ALPENA — Downtown Alpena will welcome 2026 with its second-annual New Year’s Event, featuring live music, a midnight “sunrise,” fireworks over the Thunder Bay River and extended hours at downtown bars and restaurants.
Per a Dec. 19 news release, the free, family-friendly celebration will run from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the parking lot behind Mango’s Tequila Bar at the corner of River Street and 3rd Avenue. The event will include firepits, burn barrels and an illuminated ball that will rise at midnight to mark the new year.
Live music by local band High Speed is scheduled from 8 to 11 p.m., followed by a DJ from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Immediately after the midnight sunrise, fireworks will light up the sky over the river.
“Last year’s event was a huge success,” said Anne Gentry, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority. “Snowflakes were falling, firepits were crackling, and downtown was filled with excitement to ring in the new year. This year’s event will be even bigger, with live music starting at 8 p.m. and a fireworks display over the river after the midnight sunrise.”
The celebration will take place within the Downtown Alpena Social District, allowing guests to purchase drinks to go and enjoy them outdoors in Center Alley and the event area. Several downtown businesses will offer specialty drinks and late-night food menus.
Downtown bars and restaurants will be open until at least midnight, with many staying open until 2 a.m. or later.
Among those with extended hours are: Red Brick Tap & Barrel, open until 11:30 p.m.; PIF Cider and HopSide Brewery, open until midnight; Friendly Foodees, Rusty Petunias Marketplace and JJ’s, open until 1 a.m.; Black Sheep Pub and Latitudes Tavern, open until 2 a.m.; and Sports Page Sports Bar and Players Pub & Grub, open until 4 a.m.
Food and drink specials will be available throughout downtown starting at 5 p.m. At HopSide Brewery, drink specials will include Pink Peppermint Hot Cocoa, Chai Latte, Rum Cooler and Peach Pop Ring Shot, along with beer poking, and late-night bites such as New York pizza by the slice and beer cheese fries will be served from 8 p.m. to midnight.
PIF Cider, at 205 W. Chisholm St., will host its Warm Up to 2026 New Year’s Eve Bash from 6 p.m. to midnight, featuring vinyl music from 6 to 8 p.m., live electronic music at 9 p.m. and a giant apple drop at 10 p.m. Tarot card readings will also be offered for $20 per three-card reading.
The event was first organized in 2024 after HPC Credit Union approached the Downtown Development Authority with the idea for a New Year’s celebration. The authority partnered with the City of Alpena’s Department of Public Works, Fire Department and downtown businesses to launch the event.
HPC Credit Union returns this year as the event sponsor and will distribute glow sticks for the midnight countdown. The City of Alpena is again partnering to help make the celebration possible.
Festivities begin at 8 p.m. in the event area, with the sunrise and fireworks scheduled for midnight.