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New Year's Eve

Celebrate the Cape · New Year's 2026–27

New Year's on Cape Cod

New Year's Eve is Thursday, December 31, 2026, and New Year's Day is Friday, January 1, 2027. First Night Chatham, First Light Provincetown, dinners, family countdowns and Jan 1 plunges, in all 15 towns.

twenty-eight Atlantic at Wequassett
Wild Goose Tavern
Belfry Inn & Bistro
The Pointe at Crowne Pointe
Love in Lights at Love Farms (last nights)

28 things to do and places to eat, each checked on its own website, menu or flyer. As of Nov 10: 14 confirmed for 2026, 8 we're watching for 2026 details. We re-check every week. Plans can change, so call ahead. Nobody pays to be listed. By Arthur Radtke, The Celebrate Team. Missing something or spot a change? Tell us.

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New Year's Eve, hour by hour

Thursday, December 31. Pick an early night, a big night, or both.

Thursday, Dec 31

  1. NoonTown photo at Chatham Lighthouse · First Night Chatham begins
  2. 1pmFirst Night indoor shows open · About 20 venues until 10pm (button needed)
  3. 3pmFros-Tea Dance · The Canteen, Provincetown, until 7pm
  4. 6pmDrone show · Provincetown harbor, about 15 minutes, free
  5. 6pmNoise Parade · Main Street, Chatham, free
  6. 6:30pmFirst Night fireworks · Chatham, free
  7. 6 & 8pmFortune Teller's Ball seatings · Wild Goose Tavern, Chatham
  8. 8:30pmLive music, no cover · LandShark, Hyannis
  9. 9pmWaterfront gala (21+) · Wequassett, Harwich, until 12:30am
  10. 10pmFirst Night ends · Free shuttle runs until about 10:30pm
  11. MidnightBall drop and toasts · Wild Goose, Wequassett and LandShark count down

First Night Chatham buttons

Buttons get you into the indoor shows. The town photo, Noise Parade, fireworks and most outdoor shows are free.

$30
Adult, early-bird price until Dec 14
$35
Adult, from Dec 15
$5
Ages 3–16
Free
Under 3

Buy online until Dec 29, or at headquarters, 584 Main St, after Christmas. 6,000 adult and 1,500 child buttons are made.

See button sales

Getting there and tips

First Night Chatham

  • Park free and ride the shuttle. Free buses run from Monomoy Regional Middle School, 425 Crowell Rd, to the Main Street rotary from noon to about 10:30pm.
  • Free parking lots: Monomoy Regional Middle School, the downtown town lot, the elementary school (147 Depot St), Oyster Pond, the Community Center and the Eldredge Garage.
  • Rain or shine, and alcohol-free. Wear layers: most outdoor events are by the water and it gets cold after dark.
  • Wear your button where it shows; volunteers check at each indoor venue.
  • The program lists each show's venue and time: First Night schedule.

Source: Chatham Chamber of Commerce. Checked Nov 10.

First Light Provincetown

  • Thu Dec 31 to Sun Jan 3. Many events are free; some shows and parties are ticketed.
  • Drone show: about 6pm over the harbor near MacMillan Pier, roughly 15 minutes. Get there early for a spot on the waterfront.
  • Fros-Tea Dance: 3–7pm at The Canteen, 225 Commercial St; head out back to the beach for the show over the harbor.
  • Polar Bear Plunge: Fri Jan 1, check in 11am, plunge at noon, weather permitting.
  • Getting there: Provincetown is about an hour's drive from mid-Cape in winter traffic. Plan a ride home if you're celebrating: transport options.

Source: Provincetown Business Guild and Provincetown Tourism Office. Checked Nov 10.

Getting home safely

  • Book a dinner seating early if you'll be driving; most NYE dinners have set seatings.
  • Agree on a driver or a ride before you go out. Taxis and ride apps get scarce on the Cape after midnight.
  • Check the forecast the day before: wind off the water makes outdoor shows feel much colder.

New Year's Day

  • Plunges are around noon. Bring towels, warm dry clothes and water shoes.
  • Spectators are welcome at every plunge we list, and some sell food or chili.
  • First Day hikes are free; some need registration.

