December 26, 2019

How do you want to ring in the next decade? Looking for some family fun? More interested in dancing the night away? You will find your fun in Downtown Springfield.

We’ve picked five great ways to say goodbye 2019 and hello to 2020 in our beautiful neighborhood. Here they are, arranged chronologically.

Noon Year’s Eve at Discovery Center, 10 a.m.

Not everyone can make it to midnight. If you’re looking for some early family fun, check out Noon Year’s Eve at Springfield’s Discovery Center. This year’s event is a 90’s-style glow-in-the-dark party featuring the science behind slime, Rubik’s cubes and aliens. London Calling Pasty Company will be there, as will the BackBeat 60s Rock and Roll Band. And don’t miss the New Year balloon drop at noon! All activities are free with the cost of admission.

Missouri State basketball, 1 and 4 p.m.

Grab a seat in beautiful JQH Arena and cheer on the Bears or the Lady Bears. The Missouri State women host William Jewell at 1 p.m. The men have a big Missouri Valley Conference game against Evansville at 4. Bleacher tickets are just $5 for both games and there will be maroon-and-white pom poms and New Year’s Glasses given away.

Want to make it a double-header? Men’s ticket holders may come early and attend the women’s game (in unoccupied seats only) at no additional cost. Women’s ticket holders may stay and attend the men’s game (in all upper-level sections) completely free! Two games for the price of one!

New Year’s Eve Boogie and Ball Drop at Mother’s, 8 p.m.

Here’s a party with no cover charge! The fun-loving crew at Mother’s Brewing Company will be hosting a shindig in their Tap Room to ring in the new year. The tables and chairs will be moved out to make room for a dance floor. DJs Lovesick Nick and Alpha Gal will be spinning hot wax R&B and soul grooves. You can sip on your favorite Mother’s brew if you’d like. But rumor is the slushy machine will be back with some boozy treats, including a champagne-based slushy.

New Year’s Eve Pub Crawl, 9 p.m.

It’s the biggest party of the year! The New Year’s Eve Pub Crawl gets you access to 15 downtown venues, including Finnegan’s Wake, Boogie, Bubbles, Zan, The Outland Complex, Patton Alley Pub and more! Enjoy live music, great specials and fabulous company everywhere you go. Wristbands are $15. You can get them at the venues, or in advance at Stick It In Your Ear or Discount Smokes.

417 Magazine presents: Gillioz New Year’s Eve with The Mixtapes, 10 p.m.

Our friends at 417 Magazine and The Historic Gillioz Theatre are joining forces to throw an epic New Year’s Eve party. Picture this: The Mixtapes play rocking ‘90s covers while you and your friends dance the night away under a giant disco ball before a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are on sale now. General admission gets you access to the dance floor and orchestra seating. A reserved seat in the balcony gives you a ringside seat to the action.

But wait, there’s more!

That’s just a small sample of the fun scheduled for Downtown Springfield this Dec. 31. Visit our website and check out our calendar for more!