Rodeo, skiing or dancing: How do you want to celebrate wrapping up 2025 on New Year’s Eve?
People watch as the new year is brought in with a firework show Dec. 31 during the Countdown in Hollywood New Year's Eve party at the Provo Recreation Center. See more at bit.ly/1ODMnMF.
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- A bull rider competes during a Bull Wars competition at the Golden Spike Event Center in Ogden.
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- The New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade lights up the slopes at Powder Mountain ski resort in Eden on Dec. 31, 2024.
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- A bull rider competes during a Bull Wars competition at the Golden Spike Event Center in Ogden.
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People watch as the new year is brought in with a firework show Dec. 31 during the Countdown in Hollywood New Year’s Eve party at the Provo Recreation Center. See more at bit.ly/1ODMnMF.
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- A bull rider competes during a Bull Wars competition at the Golden Spike Event Center in Ogden.
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- A bull rider competes during a Bull Wars competition at the Golden Spike Event Center in Ogden.
As the final few days of 2025 draw to a close, everyone is choosing how to complete one year and welcome a new one — and there are many possible ways to do.
Some will spend it like any other evening, electing not to make a big deal of the changing of the calendar. Others will gather with family and/or friends, eating dinner and enjoying small group activities like games or movies.
But if you are the type that like to get out and celebrate with as many people as possible, then New Year’s Eve is probably one of your favorite holidays.
While Utah may not have Time Square with its famous New Year’s Eve party, it also doesn’t require quite as much commitment as the New York City event does (revelers often arrive the morning before, are decked out in a number of layers to handle the weather and have limited restroom availability).
But the Beehive State does have its own New Year’s Eve events, both traditional and unique. Here are a few possibilities to consider in northern Utah and Utah Valley:
1. Enjoy western heritage in Ogden
If you love the excitement of rodeos, you’ll want to head to the Golden Spike Event Center in Ogden on New Year’s Eve for the iconic Bull Wars competition.
Ben German, owner of the Broken Heart Rodeo Company and one of the event organizers, said it’s not easy to get things set for such an event.
“Every year we put on Bull Wars, it gets a little smoother on the promotion side, but there is still a tremendous amount of work that goes into making New Year’s Eve happen,” German said. “The production has been going longer than my three kids have been alive, and it is become a year’round project between lining up bulls and riders, coordinating with Golden Spike Event Center, and planning the details so the night feels seamless for the crowd. We put in a lot of time getting posters into local businesses, working with radio, and relying on good old’fashioned word of mouth to pack the building and keep this tradition strong.”
He loves giving Utahns a chance to enjoy finishing the year by seeing top bull riders in action.
“My main objective with Bull Wars is to give people a high’energy, family’friendly way to ring in the New Year with top’notch bull riding and a true western feel,” German said.” The crowd is always tremendously enthusiastic, and honestly, how could anyone be in a bad mood the week between Christmas and New Year’s? A big measure of success for me is seeing the same faces and families come back year after year; this event has become a tradition for a lot of people, and I take a lot of pride in that. When the stands are full, the crowd is loud, and people are already talking about “next year” as they walk out, that is when I know we did our job.”
Bull Wars goes from 7:30-10 p.m., so there is time to catch all the excitement and still join in with other parties.
“We invite everyone to come celebrate with us and still leave you plenty of time afterward to ring in midnight however you please,” German said.
For ticket information, go to etix.com.
2. Celebrate by partying on the slopes
While ski resorts may not be thrilled with the limited amount of snow so far, they still are happy to invite everyone to join them to finish off 2025 in the picturesque Utah mountains.
One place to look at going is Powder Mountain in Ogden Valley, which will be hosting its second New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade.
“Our No. 1 objective for every event is to foster a sense of community,” said Greg Covello, head of events for Powder Mountain. “For us, success isn’t measured by the number of attendees, but the energy buzzing at our celebrations. We also love to see people come back year after year. Expect to be surrounded by a friendly community of people who love Powder. This is what makes our events special.”
He explained that the resort wanted to make sure both participants and observers have a great time this year.
“We’ll have DJ Matty Mo to keep everyone dancing all night long, and when the sun goes down, we’ll have s’mores and our firepit on the deck to create the perfect vantage point as we light up Sundown with torches and LEDs,” Covello said.
The Torchlight Parade is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. on Dec. 31, so it also will provide a chance for attendees to head to other New Year’s Eve celebrations after it wraps up.
For more information, go to powdermountain.com.
3. The traditional dance party
If you love music and think dancing is the best way to end one year and start another, then consider going to Provo’s 2026 Decades Countdown, held at the Provo Recreation Center.
This event looks to encompass a wide range of styles and eras, proving something for everyone.
Information on the EventBrite.com website described the party by saying: “Ladies and gentlemen, cool cats and funky friends, prepare for a New Year’s Eve party packed with nostalgia! Join us as we travel through the decades–from groovy 70s vibes to rad 80s energy to 90s nostalgia and beyond. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store:
- Retro Dance Zones – Bust a move through the decades with iconic hits!
- Throwback Shows and Performers – Enjoy entertainment inspired by your favorite eras.
- Inflatables Galore – Fun that never goes out of style!
- Vintage-Themed Activities – Try crafts and games inspired by each decade.
- Silent Disco – Choose your decade and dance like it’s your year!
- New Year’s Crafts – Create a glittery masterpiece.
- Fireworks at 9 PM & Midnight!
Celebrate with a bang — no matter which era you vibe with!”
These are just three examples of fun to be had on New Year’s Eve this year. There are multiple events in Salt Lake City as well, including one at the State Capitol, and families with young children might look at finding a “Noon Year’s Eve” party to celebrate at noon on Dec. 31.
Check the calendar on L4 for more activities and events, then go out and wrap up 2025 with whatever activity that works best for you.
Happy New Year’s!
