17 New Year’s Eve Ball Drops in Michigan to Celebrate 2025!
Looking to ring in 2025 with New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Michigan? Here is some great News: you don’t have to travel all the way to New York City and Times Square to watch a fabulous New Year’s Eve ball drop!
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Best Michigan New Year’s Eve Ball Drops
In Michigan, you don’t have to travel further than your nearest Great Lake (and sometimes, even closer) to see see a sparkling ball lowered to the ground to usher in the new year.
In Michigan, of course, we do it our way. Have you ever seen a giant, sparkling cherry, suspended in midair, come crashing to the ground? How about a mitten dangling in the sky and then falling to the ground at midnight? Or maybe…even a giant, replica of a turtle wearing a top hat (it IS new year’s even, after all)?
If you plan to ring in the new year in Michigan, you can see all of that and more as we usher in 2025.
We’ve put together a list of some of the best New Year’s Eve Ball Drops in Michigan to get you off to a wonderful 2025. We’ve also added some ideas for spots to stay overnight if you decide to take a road trip to visit these cool events.
Read on for 17 of the best ball drops in Michigan!
Upper Peninsula New Year’s Eve Ball Drops
New Years Eve Anchor Drop at the Soo – Sault. Ste. Marie
Now this is a pure Michigan New Year’s Eve celebration! Ring in the New Year in Downtown Sault Ste. Marie on Sunday, December 31 as a Giant Anchor, symbolic of the area’s shipping industry, slowly sinks to the ground.
This is a fun way to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the Soo until the anchor drops at midnight!
Join the celebration near the corner of Ashmun Street and Portage Ave to countdown to 2025. Stick around after 12:01 a.m. for the great celebrations at downtown bars.
Marquette NYE Ball Drop Bash! – Marquette
Every time the year turns new, folk from all around the UP gather in Marquette to celebrate together and watch the ball drop at the not-to-missed pure Michigan New Year’s Eve celebration .
During this time the intersection of Washington and Front Street becomes a hub of holiday cheer, community engagement, and unbridled excitement for what the future holds. Watch with the crowd as the illuminated ball drops from the history Savings Bank Building at the stroke of midnight.
The fun starts at 6 p.m. at 100 Block Washington St, Marquette, MI 49855, and runs until 1 p.m.
WHERE TO STAY IF YOU GO
Marquette: We have three favorite spots in Marquette, all exceptionally clean and comfortable, and each with a special feature. The Hampton Inn Waterfront is located on Lake Superior with stunning views. The Ramada Inn is spacious and dog-friendly, and the Holiday Inn has a great fitness center and indoor pool. Sault Ste. Marie: The historic Hotel Ojibway overlooks the Soo Locks and is a really fun place to stay. It clean, comfy and has a pool that you kids will love! The Hampton Inn is newer, and offers a delicious breakfast in addition to always-comfy Hampton pillows. There’s a pool and hot tub on-site, too.
New Year’s Eve Ball Drops in Northern Michigan
Cherry T Ball Drop – Traverse City
Residents of Traverse City know that if you can’t make it to Times Square, there’s nowhere better to be than home sweet home.
As the Cherry Capital of the world should, the ball that is dropped in Traverse City is not so much a ball as much as it is a massive, illuminated cherry, which itself is quite the sight to behold. After midnight, enjoy a spectacle of fireworks as you wrap up a party – and a year – to remember.
IF YOU GO: The historic Park Place Inn and Conference Center in downtown Traverse City is one of my favorite places to stay in Northern Michigan. Designed by the same architect (Benjamin Marshall) who designed the famous Drake hotel in Chicago, this luxurous hotel is home to a fabulous restaurants, Minerva’s, so you can have a romantic dinner before you head out to celebrate New Year’s Eve!
New Year’s Eve at the Crooked Tree Arts Center – Petoskey
Count on Crooked Tree Arts Center, 461 E Mitchell St, Petoskey, to hold one of the top family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations in northern Michigan. Bundle up and head to downtown Petoskey for the fun-for-all-ages New Year’s Eve on Friday, December 31 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the street outside of the Library and Crooked Tree Arts Center.
