New Year’s Eve is a love-it-or-hate-it holiday, but if you’re hoping to ring in the new year while grooving to a favorite band or being the dancing queen at one of the multiple Abba-themed bashes, you need to plan ahead. Here’s a guide to the big-ticket concerts taking Washington into 2024. (There’s even one designed for the littlest revelers.)
Gimme Gimme Disco: A Dance Party Inspired by Abba at 9:30 Club
Despite the name, this roving dance party, which has visited 9:30 Club on multiple occasions, plays more than the Swedish quartet — expect the Bee Gees, Chic and Donna Summer, among others. Disco attire is encouraged. 9 p.m. 930.com. $55.
Emmet Swimming at the Atlantis
Back in the 1990s, Emmet Swimming — a Fairfax quartet who parlayed wry lyrics and alternative roots-rock into a major-label deal — were fixtures at 9:30 Club, even recording a live album there. The group heads around the corner to play the first New Year’s show at sister venue the Atlantis. 7:30 p.m. theatlantis.com. $55.
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New Year’s Eve with E.U. and Sugar Bear at Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club
One of go-go’s most popular and charismatic frontmen, Gregory “Sugar Bear” Elliott has been making crowds go buck wild with E.U. since the 1970s. The supper club opens for dinner at 8 p.m. before the show begins at 10. bethesdatheater.com. $40-$60.
The Seldom Scene at the Birchmere
For decades, New Year’s Eve at the Birchmere has meant the Seldom Scene, the local progressive bluegrass pioneers. While lineups have changed, the tradition of that high, lonesome sound on Dec. 31 continues. The Porch Delights open the show. 7:30 p.m. birchmere.com. $49.50.
Peaches O’Dell and Her Orchestra and Tony Anthony and His Malvivants at the Black Cat
It’s tough to remember a time when Peaches O’Dell wasn’t swinging, swaying and conga-lining her way to midnight at the Black Cat. Her orchestra specializes in big-band swing and romantic numbers from old Hollywood. 8 p.m. blackcatdc.com. $35.
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Monty Alexander at Blues Alley
Monty Alexander is known for his decades-long jazz career, performing with Milt Jackson and leading his own bebop-influenced trios, but he’s also earned Grammy nominations for combining jazz with the reggae and calypso sounds of his native Jamaica. He returns to Blues Alley on Dec. 31 with opener Korinn Walfall. Tickets include a three-course meal and, for the second show, champagne. 6:30 p.m. $150; 10 p.m. $200. bluesalley.com.
New Year’s Eve Monopoly at DC9
Matt Bailer, the DJ behind DC9’s popular, long-running Peach Pit ’90s dance party and a fixture at bars including Trade and Pitchers, is behind the decks at this Monopoly-themed event with six hours of premium open bar, hats and noisemakers, plus the Times Square broadcast on a big screen. Prices increase as the event gets closer. 10 p.m. dc9.club. $60-$100.
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Meduza and James Hype at Echostage
Don’t be surprised if people “lose control” at Echostage on New Year’s Eve, thanks to a double bill of the Grammy-nominated Italian house trio Meduza and English house DJ James Hype, who remixed Meduza’s “Piece of Your Heart” single and released his own chart-topping singles, including last year’s banger “Ferrari.” 9 p.m. echostage.com. $80-$100.
Brand New Day VII at Flash
Extended dance parties are a New Year’s Eve tradition at Flash: The seventh installment of its Brand New Day series kicks off at 9 p.m. Dec. 31, and the music doesn’t stop until 4 a.m. Jan. 2. Tickets are available for all 30-plus hours, but there’s also a Jan. 1 “day pass” that allows admission from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and a “night pass” for the 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. portion. Dec. 31-Jan. 2. flashdc.com. $50-$70 extended passes; $30-$40 for single day.
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Rebirth Brass Band at the Hamilton
Over the past 40 years, the Rebirth Brass Band’s blend of traditional second-line brass music, funk and hip-hop has become an integral part of New Orleans’ soundtrack. Thankfully for fans of horn-driven jazz, the band is spending New Year’s Eve in D.C. instead of the Crescent City. Locals Gordon Sterling and the People open. 9 p.m. thehamiltondc.com. $40-$85.
The Rock-A-Sonics at Hank Dietle’s Tavern
Rockabilly stalwarts the Rock-A-Sonics head back to Rockville for the release of the band’s latest 45 rpm single, “Wild Man.” The night at the reborn Hank Dietle’s Tavern includes performances by Shaun Young, Jason Hicks and Easy Ed’s Record Hop, plus party favors and midnight bubbly. 9 p.m. hankdietles.net. $25.
