Spend your New Year’s Eve at one of these can’t-miss gay parties
Don't have New Year's Eve plans yet? You'd better fix that quick.
Mark
There’s no party quite like New Queer’s Year’s Eve.
Between the bubbling champagne, palpable optimism, and late-night hours, we’d argue that the last party of the year is often the best one — especially if it’s thrown by the gays.
That said, December is nearly over, so if you don’t have plans, you’d better fix that quickly!
After all, you wouldn’t want to end up at home watching the ball drop by yourself — or worse, stuck at a straight party.
Pack your bags, we’re going on an adventure
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Luckily, we’ve compiled your can’t-miss guide to some of the most iconic LGBTQ+ New Year’s Eve celebrations across the globe.
When: December 31, 2025
Where: Kit Kat Club, Chicago, IL
Ring in 2026 like it’s the Roaring Twenties with this Great Gatsby-themed celebration.
Watch the cabaret stylings of Shantell D’Marco and Kinley Preston at two seated pre-fixe dinner showings or arrive at 10 p.m. and celebrate midnight at their DJ dance party. Sounds like a green light to us!
When: December 31, 2025
Where: House of YES, Brooklyn, NY
Brooklyn’s premier queer avant-garde playground celebrates its 10th New Year’s Eve with a night of jaw-dropping performances, activations, and music by Andi, Bridge, G I N A, and Sissies of Mercy.
The dress code is wearable sculptures, geometric glamor, and color-blocked couture. (Think black and white and pops of color.) Just be prepared to put your phone away on the dance floor.
When: December 31, 2025
Where: Bourbon Street Pub, Key West, FL
Forget the ball drop, this annual Key West celebration puts a queer twist on the tradition by “dropping” a giant ruby-red high-heeled shoe from the second floor of Bourbon Street Pub, with a queen riding inside.
Now, ain’t New Year’s a drag?!
Juanita MORE! x Mighty Real NYE 2026
Glittering celebration in SF
When: December 31, 2025
Where: Phoenix Hotel, San Francisco, CA
San Francisco‘s beloved rock n’ roll motor lodge celebrates one final New Year’s Eve before its closure, hosted by legendary local queen, Juanita MORE!
The lineup includes house beats by the likes of David Harness, Subeaux, Bugie, Poundcake, and a live performance by Ehra Amaya.
When: January 1, 2026
Where: 74th Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
If New Year’s Eve parties aren’t your thing, maybe New Year’s Day parties are. This Brooklyn event kicks off at 2 p.m. on January 1 on the roof, surrounded by scenic views of the New York City skyline, before transitioning downstairs for dancing into the late night.
If you can’t beat your NYE hangover, why not join it?
Recon London — 10 January 2026
Recon gives January a purpose
When: January 10, 2026
Where: E1, London, England
Recon’s New Year’s party is so naughty, they’re waiting until we’re 10 whole days into 2026 to throw it.
It all goes down at E1, a former industrial factory turned club spot in London, where guests can expect dancing, dark rooms, a second-hand gear shop, and as much fun as they’d like.
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