ring in the New Year right.
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This year, I’m planning to throw a New Year’s Eve party with my closest friends and family, and I’ve put together a list of games to make the night unforgettable.
There’s nothing quite like bringing everyone together for some friendly competition, laughter, and a bit of silly fun – it’s truly the perfect time for it!
With champagne flutes in hand and New Year’s Eve party hats on, playing games is a great way to bring out smiles and keep everyone entertained right until the ball drops.
Whether it’s a classic board game, an easy matching game, or a round of Family Feud, there are plenty of options for guests of all ages to win at some party games.
Plus, for a fun way to add some competition, your guests can earn New Year’s Bucks throughout the evening by participating in and winning various games.
At the end of the night, everyone will gather for a lively awards ceremony, where they can use their New Year’s Bucks to bid on a variety of prizes in an auction-style event.
So, if you’re looking for the best way to keep the party buzzing, keep reading to find fun NYE games that all your party guests will love.
1. Playing Minute to Win It is a Great Idea
Perfect for high-energy and fun games, New Year’s Eve Minute to Win it is made up of quick, one-minute challenges that vary in difficulty.
From stacking plastic cups into a tower to balancing ping-pong balls on spoons, each task demands focus and speed.
Set a timer for each challenge, and have each player or team complete as many as possible in a minute.
Award points and the person or team with the highest total at the end of the night wins some fun money New Years Bucks.
2. Set Up New Year’s Olympics for a Fun Game Idea
Set up different stations throughout your party space with activities like cotton ball races, balloon-popping relays, and small obstacle courses.
Each team takes turns completing these challenges, and the first team or individual to finish each task earns some funny money.
To add variety, include both silly and skill-based games, so every team member has a chance to contribute.
Crown the winning team as the New Year’s Eve Olympic champions with some New Year’s Bucks!
3. Hand Out New Year’s Eve Party Game Quizzes
Grab printable trivia questions based on events, pop culture, and memorable moments from the past year.
Divide guests into teams, and hand each team a sheet with the questions.
The team with the most correct answers is declared the trivia champs with some New Year’s bucks.
You could even add bonus points for questions that stump most teams.
It’s a fun way to test everyone’s memory and see who’s been paying attention to the year’s highlights.
4. Play the Resolution Game
This game challenges players to guess each other’s New Year’s resolutions.
Write down everyone’s resolutions on slips of paper, fold them, and put them in a bowl.
The host pulls each resolution out of a large bowl, reading it out loud, and the rest of the group tries to guess who it belongs to.
Each correct guess earns a point, and the person with the most points at the end of the game wins.
It’s a fun way for close friends to learn about each other’s goals and spark some interesting conversations.
5. New Year’s Charades are Hilarious Games
Use New Year’s-themed prompts such as “watching the ball drop,” “toasting with champagne flutes,” or “singing Auld Lang Syne” to play New Year’s Eve Charades.
Divide players into two teams, with each team taking turns acting out the prompts for their teammates to guess.
It’s a silly game that keeps everyone involved and laughing as they try to interpret the sometimes strange, symbolic New Year’s clues.
6. Host a Round of New Year’s Eve Jeopardy
Grab a printable New Year’s Eve Jeopardy game board with categories like “Top Songs,” “Celebrity Moments,” “Sports Highlights,” or “Big News”.
Each team chooses questions of varying difficulty for different point values, just like in the classic game.
Keep track of scores, and by the end of the game, the team with the highest points wins.
This is a perfect game for large groups and trivia lovers alike.
7. Play Some New Year’s Bingo
Grab some inexpensive printable New Year’s Eve Bingo Cards with New Year’s-related words or icons like “confetti,” “champagne,” “ball drop,” and “party hat.”
Each time one of the words or items is mentioned or appears on screen, players mark it off on their cards.
The first player to get five in a row wins a small prize, making it a simple but entertaining game for everyone to enjoy.
8. Hand Out a New Year’s Word Search for Fun Activity Ideas at the Party
Find a cheap printable New Year’s word search with festive terms like “celebration,” “countdown,” and “sparkle.”
Hand out copies to guests, and see who can find all the words the fastest.
The first player to complete their word search wins.
It’s a great way to entertain guests between more active games, and it works well for all ages.
9. Everyone Will Love Playing New Year’s Two Resolutions and a Lie
Much like two truths and a lie, you can have each player writes down two real resolutions and one made-up one on a piece of paper.