This event in alcohol-free and designed for all ages.
There will be music, dancing, food, coffee, cocoa, and the annual ball drop. Visit the Library at the s’more tent, for s’more kits to use with the fire pits!
WHERE TO STAY IF YOU GO: The Apple Tree Inn is a really great spot, especially for a family, the rooms are spacious and clean, and you’ll find a large pool.
Great Turtle Drop on Mackinac Island – Mackinac Island
Gather on Mackinac Island’s Main Street as the Great Turtle – a 70-pound green, light-covered, fiberglass turtle – is dropped to the ground to help ring in 2024.
If you’ve never been to Mackinac Island in the winter, it’s a true winter wonderland. Surrounded by the beautiful blue Lake Huron, the snow-covered island is a perfect spot for a Michigan winter getaway.
WHERE TO STAY IF YOU GO: The Island House Hotel is one of the few places on Mackinac Island that remains open all winter long. Set right one Main Street, you’ll find confortable rooms and hot tub for soaking away the winter chills. Plus, you’ll be just steps away from all of the fun on New Year’s Eve!
Annual Charlevoix Bridge Drop – Charlevoix
Starting at one o’clock, there will be a variety of both family-friendly and adult-focused events hosted throughout downtown Charlevoix. All the events are leading up to two world-class fireworks shows beginning at 9 pm followed by a final firework display at midnight.
The Memorial Drawbridge will be raised several minutes before midnight and the countdown will begin one minute before midnight. This year’s event is sure to please the entire family.
There will be horse-drawn wagon rides, s’mores and hot cocoa in East Park, a snow sculpture making contest from 1 to 4 pm. Charlevoix Cinema III will be playing a free movie, “Small Foot”, beginning at 10:30 am. The Bridge Drop is going to be an exciting event that brings family and friends together to ring in the New Year.
WHERE TO STAY IF YOU GO
Charlevoix: The Charlevoix Inn and Suites is clean, comfy and serves a nice complimentary breakfast. The best part? It’s pet-friendly so you can bring your pup!
Mid Michigan New Years Eve Ball Drops
New Year’s Eve Block Party and Ball Drop – Owosso
Mid-Michigan’s Owosso returns in 2024 for the block-party tradition that features a true New York-style ball drop. The party starts at 11 p.m. at the corner of Washington and Water Street, where you’ll find a live DJ and free ice skating on a synthetic ice-skating rink.
The downtown Owosso NYE ball (nicknamed Lucille) with over 10,000 lights, drops at midnight, but be sure and stick around for the amazing firework show after the ball drop.
Midland Midnight on Main
The Dow Diamond comes alive for this annual New Year’s Eve celebration featuring a midnight ball drop and fireworks. You’ll need tickets for the ball drop, a 10-minute-long firework display, food and drinks, live music, and a D.J. The party starts at 7 p.m.
WHERE TO STAY IF YOU GO
Owosso: The Comstock Inn & Conference Center in downtown Oswosso is clean and offers large rooms with an onsite lounge and pool. Midland: The elegant H Hotel is a perfect location to ring in 2023 in style. In addition to clean and comfy beds, you’ll find a good restaurant well as a cafe and bar, too.
New Year’s Eve Ball Drops in West Michigan
Muskegon Lakeshore Legacy Project Annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks Display
Head to downtown Muskegon on December 31 for the first-ever Muskegon NYE Ball Drop. This promises to be a fabulous celebration, with fireworks in addition to the ball drop. Located in Muskegon’s social district, there promises to be great food and drink at the one-of-a-kind celebration.
IF YOU GO: The Shoreline Inn & Conference Center, Ascend Hotel Collection has eveneything you need to keep the whole family happy, including an indoor pool, two indoor spa tubs, an exercise facility, an on-site restaurant, room service and access to rooms with waterfront views upon request.
