🎉 Ring in 2026: Your Guide to New Year’s Eve in Fuquay-Varina

Whether you’re planning to dance until midnight, enjoy an elevated dinner out, or keep things cozy at home with family, Fuquay-Varina has plenty of ways to ring in the New Year. From lively local bars to intimate dining experiences (and even a few creative ways to celebrate from your couch), here’s your ultimate guide to New Year’s Eve 2026 in Fuquay-Varina 🥳🍾


🥂 New Year’s Eve Events Around Town 🪩

🎶 1. FAINTING GOAT BREWING CO. – Final NYE Celebration

📍 330 S Main St, Fuquay-Varina
🕗 Live Music 9PM–12AM | Food Truck 6–10PM

This one’s extra special, and emotional. Fainting Goat Brewing Co. is closing its doors on January 1st, making this their final New Year’s Eve celebration ever. Join the community for one last unforgettable night filled with music, memories, and craft beer.

🎸 Live Music: 2Digh4
🚚 Taste of Baltimore Food Truck: 6–10 PM
🎉 Theme: Party like it’s 2015

If you’ve ever loved a night at The Fainting Goat, this is one you won’t want to miss.


🍾 2. NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE BRICK

📍 213 Fayetteville St, Fuquay-Varina
🕗 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM

Ring in the New Year at one of Fuquay’s most iconic spots. The Brick is throwing a classic NYE bash complete with a free champagne toast at midnight and plenty of dancing to carry you into 2026.

Your favorite dive bar energy, just a little more sparkly


🥩 3. NEW YEAR’S EVE AT CLEVELAND DRAFT HOUSE

📍 1420 Broad St, Fuquay-Varina
🕖 Starts at 7:00 PM

Celebrate the end of the year with a delicious dinner and a festive atmosphere at Cleveland Draft House.

Special NYE Menu Includes:

  • 12oz Prime Rib

  • Side salad + baked potato

  • Warm vegetables & yeast roll

🎉 Free Champagne Toast at Midnight
🎈 Party favors included

Perfect for those who want great food, great vibes, and an easygoing celebration.


🍷 4. NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER AT LUCCI BLUE’S

📍 209 Fayetteville St, Fuquay-Varina
🕡 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Looking for something elegant and intimate? Lucci Blue’s is hosting a beautiful three-course New Year’s Eve dinner featuring cozy winter flavors and optional wine pairings.

🍽 3-Course Menu | $75
🍷 Add Wine Pairings for $95

With dishes like beef medallions, creamy pasta, and decadent desserts, this is the perfect way to toast to the new year in style.

📩 Reservations required: lucciblues.com/upcoming-events


🎭 5. NYE MASQUERADE BALL – AMERICAN LEGION POST 116

📍 6400 Johnson Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina
🕖 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Dress to impress and grab your mask!
This festive evening includes:

  • DJ Malcolm spinning all night

  • Pasta bar, salad & dessert

  • Champagne toast at midnight

🎟 $30 per ticket – ❌SOLD OUT❌
A fun, classic New Year’s Eve party with a little mystery mixed in.


🍻 6. NYE PRE-PARTY AT THE CORNER BIERGARTEN

📍 1625 N. Main St, Suite 133, Fuquay-Varina
🕔 Open until 10 PM

Not trying to be out all night? This is your spot.
Kick off the evening with great drinks, chill vibes, and zero pressure.

🎧 Live DJ all evening
🍺 Drink specials
🎉 No cover, no countdown, no crowds no chaos

Perfect for an early celebration before heading home (or somewhere else!).


✈️ 7. AVIATOR HANGAR BAR NYE BASH

📍 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina
🕔 Doors Open at 5 PM

One of the biggest parties in town!
🎸 Live bands all night – Raleigh Assassins (6pm–9pm) Police & Thieves (10pm–1am) 
🍾 FREE champagne toast
🍤 Complimentary snack buffet
🎊 Confetti drop at midnight

🎟 $18 tickets – GRAB YOUR TICKET HERE!
A high-energy way to take off into 2026!


👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Staying In? Fun Family-Friendly NYE Ideas at Home

Not everyone wants to be out past midnight, and that’s OKAY! Here are a few cozy, kid-friendly ways to make the night special at home:

“Noon Year’s Eve” Countdown
Celebrate with kids earlier in the evening by watching a ball drop from another country’s time zone.

🥂 Sparkling Cider Bar
Set up fun mix-ins like berries, juice, and fun glasses for a kid-friendly toast.

🎲 Game Night Countdown
Play a game every hour leading up to “midnight” (or bedtime!).

🎬 NYE Movie Marathon
Pick a theme: Disney, classics, or family favorites…and make it a pajama night.