Other players take turns guessing which resolution is the lie.
For every correct guess, the guesser earns a point.
The person with the most points at the end of the game wins, creating plenty of laughter and revealing surprising facts about everyone’s resolutions.
10. Host a New Year’ Eve Themed Escape Room Party Game
Grab a printable New Year’s Eve Escape Room at home with puzzles and clues hidden throughout a designated space.
The object of the game is for your guests to work in teams to solve the clues before the time limit expires, creating a high-stakes, engaging experience.
11. Get Everyone Involved in a Fun Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Grab a printable New Year’s Scavenger Hunt for a fun party idea.
Divide guests into teams, and give each team a printable Scavenger Hunt list.
The first team to find all the items on the list wins.
For added challenge, set a time limit and throw in a few tricky or hard-to-find items to keep everyone on their toes.
12. Play the Emoji Game on New Year’s
This game uses only emojis to describe New Year’s-themed phrases or events, like “ringing in the new year” or “making a resolution.”
Players have to guess the correct phrase based on the emojis shown.
Award points for each correct answer, and keep the guesses coming for some lighthearted competition.
13. Create a Ball Drop Challenge for a Fun Party Activity
As the countdown to midnight begins, incorporate mini-challenges and predictions for added fun.
Give each guest a piece of paper to write predictions about the upcoming year or personal goals.
When the ball drops, everyone cheers and shares their goals for the year, making it an uplifting way to ring in the New Year.
14. Host a Cool Snowball Toss Game
Line up a few buckets or large bowls, each worth different points, and give players a handful of fake snowballs to toss.
The farther the bucket, the higher the points.
Each player gets three throws, and the player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
15. Set Up Classic Card Games
Whether it’s a classic card game like Go Fish, Uno, or Poker, these games are a great way for guests to enjoy a relaxed break between more active games.
Card games work well for groups of all sizes, and adding a “winner’s table” can create a competitive atmosphere for guests who want to test their skills.
16. Sing In the New Year with Karaoke
Set up a karaoke machine, pick New Year’s classics and the best hits of the year, and let everyone take turns singing.
For added fun, hold a karaoke contest and let guests vote on the best singer of the night.
Give the winner some New Year’s Bucks for the end of the night auction.
17. Play Mad Libs for Fun New Year’s Eve Party Games
Print out New Year’s Mad Libs that allow guests to fill in blanks for funny stories.
At the end of the night, read them aloud for some laughs – vote on the silliest to award points.
18. Hand Out Some New Year’s Eve Themed Coloring Pages
Provide New Year’s-themed coloring pages, crayons, and markers, allowing guests to unwind and add a personal touch to their pages.
Vote on the best picture and lucky colors award New Year’s Bucks to the winner.
This activity is great for kids or anyone who enjoys a creative, relaxing activity at a busy party.
19. Play Name That Tune for a Party Game
Play Name That Tune short snippets of popular songs from the year and have guests guess the name of the song.
Keep score, and the player with the most correct guesses wins.
This party game creates a lively atmosphere and lets guests show off their musical knowledge.
20. Play Holiday Pictionary
Play New Year’s Pictionary and set up a whiteboard or large pad of paper.
Players take turns drawing phrases like “fireworks” or “Times Square.”
Their teammates try to guess the phrase, and the team with the most correct guesses wins.
21. Champagne Races are Fun Games for a Number of People
Fill plastic champagne flutes and have guests line up at a starting line.
They must carry their “champagne” without spilling, racing to the finish line.
The first player to cross without spilling their drink wins, creating a fun, challenging activity.
22. I Spy New Year’s Edition
Grab a printable I Spy New Years game for a fun and easy party activity.
The first person to spot all the items on their list wins, making it an entertaining way to keep everyone engaged in the night’s decor.
23. Would You Rather: New Year’s Eve Party Game
Print out a New Year’s Would You Rather game for a fun idea.
This game helps get guests talking and sparks interesting discussions.
24. Play the Cotton Ball Race for a Great Game
Each player gets a straw and cotton balls.
Players must blow their cotton ball across a table or finish line.
The first player to reach the end wins.
25. Set Up a Classic Game of Beer Pong
Beer pong is a classic adult party game that always brings plenty of laughs and friendly competition to any New Year’s Eve celebration.
