The cities of El Paso and Las Cruces are each planning New Year’s Eve drops at midnight that represent their cities superbly.
El Paso will have the New Year’s Eve El Paso Star Drop, powered by El Paso Electric, and Las Cruces will have the Las Cruces Chile Drop at its celebration Wednesday, Dec. 31.
This will be the second year for the El Paso celebration, from 8 p.m. to midnight at San Jacinto Plaza. The family-friendly celebration in partnership with In Blume will feature a brand new 30-foot star drop and countdown.
“We are proud to partner with the city of El Paso to bring a one-of-a-kind New Year’s Eve celebration to our community,” said In Blume Owner Gus Chavez in a news release. “Creating memorable experiences for families is at the heart of what we do, and we’re excited to help make this year’s Star Drop even more special for everyone who comes out to celebrate.”
Organizers said the 10 x 10 Star includes built-in LED lights that mimic the star on the Franklin Mountains. The event will include live music, DJs, entertainment, and a festive countdown to 2026.
In Blume will offer a VIP area for guests seeking an upgraded experience. VIP tickets, ranging from $35 to $75 plus fees, will be sold and managed directly by In Blume and can be purchased at tickets.nyeep.com.
The New Year’s Eve stage will be set on Main Street between Mesa and Oregon and will feature performances by DJ G Cue, Lucha Lucha (Roger Argenis Band), International Sonora Skandalo and DJ Johnny Kage.
Attendees can also enjoy food and treats from the Holiday Food Truck Village and additional trucks surrounding San Jacinto Plaza.
Las Cruces to celebrate 12th annual Chile Drop for New Year’s Eve
In Las Cruces, this will be the 12th annual year for the Chile Drop at the Plaza de Las Cruces. The Chile was chosen 12 years ago as a way to promote the city, the southern New Mexico region and the chile industry.
Russ Smith, Chile Drop planner, said this year Borderland revelers will get to see a new Chile that is being built and will be unveiled on New Year’s Eve.
“It is better because it has the next generation of light effects, and I think you would describe it as a more three-dimensional element not just two-dimensional,” Smith said.
The organizer said the event will be a way for residents to celebrate the coming year but also a great source of city pride. Food and games will start at 6 p.m. Free admission and party favors while they last.
“People turn it into an evening of fun for the whole family,” Smith said. “It’s a great date night and an evening when people go to dinner at the Plaza or their favorite restaurant. They enjoy the early part of the evening in celebrating rides, games and food trucks at the event; then later in the evening there is an accumulation of audience that creates this magical, full plaza moment with thousands of people surrounding the plaza stage, entertainment, and the midnight Chile drop.”
As part of the entertainment, New Mexico singer and songwriter Daniel Solis will be performing at about 9 p.m. on the Plaza stage. He will have a featured artist, accordion player Chalito Zapata from San Antonio.
Solis, who grew up in Northern New Mexico, has more than 25 years of experience writing and performing music, from country music to music in Spanish and original songs.
“I do Spanish music and original music, bringing all that together, and it turns into kind of a country Americana with a little bit of rock,” he said in a telephone interview.
Solis said he plans to get people dancing and two-stepping all night with a good mix of country and Spanish language cumbias and rancheras.
The performer said the celebration is a good time to reflect on his own musical journey as 2025 marks 25 years of being a musician. This past year was also busy with big moves; his family moved from Albuquerque to Angel Fire, N.M. He is married with children and is an educator full time.
As he looks forward to 2026, he is hoping to step into the studio more and record new music.
“I’d like to do some more recordings, put out a new album in both Spanish and original country music. I’d like to get back into the inner self of a musician and really take some time off for at least half the year for that,” he said.
He added, “this is kind of a great moment that we get to play a big event and end the year with a bang.”
Here is a glimpse of other New Year’s Eve celebrations in the El Paso area.
Plaza Hotel to celebrate Golden Desert Soiree
The Plaza Hotel invites El Pasoans to make reservations for its New Year’s Eve event Dec. 31 that will start at 7 p.m. The New Year’s Eve gala will feature a live band, festive cocktails, fine wines, a multi-course dinner, a midnight toast and dancing under golden lights. Tickets are limited. People can make reservations at Eventbrite.com Seated dinner is $175, Dinner and curated wine pairings is $250.
Ardovino’s Desert Crossing
Ardovino’s Desert Crossing invites people to ring in 2026 in a relaxed style. It will offer a fun evening of dining, live music and sparkling celebration from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dinner will be an Italian buffet. Tickets $115.35 per person. If purchased by Dec. 29, they are $104.19. Information: ardovinos.com
Hotel Paso del Norte
Hotel Paso del Norte Hotel will have its Funk N’ Royalty New Year’s Eve Dinner Party, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31. The evening will feature a three-course dinner, the Vegas Band, Dirty Thirty Band, and your best glamour look. Tickets are $161.90 including fees, available at Eventbrite.com
Azul
Azul, a party venue at 5020 N. Desert Blvd. Bldg B with an aquarium theme, will have its first New Year’s Eve celebration featuring a chef-prepared meal, signature cocktails, an all-night open bar, live band The Allie Saturia Trio from Cafe Central, DJ, a spectacular balloon drop and a midnight champagne tower. Only 60 guests. Tickets are $200 per person. 21 and over. Buy tickets through Zelle at 915-731-6989.
El Mirador
El Mirador, the rooftop bar at Hotel Paso del Norte, will celebrate the end of 2025 with a party from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Dec. 31. Get ready to ring in the new year with breathtaking views, delicious drinks, and great company. Must be 21 with valid ID. General admission tickets are $100 per person, available at Eventbrite.com
Bye, Bye Dear
Bye, Bye Dear, a new club at 111 E. Robinson St., owned by former Lick it Up owner Edgar Delfin, invites El Pasoans to its first New Year’s Eve celebration, Juicebox, an Indie Sleaze Night featuring Planet I Love You live and DJ music. Party starts at 9 p.m. $2 and $3 drink specials. Free champagne toast. 21 and over.
The Elmont Swim Club
The Elmont Event Center will have its New Year’s Eve celebration Dec. 31 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at 240 W. Castellano Drive. The evening will feature a dinner, music and a midnight toast. Dinner celebration starts at $120 plus fees, available at theelmont.com. Party-only tickets are also available.
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150, mcortes@elpasotimes.com and @EPTMaria on Twitter, and eptmariacg on TikTok.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: New Year’s Eve: Where to ring in 2026 in El Paso, Las Cruces
Reporting by Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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