Solve a whodunnit, watch a balloon drop when the sun is still up or enjoy some improv comedy this New Year’s Eve weekend in Salem, with weekend events for all ages.
Here are the events this week from Thursday, Dec. 28, through Monday, New Years Day.
“Noon Year’s Eve” celebration for kids
The Gilbert House Children’s Museum will celebrate the new year 12 hours early with a “noon year” celebration featuring a balloon drop, crafts and a hot chocolate bar. The celebration goes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31, at 116 Marion St. N.E. Tickets are $19, or $5 for members.
New Year’s Eve parties
Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre is hosting “a Grand NYE Party” with funk and rock performances to ring in the new year. Performers include Jamalia, Wild Ire and Boundless Joy. Bands will play from 8 p.m. to after midnight, and food and beverage will be available. Tickets are $20 online, or $25 the day of the show. The Grand is located at 187 High St. N.E.
Taproot Lounge & Café is hosting a murder mystery party with limited spots from 5 – 9 p.m., before its main celebration that evening.
For the “Murder of a Millionaire” party, it’s $65 to be a main character which includes appetizers, dinner and a cocktail. Background roles are $35, and include appetizers and a cocktail. There will be prizes for best dressed, most theatrical, “money bags,” and for correctly guessing the killer.
For ticket information and a character, send an email with your phone number to: [email protected].
The lounge will have a New Year’s Eve countdown dance party with no cover at 9 p.m., and a $10 cover starting at 10 p.m.
The Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St. S.E. will have an all-ages improv show and a performance from stand up comics on New Year’s Eve.
The interactive improv show with the Infinity’s home team, Electric Baguette, starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, or $12 at the door.
At 10:30 p.m., a lineup of “stand-up comedy all stars” including April Gallaty, Julia Corral and more, will ring in the new year with laughter. Tickets start at $20, and include a champagne or sparkling cider to toast at midnight.
Side Hustle Bar Will have a $2,024 cash giveaway at its “ultimate NYE bash.” Organizers ask that guests “dress to impress,” for the party which includes DJs and a dance floor. Tickets are available online starting at $19, and the celebration goes from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. The bar is at 145 Liberty St. N.E.
Bars and restaurants around town will be having parties, dinners and midnight toasts, including Pacific Standard, Half Penny Public House, Old Zen Wine Bar, Shooters Cafe & Saloon and Archive Coffee & Bar.
Other events
Strap on some roller skates this Saturday, Dec. 30, for an open skate with Cherry City Roller Derby and Traveling Wheelz. Admission is $10, and skate rentals are $5. The skate is at The Madhouse, 1335 Madison St. N.E. The first session is from 4 – 6:30 p.m., and the second session goes from 7:30 – 10 p.m. Presale tickets are available online.
Concerts
A James Taylor Tribute will play on Friday, Dec. 29, at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre, 191 High St. N.E. The performer, Sweet Baby James, uses “spot-on vocals and skillful guitar playing,” according to the event description. Tickets are $20, and are available online. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, The Fab Four, an Emmy-winning Beatles tribute band, will perform hits such as “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “Hey Jude” at the Elsinore Theatre, at 170 High St. S.E. The show features three costume changes and is known for its “precise attention to detail,” according to an event description. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets start at $34.50.
Salem rock trio Showtigers will have an album launch party and concert at the Infinity Room on Saturday. The 7 p.m. show is all-ages, and tickets are $12 presale or $15 at the door. The band will be joined by “space rock” band Giantess and “dream rock” trio Superchurch. Presale tickets are available online, and the venue is located at 210 Liberty St. S.E.
Holiday lights
Drive through over a mile of holiday light displays at the Magic of Lights at the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center. This year, scenes include a Holiday Barbie display, Bigfoot Monster Truck and life-sized dinosaurs, according to Travel Salem’s event page.
The light displays are open daily from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., through Dec. 31.
Tickets are priced per car, so carpooling is recommended. Tickets at the gate are $35 on weekdays and $40 Friday-Sunday. Tickets are available to purchase online for a discount.
At the carousel
The Hazel Patton Riverfront Carousel, 101 Front St. S.E., will have free rides on New Year’s Eve, with a suggested food donation to Marion Polk Food Share. The carousel is open between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
There will be a family painting party at the carousel on New Years Eve from 2 – 4 p.m. Admission is $25, and the class will be painting their “spirit animals.”
Art shows
See what local galleries are showing in a roundup at art exhibitions and events.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
