Your Wausome New Year's and Weekend Guide

Wausau area events for New Year's Eve and the week beyond

We looked around to put together this list of New Year’s Eve events around the Wausau area, and the week beyond to bring you the best Wausau entertainment.

And, since New Year’s Eve falls on our publishing day, it seemed best to put it out the evening before so you have a little time to plan. The Weekly Wausonian will come out New Year’s Day on its usual weekly schedule.

Sponsored by

Granite Peak New Year’s Eve Party

Wednesday, Dec. 31: This has always been one of my favorite New Year’s Eve Parties in the area. The Granite Peak group puts a lot of work into this event, with a torch parade and fireworks going off while people ski down the mountain. It’s visually an event not to miss! Enjoy music from DJ Off Piste while you dance and eat hors d’oeuvres. And yes, pop some champagne at midnight because that’s what you do, right? 6:45 pm. $20. 21+. (Torch parade and fireworks do not require ticket.) See the event page for more and tickets.

Noon Year’s Eve

Wednesday, Dec. 31: The cool thing about being a parent is that you have an excuse to stay in now. And with this event, you can enjoy New Year’s Eve and still be back in time for an afternoon nap. Bring the kids to the Noon Year’s Eve party at the Children’s Imaginarium and let them enjoy DIY noisemakers, a time capsule, confetti globes and enjoy the balloon drop at 12:59 pm. 10 am -1 pm. See the event page for more.

Other New Year’s Eve happenings

NYE with Through Crimson, 9 pm Wednesday, Dec. 31 at The Garage

Comedy with Bob Zany, 5:30 pm Wednesday, Dec. 31 at Rib River by Accentu

Glitter and Glam New Year’s Eve Party, 9 pm Wednesday, Dec. 31 at Moua’s Callon Street Pub

NYE Celebration with Matt’s 101, 8 pm Wednesday, Dec. 31 at Matt’s 101 Pub

The Local Heroes, 10 pm Wednesday, Dec. 31 at The Glass Hat

Through the weekend

Bradley Sperger

Saturday, Jan. 3: One of my favorite locally-grown acts around here is Bradley Sperger. He’s especially skilled at the art of being a one-man band - it’s truly a joy to watch him build a song, adding each layer to the tune one piece at a time. His bluesy-mixed-with-modern style is always a joy to listen to, and he has some great recordings to his name. He’ll be making his way to Mosinee Brewing Company this Saturday, where you can enjoy one of their brewed-on-site concoctions while you enjoy his set. 6 pm. Check out the event page for more.

Nerf Wars

Friday, Jan. 2: Let’s be real, I would have LOVED something like this when I was a kid. Bring the kiddos down to East Gate Hall at Marathon Park Friday for an all-out, foam-based war! Children between the ages of 9-12 can participate in capture the flag, last man standing and other strategic game modes. All of this is supervised by trained staff. All Nerf guns and mandatory protective eyewear is provided. 10 am-noon. $20. See the event page for more.

Pub and Grub Comedy Tour

Saturday, Jan. 3: With the stress of the holidays in the rearview mirror, now it’s time to let loose a little and have a few laughs. Bullheads has a great option for just that! Headlining this show is Lee Lycan, the “Sears Tower of Comedy” (dude’s 6’5”!). Also featuring comedian Ben Warren. The two should combine for a night of laughs! The show is free, but you can reserve front-row seats for $10, and tables are $25. Bullheads warns that seating fills up fast for these shows so keep that in mind. 8 pm. Check out the event page for more details.

Badger Talk: The Wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald

Tuesday, Jan. 6: Growing up I mostly knew about the Edmund Fitzgerald from the Gordon Lightfoot song. The ship sank 50 years ago as of last Nov. 10, and so a talk like this is pretty timely. This Badger Talk will explore the sinking of the ship from the perspective of the weather, the ship itself and the Lightfoot song. The program is presented by Steve Ackman, who served as director of the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, which is a collaboration between UW-Madison and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In person at UWSP-Wausau or virtual with registration. 9 am. See the event page for full details. (Note: More specific information on the location and registration details were missing at the time of publication but will update upon response from the organizer.)

The Locals Show Artist Reception

Saturday, Jan. 3: One of the cooler aspects of the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art is that it brings artists from all over the country and sometimes beyond to display their work at the museum. That gives Wausonians access to a caliber of art we might not otherwise be used to. But we also have some serious talent in this community, and the latest exhibit, The Locals, operates as an excuse to showcase some of that talent. This opening gala offers a chance to see the art, meet some of the artists, sip some light refreshments and speak with other art enthusiasts. 6 pm. Exhibition runs through Feb. 28. See the event page for more.

In brief

Unmask the New Year with Night Mask, 8 pm Saturday, Jan. 3 at The Bar

Nick Hensley, 9 pm Saturday, Jan. 3 at Malarkey’s Pub

Sponsored by

Sharing is caring! Share this with your friends and family as you plan your weekend.