The Daily Memphian’s Holidays in Memphis newsletter series is your helping hand this season with recipes, holiday events, gift ideas and more. 

A new year is upon us once again! And there so many ways to get out and celebrate. We’ve got your guide to New Year’s Eve parties for adults (and even one for kids!), and we’ve included some inspiration to help you meet your 2025 health goals.

NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS

Noon Years at Noon at the Children’s Museum of Memphis:

Kids ring in the new year a little early in a family-family event where attendees dress as superheroes and decorate their capes to show off their superpowers. Also features a balloon drop, face painting, music and candy. Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $3 for members and $5 plus general museum admission for nonmembers. 2525 Central Ave. Click here for tickets. 

Beale Street will host its annual New Year’s Eve celebration with fireworks, a DJ and events happening inside bars up and down the street. (The Daily Memphian file)

New Year’s Eve on Beale Street:

Bars throughout the entertainment district will have their own celebrations with live music, and DJ Tree will be spinning the tunes from a towering structure on the street. There will be fireworks and confetti cannons as the clock strikes midnight. Entrance to the street will be free, but bars will charge various covers. A Beale Street Fast Pass ($75) lets you skip lines to get inside the bars. Tuesday, Dec. 31. Starts at 5 p.m.

Lafayette’s Music Room will have a Lynyrd Skynyrd cover band on New Year’s Eve. (The Daily Memphian file)

New Year’s Celebration at Lafayette’s Music Room:

If you’re the type to scream “Play some Skynyrd!” at a rock show, you might want to ring in 2025 with this celebration featuring a Lynyrd Skynyrd cover band named after the aforementioned phrase, as well as 1980s cover band Aquanet. Attire is gold clothing. Tuesday, Dec. 31. Starts at 6 p.m. $50. 2119 Madison Ave. Click here for tickets. 

Bardog Tavern New Year’s Eve Bash:

Bardog will have an open bar, a buffet and midnight champagne toast. Formal cocktail attire is encouraged. 7:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. $150. 73 Monroe Ave. More info and tickets here.

The Peabody Memphis will host its annual New Year’s Eve celebration with Seeing Red and DJ A.D. and the Vibe Tribe. (The Daily Memphian file)

New Year’s Eve at The Peabody Memphis:

Seeing Red and DJ A.D. and the Vibe Tribe will provide the music at this annual party. General admission is $65 per person through Dec. 30 or $75 per person at the door. VIP admission is $250 and includes access to a VIP Lounge, party favors, valet parking, an appetizer buffet and champagne. Tuesday, Dec. 31 from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. 149 Union Ave. More info and tickets here.

New Year’s Eve at Growlers:

This party features music by Josey Scott, the original voice of the band Saliva, with special guests Blacklist Union and Line So Thin. Doors open at 8 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $30. 1911 Poplar Ave.

‘Dazzling Countdown’ at Beck & Call Rooftop Lounge:

Enjoy live music by FreeSol and DJ Nyce Lyfe, dancing, cocktails, party favors, light snacks and a champagne toast at midnight. Tuesday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $100. 33 Beale St. Click here for tickets. 

Eight and Sand inside Central Station will have a free New Year’s Eve show with DJ Funktual. (The Daily Memphian file)

New Year’s Eve Central Station:

Miami-based DJ Funktual will play at Eight and Sand from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. No cover. 545 S. Main St. More info here.

New Year’s Eve at Pretty Taco:

DJ Ryanthemind will be spinning all night, and there will be a balloon drop and a champagne toast at midnight. $15 for general admission (the champagne toast will cost an extra $1), and $28 for VIP (includes champagne toast, VIP bar access and swag bag). Prices go up on Dec. 25. Doors at 9:45 p.m., party runs from 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Cocktail attire suggested but not required. 265 S. Front St. More info and tickets here.

NEW YEAR, HEALTHIER YOU

Resolutions aren’t for everyone, and if you’re not setting any, more power to you. But there is something about Jan. 1 that just feels like a good time for a fresh start. There’s no need to completely remake yourself, but it’s a good time to work in a few new healthy habits, and we’ve got a little inspo in our archives.

From left: Bobby Rich III, Camille James and Derravia Rich stood outside Roxie’s Market in Uptown on Dec. 3. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

If you’re looking to eat a little healthier in 2025, you might check out the new Roxie’s Market in Uptown, where Black Seeds Urban Farms and The Works Inc. sell produce grown both on-site and in urban gardens around Midtown and Downtown. (How’s that for eating local, huh?) You may also want to bookmark this Season 52 Watermelon and Tomato Salad recipe for the summer, when those items are fresh and in-season. But you can make this vegan Quinoa Teriyaki Bowl any time of year.

The Italian smoked sausage sandwich at Plant Based Heat features a vegan sausage in a hot dog bun smothered in sweet barbecue sauce and vegan coleslaw. (Joshua Carlucci/The Daily Memphian file)

Speaking of healthy eating, if you’re doing Veganuary (aka vegan January), you’ll find a tasty $10 Deal on a meat-free Italian smoked sausage sandwich at Plant Based Heat. And those who are giving up booze for the month (aka Dry January) will find some very tasty — and affordable — mocktails made with homemade shrub (a fruit-and-vinegar-based simple syrup) at Memphis Whistle. Pro tip: The lion’s mane wings at the Whistle are also vegan and incredible (get the dry rub version).

Tony Ludlow led an early morning boot camp on Thursday, August 9, in the parking lot of Christ Church Memphis. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

If you’re hoping to get to fit in 2025, you might consider joining Sgt. Tony’s Fitness Boot Camp, which celebrated 25 years this past August. Ludlow, who served in the Marine Corps, moved to Memphis in 1998, and he started an outdoor fitness class at the University of Memphis to make friends in his new city. These days, it meets at Christ Church Memphis and attracts a loyal Ludlow fan base.

Adam Clay played pickleball on Friday, June 21, at Life Time Fitness in Collierville. Clay has lost 100 pounds playing pickleball. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)

You could also skip the push-ups and play pickleball instead. Pickleball 901 founder Adam Clay lost 100 pounds trading his nightly drink for nightly dink. “When I played pickleball at night, I didn’t want to drink beer any longer. Then the weight loss became dramatic,” Clay said. 

Whatever you choose to focus on, good luck! And speaking of luck, don’t forget to eat your black-eyed peas and greens on New Year’s Day. Here’s our own Natalie Van Gundy’s recipe for a New Year’s Day hoppin’ john-style meal. It’s loaded with Swiss chard for health — and good fortune!

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