Ring in 2026 in Ellicottville: New Year’s Eve Celebrations, Winter Adventures & Fresh Starts
Ring in 2026 in Ellicottville: New Year’s Eve Celebrations, Winter Adventures & Fresh Starts
From midnight fireworks to first tracks and fresh adventures, Ellicottville celebrates the new year in true four-season style.
As we near the final pages of 2025, Ellicottville is deep in another unforgettable holiday season - one filled with festive lights, bustling shops, celebratory drinks, and that small-town magic that always feels just a little brighter this time of year. Christmas may have passed, but the village isn’t slowing down. With winter in full swing and visitors arriving in waves, the energy downtown and on the slopes continues to grow.
And now, all eyes are on New Year’s Eve and the fresh start just ahead. Whether you’re ready to dance into 2026, toast the year surrounded by friends, or kick things off with outdoor adventure, Ellicottville offers countless ways to celebrate, recharge, and look forward with hope and excitement. From intimate gatherings and live music to ski-season thrills and family traditions, here’s what’s happening in and around town as we close out 2025 strong and step confidently into a brand-new year.
NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATIONS
Ring in the new year surrounded by the excitement of Holiday Valley’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration. This family-friendly event brings the slopeside energy indoors to the Main Lodge, where a live DJ will keep the crowd moving with a vibing mix of music from 9:00pm-12:30am. Guests can pose for photos throughout the evening at any of the special photo displays, enjoy late-night bites, and count down to 2026 together as the clock strikes midnight.
The night concludes with the iconic Torchlight Parade leading up to a dazzling fireworks display - the perfect backdrop for a complimentary champagne toast for guests ages 21 and over. The Torchlight Parade - a sight like no other - lights up the night as skiers and riders zig-zag down Mardi Gras with torchlights in hand. It is a longtime favorite tradition for locals and visitors alike. Those interested in participating can find details at holidayvalley.com.
Whether you’re dancing with friends, celebrating with family, or wrapping up a ski day in style, Holiday Valley’s New Year’s Eve Party is a joyful way to close out 2025 and welcome a bright new year.
If you’re celebrating New Year’s Eve in the heart of Ellicottville, the village offers countless options to toast the arrival of 2026. Book a table at your favorite restaurant or pub, enjoy live music and late-night menus, or gather your friends for an evening in with something special from local makers. The Winery of Ellicottville’s Sweet Pack featuring the Sweetest Thing (made with Concord grapes) and Snow Fox (a sweet white wine crafted from Niagara grapes) makes an easy, ready-to-share option that pairs perfectly with holiday get-togethers. And for bourbon lovers, Ellicottville Distillery’s 8-Year Bourbon delivers rich notes of caramel, vanilla, and warm spice, ideal for sipping fireside or raising a midnight glass. Whether you’re hosting, attending, or simply settling in at home, Ellicottville offers all the ingredients for a memorable, meaningful New Year’s Eve celebration.
NEW GEAR’S EVE FAT BIKE RIDE
For those who prefer to spend their final moments of 2025 on two wheels, there’s an adventure calling your name at Allegany State Park. New Gear’s Eve Fat Bike Ride takes place on Wednesday, December 31st at Camp Allegany. Riders of this fun, all-levels ride will gather at 6:00pm with wheels hitting the trail at 6:30pm for a 5 to 8-mile journey through the Red House area.
Fat bikes - the “monster trucks” of the cycling world - are built with oversized tires that float across snow, mud, and sand, bringing back that childlike joy of riding. If conditions are clear, standard mountain bikes are welcome, too. Participants should bring lights, helmets, and warm, reflective gear. Riders may be grouped by pace, but everyone sticks together, and no one is left behind.
A low-key social at the Camp Allegany Rec Hall follows the ride, so bring snacks to share. For anyone who may need to borrow a bike, call 716-379-6939 for availability. It’s a unique, energizing way to celebrate winter and roll into the new year!
FIRST DAY HIKE
Return to Allegany State Park the following morning and start the new year on the right foot at ASP’s annual First Day Hike, an easy, family-friendly trek designed to highlight the history and natural beauty of the Quaker area. Participants will follow the Quaker Multiuse Trail, conveniently accessed from Camp Turner, while park educators share environmental insights and stories of the land. At 11:30am, visitors can join a guided hike by meeting at Science Lake to learn more about the park’s rich history and the fascinating figures who helped shape it. The Quaker Museum will also be open from 10:00am-2:00pm, offering even more historical context.
The Friends of Allegany State Park will be at Camp Turner serving complimentary hot dogs, chips, hot chocolate, and coffee from 11:30am-1:00pm, making this a warm and welcoming outing for all ages. Be sure to dress for the weather and wear appropriate winter footwear or snowshoes. “First Day Hike” gear and hiking guides will be available at Camp Turner, and participants can call 716-379-6939 or 716-379-6941 for more information. This is a great way to embrace the quiet beauty of winter and begin 2026 with nature, movement, and local history.
NEW YEAR, NEW LIGHTS!
Kick off 2026 with a brand-new way to experience winter fun at Holiday Valley’s Snow Tubing Park. The already-popular tubing hill now glows with Starry, Starry Lights - a dazzling LED display that transforms the slopes into an immersive, nighttime wonderland. Beginning at 4:30pm on Fridays and 4:00pm on Saturdays, colorful lights wash over the park, adding energy, excitement, and a touch of magic to every run. It’s tubing like you’ve never seen it before!
Guests can soar down on any of the tubing park’s 20 lanes, each 900 feet long with a 100-foot vertical drop, then ride the conveyor lift back to the top for another round. Tubes are included, and younger children under 42" can enjoy the Li’l Tubers area so they don’t miss out on any of the fun. Between laps, warm up inside the base lodge - complete with snack bar, fireplace, and restrooms - or head outdoors to the bonfire pit or lean-to for fresh air and winter nostalgia.
Holiday Valley’s reimagined tubing experience is a can’t-miss winter highlight. Advance tickets are required and can be purchased online. For information, call 716-699-TUBE or go to holidayvalley.com/tubing.
LILY’S ROAD SKI MOVIE NIGHT - BENEFITTING ADAPTIVE SKIING
Ellicottville friends and winter sports fans can celebrate January with purpose at Lily’s Road Ski Movie Night, a community-minded fundraiser benefiting Holiday Valley’s Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program. This special evening takes place on Tuesday, January 2nd at Wayland Brewing Company in Orchard Park and features a screening of Pressure Drop from Teton Gravity Research - a ski film packed with stunning visuals and adventurous spirit. Alongside the movie, local vendors and a silent auction add even more excitement to the night, with all proceeds supporting adaptive skiing access, equipment, and inclusive on-snow experiences for individuals of all abilities.
Funds raised help further the mission of the Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program - an initiative that provides adaptive lessons and equipment so people with physical and cognitive challenges can experience the joy of skiing at Holiday Valley.
GET INVOLVED: Tickets and donation opportunities are available online NOW (search the post on Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program’s FB page), and you can preview auction items, film details, and sponsorship information ahead of time. It’s a great way to blend community, winter sport culture, and meaningful support for inclusive recreation this season.
Here’s to welcoming 2026 with full hearts, fresh tracks, and new memories waiting just ahead. Cheers to all our faithful readers and advertisers, and Happy New Year from our team here at ellicotttvilleNOW!