Ludington Ball Drop: Light Up the Lake – Ludington
Packed with energy and plenty of food and drinks, it’s crazy to think that Ludington’s New Year’s Eve ball drop event is free – but it is!
This is more than just a New Year’s Eve ball drop, it’s an end-of-the-year experience complete with a firework show over downtown Ludington just after midnight. Enjoy music, beer, food, fireworks, and more at West Michigan’s largest ball drop event.
WHERE TO STAY IF YOU GO: In Ludington, Snyder’s Shoreline Inn is located directly across the street from Lake Michigan and offers both standard rooms and suites, too. Rooms are comfy and clean, and you’ll find a lending library onsite, too.
Grand Haven New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks – Grand Haven
The New Year’s Eve fun starts at 11 p.m. in downtown Grand Haven at Washington Avenue & 1st Street. The ball drops at midnight but be sure to stick around for the fireworks afterward.
WHERE TO STAY IF YOU GO: In Grand Haven: Right across the street from the boardwalk, The Harbor House Bed and Breakfast has a perfect location, and is a very claen and comfortable place to stay. Don’t miss the delicious cinnamon bread served at breakfast every morning…what a way to start off 2023!
New Year’s Eve Ball Drops in Southwest Michigan
New Year’s Fest and NYE Ball Drop – Kalamazoo
This Kalamazoo celebration is the place to be on New Years Eve. This fun-for-all-ages New Year’s Eve event in downtown Kalamazoo is a celebration of music, dance, and laughter. It all starts at 6 p.m. and features four indoor performance locations, two heated tents, and live music from Bronson Park Stage.
Performances include bands, performers (magic, storytelling, unique acts, and jugglers, theatre, and interactive performances that get the audience moving. There are also outdoor street performers. The ball drops at midnight, followed by a spectacular fireworks show.
WHERE TO STAY IF YOU GO: The Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center is the hotel that is closest to Bronson Park, where all of the festivities will take place. This is my favorite hotel in Kalamazoo an has recently undergone a multi-million dollar renovation. The result is beautiful, and you’ll fin fur gull-service restaurants as well as an indoor swimming pool here.
South Haven New Year’s Eve Beach Balls Drop – South Haven
Okay, we’ll come clean: this is one of our favorite New Year’s Eve events in Michigan. It’s not just one giant New Year’s Eve ball dropping, it’s 1000 beach balls dropping from the city center, followed by a fabulous fireworks show in one my favorite spots, South Haven.
The party starts at 7 p.m., when you can stroll the streets, stop by warming stations hosted by local merchants, and enjoy music by a live D.J., food, entertainment and ice skating, too.
Michigan’s Largest Ball Drop at NYE! – Allegan
Head to downtown Allegan on New Year’s Eve to catch an amazing site! Allegan boasts Michigan’s LARGEST New Year’s Eve ball drop — the gargantuan globe measures 10’6” and is decorated in 30,000 synchronized LED lights.
The outdoor event features massive fire pits, food trucks, hot drinks, live music, and a brilliant fireworks show at the stroke of midnight. Ring in the New Year with this one-of-a-kind outdoor event! The event runs from 8 pm – 12 am.
WHERE TO STAY IF YOU GO: The Country Inn and Suites in South Haven is a really nice choice: roomy, clean and comfortable. The Holiday Inn has both a 24-hour fitness room and an indoor pool, too. There’s a good complimentary breakfast and in-room refridgerators for storing beach snacks, too. The Hotel Nichols is a boutique hotel right in downtown South Haven. It’s located in a 19th century brick building that has been tastefully rennovated: it’s a really pretty spot. The rooms are exceptionally clean here, and you’ll find a really good breakfast, too. It’s located within walking distance of two beautiful South Haven beaches- a perfect spot for a romantic getaway.
New Year’s Eve Ball Drops in Southeast Michigan
Resolution Ball at Masonic Temple – Detroit
Instead of a ball drop, how does a balloon drop sound? That’s what you’ll find at this exclusive New Year’s Eve event featuring a champagne reception, acrobatic performers, DJs, dancers, snack stations.
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