As 2023 draws to a close, there are plenty of music events planned throughout the Twin Cities to ring in the coming new year. Here is a roundup of 15 of the biggest New Year’s Eve music events going on in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. And be sure to check out The Current’s Gig List for additional NYE events in the area and updated concert listings for the rest of the year and into 2024.

New Year’s Eve at Brit’s Pub

Good vibes, great music, and cold drinks will all be flowing at Brit’s this New Year’s Eve. The party gets started at 6 p.m. as they ring in the U.K. New Year with the evocative sounds of local bagpiper James Sherman, with complimentary glasses of champagne for everyone in attendance. Then at 8:30 p.m., the party – which features drink specials available all evening – moves to Brit’s third floor Clubhouse Lounge where the brilliant Beatles cover band A Hard Day's Night will rock and roll the night away.

Party starts at 6 p.m., no cover charge 

New Year’s Eve with Davina and The Vagabonds at Dakota

The soul-pop singer and her merry band of Vagabonds returns to the Dakota for their annual New Year’s Eve musical festivities. There’s a dinner show, a cocktail show complete with a champagne toast at midnight, and a livestream available for the late show. And if you are still in a celebratory mood, Davina and her band will play a New Year’s Day show at 7 p.m. to start 2024 off swinging right and proper.

6 p.m. dinner show $160; 10:30 p.m. cocktail show $100; 10:30 p.m. livestream $15

UnderCurrentMPLS New Year’s Eve Party at Memory Lanes

The fine folks at UnderCurrentMPLS are throwing a raucous New Year’s Eve party at Memory Lanes featuring a stellar lineup of new bands on two stages. So if you’ve been hearing the local buzz surrounding Covergirl Hot 100, Visual Learner, Slither, Popstar, Hot Bagels, Mold Wine, Alonzo, Deletist, the Chumship, Spit Takes, and Jumbos, now is your chance to see them.

Doors at 7 p.m. $10 cover

Motion City Soundtrack with Gully Boys at Uptown Theater

This show celebrates the 20th anniversary of Motion City Soundtrack’s rousing debut album, I Am The Movie. And it is also a generous tip of the cap by MCS to include members of the next generation of local pop-punk Gully Boys. It all adds up to a potent all-local double bill.

 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. showtime; $64+

New Year’s Eve Party with Solid Gold at Icehouse

The Minneapolis psychedelic electro-rock band Solid Gold recently returned with their first new song in six years, the simmering, synth-drenched “Towns,” and are working on a highly-anticipated new album that will be released sometime in 2024. For this NYE show, Solid Gold will be joined by David Huckfelt, Jeremy Ylvisaker, and JT Bates for a wonderful evening of top shelf music and stylish reverie.

5 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. showtime; $40

Pryes New Year’s Eve

Pryes Brewing Company on West River Road in Minneapolis is hosting a night of funky grooves led by Denver’s SunSquabi. Bands filling out the lineup include Saxsquatch, Evanoff, and the Histronic. A VIP option for the 21-plus event features open bar, VIP area, and swag bag.

 6 p.m.; Tickets $29.50-$199

Cornbread Harris & Friends NYE Party at Palmer’s Bar

Typically, local legend Cornbread Harris hosts his Church of Cornbread at Palmer’s Bar every Sunday. But since it’s New Year’s Eve, Harris is doing it up big. The beloved 96-year-old piano-playing blues and jazz man will be joined by the country and rockabilly sounds of Boots and Needles (featuring Lauren Asheim and Dallas Cornell), and the Jazz Outlaws, composed of local scene veterans Tony Watercott on bass, Ram Zimmerman on drums, Mike Haselman on guitar, and Bob DeBoer on trumpet.

Doors at 8 p.m., music starts at 8:30 p.m.; free

Lucid Nights at Armory

Longtime local event promoters SIMshows have put together a dynamic two-night electronic music festival at Armory. Night two is headlined by celebrated German DJ/producer, Zedd. Rounding out the packed electro-driven lineup is Surf Mesa, Lucky the Unfortunate, Tee So, and Scarlett.

8 p.m. doors and showtime; tickets $87.50+

A New Year’s Celebration with Minnesota Orchestra at Orchestra Hall

Music director Thomas Søndergård has put together an uplifting evening of classical music to welcome the new year. The program features selections from Sergei Prokofiev’s Winter Bonfire, Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Paganini Rhapsody, and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, all guided along by the glorious piano work of Sir Stephen Hough. Following the performance, stick around for the vintage jazz stylings of Belle Amour and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

8:30 p.m. showtime; tickets $60-$160

A Totally Rad New Year’s Eve at First Avenue

Transmission/The Current DJ Jake Rudh throws his annual New Year’s Eve party in the First Ave Mainroom. This year, his song and music video selections will be drawn from the celebrated eras of the ’80s and ’90s. And if you want your dance party solely focused on the jams of the ’90s, cross over to the Entry where the You Oughta Know crew is throwing their own New Year’s Eve party, Kiss Me: A 90s New Year’s Eve. 

9 p.m. doors/showtime; $15 advance, $20 door

Dude Year’$ Eve at Turf Club

At this The Big Lebowski-themed Dude Year’$ Eve show, expect robes and costumes at the Turf, with music provided by a stellar cast of mostly local musicians dubbed Lebowski’s All-Star Achievers. The sprawling band features Big Wu’s Mark Joseph, Frogleg’s Demitri Rallis, Kung Fu Hippies’ Mark Collins, Family Groove Company’s Janis Wallin, and many more, with a support set provided by East Bay Funk. There will be a Lebowski character costume contest with prizes, White Russian drink specials, and even a Reseda Dude burger special.  

Doors at 8 p.m., music at 9 p.m.; $20 advance, $25 at the door

Gothess New Year’s Eve Leather & Velvet Ball at Fine Line

Promoted as a “NYE for all the goths, gays, and theys,” this inclusive event will feature a headlining set from Madeline Goldstein, former front person of Portland synth-pop group Fringe Class. The rest of the stacked lineup features music from DJ Q, DIE/ASPORA, and Dazzle, as well as a leather and velvet runway fashion show.

Doors and showtime at 9 p.m.; advance tickets $20, $25 at the door

Meet Me at Midnight: A Taylor Swift New Year’s Eve at Amsterdam

If you didn’t get quite enough Taylor Swift in 2023, come on out to Amsterdam Bar & Hall for this Tay-themed dance party put on by Flip Phone. Swift-focused music will be provided by DJ Queen Onya, and there will be friendship bracelet making stations, pop-up drag acts, and plenty of sparkly outfits.

Doors and showtime at 9 p.m.; Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door

A Very Assortment NYE Dance Party at Mortimer’s

The Assortment is a safe and inclusive dance party for people of all walks of life. DJ Michael Todd Grey will lead the festivities, fluidly blending music of diverse genres and multiple eras throughout the night, with hip-hop, R&B, EDM, pop, new wave, and disco. There will be a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.  

Doors at 10 p.m.; $10 cover at the door, first come, first served

New Year’s Eve at White Squirrel featuring 120 Minutes

For music fans of a certain age, MTV’s 120 Minutes was THE television show that introduced you to hot new bands and breakout artists in the late-’80s and throughout the ’90s in the wee hours of Sunday nights. A group of talented local musicians have taken the show’s name and spirit and perform anthems featured on the program by Sonic Youth, Helmet, Bjork, Hum, and R.E.M. 120 Minutes are set to play a spirited two-hour set (naturally) at White Squirrel in St. Paul.

Show time at 10 p.m., free