What time should a New Year's Eve party start?

Between 8 and 9 pm for an adult party that runs through midnight. A dinner starts earlier, around 7 or 8, so the meal is finished before the countdown. A family party with an early countdown works best from 5 or 6 pm.

How do I say guests should bring something?

Be specific. "Bring a bottle of bubbly" or "bring one dish to share" gets a better result than "bring something". If you provide everything, say that too, so nobody shows up with a tray of food you have no room for.

Should I invite kids to a New Year's Eve party?

Decide first, then say it plainly either way. If kids are welcome, an early countdown at 8 or 9 pm lets families leave at a reasonable hour. If it is adults only, say "grown-ups only this time" near the top, not in the small print.

Can I send a New Year's Eve invitation by text?

Yes. Keep it to three lines: the night, the time and the ask. A Blast link in the text opens the full animated invitation with the details, and guests RSVP from it on their phone.

New Year's Eve Party Invitation Wording: 15 Examples to Copy

Wording to copy

House party: "Ring in 2027 with us! New Year's Eve at the Levines', 9 pm until after midnight. Drinks, snacks and a countdown on the big screen. RSVP by December 26."
Dinner party: "Join us for a New Year's Eve dinner. December 31, 8 pm, 14 Orchard Lane. Four courses, champagne at midnight. Seats are limited, so please reply by December 20."
Countdown with kids: "Family New Year's Eve! Pizza at 6, games at 7, a balloon drop at 9 pm sharp, then home to bed. Kids and grown-ups welcome."
Black tie: "A Night of Glitter and Glam. Please join us to welcome the new year. December 31, from 9 pm. Black tie. Champagne toast at midnight."
Casual drop-in: "We're keeping the door open on New Year's Eve. Stop by any time between 8 and 1 for a drink on your way to wherever the night takes you."
Disco or dance party: "Dance into the new year. DJ from 10, countdown at midnight, dancing until 2. Sequins encouraged."
Rooftop or fireworks view: "Watch the fireworks with us. Rooftop at 120 Harbor Street, doors at 10 pm. Dress warm; blankets and hot drinks provided."
Potluck: "New Year's Eve potluck. Bring a dish from the year you'd like to remember, or the year you'd like to forget. 8 pm at ours."
Games night: "No bar, no DJ, just board games, a big pot of chili and a countdown. December 31, 7 pm. Bring your most competitive self."
Early countdown: "Our midnight is at 9 pm this year, so everyone can be home by 10. Countdown, confetti and cake. All ages."
Afternoon brunch on January 1: "Skip the late night. New Year's Day brunch, 11 am to 2 pm. Mimosas, eggs and a quiet start to 2027."
Couples or small group: "Just us, a good bottle and a long dinner. New Year's Eve at home from 8. Stay the night if you like."
Funny: "Same friends, new year. Come watch us pretend we'll keep our resolutions. December 31, 9 pm."
Short and sweet: "NYE at Dana's. 9 pm to late. Bring a drink and a friend."
Text message version: "NYE party at ours Dec 31, 9 pm till late. Countdown at midnight. Can you come? Tap the link to RSVP."

What a New Year's Eve invitation must say

The start time, and whether guests are expected to stay until midnight.
What happens at midnight: countdown, toast, fireworks, balloon drop, or nothing in particular.
An end time, or "until late" if there isn't one. People plan rides around it.
The address, and where to park or which transit runs that night.
Whether kids are welcome, and if there is an early countdown for them.
The dress code, if it is anything other than come as you are.
What you provide and what to bring.
How guests get home. A line about rides or sleeping over is kind on this night.
An RSVP deadline. December 26 or 27 gives you time to shop.

Timing lines that save questions

Midnight stay: "Please stay for the countdown. The best part starts at 11:55."
Leaving early is fine: "Come for an hour or stay all night. Both are perfect."
Kids' countdown: "We'll count down to noon somewhere far away at 9 pm, then the little ones can go to bed."
Rides: "Rideshare prices spike after midnight. Book ahead, or plan to crash on the couch."
Sleepover: "Spare beds and a big sofa are yours if you'd rather not drive."
Next morning: "Stay for pancakes on January 1. No rush."

When to send it

New Year's Eve fills up early because people choose between several invitations. Send yours in the first week of December, or right after Thanksgiving if you want first pick of your guests, and set the reply deadline a few days after Christmas so you can shop on the 28th or 29th.

A reminder two days before the party helps on this date more than any other. Guests who said yes in early December may have forgotten the time, the address or that they promised to bring something.

Mistakes that cost you guests

No end time. Parents and drivers skip parties they can't plan around.
No word about kids. Families won't come if they have to ask, and couples won't come if they expect a kids' party.
Dress code buried at the bottom. Put it on the first screen or in the first line.
A deadline after Christmas week. Most people are travelling and won't reply.
Forgetting the year. "Ring in 2027" is clearer than "ring in the new year" when invitations go out in November.

Send it as a video invitation

New Year's Eve is a night people photograph and share, and the invitation can look the part. Blast makes an animated video invitation with music that you send as a link by text, WhatsApp or email. The New Year's Eve designs include fireworks, disco balls, champagne and a countdown. Guests tap the link, watch, and RSVP on the same page without creating an account. Their replies land on your private dashboard, and you get an email for each one. Blast is free to create and send, with no limit on the number of guests.