New Year’s Eve Ball Drop

Presented by: 

DECEMBER 31, 2024

Ring in the New Year in Downtown Ludington! This FREE, high-energy event is packed with fun for everyone! Beginning at 9:00pm on Ludington Avenue you can enjoy music, a beer tent with commemorative light-up glasses, fireworks and of course the highlight of the evening, West Michigan’s largest New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. The lit ball will be dropped at the stroke of midnight followed by an amazing fireworks display over Downtown. Scroll down for more info.

COUNTDOWN PARTY

#PureLudington NYE Party starts at 9:00 p.m.!
Brought to you by Ludington Area CVB, Ludington Beverage, Oxy Chem, House of Flavors Manufacturing, Five Star Real Estate, West Shore Bank and Zupin Crane.

Enjoy beer, wine, seltzer, and non-alcoholic options in Legacy Plaza prior to the ball drop. WMOM will be hosting the street party. The fireplace will be roaring and heaters will be scattered throughout Legacy Plaza. This will be an open air event (no tent!) so dress accordingly.

The NYE ball drops at the stroke of midnight courtesy of Zupin Crane followed by an amazing fireworks display sponsored by Oxy Chem. 

Scroll down for a list of businesses open for shopping and warming up. 


THIS EVENT IS FREE

WARM UP SPOTS (9pm-midnight)

  • All Occasions Events & Floral – annual Ball Drop warming party | 9 p.m.-midnight
  • Blu Moon Bistro | until 10 pm | LOSD BAR
  • Jamesport Brewing Co | until 10:30pm | LOSD BAR
  • Ludington Pub | until midnight | LOSD BAR
  • Red Rooster Coffee & Community | 9-11:30pm
  • The Port Ludington | 9:30-11:30pm | Live Music
  • Todd and Brad Reed Photography | open til 1 am
  • Sandbar | until 1am | LOSD BAR
  • Sportsmans/Mitten Bar | until midnight | LOSD BAR
  • Timbers Prime | open late | LOSD BAR

SAFE RIDES PROGRAM
Free Ride, Free Tow!

Thanks to these sponsors:
Ludington Police Department, Scottville Police Department,  Mason County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, Abrahamson’s Towing, Fiers Towing, Oceana Auto, Auto Ranch, Judy’s Lakeside Rides, Benson & Son, LMTA, MADD, SADD, WKLA, WMOM, Ludington Daily News, Downtown Ludington Board, Ludington Beverage, Haworth and Pure Ludington.

These companies are offering FREE rides on New Year’s Eve:
LMTA:  (231) 845-6218
Abrahamson’s Towing: (231) 843-2990
Oceana Auto:  (231) 843-6500
Fiers Towing:  (231) 757-4479
Auto Ranch Towing: (231) 425-6206
Judy’s Lakeside Rides:  (231) 233-7200
Benson & Son: (231) 690-8181

Service Area:


LODGING SPECIALS

We invite you to stay the weekend in Pure Ludington and enjoy the winter fun happening in the area! Many local hotels and motels are offering lodging specials for weekend.

Hotels & Motels
Resorts & Cabins
Bed & Breakfasts
Lodging Specials & Deals


FIREWORKS
Brought to you by OxyCheM

We like to kick off the New Year with a bang! Once the clock strikes midnight, turn your attention to the crisp winter sky and watch one of the most amazing fireworks displays you have ever seen. The best part is that the show is right over top of downtown!

 

OTHER NYE HAPPENINGS

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE PORT

Come warm up before the ball drop and enjoy the incredible music of Third Coast Swing from 9:30-11:30 p.m. Leading up to the band, The Port have family-friendly activities throughout, and all of your favorite food, drinks, and sweet treats! Sip a hot beverage, make a candle, and celebrate the new year.

NEW YEAR’S EVE BALLOON DROP

The ever-popular Balloon Drop New Year’s Eve Party returns to Sandcastles Children’s Museum on Dec. 31! The party goes from 5 p.m.-8 pm. Thomas Ronquillo will be teaching congas. Balloons will drop on two floors. There will be snack food and refreshments, House of Flavors ice cream, face painting and more. Purchase your ticket at Sandcastles or reserve your spot by calling 231-233-9326. Admission is $60 per immediate family or $15 per person.