Set up a long table with a fun glow in the dark beer pong set arranged in a triangle shape on each side, and fill each cup with your beverage of choice – whether it’s beer, soda, or something festive like a New Year’s punch.
Players take turns trying to throw ping-pong balls into their opponent’s cups, and when a ball lands in a cup, the other team drinks from it and removes the cup from the table.
It’s a fun, fast-paced game that encourages playful rivalry and teamwork.
You can add a New Year’s twist by incorporating fun rules, like making players share their New Year’s resolutions between rounds.
Perfect for larger groups, beer pong guarantees a good time and a lot of laughs before the ball drops.
26. Create a Time Capsule for the New Year
Provide slips of paper and pens so each guest can write down a memorable moment from the past year or a wish for the upcoming year.
Place the notes in a time capsule to be opened at next year’s party.
It’s a meaningful activity that brings friends and family closer together and serves as a lovely New Year’s tradition.
27. Play Adults Only Shot Roulette Drinking Game
This Shot Roulette Drinking Game brings casino-style excitement right to your living room, making it the ultimate addition to any adult New Year’s Eve party.
This 16-piece set includes a roulette wheel with numbered shot glasses in red and black, plus two metal balls, transforming a casual evening into a high-stakes, laugh-filled event.
At 11.5 inches in diameter, it’s compact yet packed with fun, perfectly sized to deliver a Vegas feel without the gamble.
Designed for groups of 2-8 players, this game is a guilt-free way to enjoy the thrill of roulette, providing a fantastic way to keep guests entertained all night long.
Not only is it a game of sipping, but it’s also about spinning tales and making unforgettable memories that’ll be talked about long after the night ends!
28. Create a Vision Board for the New Year
Set up an area with magazines, markers, glue, and scissors, so guests can create vision boards to capture their goals and dreams for the upcoming year.
It’s a great activity that also allows guests to reflect on their resolutions and ambitions.
By the end of the night, everyone will have a personal board to bring home as a reminder of their New Year’s goals.
29. Play a Simple Game of Pass the New Year’s Eve Party Hat
Sit in a circle and pass around a New Year’s hat while playing music.
When the music stops, the person holding the hat must share a fun New Year’s memory or a resolution for the upcoming year.
This game creates a sentimental and enjoyable time for all, as friends share special memories and future goals.
30. Play a Murder Mystery Game
A murder mystery game is a thrilling addition to any New Year’s Eve party, inviting guests to step into a world of intrigue, secrets, and suspense.
Each player is assigned a character role, complete with backstory and clues, as the group works together (or perhaps against each other!) to uncover the “killer” among them.
Guests can dress in costume to fully embrace the theme, whether it’s a glamorous 1920s affair, a classic detective scene, or even a haunted mansion.
Throughout the night, everyone must interact, gather clues, and piece together alibis as they delve deeper into the mystery, making it a fantastic way to keep the party lively and engaging.
It’s a perfect game for groups of all sizes, keeping everyone on their toes and creating endless opportunities for laughter, surprises, and “A-ha!” moments.
The best part?
By the end of the night, everyone has had a blast stepping out of reality and into a thrilling story, making it a New Year’s Eve party to remember!
31. Get Ready for the New Year with a Balloon Drop Activity
Set up a homemade balloon drop by filling a net with balloons over the main party area.
Right before midnight, release the balloons for a colorful, exciting moment that everyone will remember.
You can even put small slips of paper with New Year’s fortunes inside some of the balloons for guests to pop and reveal.
32. Host a New Year’s Eve Best Outfit Contest
Encourage guests to come dressed in their best or most creative New Year’s Eve outfits.
At some point during the party, hold a mini “fashion show” and let everyone vote on the best-dressed guest.
The winner gets some New Year’s Bucks, and it adds an element of style and fun to the night as everyone shows off their outfits.
33. Create a New Years Eve Photo Booth
Set up a photo booth with festive New Year’s props like party hats, “Happy New Year” banners, silly glasses, feather boas, and even photo frames.
Add some fun signs with phrases like “New Year, New Me,” “Kiss at Midnight,” and “Cheers to a New Year.”
Give guests a variety of props in different colors and patterns to make their photos memorable.
Be sure to grab a selfie stick and printable paper to send your guests home with a part memento.
You can hang the photos and have guests vote for their favorites to award some New Year’s Bucks.
34. Stay Classic with Party Board Games
A classic way to keep guests entertained, board games or some casino games.