Dancing Queen: Abba Glitter Disco NYE at the Howard Theatre
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Club Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger takes over the Howard Theatre for another of its immersive Abba-themed dance parties. Reserved seats and tables for up to six are available. 9 p.m. thehowardtheatre.com. $20-$100.
Jammin Java
Sticking with tradition, Jammin Java welcomes the new year with two events. First, family favorites Rocknoceros get things going with an early New Year’s Eve Ball, featuring kid-friendly singalongs, an apple juice toast and a noon ball drop. (Doors at 10 a.m., show at 11. $10.) Later, after the kids are asleep, it’s time for the Ultimate ’80s NYE Dance Party with DJ D, featuring singalongs to Prince and Def Leppard, name-that-tune contests, a champagne toast, and a midnight ball drop. (Doors at 7 p.m., music at 8. $35.) Tickets for both shows at jamminjava.com.
Wicked Jezabel at JV’s
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The all-women party band Wicked Jezabel covers classic rock, disco and retro hits at its traditional New Year’s Eve show at the Falls Church roadhouse. Tickets include hors d’oeuvres, a midnight toast and a solo show from Steve Bray beginning at 6 p.m. 9 p.m. wickedjezabel.com. $40.
Kennedy Center
If your ideal New Year’s Eve involves going out but not necessarily staying out past midnight, take a look at the Kennedy Center, which has multiple events ending before the ball drops — and no, we’re not counting the matinee of “Frozen.” In the Terrace Theater, award-winning jazz vocalist Jazzmeia Horn and Her Noble Force offer a bright, modern take on swinging big bands, with two sets. (7 and 9 p.m. $79-$109.) Over in the Concert Hall, Gregory Porter performs songs from his new holiday album “Christmas Wish” as well as the soulful, gospel-influenced jazz that has made him one of the most popular singers in the genre. The Kennedy Center notes this is Porter’s “very first New Year’s Eve concert,” if you want the “I was there” cred. (8 p.m. $59-$199.) Tickets for both concerts at kennedy-center.org.
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White Ford Bronco at Lincoln Theatre
There’s no D.C. cover band like White Ford Bronco, whose all-’90s sets feel like a nonstop celebration, complete with mass singalongs, jumping around, and shout-outs to birthday and bachelorette parties. This general admission show at the Lincoln Theatre features a midnight champagne toast. Doors at 9 p.m.; show at 10:30. thelincolndc.com. $55.
Steve Washington at Mr. Henry’s
Steve Washington, a jazz vocalist who interprets the Great American Songbook through his background in Broadway and cabaret, performs at the intimate Mr. Henry’s. Tickets include a dinner buffet (beginning at 8 p.m.), an open bar, dessert and all-night snacks. A limited number of late-night tickets allow entry at 10 p.m. with an open bar and snacks. 9:30 p.m. mrhenrysdc.com. $143-$195.
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Dance Club Presents: NYE at the Owl Room
The Owl Room — formerly known as Marvin — is letting the monthly Dance Club party take over New Year’s Eve, with residents Tommy C, Joyce Lim and Baronhawk Poitier, who represented the DMV with two sets at the Glastonbury Festival this summer. 9 p.m. theowlroomdc.com. $22.66.
Southern Culture on the Skids at Pearl Street Warehouse
Decades after roaring out of North Carolina with a simmering mix of garage rock, surf riffs and outlaw country, Southern Culture on the Skids can still get crowds moving. The trio caps a two-night stint at the Wharf with a New Year’s Eve show, opened by the Highballers. Both general admission and seated tickets are available. 9 p.m. pearlstreetwarehouse.com. $50-$80.
Slings and Arrows Present: A Gothic Prom NYE at Songbyrd
New Year’s Eve isn’t just for sparkling wine and pop hits: There’s a dark side, too. Join DJs Vampyre Noire, Vlad and Rinesin for a night of goth, darkwave and industrial tunes, plus a runway show and the crowning of “gothic royalty.” 9 p.m. songbyrddc.com. $10-$20.
Oh He Dead’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve at Union Stage
Local indie-soul band Oh He Dead continued its rise this year with the release of “Pretty,” a sophomore album full of bubbling, exuberant tunes soaked in retro dance vibes. 9 p.m. unionstage.com. $40-$60.
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