New Year's Eve plans with friends, minus the faff
New Year's Eve is the one night where everyone knows the date and nobody knows the plan. House party? Pub? Fireworks? That club that charges £40 to queue in the cold? By the time the group chat decides, everything's booked.
Whenabouts can help with both halves: what you're doing and who's actually in. Free, no login, no faff.
New Year's Eve ideas with friends, by budget
Cheap and cheerful
- House party. Cheapest option, best playlist, worst queue for the loo. Everyone brings a bottle and a snack, and you rotate the host each year so it's fair.
- Games night. Board games, a quiz and the countdown on the telly.
- Fireworks, then chips. Check your council's listings, wrap up warm and agree a meeting point, because the phone signal will be dreadful.
- A quiet one. Takeaway, film, asleep by 12:05. No judgement.
Middle of the road
- The local. No tickets, no dress code, home by 1am (in theory). Ring ahead in case they're doing a ticketed night.
- A proper dinner. Book early, as NYE menus often sell out. Ask about set menus and deposits before you commit.
- A curry and a crawl. Dinner first, then wherever the night takes you.
Going big
- A ticketed party or club night. Agree who's in before anyone buys, as tickets often aren't refundable.
- A cottage for the weekend. Sort the dates and deposits early. Our group cottage weekend guide has the full checklist.
- A city break. Work out costs and travel early, as prices tend to climb the closer you get.
Can't agree? Let Spin the Plan decide
- Choose Spin the Plan when you create a plan.
- Add your ideas (at least two). House party at Jess's, the local, fireworks then chips, a games night, a fancy dinner. Once you share the link, anyone in the group can add their own.
- Share the link and spin the wheel to pick the activity, then lock in a date.
It's fair, it's quick, and if it lands on "games night" nobody can blame you.
Why nobody commits (and what to do about it)
"Maybe" feels free. Saying maybe costs nothing, so everyone does it. Ask for a proper answer by a deadline.
Nobody knows the cost. People won't say yes to an unknown bill. Put a rough per-person price next to each idea.
Too many options. Twelve ideas means no decision. Shortlist three, or let the wheel pick.
Family plans aren't sorted. Christmas scatters people. Let them say "maybe" early, then chase once Christmas is set.
From "maybe" to a headcount: a timeline
Early December: who's around?
Make a Whenabouts plan for just 31 December, or the few days around it if you're open to a weekend. Set it to evening, hit the WhatsApp button, and everyone taps whether they're free or "maybe". No app, no sign-up, so you'll even hear from the people who never answer anything.
A week later: pick the plan
Still arguing? Spin the wheel. Done.
Mid-December: money in, or you're out
For anything ticketed or with a deposit, set a pay-by date. Whoever has paid by then is in. Whoever hasn't, isn't. It sounds harsh, but it's kinder than the organiser footing the bill.
Christmas week: confirm and share
Confirm the date in Whenabouts so anyone opening the link sees it, with Add to Google Calendar and a .ics file. Nothing is emailed, so post the details in the chat: where, what time and what to bring.
How it works
- Create a plan. Name it ("NYE 🎆"), set the range (just 31 December, or the days around it) and choose evening, daytime or any time.
- Share one link. WhatsApp button, or paste it anywhere. Everyone taps the days they're free, or "maybe". No account, no app. Invite as many friends as you like.
- Lock in the best date. Whenabouts highlights the date that works for the most people. Once you confirm, anyone who opens the link can add it to their calendar with "Add to Google Calendar" or a .ics file.
Not everyone around on the 31st? Do Twixmas
That odd bit between Christmas and New Year, when nobody knows what day it is, is great for a catch-up. Set a plan for 27–30 December and let people mark the days they're back. A pub lunch on the 29th might get more of you together than New Year's Eve ever will. Still doing Christmas first? See Friendsmas and Christmas dinner with friends.
Tips for a New Year's Eve that actually happens
- Decide the plan by early December. Tickets and tables for the 31st go fast.
- One person books, everyone pays them back. Agree how before anyone hands over a card.
- Agree the getting-home plan. Taxis can be scarce after midnight, so book one or plan the walk.
- Most people is enough. You'll never get everyone on NYE. That's fine, and Twixmas is your plan B.
Frequently asked questions
What's a good New Year's Eve plan with friends?
Whatever your group will actually turn up for. A house party or the local is easiest. If you can't agree, add the ideas to Spin the Plan and let the wheel decide.
How do you get friends to commit to New Year's plans?
Ask early, show a rough cost per person and set a deadline. For anything paid, whoever pays by the deadline is in. A Whenabouts link shows who's free or maybe.
When should we start planning New Year's Eve?
Early December at the latest. Tables, tickets and cottages for 31 December go fast, so check who's around before Christmas plans fill the diary.
How does Spin the Plan work?
Add at least two ideas, spin the wheel to pick one, then lock in a date. It's free and nobody needs to sign up.
Do my friends need an account?
No. There's no login, nothing to download and it's free. They open the link and tap.
What's Twixmas?
The days between Christmas and New Year. It's often the easiest time to catch up with friends who are back home for the holidays.