🕰 Time Capsule Tradition
Write notes about the year, predictions for 2026, and things you’re grateful for. Open them next year!


✨ Cheers to 2026, Fuquay!

However you celebrate – dancing downtown, dining out, or cozying up at home – we hope your New Year’s Eve is full of joy, laughter, and good memories.

👉 Follow Front Porch Realty for more local events, community highlights, and everything happening around Fuquay-Varina all year long.

Letters to Santa – A Special Delivery!

Grab the kiddos and head out to Santa’s Mailbox to drop off their letters, now through December 16th –

Located under the gazebo at Fuquay Mineral Spring Park.
 

We’ve received an official Letter to Santa template from our Elf friends at the North Pole! Find it HERE!

 
Venture out to Mineral Spring Park between the hours of 5pm – 10pm and guide yourself through a wonderland of majestic Christmas lights! Lights will be up through the beginning of January.

FUQUAY’S CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING | DECEMBER 4th

Downtown Fuquay is transforming into a full-on Hallmark movie set, and you’re invited to be part of the magic! Bundle up, grab a cocoa, and enjoy a night packed with festive fun, twinkly lights, and hometown cheer.

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

❄️ 4–8 PM | Ice Skating (E. Vance St)
Lace up and glide under the lights! Perfect for couples, families, or anyone wanting that winter-wonderland moment.

🛍️ 5–8 PM | Artist Night Market (S. Main St & E. Vance St)
Handmade gifts, local art, cozy candles, holiday treats…this is THE place for last-minute shopping and supporting local makers.

🚂 5:30–8 PM | Train Rides (S. Main St)
Hop on the festive train cruising right down Main Street! Guaranteed to thrill the kiddos and every adult who still loves a little Christmas magic.

🎄🕯️ 6:00 PM | Tree & Menorah Lighting (Vance St Parking Lot)
Join the community countdown as the town lights up the night. One of the sweetest moments of the season!

🎶 6:15–8 PM | Choral Performances (Vance St Lot)
Local choirs filling the night with holiday classics; the perfect soundtrack to the season.

🎅 6:15–8 PM | Pictures with Santa (Fuquay Mineral Spring Park)
Tell Santa your wishes and snag the cutest holiday photo. Kiddos, pets, adults… everyone’s welcome!

🛷 6–8 PM | Sleigh Rides (120 S. Main Street)
A fan-favorite tradition! Every year, during the Tree Lighting event, the FVDA hosts magical sleigh rides through downtown.
✨ FVDA friends get first access to tickets.
✨ Remaining tickets are sold through a lottery system to keep things fair.
✨ Tickets are $7 each (sold in pairs) with a max of 4 tickets per selected participant.
✨ Lottery winners are notified the Monday before the event.

It’s one of the most beloved holiday experiences in Fuquay…so if you got a golden ticket this year, lucky YOU! 🎁💛


🚧 ROAD CLOSURES & DETOURS — READ BEFORE YOU GO!

To keep the event safe and walkable, several downtown streets will be closed. Here’s the quick + clear version:

🔴 Closed to Traffic

  • Vance St closes at 11:00 AM (major event hub : tree lighting & choral performances)

  • Spring Ave & S. Main St closes at 2:00 PM

  • W. Spring St & S. Main St closes at 2:00 PM

  • Depot St closes at 2:00 PM

  • Raleigh St closes at 2:00 PM

These closures create a safe pedestrian zone around:
✨ Ice skating
✨ Night market
✨ Train rides
✨ Tree & menorah lighting
✨ Santa photos

Basically, once you’re parked, it becomes a magical little walkable village. 🧣✨


🟢 DETOUR ROUTES

To help everyone flow smoothly:

  • Northbound detour: follows E. Spring St → Ennis St → E. Academy St

  • Southbound detour: flows down Spring Ave
    These routes help bypass the closed downtown core and get you to open parking areas without confusion.


🅿️ PARKING TIPS (SUPER SIMPLE):

  • Park outside the red-shaded closure area for an easier exit.

  • Streets east and west of Main stay open and are great options.

  • Arrive a little early if you want to snag a close spot before the 6:00pm countdown crowd rolls in!


🎄MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR NIGHT🎄

A cute downtown-friendly path if you want to hit everything:
1️⃣ Park →
2️⃣ Walk to Ice Skating first (warm up with some movement!) →
3️⃣ Wander through the Artist Night Market
4️⃣ Grab the Train Ride down S. Main →
5️⃣ Head to the 6PM Tree & Menorah Lighting
6️⃣ Drift over to Choral Performances
7️⃣ End the night with Santa photos at Mineral Spring Park 🎅

We can’t wait to celebrate this magical evening with the Fuquay Community! See you all there! 🎄🎁