Springfield may not have Times Square, but it does have plenty of opportunities to celebrate the new year, including some family-friendly options.
Restaurants, bars, bands and yoga studios are just a few of the many businesses across the Springfield area that will close the curtain on 2022 with food, beverage, live music, meditation and more.
New Year’s Eve events for the whole family
While many New Year’s Eve events feature dancing and drinking, there are plenty of ways to ring in 2023 for the whole family. Some of those taking place in Springfield are:
- Andy B’s - 1127 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield, Mo. 65807
Battlefield Road’s bowling alley offers two different packages for New Year’s Eve: a “Family Party Pack” and a “Late Night Party Pack.” The Family Party Pack is priced at $165 and allows up to six guests with unlimited bowling from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., a $20 game card, a one-topping pizza and party favors. The Late Night Party Pack costs $205, also permits up to six people with unlimited bowling, but not until 9:30 p.m. and lasting until 12:30 a.m. It also features a $20 game card, a one-topping pizza, chips and dip, party favors, and a New Year’s Eve toast. Advance registration is required to attend, with “VIB” lanes available for an additional $30 fee.
- Discovery Center - 438 E. St. Louis St. Springfield, Mo. 65806
The Discovery Center of Springfield is hosting its annual Noon Year’s Eve (for those who don’t let New Year’s Eve be an exception to their bedtime). Beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding with a balloon drop at 12 p.m., guests can enjoy their new exhibits, including a Minecraft Build room. It is free for Discovery Center members, and will cost the typical general admission for other attendees: $8 for children ages 3-15, $12 for adults ages 16-59, $10 for senior citizens (ages 60+), $7 for military personnel, and free for children 2 and under.
- The Library Station - 2535 N. Kansas Expy. Springfield, Mo. 65803
The Springfield-Greene County Library District’s Library Station in northwest Springfield is hosting its own “Noon Year’s Eve Party,” beginning at 11:15 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. For children ages 6 or younger (and their accompanying older siblings or adults), this is a special take on their regular program “Racing to Read: Storytime” that will feature stories, songs, crafts and more.
- The Jungle Gym - 3322 S. Campbell Ave. Suite GG, Springfield, Mo. 65807
South Springfield’s indoor playground is also holding a “Noon Year’s Eve Party,” this one featuring a princess – a Princess of 417 actress will dress up as Disney princess Elsa. Prices for a family’s first child is $30, and $25 for any additional children. The party will feature sensory play stations, crafts, refreshments and photo opportunities with Elsa.
For parents who found a babysitter or others looking to ring in 2023 with a flute of champagne or live music, there are plenty of options
- See Andy B’s under “New Year’s Eve events for the whole family”
- Gillioz Theatre - 325 Park Central E. Springfield, Mo. 65806
Springfield’s historic downtown venue is having its annual New Year’s Eve 2022 party, featuring live music from the band The Mixtapes and a champagne toast, starting at $30 for reserved seats on the balcony. A more exclusive option is the VIP experience, which is sold as ticket bundles for parties of six and eight, which cost $300 and $450, respectively. It will feature food, commemorative items, and access to a private bar, all while at the orchestra level. The celebration begins at 10 p.m. for guests 21 and up only. There will be non-VIP access to the orchestra for guests that require ADA seating.
- Blue Room Comedy Club - 420 W. College St. Springfield, Mo. 65806
Downtown Springfield’s comedy club will feature stand-up comedian Pete Lee. Only guests 18 and up are allowed, with tickets priced at $25 and two different seating times: one at 7:30 p.m. and one at 10:15 p.m.. If any tickets remain ahead of the show, they will be available for purchase at the door, but at a more expensive rate. In addition to the ticket, there is a two-item minimum purchase in the showroom for each attendee, whether that be food or beverage. Blue Room encourages patrons to show up at least 15-20 minutes prior to each starting time.
- Mother’s Brewing Company - 215 S. Grant Ave. Springfield, Mo. 65806
Springfield’s well-known brewery is hosting a “Booty Movin’ Boogie-Down” in their Barrel House to ring in the new year. Admission, which costs $10, includes a glass of bubbly. Additionally, KSMU’s DJ Imperial will provide music, and guests will have access to purchase Mother’s many beers. The festivities begin at 9 p.m. and will conclude in 2023, around 1 a.m. Tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite.
“Shine up your dancing shoes and limber up your lumbar, because your Mother's is transforming our Barrel House into Club Mother's for an NYE dance party to ring in the '23 in freaky fashion,” their Facebook event post reads.
- 2023 NYE Pub Crawl - Downtown Springfield
A collection of downtown Springfield bars and restaurants are putting on another “Queen City Pub Crawl” for New Year’s Eve. $10 wristbands can be purchased at any of the pub crawl’s participating establishments, which are: Best of Luck Beer Hall, Big Whiskey’s, Civil Kitchen, Dublin’s Pass, Finnegan’s Wake, Hour House, Inner Circle Vodka Bar, MudLounge and Tropical Liqueurs.
- Springfield Brew Co.’s The Cellar - 507 W. Walnut St. Springfield, Mo. 65806
This will be the last New Year’s Eve party at The Cellar, as SBC is expanding its brewing operations into the space in 2023. $20 tickets will secure attendance to see live music and drink local beer. Things will kick off at 4 p.m. with Justin Larkin and some open mic time. Then, at 9:30, the band Red Light Runner will take the stage until celebrations conclude after midnight.
There are other options to avoid the inevitable downtown traffic:
- Q Enoteca - 308 W. Commercial St. Springfield, Mo. 65803
C-Street’s wine bar will have drinks, food and live music performances from Brecka Henderson, Kiva Stevens, Myles Williams and more for a $25 door entry. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., and the celebrations will begin an hour later, lasting until 1 a.m.
- Tie and Timber Beer Co. - 1451 E. Cherry St. Springfield, Mo. 65802
Roundtree’s neighborhood brewery will ring in the new year by debuting new beer (“french toast pastry beer”) and cocktails, live music from local musicians Jeremy Evans, a balloon drop, a photo booth and a champagne toast. There is no entry fee. Tie and Timber will open at noon and music will start at 9 p.m.
- The Riff - 1900 W. Sunset St. Springfield, Mo. 65807
The southwest Springfield music venue will host a lineup of bands on New Year’s Eve: Paralandra, The Reality of Yourself (T.R.O.Y.) and LaBee’s Company. In addition to the live music, which starts at 8 p.m., there will be appetizers, champagne and more for a $25 ticket.
None of the listed events or businesses are an endorsement of their organizers or owners from the Daily Citizen. If there is a New Year’s Eve event that didn’t make it on our list, please send recommendations to jmcgee@hauxeda.com.
Have a safe and happy New Year! We’ll see you in 2023.
