Best New Year's Eve 2015 Parties In Minnesota

Somehow, it's already the end of a turbulent 2015. Resolutions abound for the new year. There's an election coming up for our new president. New fads, styles, trends and diets are on their way. 2016 promises to be an exciting year, and it's time to celebrate. These are the best places to do exactly that.

Crystal Ball 2015
International Market Square
275 Market St
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 338-6250
www.crystalballmn.com

A long-running party (now in its tenth year), this blowout is always one of the biggest and best in Minnesota. Celebrate in true Minnesota fashion with local legends Doomtree, who will headline the event supported by local DJs and musicians. The cost is $50 for general admission and $80 for VIP (which includes an appetizer buffet) and there are also tables available for reservation. Don't want to worry about a thing on one of the craziest nights of the year? You can pay an extra $20 for shuttle service to your hotel. Let someone else worry about the parking and just focus on the last night of 2015, and your resolutions for the New Year.

You want over-the-top? The extravagance of 1970's New York City? There's no other way to ring in the New Year than going as big as possible, and this party at downtown Minneapolis' Hyatt Regency is about as big as it gets. Three rooms of pulse-pounding party, music and champagne that seems to rain from the heavens will keep the party going until the clock strikes midnight, and then party continues into the night. $40 gets you general admittance and $75 makes you a VIP, which includes complimentary champagne and access to the VIP dance floor. There are also package deals you can set up with the hotel so you won't have to worry about driving home after you're done partying for the night (morning?).

For those who remember, and still miss, St. Paul's iconic jazz club, Hell's Kitchen is bringing back the jazz to celebrate the start of 2016. Carole Martin, who graced the stage in downtown St. Paul for New Year's almost every year, is back along with Kenny Horst, Dean Magraw and other local legends. The party is fittingly held in the basement so you can recall those dimly lit days of jazz in the capital city. Just because the Artists' Quarter is no more doesn't mean you can't enjoy some of the finest jazz around. $65 tickets include complimentary hors d'oeuvres, a champagne toast and more.

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Who doesn't love the 90's? The 331 Club doesn't want you to break the bank this New Year's Eve (resolutions and all that — maybe spending less money going out?), and won't be charging cover to celebrate on Dec. 31. Featuring Hey There Handsome and Slow Moe, the always-lively Northeast music staple is sure to be bumping all night. Throw your hands in the air, spend that money you could have spent on tickets at one of the aforementioned parties on drinks, and have a happy New Year's Eve.

Looking for a family-friendly option for NYE? The celebration doesn't have to be hindered by finding a babysitter. Buck Hill Ski Area wants everyone involved, and offers skiing and snowboarding at $32 for adults and $26 for children 12 and under, as well as snow tubing for $15 for the entire evening. Enjoy a magic show by America's Got Talent alum Kevin Hall as well as other games, and of course food and drink. When the clock strikes midnight, fireworks will light up the sky, so whether you're on the slopes or warm inside you'll be able to celebrate the New Year in style.

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Adrian Schramm is a resident Saint Paul writer with a passion for all things local. Through his work with Saint Paul Almanac and Minneapolis Examiner at Examiner.com, as well as in the kitchens of bars and restaurants around town, he has discovered what truly makes the Twin Cities tick.