Bring a nostalgic yet engaging vibe to any New Year’s Eve party.
Set up a dedicated board game area with a selection of popular games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Poker, and The Game of Life, or choose party favorites like Pictionary or Blackjack
This activity is perfect for larger groups, allowing guests to chat and laugh as they play, making it a wonderful way for everyone to connect and have a good time until the countdown begins.
35. Play Name That Famous Person
For a game that’s easy to set up and sure to get plenty of laughs, “Name That Famous Person” is a perfect choice.
Write the name of a famous person on a slip of paper and tape it to each guest’s back, without letting them see it.
Throughout the night, guests ask each other “yes” or “no” questions to try and figure out the name on their back.
With everything from historical icons to modern-day celebrities as options, this game keeps the whole group guessing and provides plenty of fun things to chat about.
The first player to guess their person gets New Year’s Bucks and you can even add a New Year’s theme by choosing famous faces from the year’s biggest news or entertainment highlights.
36. Guess the Pieces of Candy in a Jar
Create a simple game by filling a clear jar with colorful candy, like M&Ms or jelly beans, and challenge guests to guess the exact number of pieces inside.
Place the jar at the entryway or on a central table, and provide each guest with a slip of paper to write down their guess as they arrive.
At the end of the night, the host announces the winning guess, and the closest player gets to take the entire jar home plus wins some New Year’s Bucks.
37. Play a New Year’s Memory Game
Grab in inexpensive printable New Year’s Memory Game and print out images or write down names of the most memorable moments from the past year on pieces of paper and mix them up.
Spread the images or notes face down, and have players take turns flipping two at a time to match pairs.
The player with the most pairs at the end of the game wins, making it a fun way to recall the highlights of the year.
38. Enjoy a Balloon Pop Countdown
Write different activities, challenges, or dares on small slips of paper, and place each in a balloon.
Inflate the balloons and write the time (like 8:00, 9:00, etc.) on each one.
Pop a balloon each hour leading up to midnight, and complete the challenge for some lighthearted fun that adds excitement through the entire party.
39. New Year’s Eve Awards Ceremony and Auction
Hosting an awards ceremony with a fun twist is a fantastic way to close out the night and create lasting memories.
As we’ve mentioned, throughout the evening, guests earn New Year’s Bucks by participating in and winning various party games.
At the end of the night, gather everyone for a lively awards ceremony where guests can use their fake money to bid on prizes in an auction.
From small, quirky prizes like novelty champagne flutes and New Year’s hats to more desirable items like gift cards or bottles of wine, provide something fun for everyone to bid on.
This entertaining wrap-up encourages friendly competition and adds an extra layer of excitement as the countdown approaches.
It’s the perfect game for large groups, ensuring that every guest leaves with a prize and a smile.
Final thoughts
As you can tell, I’m all about making New Year’s Eve memorable with plenty of fun games to keep the party rolling all night long.
This year, I’m planning to bring out the competitive spirit with some of my favorite games and activities, from board games to trivia challenges and a good old-fashioned photo booth.
I can’t wait to celebrate the end of the year and ring in the new one with my closest friends and family, creating new memories.
Whether you’re making resolutions, sharing highlights of the year, or just having a great time, I hope everyone has an amazing New Year full of fun, joy, and, of course, lots of laughter.
Here’s to a fantastic year ahead – let the games begin!
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Your turn
Are you hosting a holiday bash this year? Which of these New Year’s Eve party games and activities will you add to your event? Let me know in the comments.
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These New Year’s Eve party games are such a fun way to ring in the new year! I can’t wait to try out the “Two Resolutions and a Lie” game with my friends!
What fun New Year’s Eve party games! My family would love playing Jeopardy and the grandkids would get a big kick out of a balloon drop. Thanks for sharing these fun game ideas!
Some fun ideas! Will save and see what the gang wants to do this new year’s!
some great ideas. good read
I love the idea of a photobooth, honestly. it’s amazing. All these suggestions are great too. Thank you!
These are fantastic ideas. And can be tweaked a bit and used for other parties or gatherings. Awesome post.
These are awesome New Year’s Eve party games and activities. I love the idea of a time capsule! Thanks for this fun resource.
Thank you for sharing 39 New Year’s Eve party game ideas. I especially like the two resolutions and a lie adaptation. You always share such fun ideas!
Awesome new year’s eve game ideas in my opinion. Minute to win it sounds super interesting!