So often NYE can be an anti-climax. No longer! Find out how to throw a New Years Eve party by which all others will be judged! Live bands, entertainment, fireworks and much more. All the New Years Eve party planning ideas you'll need from Alive Network.
The celebration of New Year is one of the oldest annual rituals, observed globally for thousands of years by all the ancient civilizations from the Egyptians and Mayans to the Chinese and Maoris.
It is possible to take part in a New Year celebration almost every month of the year as our own western observance of New Year’s Day on January 1st only came into practice around 400 years ago.
Most of the older traditions base their new year around important social or astrological activities; the Egyptians celebrated the feast of Opet during the Nile’s inundation, the Mayan New Year varies, Chinese New Year changes annually with the year of the Monkey starting on January 22nd 2004 while the Celtic celebration of Samhain is held around Halloween.
Did you know? The first people to make resolutions were the ancient Babylonians over 4000 years ago, in the belief that whatever they did on the first day of the year would affect their entire year.
The ancient Babylonian New Year was dated to the first new moon (visible crescent) after the vernal, or spring, equinox (usually March), so if you need an excuse to party, Alive Network can offer a whole year of new and unusual opportunities!
Most New Year celebrations incorporate the ideas of fertility and good luck with reviewing the past year whilst hoping for a better year ahead. The customs we follow in the UK stem mainly from old Scottish traditions of Hogmanay, whose roots date back to the pagan mid-winter practice of sun and fire worship which later linked with the Roman winter festival of Saturnalia, a decadent and uninhibited feast of food, wine and fun.
New Years Eve Traditions
If you stay at home, make sure that the first person over the threshold after midnight is a tall, dark, handsome man, preferably carrying coal, bread and whiskey! This is the Scottish tradition of First Footing and ensures good luck, health and wealth for the coming year.
Blondes and red heads are considered bad luck, stemming from the fear of rape and pillage by the fair haired Viking invaders!
New years eve kissing
In English and German folk belief, special significance was attached to the sex, stature, appearance, complexion and even the occupation of the first person one encountered in the New Year, and over the years we have taken this one step further and made a tradition of kissing a special person (or whoever’s closest to hand) immediately as the New Year is ushered in. So get stuck in and have a very Happy New Year!
(Rat Pack) The Rat Pack Is Back Tribute bands
Based in Essex From £1320 +
Live Party Band. THE RAT PACK IS BACK - THE ULTIMATE TRIBUTE TO THE LEGENDARY RAT PACK. The hit show perfectly captures not only the wonderful music and comedy of the original legends, but also the remarkable personalities.Video Online!
Blue Note Mitch and The Red Hot Jacks Swing and Jive
Based in North Yorkshire From £1020 +
Live Party Band. If it's a party you want, Blue Note Mitch & The Red Hot Jacks will be in their element! This quality act perform Jazz, Swing & Jive hits of the 1930s to the 1960s plus Rock ’N’ Roll, Indie, Funky Disco & Soul hits of the 1960s to the present day!
Hipster Rock and Pop
Based in Shropshire From £1439 +
Live Party Band. Young, energetic, super-professional and one of the most exciting and
experienced party bands to work exclusively with Alive Network!
Hipster are an all male 4-piece band, and cover a huge range of music
from The Beatles to The Kings of Leon!
Soul Education Soul RnB
Based in North London From £2100 + (Compact 9 piece Band)
Live Party Band. An outstanding 8-12 piece Funk, Soul and Pop band featuring male & female session singers and exceptional horn section. Extensive repertoire including hits from Michael Jackson to Stevie Wonder to Mark Ronson. Book early to avoid disappointment!
(Blues Brothers)Chicago Blues Brothers Tribute bands
Based in Essex From £793 +
Live Party Band. Pete and Ed are back, and they intend to rock the joint again with the hit duo ‘Chicago Blues Brothers’. The two renowned soul singers will once again recapture the lunacy, music and the essence that is The Blues Brothers.
Live Wires Rock and Pop
Based in Staffordshire From £1199+
Live Party Band. Highly experienced, highly professional & experts at making your night one to remember, Live Wires are a 4 piece rock and pop band with a cool, energetic sound. Their repertoire includes The Beatles, The Stones, Kings Of Leon, Killers and much more!
Motown Vogue Soul RnB
Based in Surrey From £2526 +
Live Party Band. Take you & your guests back to the 60s and 70s with the truly authentic & charismatic Motown Vogue. This 7 piece band perform classics from artists such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5 & more! Available UK wide & Internationally.
The Swing Cats Swing and Jive
Based in Kent From £1200 +
Live Party Band. Performing western swing jive and jump blues music, The Swing Cats have performed their musical mix to weddings, festivals & corporate events & have been featured in live session on BBC radio. Repertoire includes Louis Jordan, Beatles & Frank Sinatra
(Michael Buble) The Songs of Michael Buble Tribute bands
Based in Worcestershire From £420 +
Live Party Band. Performing all the hits from his No. 1 selling album “Call Me Irresponsible”, The Songs of Michael Buble provides an uncanny tribute to the man who introduced swing to a new generation. Fully self-contained with a Blues Brothers Tribute also available!
