Seattle recognized as top city to spend New Year’s. Here is what’s happening this year
Seattle has been ranked the 10th-best city for New Year’s Eve celebrations by finance website WalletHub. The 2022 Best Cities for New Year’s list gave high marks to the Emerald City, largely for its variety of food and entertainment. It didn’t rank as well on cost, though, as one of the most expensive cities to spend the holiday on the list.
WalletHub assessed what it’s like to spend New Year’s even in the nation’s 100 largest cities. Each city was evaluated based on entertainment and food offerings, as well as cost and the locale’s level of safety and accessibility.
Seattle placed 10th overall, and 6th for entertainment and food. But it received 95th place for cost and placed 27th for safety and accessibility.
Seattle placed just behind Los Angeles, and just ahead of Miami. The list’s top three cities to spend New Year’s Eve are New York City in first place, followed by Orlando and Las Vegas.
WalletHub considered factors including the number of events, duration of fireworks shows, nightlife options and Google search interest when scoring cities.
Seattle New Year’s celebrations
Seattle hosts some of the premier end-of-the-year spectacles in the Pacific Northwest region, and in the U.S.
Similar to the Times Square ball drop, the fireworks show at the Space Needle is well-known for being a showstopping event. The event was canceled in 2019 due to high winds, and was live-streamed and televised with no in-person gathering as a digital effects show in 2020. Fireworks returned along with more digital effects in 2021, but didn’t include spectators. This year’s event will be in-person and will include fireworks.
The Seattle Center’s New Year’s Eve celebration includes music at the Armory and a dance party and light show at the International Fountain.
Celebrations also take place on the water around Seattle on New Year’s Eve. Party-goers take schooners and yachts out on Lake Union, and Lake Washington also has boat parties.
New Year’s Eve in Tacoma and Pierce County
Residents in Pierce County who don’t want to battle traffic and crowds on New Year’s Eve can still find plenty to do around Tacoma.
Check out the New Year’s Eve Bash at Ocean5, a bowling and arcade venue in Gig Harbor. Two live music shows will take place back to back through the night, and a buffet is offered.
Tacoma nightclubs and bars will also host end-of-the-year festivities. Night Owl Club will host a party featuring music performers and dancers, and Steel Creek, a restaurant and country bar in Tacoma, will put on its annual fireball whiskey toast at midnight.
This story was originally published December 16, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
