Spend the last day of the year in Grafton with a New Year’s Eve Balloon Drop at The Loading Dock Ice Rink. Watch the New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Grafton reflect off the waters of the Mississippi River after your skate and be sure to have a hot cocoa on hand from The Loading Dock for the show!

Want to bring the kids to a warmer event? Make a splash at the New Year’s Eve Party at the Korte Rec Center in Highland with a New Year’s swim, and a beach ball/ rubber ducky drop!

Hungry for 2024?

Have one last taste of 2023 in style at fine sit-down eateries like Tony’s Steakhouse & Bar, Santino’s Steak & Pasta House, Gentelin’s on Broadway, or Castelli’s Restaurant at 255 in Alton.

In Collinsville, try out Mungo’s, Ravanelli’s Italian Steak House & Wine Bar, and Porter’s Steakhouse.

In Edwardsville you can dine at 1818 Chophouse, Cleveland Heath, Bella Milano, Blue Violet, Brick & Bramble, Moussalli’s Prime, or Sugo’s Spaghetteria, and check out other delicious options at places like Bakers & Hale in Godfrey, Maverick Steaks & Spirits or The Ariston in Litchfield, Charcoal House Tavern in Jerseyville, or 1929 Pizza & Wine in Wood River.

What would New Year’s Eve be without music?

Southwest Illinois venues are bursting this year with some of the region’s favorite local bands ready to rock you into 2023! Have some farm-to-table fare and jam at Bakers & Hale New Year’s Eve with Flip the Frog in Godfrey, get groovy at Karaoke Night New Years at The Conservatory in Alton, take a drive up to Chesterfield for Wild Pickins Wine Down & Countdown New Year’s Eve Party, pop champaigne at a New Year's Eve Party at Pere Marquette Lodge and celebrate with popular band Foreplay at New Year’s Eve at The Pump House in Wood River!