Downtown Alpena is gearing up to ring in 2026 with its second-annual New Year’s Event, and this year’s celebration promises to be even bigger. After drawing a crowd of locals and visitors downtown last year, the event is returning with extended hours at bars and restaurants, cozy firepits to gather around, and the crowd-favorite midnight “sunrise” created by the City of Alpena’s Department of Public Works with help from the City Fire Department.

New for this year, attendees can enjoy a fireworks display at midnight over the Thunder Bay River, adding a dazzling finale to the countdown. Live music from local favorite High Speed will set the tone from 8–11 pm, followed by a DJ from 11 pm to 1 am to keep the party going into the New Year. The illuminated ball will return and rise once again at midnight to officially welcome 2026.

Festivities kick off at 8 pm in the parking lot behind Mango’s Tequila Bar at the corner of River Street and 3rd Avenue. Downtown bars and restaurants will be open until at least midnight, with many staying open until 2 am for those looking to warm up or continue celebrating indoors. The event takes place within the Downtown Alpena Social District, allowing guests to grab drinks to go and enjoy them outdoors in Center Alley and the event area. Several downtown spots will also feature specialty drinks and late-night food menus just for the occasion.

“Last year’s event was a huge success,” said DDA Executive Director Anne Gentry. “Snowflakes were falling, firepits were crackling, and downtown was filled with excitement to ring in the new year. This year’s event will be even bigger, with live music starting at 8 pm and a fireworks display over the river after the midnight sunrise.”

The event was first made possible thanks to HPC Credit Union, which approached the DDA in 2024 with the idea of creating a one-of-a-kind New Year’s celebration for the region. The DDA partnered with the City of Alpena’s Department of Public Works, Fire Department, and downtown businesses to bring the vision to life. HPC Credit Union returns as the event sponsor this year and will be handing out glow sticks for the midnight countdown.

The City of Alpena is once again partnering to make the celebration possible. The event is free, family-friendly, and open to all ages, making it the perfect way to welcome the New Year in the heart of downtown Alpena. A full schedule of events can be found below.

5 pm- late: Food and drink specials throughout downtown + extended hours at bars and restaurants

• Red Brick Tap & Barrel (open until 11:30 pm)
• PIF Cider (open until midnight)
• HopSide Brewery (open until midnight)
  • Drink specials: Pink Peppermint Hot Cocoa, Chai Latte, Rum Cooler, and Peach Pop Ring Shot (jello shot), plus beer poking
  • Quite bites served 8 pm- midnight: New York Pizza by the slice and cup of beer cheese fries
• Mango’s Tequila Bar (open until 1am)
  • Mango’s Express open for the event with grab-and-go food options and Social District drinks (beer, margaritas and mixed drinks)
• Friendly Foodees (open until 1 am)
• Rusty Petunias Marketplace (open until 1 am)
• JJ’s (open until 1 am)
• Black Sheep Pub (open until 2 am)
  • Food specials: breakfast burritos
• Latitudes Tavern (open until 2 am)
• Sports Page Sports Bar (open until 4 am)
• Players Pub & Grub (open until 4 am)

6 pm- midnight: Warm Up to 2026 New Year’s Eve Bash at PIF Cider (205 W Chisholm St)

Vinyl Night with the Gary from 6-8 pm and live, original electronic music with D. Step at 9 pm! Come see the giant Apple Drop from the ceiling on New Year’s Eve (at 10pm for all our early birds)! They will also have Traci St. Charles, Lady of the Lake Yogini, in house doing tarot card readings; come gain insight into what your new year will hold while wassailing! $20/three card read.

8 pm- 1 am: New Year’s Eve Celebration (Parking lot- corner of River & 3rd Ave)

The party kicks off at 8 pm! Grab a Social District drink, gather around the burn barrels to stay warm, and enjoy live music from Alpena favorites High Speed from 8–11 pm. As midnight approaches, a DJ takes over from 11 pm–1 am, keeping the party going as we count down to the New Year.

Midnight: Sunrise and Fireworks

We’re on the sunrise side—so instead of dropping a ball, we raise our illuminated sphere at midnight! Immediately following the “sunrise,” look to the sky for a fireworks display over the Thunder Bay River as we officially welcome 2026.