New Year’s Celebrations Not to Miss in Northwest Arkansas

NWA Parties Offer Unique Ways to Ring in the New Year

WORDS / ASHTON ELEY

Fayetteville
The party really starts pumping with C4 Nightclub’s Masquerade Party. The No. 1 female DJ in Texas, Sno White, will be in thein the house. The night will include a balloon drop, cash prizes, CO2 cannon, free champagne toast, karaoke and a photo booth. Tickets are $15 for 21 and over. The party will start at 9 p.m. and not stop until 2 a.m.

The NWA Creative Arts Network is throwing what is acclaimed as the largest New Year’s Eve Celebration in the state. Last Night Fayetteville is a performing arts festival taking place on the downtown Fayetteville square. The festival will have something for everyone in town with more than 100 local artists on eight stages: main, aerial, folk, rock, comedy, cabaret, theater and kid’s. The New Year will be celebrated with the Hog Drop Countdown and Fireworks, but the festival won’t stop until 2 a.m. VIP tickets are $85 and offer access to the VIP lounge at the main stage, featuring catered hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and artisan cocktails from Pink House Alchemy along with NYE party gear and express check in. General admission tickets are $30 ( $5 for children 2-12) Visit www.LastNightFayetteville.com for more information.

Bentonville
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will host two distinct New Year’s events – one for those who prefer a more sophisticated dinner and Jazz and another more upbeat, dance party, which is also more affordable at $60 ($55 member) per ticket. Guests are told to “knock on the secret door” to enter the speakeasy-style CB Supper club event in the Museum’s Great Hall, according to the museum’s website. The night includes multiple courses paired with cocktails or wine and a featured performance by Grammy nominated pianist and vocalist Judy Carmichael. The event starts at 8:30 p.m., and tickets are  $225 ($200 member) but also cover the Museum Dance Party, which begins an hour afterward. The party features electro-swing music and dance performances. It will be a high-energy, immersive experience, beginning in the restaurant Eleven, spreading through the art galleries and into the special Art of American Dance exhibition. Cash bars are available and appetizers are complementary, according to the website, as is the glass of champagne for the New Year’s countdown. Both events last until 1 a.m.

If you’re not looking to stay up until midnight or want to eat some traditional black eyed peas before hitting the big party, Two25 Gallery & Wine Bar located on South Main Street has you covered. Starting at 3 p.m., the owners will be introducing the new wines for 2017 with some fun pairings and, of course, complimentary peas. The gallery will be closing at 7 p.m.

Eureka Springs
For any big Northwest Arkansas foodie, Grotto Wood-Fired Grill and Wine Cave’s New Year’s Eve dinner is a not-to-miss event. The restaurant is located at 10 Center Street in Eureka Springs and will be worth the drive from the Northwest Arkansas hub for the seven course meal experience of the year. There is a 5 or 7:30 p.m. dining option – both priced at $95 and include admission to the party upstairs at E. Courses for the evening are listed below:

1 – Cornbread Foie Gras Torte with Seared Wild Mushrooms with Truffle Frisee and Mediterranean Olive Puree*Anne and Amie Cuvee

2 – Sea Bass on a Cedar Plank topped with Candied Jalapenos served with Grilled Brussel Sprouts paired with Local Arkansas Peppered Bacon

3 – Smoked Duck Breast that is gently smoked for 7 hours with Red Wine Berry Chutney over Quinoa
*Cabernet

4- Palete Cleanse with Lemon Cello Sherbet

5 – Hanger Steak topped with Mushroom Dordelaise Sauce with Fingerling Potatoes with Fresh Rosemary on a Bed of Arugula

6 – Chocolate Crème Brulee

7 – Keepsake Port Wine Sipper with a 20 Year Tawny Port.Sugar Cookie Muffin topped with Sweetened Cream