FOND DU LAC – This year is almost over, so how will you be ringing in 2026?
A few options for celebration in Fond du Lac range from champagne toasts at a local bar, dinners with entertainment, a neon skate party or an early balloon drop with the kids.
Here’s what’s going on in the Fond du Lac area for New Year’s Eve.
New Year’s Eve dinner
Fat Joe’s Burgers and Brew, 15 W. Division St., will host its third annual all-you-can-eat surf-and-turf buffet from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31, featuring prime rib, salmon, lobster mac and cheese, charcuterie, and more for $40. Afterwards, the DJ starts at 10 p.m., and customers will get a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.
Reservations are preferred by Dec. 28 by calling 920-933-3833.
American Legion Foxhole Bar, 500 Fond du Lac Ave., will host a New Year’s Eve Bash with Lil Bit and Kathy starting at 7 p.m. with main dish sloppy joe sandwiches. Attendees are invited to take a dish to pass.
Lomira Community Theatre will celebrate its 25th anniversary with its winter variety show, “You Can’t Stop The Beat,” at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, W3081 County Y. The dinner show is Dec. 31, with wrapped pork loin, Italian chicken, cheesy mashed potatoes, dessert, cocktails and are more served at 6 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. performance.
The show itself features a mix of music, dance, comedy and holiday-inspired entertainment. Tickets for the dinner show are $38 on Eventbrite, and a second show-only performance will be 1 p.m. Jan. 1, with tickets available for $15 at the door.
Champagne toasts at midnight
The theme for the annual New Year’s Eve Bash at Charlie’s Banquet Hall & Pub, 1348 Wisconsin Ave. in North Fond du Lac, is Pajama Party.
A darts tournament starts at 7 p.m. before festivities kick off at 9 p.m. with dance music, karaoke, refreshments and a midnight champagne toast. Safe Rides will also be available for rides home.
Fond du Lac Beer Company, 21 Fourth Street Court, will host a New Year’s Eve celebration starting at 11 a.m. with beer flowing all night and champagne sold by the glass for a laid-back night to ring in 2026.
The Coliseum Sports Bar & Grill, 89 S. Main St., will feature live music from Brent Bel & The Boys starting at 10 p.m. to celebrate New Year’s Eve in addition to drinks and food.
2fer’s GameTime Retreat Sports Bar and Grill, 200 E. Main St. in Eden, will host New Year’s Eve with a 1970s theme, featuring free food and a champagne toast at 5, 7 and 9 p.m., as well as midnight. Attendees are welcome to take a snack to share.
Recreational New Year’s
The annual Fond du Lac Running Club New Year’s Eve Chilly Chili Run/Walk will open registration at 2 p.m. Dec. 31 at Marian University’s Hornung Student Center. A half-mile kids’ run will kick off at 2:45 p.m. and a 5K run/walk will follow at 3 p.m. A party and awards ceremony will be held from 2 to 5:30 p.m.
The adult run/walk costs $25, which includes chili and food, beverages, awards and more. The children’s event is free. Online registration is available at runsignup.com/Race/WI/FondduLac/ChillyChiliRunWalk.
Korneli’s on the Avenue, 605 Fond du Lac Ave., will host a Neon Party with DJ Beat Crazy from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., with neon face paint, a kids’ soda bar, Bob’s Pizza, sparkling juice and more included in the $20 admission fee.
Ledgeview Lanes, 170 N. Prairie Road, will be open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. with bowling specials, including $11 per person for one hour, $20 for two hours and a $30 family package for up to five people, all with shoes included.
Lanes can be reserved by calling 920-923-1233 or emailing bowl@ledgeviewlanes.com.
Ohana Axe, 25A N. Main St., will host a New Year’s Eve Party from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., with ax-throwing lanes open for $10 per hour and food specials such as $8 pizzas and $6 pitchers.
The Press Box, 251 Forest Ave., will kick off New Year’s Eve celebrations with a volleyball tournament at 7 p.m., then a party from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. with drink specials and party favors, as well as champagne at midnight.
Kid-friendly fun
The Fond du Lac Public Library, 32 Sheboygan St., will kick off New Year’s Eve with a free Noon Year’s Eve Party from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Dec. 31 in the McLane Room, featuring make-your-own party hats and noisemakers, a joke wall, photo spots and a dance party.
Sparkling grape juice will be provided for the countdown to noon, or attendees are welcome to take their own juice. Party dress is encouraged, but not required.
The Fond du Lac Family YMCA’s annual free New Year’s Eve Bash at 90 W. Second St. invites both members and the community to join in on a glow dance party, crafts, a bounce house, a photo booth and more from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 31, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club. Homemade pizza will be available by the slice for $2, cash only.
The pool and waterslide will be open from 1 to 3 p.m., and the day will end with a 3:45 p.m. balloon drop. A pre-registration link is available through the Facebook event listing.
Play café Wonder, 15 N. Main St., will host a New Year’s Eve Bash from 4 to 6 p.m., with two hours of open play time, sensory bin station, photo booth, dance party, snacks and a 4:45 p.m. balloon drop for $30 per child.
The event is targeted toward children ages 10 and younger and limited to 25 children. Tickets are available through wonderfdl.com.
Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at dlemke@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Fond du Lac with these local events
Reporting by Daphne Lemke, Fond du Lac Reporter / Fond du Lac Reporter
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