Munch Rock and Pop
Based in Merseyside From £1261 +
Live Party Band. One of our most frequently recommended bands! A lively, hugely entertaining 4 piece rock & pop band covering hits from The Beatles & Kinks through to Killers & Kings of Leon! MUNCH can turn themselves on and tune in to any event that wants to party!
The New Breed Soul RnB
Based in Northamptonshire From £1200+
Live Party Band. Fronted by virtuoso award winning vocalist Sophie Garner The New Breed is one of the most versatile bands in the UK. Their repertoire spans from 1920's Jazz & Swing to present day pop through Soul, Motown & Rock so there really is something for everyone!
Wild Swing and Jive
Based in Warwickshire From £900 to £1440 +
Live Party Band. The band Bryan Adams chose to play at his birthday party, WILD are the ultimate Rock n' Roll party band. Ideal for youngsters & oldies alike, they play great tunes for dancing, from Elvis & Buddy Holly to Beach Boys & Jerry Lee Lewis
Happy Hour Rock and Pop
Based in Kent from £1284+
Live Party Band. Young, energetic four piece party band from Essex, covering the Beatles to the present day greats such as The Killers & Oasis. Their tight harmonies and professional sound come with years of experience in the live music industry. A great party band.
Stray Horns Swing and Jive
Based in Bedfordshire From £1440 +
Live Party Band. Fantastic big band sound at a great price! 6-piece, all male brass band with top quality self recorded backing tracks. Trumpets, sax & vocals all performed fully live. A great choice for all events especially where space is short but you need a big sound
The Kicks Rock and Pop
Based in Hampshire From £1284+
Live Party Band. A modern, high energy 4 piece all male band performing rock and pop classics from The Beatles to The Killers. The Kicks go that extra mile to give you a performance like you've never seen before!
Because most pubs and restaurants get rammed to the rafters, many people prefer to throw a private party. If you hire a venue it pays to book well in advance, ( 12 months or more!)
It's also important to recognise that people expect something a little special on New Years Eve so don't be afraid to go all out. Check out the Party Themes box below for some great party ideas.
Throwing a private new years eve party
It's good to ensure there are plenty of attractions to keep guests talking & mingling so you could also consider casino tables which can create a space for guests to meet, mix and break the ice. Also check out our mix and mingle acts who will work the floor & get people talking.
Live music
For a rocking party, you could book a live band. “Ceilidhs” are perfect for NYE parties and work well with the Scottish Hagmanay theme. Hire a band with a caller to shout out the dance moves and you’re away!
One of the simplest and easiest types of party to organise is a venue or marquee with a live band. Nothing gets guests excited like a live music performance as it's far more interesting & engaging than a DJ or background music. You'll need to chose a band to suit to the occasion, your guests and the type of atmosphere you're looking for.
Any private hire venue with a cool bar and space to dance would be suitable, but bear in mind parking and accommodation for those guests traveling beyond a taxi ride. For something a bit different try the Hard Days Night Hotel in Liverpool, complete with a live Beatles Tribute band like The Blue Meanies.
Parties based around a live band, especially a lively band, are likely to be quite loud so consider how many elderly guests you might have. Venues with sound limiters can be a real pain so before you hand over any money, make sure the venue you choose doesn't have a limiter fitted (or if it does, that the threshold is set higher than 95dB). Also, make sure there is a dance floor and if at all possible, try to avoid venues where the bar is in a different room to the dancing as this can split guests and leave you with a less party atmosphere.
Good quality function bands will provide all of the
equipment you'll need, so all you need to do is ensure they have enough space and some light refreshments. Expect to pay upwards of £1000/£1400 for a really good 4-5 piece band. To save money check the listings here on AliveNetwork.com and choose a band located close to your event. You can also ask the band to DJ in between sets rather than hiring a separate disco.
For most private parties a really early arrival is not necessary so if you ask the band to arrive around 6pm they should be set up, sound checked & ready for guests to arrive by 7.30pm - 8pm. Most function bands will play 2 x 60 minute performances, and we'd suggest the first to start no earlier than 9pm so guests have time to get a drink and have a chat before the music starts.
Venue + fancy dress + look alike's + casino tables + live band or DJ
For a different take on the traditional fancy dress party, try a celebrity or film theme to suit the mood you want to create. Fancy dress can be completely optional and example contemporary themes could include Lady Gaga, Footballers Wives, Sex and The City, Harry Potter or Pirates of the Caribbean. For tried and tested favourites go with James Bond, Phantom of the Opera, The Godfather, Alice in Wonderland or Hollywood Oscars Night.
