🎆 New Year’s Eve in CT: Wicked Peach, Live Music & Anniversary Shows

December 31, 2025

Happy Wednesday! New Year’s Eve is here, and Connecticut is ready to celebrate in style. Whether you’re looking for a lively dance floor, a relaxed dinner with live music, or a high-energy concert to ring in 2026, we’ve rounded up some great ways to make the final night of the year feel special.

Inside today’s email:

✨ A midnight bash with live music and bubbly in Mystic
🎶 A cozy New Year’s Eve celebration with food and live tunes at Lyman Orchards
🎸 A genre-bending anniversary concert in Hartford
📗 This Month in CT History: From Local Blacksmith to National Arms Maker
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

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Live music, a midnight toast, and a party that goes all night

Ring in 2026 at Hilton Mystic with a high-energy New Year’s Eve Bash featuring Wicked Peach. This 21+ celebration includes an intimate live concert, a Prosecco toast at midnight, and a breakfast buffet to keep the party going into the new year. With a dance-floor atmosphere and standing-room vibes, it’s designed for anyone who wants a lively, social way to celebrate.

Doors open at 8:45 pm, with the party running from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am. Free parking and optional on-site guest rooms make it easy to celebrate without worrying about the trip home — just “take the elevator” when the night winds down.

Live music, seasonal bites, and a relaxed way to welcome the new year

If your ideal New Year’s Eve leans more laid-back, 1741 Pub & Grill at Lyman Orchards offers an inviting evening of live music, festive food, and holiday drinks. From 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, guests can enjoy a performance by Hatfield, whose mix of pop, folk, and country covers pairs perfectly with the cozy pub setting.

With food and drink specials crafted for the occasion, this early-evening celebration is a great choice for those who want to toast the new year without staying out too late. Reservations are recommended to secure a spot.

A high-energy concert experience to close out the year

Lespecial celebrates 20 years of genre-defying music with a New Year’s Eve performance at Infinity Music Hall Hartford. Known for blending heavy grooves, metal-influenced riffs, deep bass, and atmospheric vocals, the band delivers a live show that’s immersive, intense, and unforgettable.

Joined by Leon Trout and Animonic, this anniversary celebration runs from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm and offers a bold, music-driven way to send off 2025. It’s a perfect pick for concertgoers who want their New Year’s Eve loud, dynamic, and full of energy.

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Big-screen entertainment, premium comfort, and flexible savings

Movie nights just got a serious upgrade. With AMC Black Tickets, you can enjoy the full cinema experience — plush recliners, crystal-clear IMAX or Dolby visuals, and that unmistakable smell of fresh popcorn — all while saving up to 35%. These flexible tickets work at AMC Theatres locations nationwide and can be used for standard or premium formats, giving you the freedom to choose how and when you watch.

Whether you’re planning a spontaneous night out, stocking up on gifts for movie lovers, or bundling tickets with popcorn and drinks for the ultimate treat-yourself moment, this deal makes it easy. With no expiration once redeemed and options to buy single tickets or snack combos, it’s a low-effort, high-reward way to keep movie nights on repeat — without the blockbuster price tag.

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

From Local Blacksmith to National Arms Maker

Nathan Starr’s path to national importance began quietly. After serving as a major in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, Starr returned home to Middletown and settled into civilian life forging agricultural tools for local farmers. It was skilled, practical work — but it also laid the foundation for something much bigger.

In the late 1790s, rising tensions between the United States and European powers pushed the federal government to seek reliable domestic weapons makers. Starr answered the call, earning the nation’s first-ever government contract for sword production. To meet the ambitious order of 2,000 cavalry sabers, he pioneered an early form of collaborative manufacturing, subcontracting different stages of production to trusted local craftsmen. The result was fast, efficient, and ahead of schedule — a breakthrough that proved small-scale American industry could compete at a national level.

Starr reinvested his success into a factory along the Coginchaug River, expanding his operation just as the young nation’s military needs grew. His naval cutlasses, produced for the U.S. Navy in the early 1800s, became so widespread they were later known as “the cutlass that fought the War of 1812.” By the time the war ended, Starr and his son were among the country’s leading private arms manufacturers, supplying swords, muskets, and ceremonial blades for some of America’s most famous military figures.

Although government-run armories eventually replaced private contractors, Starr’s legacy endured. His weapons remained in service through the Civil War, and his innovative production model helped cement Connecticut’s reputation as a center of precision manufacturing — a reputation that continues to define the state’s industrial identity today.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

State Police Handle Hundreds of Calls During Winter Storm

Connecticut State Police responded to more than 600 calls for service during a powerful winter storm, including dozens of crashes and hazardous road conditions statewide. Troopers urged residents to limit travel as crews continued working through dangerous overnight conditions.

Barnes & Noble in Waterbury to Close After 28 Years

The longtime Barnes & Noble location at Brass Mill Commons will close in January, marking the end of nearly three decades as a retail fixture in Waterbury. The closure comes as the company shifts its footprint to newer locations in nearby towns.

More Homes May Hit the Market in Parts of Connecticut in 2026

Early indicators suggest home buyers could see more choices in markets like Waterbury and Danbury next year, where listings are beginning to rise. Despite the uptick, many suburban towns remain extremely tight, keeping Connecticut largely a seller’s market.

Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ Finds New Life on Screen

The once-maligned musical by late Connecticut composer Stephen Sondheim has been adapted into a feature film, highlighting the work’s remarkable comeback after its early Broadway failure. The release underscores Sondheim’s lasting influence on American theatre and film.

Thanks!

Thanks for spending a little of your day with us! We hope this newsletter sparked a few ideas to get out, explore, and make the most of what Connecticut has to offer this week.

Enjoyed today’s roundup? Pass it along to a friend and help them stay in the know on all the great things happening around the state.

P.S. Looking to partner with Connecticut Lifestyles? Just reply to this email or click here to learn how we can promote your brand to thousands of interested locals!