As 2025 comes to a close, Bend has no shortage of events to help you ring in the New Year with style. From luxurious dinners and endless dancing to champagne toasts shared with friends, there’s truly an event for everyone looking to end the year on a high note.
One of the many events taking place this year is the inaugural Elk Lake Resort New Year’s Eve dinner and champagne toast. This is the first time the newly renovated historic lodge will be open to community members. Over the past eight months, the Elk Lake Resort team and its partners have worked tirelessly to reimagine the lodge, creating a welcoming destination for both locals and visitors alike.
The night consists of a lavish full-course meal near the roaring woodstove in the comfort of the rustic lodge and ends with a champagne toast to celebrate as the NYC ball drops at 9 p.m. The Elk Lake Resort provides transportation to and from the Dutchman’s flat by snowcat or sled, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the night. When asked what he hopes guests walk away with, Assistant General Manager Ken Natoli said, “We cater to both in and out-of-town guests. Elk Lake Resort is a truly unique and special place in the winter and just like our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, our guests walk away amazed and grateful for our hospitality.” He said, “People are energized and amazed by the lodge and cuisine and leave already asking about booking next year.”
This year, Natoli is especially excited to unveil the finished rustic lodge and encourages the community to come experience it firsthand. Set in such a scenic place, the lodge and all of its special finishes are sure to make you feel the magic of the new year as you enjoy the night. “We especially want locals here in Bend to come see it,” said Natoli. “Elk Lake Resort is a special place here in Bend’s backyard,” he continued. The combination of Elk Lake Resort’s first-class hospitality and beautiful scenery will leave guests with full stomachs and happy hearts.
For those seeking a flashier way to ring in the New Year, the Riverhouse Lodge is hosting its “New Year’s Eve Speakeasy Social.” The night consists of two separate celebrations, catering to those who want to ring in the New Year early with the East Coast, and those who want to dance their way into 2026 at midnight. With an evening filled with stylish attire, champagne, elevated cuisine, and high-energy music, this event is perfect for those looking for a fun way to celebrate the year.
When planning the event, Marketing Manager Erin Osaki’s goal was to create a New Year’s Eve celebration for everyone. “We wanted this event to feel like Bend’s ‘choose your own adventure’ for New Year’s Eve,” she said. “Whether someone wants to dress up and enjoy a sophisticated early evening before heading home—or they’re ready to stay out and dance straight into 2026—we designed this celebration to fit the way our community actually celebrates.”
At 6 p.m. the early bird special will start with live jazz music from the talented Boy and Bean trio. Their “smooth vocals and upbeat rhythms,” said Osaki, “create the perfect ambiance for sipping cocktails.” The festive and fun night will end with a countdown to the NYC ball drop and a sparkling champagne-tower pour with cold sparklers to end the night with a bang.
When the clock strikes 10 p.m. the energy will shift and the electric DJ Flip Flop Sounds will take the stage, turning the ballroom into a full-on dance party. With festive bites, a full bar, and a selfie station, guests can capture the night “in all its sparkle,” said Osaki. Just like the first event, folks will ring in the New Year with a champagne-tower pour and cold sparklers as the clock strikes midnight on the West Coast.
Osaki and her team have worked tirelessly to make sure every detail makes the night feel special with, “handcrafted cocktails, flowing bubbles, and festive flavors curated specifically for the occasion.” Both of the events will also take place in the Deschutes Ballroom right next to the Currents restaurant, giving it a more intimate and lively feel. Osaki hopes that at the end of the night, guests walk away feeling, “like they toasted a great year in a way that felt authentic to them —stylish, celebratory, and full of that signature Riverhouse warmth.”
New Year's Eve Celebrations
Elk Lake Resort
elklakeresort.com/holiday-dinners
Riverhouse Speakeasy Social
riverhouse.com/events/new-years-eve-speakeasy-social/
Wildwood Bar & Grill Latin Dance Party
eventbrite.com/e/ultima-noche-nye-latin-dance-party-tickets-1977673006199
McMenamins 2026 Party
mcmenamins.com/event.aspx?id=272941
Wanderlust Tours Bonfire on the Snow
wanderlusttours.com/new-years-eve-bonfire-on-the-snow/
This article appears in the Source December 25, 2025.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
