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This past year brought new food, big celebrations, and major announcements. Think Hard Times Deli, the 100th anniversary of Tom Lee’s historic river rescue, a new Memphis Grizzlies coach and the first look at plans for Crosstown’s new music venue. But it’s time to say goodbye to 2025, and we’ve got your party guide.

Once the last drop of champagne has been drunk, it’s time to set new goals for 2026. And we’ve also included some resolution inspiration from our archives.

Oh, and don’t even think about starting the new year without your black-eyed peas. Food writer Jennifer Chandler’s Lucky New Year Soup recipe is below.

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTIES

Noon Years at Noon at the Children’s Museum of Memphis:
Kids ring in the new year a little early in this family-family event with a balloon drop, a DJ, face painting and candy. Wednesday, 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 party with fireworks, confetti and a ball drop. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

New Year’s Eve on Beale Street:
Bars throughout the entertainment district will have their own celebrations with live music. There will be fireworks, confetti cannons and a ball drop as the clock strikes midnight. Entrance to the street will be free, but bars will charge various covers. A Beale Street Fast Pass ($150) lets you skip lines to get inside the bars. Wednesday, Dec. 31, starts at 5 p.m.

Strictly Jazz Entertainment New Year’s Eve Party at Westin Hotel:
Strictly Jazz will bring live jazz to the hotel lobby from 6 to 9 p.m. and DJ Sketchz from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Free. 170 Lt. George W. Lee Ave. More info here.

New Year’s Eve at Maeve’s Tavern:
Welcome the new year in Irish style with hors d’ouvres, a hearty buffet and live music by Kennard Farmer. There will also be party favors and a photo booth. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 6 p.m.-midnight. $85. 78 N. Main St., Collierville. More info here.

Memphis Riverboats will host a New Year’s Eve dinner and music cruise. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

New Year’s Eve dinner and music cruise with Memphis Riverboats: 
Cruise the Mississippi River, and say goodbye to 2025 on a boat. Expect a DJ and a dinner of fettuccine alfredo, brisket and more, as well as a cash bar. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Boards at 6 p.m., departs at 7 p.m. and returns by 9 p.m. $80. More info here.

Lahna Deering will perform two New Year’s Eve sets at Bar DKDC. (Kyle Kurlick/The Daily Memphian file)

New Year’s Eve at Bar DKDC:
Lahna Deering will play two back-to-back “I Miss Memphis” shows. The first one is at 6:30 p.m., and dinner will be served. Then she’ll perform again at 8:30 p.m. Beginning at 10:30 p.m., DJ Rhinestonee and DJ Livin will spin past midnight. Wednesday, Dec. 31. More info here.

Mid-South Pride New Year’s Celebration at Minglewood Hall: 
Mid-South Pride is throwing this party with two live stages with drag shows, light shows by Illumination Lasers & Lights and Sublime Light and music from DJs Scotty B, Jordan Rogers, MAD, Vibe Check, Katie Loopz, illstu and Test Kit. Plus, there’s a music block curated by BitchBopz. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and music goes until 2 a.m. $30 for general admission or $75 for VIP. 1555 Madison Ave. More info here.

Bardog will host a formal New Year’s Eve party. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)

Bardog Tavern New Year’s Eve Bash:
Bardog will have an open bar, a custom martini bar, a buffet and midnight champagne toast. Formal cocktail attire is encouraged. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. $178. 73 Monroe Ave. More info and tickets here.

New Year’s Eve at The Peabody Memphis:
DJ A.D. and the Vibe Tribe, Seeing Red, DJ FERB and the The Jeremy Shrader Jazz Duo will perform at this annual party. General admission is $70, and tickets to the Champagne Lounge are $191 (comes with a welcome split of champagne with a fruit and cheese plate and party favors). Wednesday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. 149 Union Ave. More info and tickets here.

Tiger and Peacock will host its annual New Year’s Eve party. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

New Year’s Eve at Tiger and Peacock:
This party features chef-curated hors d’oeuvres and dessert, a champagne toast at midnight and music from DJ Bizzle Bluebland. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. $100. 21 Cooper St. Get tickets here.

WHAT TO EAT ON NEW YEAR’S DAY

Ring in the New Year with Jennifer Chandler’s Lucky Black-Eyed Pea and Collard Greens Soup. (Justin Fox Burks)

Don’t leave anything up to fate in 2026: Eat your black-eyed peas and greens. This traditional Southern New Year’s Day combo promises good luck and good fortune, so make a pot of food writer Jennifer Chandler’s Lucky New Year Soup from “The Southern Pantry Cookbook” to eat on Jan. 1. It has all the important first-of-the-year foods: black-eyed peas, collard greens and bacon. (In some traditions, hog jowl is eaten for health and wealth, but bacon is close enough.)

You can also easily veganize this soup by subbing vegetable broth and veggie bacon, or omitting the bacon altogether. If you do leave the bacon out, add a touch of liquid smoke or smoked paprika for flavor.

NEW YOU IN 2026

It’s that time of the year when we resolve to start working out (for real this time), eating healthier foods, meditating and reading more books, all while reducing booze. And you can certainly try all of those things at once, or you can pick and choose one to two goals that you might actually commit to. If healthy living is in your plan for 2026, here’s a little inspiration from our archives.

Dr. David Usdan and Dr. Vance Shappley offer tips for living a full life well into your 80s. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

How to live longer: Want to be healthy and active well into your 80s? Take a few tips from local octogenarian doctors Vance Shappley and David Usdan. Both credit meaningful relationships, hobbies, work and healthy food with their impressive healthspans. But Shappley says there’s another key ingredient to a long life: fun.

Bodybuilding champion Kevin Swannigan, 71, owns Elemental Fitness and Performance of Memphis. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)

Get active: If you need some motivation to get to the gym, just look to 71-year-old Memphian Kevin Swannigan. While many people his age are struggling to get up the stairs, Swannigan, a former bodybuilder, is training 20 clients a week at the gym he owns, all while maintaining his own fitness. Oh, and if you recognize those muscles, it’s because he was the model for the National Civil Rights Museum logo. 

Biscuits & Jams has an Un-old Fashioned mocktail. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)

Give up booze: Millions of Americans will trade their IPAs for hop water and their cocktails for mocktails this coming January. The Dry January trend, which started in 2013, isn’t going anywhere. And some people, like a few Memphians interviewed for Aisling Mäki’s story on sober living, will decide to put down the beer mug for good. Need more reason to give sobriety a try? Experts say alcohol consumption is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer.

LuLu’s Black-Eyed Pea Sausage Biscuit (left) and Brekky Sando are completely vegan breakfast options. (Joshua Carlucci/The Daily Memphian file)

Give veggies a chance: One year after Dry January launched in the U.K., there was Veganuary. Same concept, but instead of giving up alcohol, you’re giving up meat, dairy and other animal byproducts. If you’re veg-curious, it’s an easy way to dip your toes in the water. Need some ideas of where to eat? Memphis has several fully vegan restaurants, like LuLu’s Cafe, Imagine Vegan Cafe and Sun of a Vegan. And there are even more places with abundant vegan options, several of which are featured in food writer Ellen Chamberlain’s guide to plant-based eats. And if you’re looking for a vegan meal on a budget, try the Barbecue Jackfruit Nachos at Plant-Based Heat or the Vegan Guac Bowl at Guac Fresh Mex. Both were recent $15 Deals.

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