Is it open on New Year's Day?

Quick answers first, then what each place has posted. Tap a question to open it.

Are grocery stores open on New Year's Day?

Yes, mostly.Supermarkets and most stores can open on New Year's Day; hours are up to each store, so check before you go.

Source: WBUR, 2025 · Boston Globe, 2025
Are liquor stores open on New Year's Day?

Yes.Liquor stores can open on New Year's Day in Massachusetts; hours are up to each store.

Source: WBUR, 2025
Is the post office, bank or town hall open?

No.Post offices, banks, town and state offices, schools and libraries are closed on New Year's Day. Most ATMs still work. For trash, check your town's transfer station hours.

Source: WBUR, 2025
Are restaurants open on New Year's Day?

Some are.4 places in this guide have posted New Year's Day brunch or dinner so far. The list below shows who has said they're open or closed.

Are movie theaters open on New Year's Day?

Yes, at each theater's choice.Check showtimes before you go.

Source: Boston Globe, 2025
Do the ferries and buses run?

Check before you travel.The Steamship Authority runs year-round, but holiday sailings can differ, so check the schedule. For CCRTA buses, call 508-775-8504 to ask about New Year's Day service.

Source: Steamship Authority · CCRTA

Restaurants and attractions

What each place has posted for New Year's Eve (Thu Dec 31) and New Year's Day (Fri Jan 1).

Captain Parker's Pub · Yarmouth
Open
Open
twenty-eight Atlantic, Wequassett · Harwich
Open · gala 21+
Open · brunch
Wild Goose Tavern · Chatham
Open · ticketed
Not posted
Belfry Inn & Bistro · Sandwich
Open · $130 menu
Not posted
The Pointe at Crowne Pointe · Provincetown
Open
Open · 5:30–9pm
LandShark Bar & Grill · Barnstable
Open · no cover
Not posted
Naukabout Brewery (regular service) · Mashpee
Not posted
Closed · plunge only
Gardens Aglow · Sandwich
Closed
Season over

Tap a name to see where it's posted. Hours change, so call ahead. Know a place that's open? Tell us.

The big celebrations

New Year's Eve dinner

Early and family-friendly

Midnight parties

New Year's Day plunges

First Day hikes

New Year's Day brunch & dinner

The long weekend

Questions people ask

What time are the First Night Chatham fireworks?

The First Night Chatham fireworks are at 6:30pm on Thursday, December 31, right after the 6pm Noise Parade. Both are free. Check the First Night program for the viewing spot.

How much is a First Night Chatham button?

An adult button is $30 at the early-bird price and $35 from December 15; ages 3–16 are $5 and under 3 is free. The town photo, parade, fireworks and most outdoor shows are free without a button. Online sales close December 29.

What can families do on New Year's Eve on Cape Cod?

First Night Chatham is alcohol-free and ends at 10pm. Provincetown's drone show is around 6pm. The Fros-Tea Dance at The Canteen runs 3–7pm.

Is there a New Year's Day plunge on Cape Cod?

Yes. Provincetown Polar Bear Plunge in Provincetown at plunge at noon, weather permitting; Friends of Yarmouth COA Polar Plunge in Yarmouth at noon; Monument Beach Polar Swim in Bourne at noon; Freeze the Day Polar Plunge in Mashpee at 11am. Spectators are welcome; entry fees go to local causes.

Are there First Day hikes on Cape Cod?

Yes. The Barnstable Land Trust and partners run free guided First Day Hikes on New Year's Day; the 2027 list isn't posted yet. Some hikes need registration.

How do you choose what goes in this guide?

Every listing is checked on its own website, menu, flyer or booking page, and we re-check them every week. Nobody pays to be listed. Places that ran last year but haven't posted 2026 details are shown in grey until they do.

How we check

Every listing comes from the business's or organizer's own website, menu, flyer or booking page, and we re-check them every week until New Year's. If a page still shows last year's details, we say so and wait for 2026. Nobody pays to be listed, and we don't take ads.

Arthur Radtke

Arthur Radtke, The Celebrate Team, eXp Realty. Arthur publishes Celebrate Lower Cape and Celebrate Mid Cape, free weekly guides to what's on around the Cape.

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