Delaware New Year's Eve 2023: Everything from a costume ball for furry lovers to a keg drop

Andre Lamar, Delaware News Journal
Updated ·5 min read

Where will you take your last photo of 2023 in Delaware? It's not too early to start making plans for that.

Small Wonder offers a variety of New Year's Eve celebrations for adults and kids, including some that allow children to ring in 2024 hours before midnight.

New Years Furry Ball, Newark

Furries pose for photos at Anthrocon 2023, one of the world's largest anthropomorphic conventions celebrating the furry subculture, in which people dress up or roleplay as animal characters, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 2023. (
Furries pose for photos at Anthrocon 2023, one of the world's largest anthropomorphic conventions celebrating the furry subculture, in which people dress up or roleplay as animal characters, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 2023. (

There’s a subculture of people who enjoy wearing furry costumes and they're nicknamed “furries.” The New Years Furry Ball is a unique annual experience that's been dedicated to this costumed crowd since 2005. It features a game room, dealers den, dancing and more.

Early sign-ups are available until Sunday, Dec. 17. Standard admission to this year's ball includes a buffet dinner. The ball starts Saturday, Dec. 30, with most activities going down on Sunday, Dec. 31.

Since the ball is in a hotel, guests will receive a hotel link after registering for the event. The NYFB offers a discounted room rate of $130 (on Dec. 31) excluding tax for registered attendees only, according to newyearsfurryball.com.

This year's theme is "get ready for a sweet new year" and guests are encouraged to visit the candy shop.

Embassy Suites By Hilton Newark Wilmington South (654 S. College Ave., Newark) from 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, to 1 a.m., Monday, Jan. 1. Standard admission starts at $50 (early registration) or $55 at the door. Minor registration for ages 8-17 is $45 (early registration) or $50 door. Free for ages 7 or younger (must be accompanied by parents/guardian). Visit newyearsfurryball.com. 

Confetti Countdown in Wilmington

What about the kids who will be asleep before the ball drops at midnight?

The Delaware Children’s Museum created the "Confetti Countdown" event for those special youngsters. This celebration offers three early NYE celebrations that last 30 minutes each (11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m.). There also will be performances from We Kids Rock, appearances from Pinky the Puppet, and more fun.

Delaware Children’s Museum (550 Justison St., Wilmington) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Admission is $12. Free for members and children aged 12 months or younger. Visit delawarechildrensmuseum.org or (302) 654-2340. 

Roll into 2024 at Mid County Lanes, Middletown 

There are two major ways that bowling fans can celebrate the new year at Mid County Lanes.

Family Fun Party is $189.99 (per lane up to six people) and includes three hours of unlimited cosmic bowling (4 to 7 p.m.), bowling shoes, pizza, pasta and salad buffet, unlimited fountain drinks, unlimited attractions pass, NYE party favors and a mock NYE countdown at 6:30 p.m.

Late Night Party is $269.99 (per lane - up to six people) and features four hours of unlimited cosmic bowling (9 p.m. to 1 a.m.), bowling shoes, full dinner and dessert buffet, unlimited fountain drinks, $10 arcade card game, live DJ, party favors, Champagne toast, giveaways and countdown to midnight.

Mid County Lanes (875 N. Broad St., Middletown) on Sunday, Dec. 31. Family Fun Party is from 4 to 7 p.m. and tickets are $189.99. Late Night Party is from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and tickets are $269.99. Visit midcountylanes.com or (302) 378-0677.

'Roaring into the New Year' at science museum, Greenville

Skeleton of the Mosasaur (Mosasaurus hoffmannii) hangs in the PaleoZone exhibit at the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science, Wednesday, June 22, 2022.
Skeleton of the Mosasaur (Mosasaurus hoffmannii) hangs in the PaleoZone exhibit at the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science, Wednesday, June 22, 2022.

Kids will ring in the new year with live birds. Yep, the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science likes to keep its celebrations interesting. There's a bird presentation from Animal Behavior & Conservation Connections, plus a special science-themed ball drop that will leave your little ones "Roaring into the New Year."

Delaware Museum of Nature and Science (4840 Kennett Pike, Greenville) from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 31. Admission is $3 to $17. Free for infants under age 1. Visit delmns.org or (302) 658-9111. 

Noon Year's Eve, Wilmington

The animals at Brandywine Zoo will ring in the New Year at noon during its 'Noon Year's Eve' event.
The animals at Brandywine Zoo will ring in the New Year at noon during its 'Noon Year's Eve' event.

Brandywine Zoo's Noon Year's Eve has a reputation of being cooler than most celebrations. That’s because you and your children are going to be outside for this one. So make sure to dress accordingly.

As the name of the event implies, there's a countdown at noon. Instead of champagne, hot chocolate will be for sale at the snack bar. Tickets are only available online. 

Brandywine Zoo (1001 N. Park Drive, Wilmington) from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Tickets are $5 for nonmembers; free for members and children under age 3. Visit brandywinezoo.org or (302) 571-7747. 

