Ring in 2026 in Wichita at these New Year’s Eve events
Time is ticking to make plans to celebrate the end of 2025 with either family fun or adult-only activities. From striking down pins or celebrating on ice to hitting the pickleball courts or the dance floor, here are some options for ringing in the new year.
Fun for families and friends
Strike up some New Year’s Eve fun and book a bowling bash. All three Bowlero centers in Wichita — 749 N. Ridge, 3232 N. Rock Road and Lucky Strike at 11413 E. 13th St. — are offering daytime and nighttime bowling bashes on Dec. 31. All bashes include unlimited bowling, shoe rental and select food options. The two-hour packages start at noon, 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. The four-hour evening package starts at 9 p.m. Tickets range from $19.99 to $52.99 per person, based on the time of day and upgrades. To book or for more info: bowlero.com/nye
Let’s Roll Seneca, 1909 S. Seneca, is also offering two-hour bowling packages, starting at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and a three-hour package starting at 10 p.m. The packages, which range from $160 to 200 based on start time, include bowling for up to six people, shoe rental, unlimited soda, a one-topping pizza, $5 arcade cards for each of the six guests and party favors. More info: 316-267-7301, letsrollseneca.com
Kids can create a new board game using old board and game pieces, just in time to teach family and friends during a New Year’s Eve game night, and teens can start cracking codes during two daytime New Year’s Eve events offered through the Wichita Public Library. The build-a-game session for kids ages 8-11 meets 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Rockwell Branch, 5939 E. Ninth St., while the teen escape room, for grades six-12, meets 2:30-4 p.m. at the Westlink Branch, 8515 Bekemeyer. Earlier in the day, kids up to fifth grade can enjoy a 30-minute, winter-themed puppet show, starting at 10:30 a.m., at the Evergreen Community Center & Library, 2601 N. Arkansas. More info: wichitalibrary.libnet.info/events
Dave & Buster’s, 2644 N. Greenwich, has two New Year’s Eve party options. The earlier, more kid-friendly event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $33.79 and include an appetizer banquet; unlimited soda, coffee and tea; a $20 game card with unlimited video game play; a ginger ale toast; and party favors. The evening event, which runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., includes similar items but with a premium buffet, a $15 game card and a champagne toast. Tickets are $66.79 for the event and unlimited play; tickets that include two drinks are $98.79. Tickets are limited for both parties. More info: daveandbusters.com/us/en/holidaydeals/new-years-at-dave-and-busters, 316-796-8550.
Put your celebration on ice and head to the Wichita Thunder game at Intrust Bank Arena. It’s the first time that the pro minor league hockey team, founded in 1992, is hosting a game on New Year’s Eve. Two special NYE packages are being offered: a New Year’s Eve glass suite package that includes food and drink vouchers for $75 per person and a champagne package of two tickets and two champagne flutes for $60. Individual tickets start at $20 for goal-zone tickets. Doors open at 6 p.m., puck drops at 6:05. More info: wichitathunder.com/games/2025/12/31/new-years-eve-with-the-thunder
Swing in the New Year at Topgolf Wichita, 2976 N. Greenwich, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $360 and include admission and unlimited game play for up to six individuals (anyone younger than 18 must be supervised by someone at least 21), crafted bites, desserts, unlimited fountain drinks, iced tea and coffee, a midnight toast and DJ entertainment. More info: 316-394-4065, topgolf.com/us/wichita/promo/new-years-eve
Don’t forget about some other wintertime and holiday events, like outdoor skating at the new Somewhere in Winter attraction (somewhere-fest.com) in downtown Wichita or checking out the new lighted tulip garden display and the other 2 million lights at Botanica’s Illuminations (botanica.org).
Activities for adults
For a jazzy start to the new year, Walker’s Jazz Lounge, 252 N. Mosley, is offering a free 5:30 p.m. show with Noah Williams, before its ticketed main concert featuring Grammy-nominated, Nashville-based guitarist Denny Jiosa and his quartet. Reserved tickets for the 9 p.m.-midnight show are $40. Jiosa is the founder of Jazzcat Studio and the Sonic Canvas record label. More info: walkersjazzlounge.com
You can literally help shut down Margarita’s Cantina, a longtime weekend night spot at 3109 E. Douglas. The 33-year-old business will close after its New Year’s Eve bash. Patrons can enjoy a final night of dancing and listening to the Lucky People Band. Capacity is limited, so advance tickets costing $25 per person are strongly encouraged. At-the-door tickets, if available, will be $30. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner, with a limited late-night menu starting at 8 p.m., when only those who are 21 and older will be admitted. More info: 316-682-2299, facebook.com/MargaritasCantinaICT
Get your holiday glow on during a night of neon cosmic pickleball at TapNPaddles, 4056 E. 35th St. North. Starting at 8 p.m., the event includes four hours of glow-in-the-dark open play on one of 12 cosmic-decorated courts, drink specials, complimentary midnight champagne toast, photo area and prizes for the best-dressed neon outfits. Tickets are $35 for nonmembers, $29 for members. Email ingo@tapnpaddles.com to book one of the limited $500 VIP packages that include two private courts for up to 20 players and other options. Info: 316-241-7408, tapnpaddles.com/upcoming-events. Ticketholders can take advantage of a $10 discount on the special New Year’s Eve four-course wine dinner prepared by the onsite RAHA Mediterranean restaurant. Reservations for the dinner, which are $85 per person, are limited. More info: 316-256-9269, rahamediterranean.com
Celebrate in the country at Eberly Farm’s NYE on the Farm event from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The 15-acre farm is at 13111 W. 21st St.Tickets are $100 for a couple or $60 for a single entry and include two drinks per person (beer and wine only). An upgrade to table seating is available for $20. Additional concessions and mixed drinks are available for purchase. More info: eberlyfarm.com, 316-722-3580
Former American Idol contestant and Leon, Kansas, native Rusty Rierson and his band, Forever Young, will perform from 8 to 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve at Prairie Rose Opera House, 15231 SW Parallel St., Benton. Tickets are $35. Tickets for the dinner-and-show package are $50, with dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. Ticket sales end at 11:50 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30; to buy tickets, visit prairieroseks.com
If you want to go back a few decades, the Paramount ’80s Rock Night is back again for New Year’s Eve at The Cotillion. Monterey Jack is the scheduled special guest. General admission tickets are $20, day-of tickets are $25. Doors open an hour before the 8:30 p.m. showtime. Limited table reservations are available. More info: 316-722-4201, thecotillion.com
Bucky Fowler & Southern Charm, a three-generation family band, will take the stage at 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve at Wichita Union Stockyards, 6251 W. McArthur Road. Doors open at 7 p.m. Three ticket options are available, ranging from $35 to $50; all include breakfast and a midnight toast. Call 316-945-1079 for reserved seating ($35) or VIP tickets ($40). More info: kwlsradio.com
Party like it’s 1999 at the Y2K Rave NYE Countdown from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at Wave, 650 E. Second St. Featured disc jockeys are DJ Aleve, 917Josh, Girl Groovin’ and RoseA. Must be 21 to attend. Tickets are $20 for general admission; limited seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. More info: waveict.com
As usual, several Wichita bars and breweries are offering New Year’s Eve specials and music, like Mortdecai’s Tavern, The Karaoke Room, John Barleycorn’s and Vorshay’s. Some will continue regularly occurring Wednesday night activities, like trivia nights at Headshots Bar & Grill and the Leprechaun’s Lab brewery or GROW Plant Bar’s Wine and Design.