Forksful of fun New Year to-dos
Searching for a way to have one grand auld lang syne? Ring in 2024 with your family and friends in Greater Grand Forks!
COOLER THAN YOU THINK.
Our two towns provide residents and visitors alike numerous opportunities to have a great time in the grand outdoors. Whether you want to pretend you’re legendary like Wayne Gretsky or Michelle Kwan, both the Grand Forks and East Grand Forks Park Districts offer scheduled times for open skating. Rather do some circle eights Downtown? All lit up festively, Town Square Ice Rink is just the place! The scenic Greenway Trail System also provides opportunities for cross-country skiing, winter cycling and sledding. Thaw out afterward with your beverage of choice at a nearby coffeehouse: The Ember, Sweetwaters, Urban Stampede or Bully Brew. Be sure to make a few stops at some of our awesome Downtown shops such as The Silo Boutique, Badman Design, Kittsona, Widman’s Candy, See Dick Run and many others.
COME ONE COME ALL.
If it’s blustery outside, then head inside and have a ball bowling at Red Ray Lanes. The kids will surely love splashing around and taking a dip in our water parks: Choice Health & Fitness and Canad Inns’ Splashers of the South Seas. Open from 5 AM till 8 PM, Choice also offers basketball, racquetball, tennis and pickleball courts, fitness classes and a Kids Zone interactive play area. In addition to being our region’s biggest indoor water park, Splashers has a large arcade with pizza and snacks available for purchase. Since Northern Air Action Park will be closed New Year’s Eve and Day, just celebrate a little early with the whole fam bam. Everyone will enjoy their massive trampoline park, laser tag, 30+ game arcade, Hologate Virtual Reality and new premier indoor karting track. For those who’d prefer swinging away at a batting cage or golf simulator, PlayIt Multi-Sport Complex offers those options and scores more. And don’t forget to take a spin through Lincoln Drive Park, between 5:30 PM and Midnight, to check out the annual Lions Christmas in the Park light display.
STRIKE UP THE BAND.
Adults 18 and over can experience a fabulous time during the pre-New Year’s Eve Cabaret Drag Show, December 30, at the American Legion Club. Along with a little dancing and whole lotta campy lip-syncing shenanigans, those of age may indulge in some cool cocktail creations. Doors open at 7 PM and the show begins around 8 PM. Partiers 21+ are invited to SouthTown PourHouse for one rockin’ New Year’s Eve bash. Popular cover band, Uptown, will provide the live tunes while you enjoy great food and drink specials from 9 PM to 2 AM. Cloud 9 Events is excited to throw one of the grandest NYE shindigs Forks has ever seen! Prepare for an evening filled with laughter courtesy of comedic genius Michael Winslow. The sensational Downtown Horns will be performing an array of ultimate party tunes as guests indulge in delectable appetizers from Skies 322, a champagne toast and marvelous midnight balloon drop. All the upscale fun runs from 6:30 PM to 1 AM. Our trendy Downtown District also offers plentiful ways to imbibe and dine deliciously at local hotspots like The Toasted Frog, Blue Moose Bar & Grill, Harry’s Steakhouse, The Spud Jr, Bonzer’s, Brick & Barley, Half Brothers Brewing Company, Joe Black’s and The Loft.
Additional information on these and other uniquely grand events, attractions, dining, nightlife, shopping and lodging may be found on our website at VisitGrandForks.com and by following Visit Greater Grand Forks on Facebook and Instagram.