New Year — Tons of Parties

2026 is just around the corner, and if you’re looking to bring around the New Year in style, then Eugene is the place to be on New Year’s Eve. Start the day Dec. 31 off with the kiddies, where at 10 am, the Eugene Science Center (2300 Leo Harris Pkwy.) hosts Midnight at Noon, with hands-on science experiments and a laser dance party in the planetarium ($7.50 cover). At 10:30 am, the Downtown Eugene Public Library holds New Year’s at Noon, a bilingual event complete with games, music and a balloon drop. For those of us who are over 21, at 7 pm, Blairally (245 Blair Blvd.) starts the evening with Sara B3 & 45 RPM, a 10-piece soul revue ($15 cover), and then ends it at 10 pm for DJ Mandy Mac’s 90s vs. 2000s Dance Party ($8-10 cover). Also at 7 pm, Drop Bear Brewery (2690 Willamette) hosts a New Year’s Eve Beer Release, celebrating both the New Year, as well as the release of their newest bourbon barrel–aged beer, “Resolution.” Come dressed as your favorite resolution for a prize in the costume contest. From 8 pm to 10 pm, The Wildish Theater (630 Main St., Springfield) hosts a Red Carpet Party with photographer Bob Williams, and music by Eugene staples The Sugar Beets ($33 cover). Following their two sets, DJs Schmid N Chilla will jam into 2026. Also at 8 pm, dress for glamorous success at Shooters Pub (2650 River Road), where EastSide Allstars dance band throws their Sequins and Satin Party. You can also head to Even’s Stevens (17 14th St. ste. B, Springfield) and dance to the classic rock and blues of Northwest River Band, or go to Happy Hours (645 River Road) and move your feet to rock band Definite Maybe. At 9 pm, break down to a collection of PNW DJs at PLAY Eugene (232 W. 5th Ave.) for their Gala of Gold ($20 cover), meander to Mac’s Restaurant and Nightclub (1626 Willamette) and listen to blues and soul by Ben Rice & The PDX Hustle ($15 cover), or go to Publichouse (418 A St. ste. 4606, Springfield) for DJ Enriquedamnit ($10-15 cover). At 9:45 pm, The Hybrid Gallery (941 W. 3rd Ave.) hosts Happy New Year Queer, a comedy night starring LGBTQ+ comics ($13-$15 cover). — Savannah Brown

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!