Don't forget professional look alike's who will add a real wow factor to your party. To really get your guests talking why not arrange a red carpet entrance to your venue & have them arrive in a hired limousine! Alive Network has look alike's to match many tv shows & films as well as musicians, footballers & royalty. Also consider hiring a photographer or comedy paparazzi photographers to take snaps as the look alike's arrive, and then later on guests can have their photos taken with them & take the pics home as a party souvenir.
It's good to ensure there are plenty of attractions to keep guests talking & mingling so you could also consider casino tables which can tie in nicely with the celebrity theme and create a space for guests to meet, mix and break the ice. Also check out our mix and mingle acts who will work the floor & get people talking.
As always live music makes a great feature and
you can choose an act to suit the celebrity theme. Tribute Bands often fit the bill perfectly for themed events or for something more background, try a jazz band or string quartet. If you have a small number of guests or a limited budget, also take a look at our solo/duo acts who offer excellent value for money and won't take up much room.
With any themed event it's also important to get the staging and venue right. If your budget allows, try www.smyle.co.uk or www.themetraders.com who offer top class event production services. For a more DIY approach, try www.partybox.co.uk or for a huge range of backdrops & scene setters, visit www.amazingpartythemes.com
Venue + prop hire + fancy dress + live music + mix & mingle
It you're prepared to do a bit of decorative work (or have the budget to hire a party organiser like Theme Traders) then you can theme your venue or marquee to look like a beach bar, a scene from the arabian nights or even the Wild West! Fancy dress is optional though it does help bring the whole thing together. For fancy dress costumes try www.escapade.co.uk or www.fancydress.com. For childrens fancy dress costumes try www.charliecrow.com
Possible theme locations include The Wild West, Beach/Tropical/Hawian, New York, Las Vegas, African/Safari, Ancient Egypt, Atlantis, Ancient Rome, Mardi Gras/New Orleans, the list goes on. For more party theme ideas try www.partydelights.co.uk and www.amazingpartythemes.com.
In terms of making your venue look the part, you can chose from a wide range of props and accessories. For example, for a Hawain themed party you can hire a bamboo beach bar, free standing & table top palm trees, hoola hoops, flower garlands, surf boards, fishing nets and sand pits! Just visit some of the links on this page to find suppliers once you know the theme you want to run with.
Remember to ensure you have plenty of ice breakers to keep guests chatting and mixing. Close up Magicians, Caricaturists, Meet & Greet all work well, as do Chocolate Fountians! For something a bit different, try Singing Waiters who will really bring the house down!
Moving away from the traditional concept of a party, many people now celebrate a significant occassion with a day out at an activity and adventure centre, moving on to a bar or restaurant in the evening. There are hundreds of such activity locations around the UK so we'll focus here on popular activity types.
For the guys: Paintball, Go Karting, Quad Biking, Golf, Wine Tours, Clay Pigeon Shooting & Football
For the Girls: Day at the Races, Pampering, Salsa Dancing, Pole Dancing, Wine tasting & Nude Life Drawing
To arrange an activity day we can highly recommend our friends at www.freedomltd.com who arrange stag & hen parties, plus corporate and birthday party outings across the UK.
Essential Party Planning Supplies
Click the links below to view suppliers for all your essential party requirements.
Why hire entertainment for your party from Alive Network?
Alive Network is the UK's premier live music entertainment agency and the largest online entertainment booking service in the world. Established in 1999, we provide high quality live entertainment for over 7500 events per year. We represent hundreds of the UK's very best live bands, DJs & entertainers who are available to hire for weddings, corporate events & private parties. A few of the benefits of booking through Alive Network Entertainment Agency
Instant online quotes and availability confirmation
100's of professional quality, reliable artists
Fast, friendly, personalised advice from expert staff
The easiest way to hire amazing entertainment
A small selection of our previous clients:
24 hour emergency cover, 365 days of the year.
Safe & secure bookings with comprehensive contracts
Registered offices: Ground Floor Suite, Silk Mill Studios, Princess Street, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 1DD, United Kingdom
All content (c) Copyright Alive Network 1999-04/02/2012. All rights reserved.
Registered Company Number: 04084200
Some artists may appear with the kind co-operation and consent of their respective management companies.
This service is intended for personal use only and no part of the service may be displayed in public, broadcast or used for any business purpose without the consent of Alive Network. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of our services and web content, we accept no responsibility for any use made of the information provided and we shall not be liable for any loss suffered thereby.
About New Years Eve or Hogmanay
Recommended live bands for a New Years Eve Party
Venue + Live Band
Venue + prop hire + fancy dress + live music + mix & mingle
Moving away from the traditional concept of a party, many people now celebrate a significant occassion with a day out at an activity and adventure centre, moving on to a bar or restaurant in the evening. There are hundreds of such activity locations around the UK so we'll focus here on popular activity types.
Instant online quotes and availability confirmation