NYE at Bally's Dover Casino

The 21-and-over crowd will dance the night away with party bands To The Max and Legacy Band. This NYE celebration will heat up in the Fire & Ice Lounge. Tickets include party favors and Champagne toast at midnight.

Bally's Dover Casino Resort (1131 N. Dupont Highway, Dover) from 8 to 11:55 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 31. Tickets are $35 to $50. Visit casinos.ballys.com/dover or (800) 711-5882. 

White Panda dance party, Dewey Beach

DJ White Panda will close out the year at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach on Sunday, Dec. 31.
DJ White Panda will close out the year at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach on Sunday, Dec. 31.

A forecast of heavy EDM vibes is set to rain down buckets of joy over Dewey Beach, thanks to the mashup master White Panda. This event is likely to sell out, so you might want to get tickets early.

White Panda is a mysteriously masked DJ who played Firefly Music Festival multiple times, and he's known for delivering wild remixes. Special guests at this celebration include Knappy and Alwz Snny.

Bottle & Cork (1807 Highway One, Dewey Beach) from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 31. Tickets are $42 (plus $6.50 booking fee). Visit bottleandcork.com or (302) 227-7272.  

Docklands Riverfront's Champagne toast, Wilmington

People take advantage of a warm night to enjoy the outdoor dining and bar area of Docklands on the Wilmington Riverfront.
People take advantage of a warm night to enjoy the outdoor dining and bar area of Docklands on the Wilmington Riverfront.

It's a one-stop shop to ring in 2024 at Docklands Riverfront. This event is for ages 21 or older. Ticket options include general admission, preferred dining room seating and preferred lounge seating.

GA package highlights include open bar, dinner buffet, valet, photo booth, Champagne toast, party favors, coat check and full access to both live bands. But GA doesn't include guaranteed seating, according to Dockland's Facebook page.

Preferred dining includes all of the amenities of the GA package, while adding the opportunity to reserve your own space for the duration of the event.

Preferred lounge seating offers the same amenities as the GA package, but with the chance to reserve your seat in one of the lounges under the outside tent. Guests in lounge seating have access to a private bar and buffet. 

Docklands Riverfront (110 S. West St., Wilmington) from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Tickets are $99 to $159. Visit facebook.com/DocklandsRiverfront or docklandsriverfront.com or (302) 658-6626.  

Dueling pianos with Flying Ivories, Milton

Two pianos under one roof equals an event that's branded as a "3 hour NEW YEARS Extravaganza!" Flying Ivories features two dueling pianists that dish up an all-request, rock 'n' roll sing-along. The Flying Ivories' songbook covers everything from Metallica to Arethra Franklin.

Milton Theatre (110 Union St., Milton) from 9:30-11:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Tickets are $31.50 to $40. Visit miltontheatre.com or (302) 684-3038. 

Lewes Anchor Drop

Instead of a ball drop, Lewes has a tradition of ringing in the new year with a nautical twist. An anchor is lowered at midnight from the mighty Lightship Overfalls during this one-hour event.

Lewes Canalfront Park (211 Front St., Lewes) at 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Visit overfalls.org or leweschamber.com, or (302) 644-8050. 

Irish Eyes NYE bash, Lewes

Ring in the new year downstate with DJ Surf and shake off your stress from 2023, before starting anew.

Irish Eyes Pub & Restaurant (213 Anglers Road, Lewes) from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. No cover charge. Visit irisheyespub.com or (302) 645-6888).   

Crooked Hammock keg drop in Lewes & Middletown

Nearly every brewery in The First State gathered for the Beer Drinkers' Choice Awards on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at Crooked Hammock Brewery in Lewes. The sixth annual event sold out and encourages brewers and ticket holders to dress in costume.
Nearly every brewery in The First State gathered for the Beer Drinkers' Choice Awards on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at Crooked Hammock Brewery in Lewes. The sixth annual event sold out and encourages brewers and ticket holders to dress in costume.

Folks (21 or older) can spend their last day of the year on a night that ends with a keg drop. But before that, there's cold beer, food and dancing to be had. Tickets include the party band, appetizers, food stations, open bar, midnight toast and the "high gravity" keg drop.

Crooked Hammock Middletown (316 Auto Park Drive, Middletown) at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Tickets are $99. (302) 601-7837.  

Lewes location (36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes) at 8 p.m. Tickets are $100. (302) 644-7837 or crookedhammockbrewery.com. 

Tonic Seafood & Steak's Champagne toast, Wilmington

After guests buy a $20 ticket, they'll spend time together with DJ Dana McDonald who spins the hottest tunes. The Champagne toast is at midnight. But now is a good time to make reservations.

Tonic Seafood & Steak (111 W. 11th St., Wilmington) from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Tickets are $20. Visit tonicsns.com or (302) 777-2040.  

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware New Year's Eve 2023: Adult and family events near you