PARTY AT THE LIBRARY

There is always something fun to do on New Year’s Eve at the Ludington Library! From 8:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. families can enjoy crafts, games and entertainment. DJ Trivia & DJ Bingo of Mason & Oceana Counties will host a few rounds of Bingo, from 9:00-10:30 p.m. – good for the whole family.  Adults can take part in puzzle challenges and Minute-to-Win-It games all night long. Teens and adults will compete for the Seventh Biannual Library Cup in Smash Ultimate – registration closes at 9:00 p.m. so be there early! All MCDL programs are FREE; children under 8 must be supervised.
 

NYE WARMing PARTY AT ALL OCCASIONS EVENTS & FLORAL

From 9 p.m. until the ball drop, enjoy music, food and door prizes at All Occasions, 110 N. James St. (adjacent to Legacy Plaza). Music will be provided by Soundwaves Next Generation DJ Services. This event is free.

RESTAURANTS

BREAKFAST // LUNCH // DINNER
OPEN New Year’s EVE
  • Blu Moon Bistro | special menu, open until 10pm | LOSD BAR
  • Book Mark | until 6pm
  • Cafe 106 | until 2pm
  • Cluck Bucket | 12-2 pm & 9:30-11:30pm
    NYE Warm Up w/ Live Music
  • Crown and Cork | 5 pm-12 am w/ specials and drink features
  • House of Flavors | until 3pm
  • HumaniTea | 9am-7pm & 9:30-11:30pm
    NYE Warm Up w/ Live Music
  • Jamesport Brewing Co | special menu, open until 10:30pm | LOSD BAR
  • Ludington Bay Brewing Co | until 10pm | LOSD BAR
  • Ludington Pub | until midnight LOSD BAR
  • Old Hamlin | until 7pm | LOSD BAR
  • The Port Ludington | until 11:30pm | Live Music at 9:30pm
  • Q Smokehouse | until 7pm | LOSD BAR
  • Red Rooster | open 7 a.m.-5 p.m. with holiday menu
  • Sandbar | until 1am | LOSD BAR
    NYE Party with live music
  • Sportsmans/Mitten Bar | until midnight | LOSD BAR
  • Table 14 | special menu, open until 9pm
  • The Grand | until 8pm
  • Tiki Lounge | NYE Party 9pm-4am
  • Timbers Prime | open late | pizza & beer specials at Timbers Hideaway | LOSD BAR
OPEN New Year’s Day
  • Book Mark | 7am-5pm
  • Cafe 106 | 8am-2pm
  • Crown and Cork
  • HumaniTea | 9am-5pm
  • Ludington Pub | 12pm-8pm
  • Jamesport | 11:30am-8pm
  • Old Hamlin | 7am-7pm
  • Sportsmans | 12am-7pm

SHOPS

OPEN New Year’s EVE
  • All Occasions Events & Floral open 10am-1pm | re-open 8:30pm until midnight | Annual Ball Drop warming party
  • Everest Athleisure | open 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Provisions | 10am-5:30pm
  • Mariellen’s Hallmark | 10am-9pm
  • Mason County Emporium | 7 p.m.-midnight | Buy a membership and receive a museum combo pass for two to share with friends.
  • Cedar Chest | 11am-6pm
  • Evergreen Natural Foods Mkt. | 10am-5pm
  • Gliks | 10am-6pm
  • Ludington Hobbies | 9am-5pm
  • Sister Bees | open 10am-4 pm
  • Snyder’s Shoes | 9am-6pm
  • Spindrift Cyclesports | 12-4pm
  • Trailhead Bike Shop | 10am-3pm
OPEN New Year’s Day
  • Mariellen’s Hallmark | 12-5pm

AFTER-PARTY AT TIMBERS PRIME

The Largest NYE after party is at TIMBERS PRIME & TIMBERS HIDEAWAY. What party starts at 12:30? Ours does! Live music – Late Food – and lots of fun!

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION RUN 5K

DATE:  January 1, 2024 at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Begins and ends Loomis & James streets
COST: $30 ($35 on race day)
Volunteers are needed for course support, timing and scoring. Please email [email protected] to volunteer.