Guide to New Year's Eve 2022 in Buffalo: Fireworks, Ball Drop, and More

Family-Friendly Activities With First Night

Whether you're looking for fun New Year's plans for your kids or just something to tire them out before you head off to your own event, First Night is a family-friendly party on December 31 filled with activities geared toward children. The event starts and ends early, and is conveniently located one block away from the Electric Tower Ball Drop.

Toddlers and the youngest party-goers can play in the Tiny Tyke Zone and meet characters from popular children's books, like Cat in the Hat, Rainbow Fish, and Peppa Pig. Kids a bit older will go wild for engaging activities like laser tag and roller skating. All ages (adults included!) can enjoy the many performances happening throughout the evening, including acrobats, trampolinists, magicians, and comedians. In order for kids to make it home in time for bed—and parents to their next party—the big countdown happens at 9:45 p.m., as balloons fall from the sky and confetti shoots across the air.

Rusty Nickel Brewing Company New Year's Eve Party

The 2022 New Year's Eve party at Rusty Nickel Brewing Company is at their West Seneca location, which has outdoor seating under a covered patio with plenty of space heaters (although you'll still want to put on your winter gear). You can expect good food, lively music, and, of course, lots of beer to ring in the new year. Guests are seated at tables of four to keep the necessary distance from other revelers, and you must stay at your table throughout the night. While the party ends at 10 p.m., Rusty Nickel is still throwing a keg drop to commemorate the new year—even if it isn't really midnight.

Electric Tower Ball Drop

Billed as the county's second-largest ball drop event, the New Year's Eve celebration in downtown Buffalo may not have the same fanfare as New York City's, but with 40,000 spectators it's still a worthwhile event. The iconic Electric Tower in the center of Buffalo hosts the ceremonious ball, and the historic Beaux-Arts facade makes for a dramatic backdrop.

Festivities begin in Roosevelt Plaza, right in front of the Electric Tower building. Local artists perform on the main stage in the hours leading up to midnight, helping spectators to fight off the cold by moving around and dancing. Once the ball drops and the new year arrives, a spectacular fireworks display ignites over the city that rivals the show put on in Times Square.

Statler City Ice Ball

For a night of elegant celebrations with dinner, dancing, and formal attire, the Ice Ball at Statler City is just up your alley. This venue was originally a hotel built in the 1920s, and the interior still maintains a distinct Art Deco style. The ambiance gives the impression that Jay Gatsby could walk into the party at any moment.

Your ticket gives you a seat in one of the three luxurious ballrooms, some a little more expensive than others based on the size or amenities (for example, only those seated in the Golden Ballroom can order drinks from their table). But all guests are treated to a full buffet dinner including assorted antipasti, shrimp cocktail, and a carving station with herb-crusted strip loin. Best of all, the open bar serves premium cocktails.

Go back and forth between rooms to listen to a live band or a DJ spinning the latest hits. At midnight, everyone comes together for a final countdown and champagne toast to welcome in the new year.

New Year's Eve at the Buffalo History Museum

The freshly updated Buffalo History Museum will host a New Year's Eve bash this year entitled "In Buffalo We Trust" with the theme "Soaring 20's." Guests can expect food, drinks, music, and more in the stylish building.

The event will feature local Buffalo band Mayday Buffalo, along with DJ Milk and DJ Yes, an AllStar 360 degree photo booth, and a light-mapping installation via Tom Burke. Multiple full bars and passed hors d'oeuvres will be catered by Tappo At The Museum. There will be two dance floors, with an illuminated disco dance floor in the newly unveiled Portico Room.

New Year's Eve at Big Ditch Brewing Company

If you want to see the ball drop but can't handle the cold, then the party at Big Ditch Brewing Company is the perfect solution. Ring in the New Year with craft beer, a DJ, and food, all with an unobstructed view of the Electric Tower Ball Drop and fireworks show.

Two limited-release craft beers are served special for New Year's Eve, and attendees can try them both plus others using four provided drink tickets. Try not to gorge yourself on the included dinner menu, which includes a variety of elevated bar snacks like prime sirloin skewers, lobster rolls, and beer bratwursts that are sure to tempt you.

Resurgence Brewing Company NYE Party

Resurgence Brewing Company will host its annual New Year's Eve Brewer's Ball at its Chicago Street location in the Old First Ward neighborhood on December 21, 2022. The entire first floor of the brewery is open to the public and the full list of beers brewed on-site and dinner menu are available to purchase.

For an extra special experience, book tickets for the exclusive VIP floor upstairs. In addition to an open bar serving not only beer but also wine and cocktails, servers walk around with platters of hot hors d'oeuvres and the buffet table is filled with items like chicken and waffles, a taco bar, and crab legs. If you're booking with a group of five people or more, discounts are available for each ticket.

Enjoy good beer and live music throughout the night, and while revelers downtown will be watching the ball drop at midnight, Resurgence stays on-brand with a new year "keg drop," where a keg full of beer falls at midnight.