New Year’s Eve in Waltham

Thinking of staying local to celebrate New Year’s Eve? You’ve got a few options right here in Waltham to ring in 2026.

The Revive City Church is hosting a special New Year’s Eve Crossover Night at its church located at 220 Bear Hill Road. All are invited to join the service, which will feature worship, praise, testimonies and celebration. Doors open at 8:30 p.m and the service starts at 9 p.m. The dress code is navy blue and gold for the event.

Join the crew at Mighty Squirrel, 411 Waverley Oaks Road, for its Brew Year’s Eve party, which kicks off with DJ music, food trucks, a huge beer selection and a midnight toast featuring Mimosa Brut IPA on tap. Glow stick stations and a do-it-yourself photo booth are included. Doors open at 8 p.m. An early bird ticket is $15; a ticket day of the event is $30. Call 781-839-9242 for more information.

Tempo, 474 Moody St., is taking dinner reservations and has a New Year’s Eve party in its BakBar featuring DJ Idle and live music from The Mockingbirds. The cover charge is $10. Call 781-891-9000 for more details.

Margarita’s, 211 Moody St., is open from 3 p.m. to 12:30 a.m on New Year’s Eve. 

Tessie’s Bar & Kitchen Waltham, 841 Main St., is open from 11:30 a.m to 1 a.m. (kitchen closes at 10 p.m.) 

For New Year’s Day and beyond

John Brewers, 39 Main St., is celebrating the new year and new owners. On Thursday, Jan. 1, starting at 4 p.m., diners can fill out a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of two $75 gift cards. 

For a New Year’s at home, a new vegetarian/vegan spot will be open for takeout until 10 p.m. Veggie Crust, 14 Warren St., has pizza pies, panini, pasta, Indian food, Indo-Chinese food and salads. All ingredients are homemade and 100% vegetarian. Veggie Crust is Kosher certified. Call 781-547-7777 for more info.

You can work off some of the celebration at the Waltham Land Trust’s 19th Annual New Year’s Day Hike up Prospect Hill. Both a long and short trek through the park are offered for hikers on Jan. 1, with a meet-up for both groups at the Little Prospect vista point for fantastic views of Waltham and Boston. Be prepared to walk on slippery paths that may have rocks, roots and challenging terrain. Please note that there are two different departure times and locations. Call 781-893-3355 for more info. 

Ring in the new year at the Waltham Council on Aging’s Snow Ball Fundraiser on Jan. 9 at noon and help support a great cause. Music will be provided by DJ Tom Noonan and dinner by Maria’s Catering, which includes garden salad, stuffed chicken breast with gravy, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, green beans and ice cream roll with coffee and tea. Hungry yet? Cost is $25. Call 781-314-3499 to register.