14 Fun Boston Bars that Aren’t Charging Covers for New Year’s Eve 2026

2025 has come and gone and it’s time to ring in the new year with friends and loved ones. <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/first-night-boston-boston-400663">First Night Boston</a> is the ultimate (and free) experience to welcome 2026. But if you’re still looking for some other fun ways to ring in the new year, then get ready to dance, dazzle, and clink your glasses of bubbly with this list of parties and other celebrations that have no cover. And when the partying is over, don’t forget to catch <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/free-mbta-on-new-year-s-eve-boston-306798">the T which will be fare-free starting at 8PM</a> until the early hours of New Year’s Day. Happy New Year from us to you. Cheers to amazing things ahead this 2026. 🥂 by Yelena Nicolle Salvador 1) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/new-year-s-countdown-toast-at-the-fcc-at-noon-boston-1010422">New Year’s Countdown Toast at FCC</a> When: 11AM Where: Fenway Info: It’s okay if you can’t stay up 'til midnight. You can still celebrate with the greater Boston community, friends, and family. Enjoy complimentary drinks and bevvies at the Fenway Community Center for their NYE party. 2) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/kid-s-noon-years-eve-boston-1010190">Kids’ New Year's Eve</a> When: 11AM Where: Downtown Info: Hey, everyone’s a kid at heart. Join this all-age party for a balloon drop at noon and a toast with some yummy juice. If you're still looking to spice up your midday festivities, adults can grab an alc bev from the bar at this High Street Place celebration. 3) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/nye-kick-off-be-home-for-the-ball-drop-boston-1030132">NYE Kick-Off at High Street Place </a> When: 5:30PM Where: Downtown Info: Enjoy an easy, casual get-together with friends, family, or even solo by stopping by High Street Place's early NYE party. There will be shareable specials from food vendors, bubbly and festive drinks from the three different bars on-site, and even a DJ spinning energetic tunes for everyone. 4) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/park-9-new-year-s-early-eve-bash-everett-1030131">Park-9 New Year's Eve Early Bash</a> When: 6PM Where: Everett Info: No need to stay up with your pup. Bring your furry friend or come solo to this early bash where you can meet other dog lovers. There will be a ball drop, specialty cocktails, a pizza pop-up, and more to ring in the new year early. 5) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/trina-starlite-s-nye-somerville-1010494">NYE at Trina’s Starlite Lounge</a> When: 7PM Where: Somerville Info: Trina’s is back this year with their annual no-frills NYE party. With no cover and no theme, this party is a simple come-as-you-are event. Dance to a live DJ for five hours straight, grab a hot dog, and welcome 2026 at this laid-back party. 6) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/nick-at-nite-new-year-s-eve-party-at-night-shift-everett-taproom-everett-1029750">Night Shift Brewing NYE: Nick at Nite</a> When: 8PM Where: Everett Info: Throw it back to the network that brought us 'SpongeBob,' 'Avatar the Last Airbender,' 'The Rugrats,' 'Drake &amp; Josh,' and so much more. Come dressed as your favorite character, and get ready for an evening of slime and a good time. Enjoy a beer toast at midnight, a pop-up burger vendor, specialty brews, and live music all night long. 7) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/giggle-station-nye-comedy-dance-party-chelsea-1030157">Giggle Station NYE Comedy Dance Party</a> When: 8:30PM Where: Chelsea Info: Step into this historic horse and carriage firehouse that was converted into the beloved Chelsea Station Restaurant. Grab a bite to eat while welcoming the new year with some laughs. There will be a comedy show by 13th Road and a DJ spinning tunes until the clock strikes midnight. 8) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/new-years-eve-2-parties-1-countdown-somerville-1029773">Retrograde NYE at Satellite</a> When: 9PM Where: Cambridge Info: Celebrate the new year by traveling back in time under disco light. Wear your bell-bottoms and fringe while you boogie to the throwback tunes of a vinyl-spinning DJ. There will be cocktail specials and fun vibes during this old-school party. 9) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/new-years-eve-2-parties-1-countdown-somerville-1029773">Midnight 3000 at Remnant Brewery</a> When: 9PM Where: Somerville Info: Blast into the future with an upbeat, electric party under the black lights of Remnant Brewery. Come dressed in silver, neon, and your best futuristic fits as you sip on glowing drinks and dance to the electronic music of the night. Party like it's the year 3000. 10) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/nye-glow-up-in-2025-boston-1010173">NYE at TimeOut Market: Glow Up in 2026</a> When: 9PM Where: Fenway Info: Grab your free ticket and get ready to dazzle the night with your vibrant outfits and contagious energy. TimeOut Market is hosting a NYE bash with a tarot card reader, live music, a photo booth, and fun-themed cocktail specials. Dance all night long while you cheers to 2026 with a complimentary bubbly toast at midnight. 11) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/skip-the-cover-and-countdown-to-midnight-at-bootleg-special-s-free-disco-fever-new-year-s-eve-bash-boston-1030116">Bootleg Special's Disco Fever's NYE Bash</a> When: 9PM Where: South End Info: Dress in glitter and glam and boogie all night at Bootleg Special's dance floor. A DJ will be spinning tunes all night while you enjoy food specials that transport you to the French Quarter of New Orleans. Ring in the new year with a complimentary prosecco toast too. 12) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/premiere-broadway-s-new-year-s-eve-bash-somerville-1010424">New Year’s Eve Bash at Premiere Broadway</a> When: 9PM Where: Somerville Info: Listen to music from a DJ and a live band all night long, so you can dance your way into 2026. Premiere Broadway is hosting a big party where you can enjoy live entertainment for free and purchase cheap champagne flutes and festive drinks to celebrate the new year. 13) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/east-boston-s-official-new-year-s-eve-party-at-pazza-on-porter--2-boston-1030158">New Year’s Eve Party at Pazza on Porter</a> When: 9PM Where: East Boston Info: Cross the Harbor and experience the energy of Eastie at Pazza on Porter's NYE party. Reservations are recommended if you want a bite, but stop in for a drink (first round is free) and live music that will have you dancing the night away into the new year. There will be a complimentary prosecco toast at midnight too. 14) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/new-year-s-eve-at-an-sibin-cambridge-1010427">NYE at An Sibin</a> When: 10PM Where: Cambridge Info: Looking for a chill, local spot to celebrate the new year? Head to An Sibin. A live DJ will be spinning tunes so you can party it up at this dive bar in Cambridge. Enjoy a complimentary champagne toast, a balloon drop, and great vibes at this community space.

Greater Boston Area

Jasmine

Christine

Dan Marcotte

Ella

lallo

Salma

Prathyusha 

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Boston Bars and Restaurants: Events and Openings

Food & drink experiences in Boston

Food & drink experiences 

14 Fun Boston Bars that Aren’t Charging Covers for New Year’s Eve 2026

Where?