Ready to ring in 2025 in a way that’s anything but ordinary? HOTA, Home of the Arts has an incredible lineup of New Year’s Eve events to ensure your farewell to 2024 is filled with good vibes, amazing food and unforgettable fun. Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur, a dancing queen (or king) or a foodie fanatic, there’s something for everyone. Read on for a rundown of the night’s dazzling offerings.

The Exhibitionist Bar
Say goodbye to 2024 in the chicest way possible at one of the GC’s most stunning bars, The Exhibitionist Bar. This exclusive celebration boasts an all-inclusive package with mouth-watering canapés and bite-sized treats. We’re talking karaage chicken sliders with slaw and wakame mayo and beef tartar, with toasted brioche, grated egg yolk, crispy capers, parsley and black garlic mayo. Pair that with four hours of premium wine and beer, DJs to keep you grooving and a ticket price of $160 and you’re on to a winner.

The luxe rooftop location provides spectacular views of the night sky as you mingle, sip, and savour. As the clock strikes midnight, prepare for a magical surprise to make your New Year’s Eve truly unforgettable. Simply unmissable!

Salsa on the Lawn Party
Whether you’re celebrating with friends and family or looking to meet new people, HOTA’s all-new Salsa on the Lawn Party promises a soul enriching night filled with laughter. Get ready to move to the Latin beats of El Camino Collective, featuring singer Jojo Zamora, as they blend your favourite Latin sounds with soulful 90s hits.

Not a salsa expert? No problem! GC Salsa will guide you through the smooth moves. Tickets are $25 and include a complimentary glass of sangria on arrival. Fuel yourself with an array delicious street food available for purchase. You may be preoccupied playing senorita on the dance floor, but you’ll need to replenish at some point! From the vibrant music to the midnight surprises, this outdoor fiesta is perfect for those who want to shimmy into the new year with flair!

Palette
If it’s an all-class affair you’re seeking, then a multi-course dinner at Palette it shall be! Celebrate New Year’s Eve with exquisite flavours and an unforgettable dining experience at HOTA’s award-winning fine dining restaurant.

This luxe five-course dinner runs from 7.30pm-12 am (age-restricted 18+). Get ready as your last meal of the year is set to be your best.

Indulge in a gourmet five-course dinner starting with an Australian Bay Lobster steam bun with Anna Dutch caviar. To follow enjoy Rocky Point aquaculture blue grouper with finger lime and coconut vinaigrette and Blue grouper with velouté, tomato and fennel. Loosen those belt buckles because next up you’ve got Sanchoku Wagyu sirloin mb7 with witlof, dry-aged carrot, winter truffles, brandy sauce and puff followed by Margra Lamb with cutlet, belly and minted lamb sauce. For dessert, spiced pumpkin pie, white chocolate crumb, and dulce de leche.With every course paired with premium wines, your taste buds will be on cloud nine.

Diners at Palette will also gain access to Salsa Party pre and post-dinner to see out their NYE night with complimentary sangria on entry.

 HOTA’s NYE offerings are more than just events; they’re experiences designed to leave lasting memories. Whether you’re toasting with a rooftop view, dancing under the stars, or indulging in gourmet delights, every moment is filled with joy and celebration. Don’t let 2024 end without a bang – grab your tickets now or simply walk in on the day.

This New Year’s Eve, HOTA is where magic happens.

Where: HOTA, 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise
When: Various times, 31st December, 2024

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

STORY SPONSORED BY HOTA

Gather the gang- it’s officially time to lock in some epic New Year’s plans! Thankfully, this year, deciding on ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘when’ and ‘where’ will be a much easier task. In usual form, The Star Gold Coast has it all laid out for us.

This year’s NYE lineup is shaping up to be The Star’s biggest yet– with no less than nine options on offer, we are well and truly spoiled with a multitude of ways to countdown and celebrate in style. Let’s get this thing started; hey, party animals?

NYE Masquerade Ball
Slip away, if only for a night, for an evening of mystery and masquerade! It’s a ball that calls for your best black and gold attire and a mask, of course. Be treated to a Grey Goose cocktail and canapes on arrival before a decadent 3-course menu and 4.5-hour beverage package (7.00pm – 11.30pm).

Guests will be chauffeured into a stunning night of glittering gold with roaming performers, including golden fire dancers, living statues, a birdcage aerialist, and more. Headlining the entertainment is 42 Band, who will have all your favourite hits pumping on the dancefloor. To keep the party kicking on through midnight, we have DJ Charlie and DJ Libre. Then, as the clock almost strikes midnight, head out to The Lawn for a magical fireworks display.

Garden Kitchen & Bar
Get the party – and 2025 – started right, at the Star’s time-tested party playground and purveyors of good vibes, Garden Kitchen & Bar. Rock and roll into 2025 with Liam Bowditch on The Deck.

For those seeking a place to dine amongst all the dancing, you can tuck into a 4-course menu and 3-hour drink package up at the restaurant, with a side of NYE fireworks on The Lawn. If you have little ones tagging along- no problem! Before toooo much fun begins, a kid-friendly first Seating is available, 5.00pm – 7.30pm. Second Seating: 8.00pm – 12.00am (over 18s only).

Cucina Vivo
If you seek a slice of La Dolce Vita to end your year, then it’s Cucina Vivo for you. End your year with a mouth-watering Italian set menu and bask in stunning firework views from Cucina Vivo’s poolside balcony. Sway to the sweet sound of singer-songwriter Eleea before turning things up a notch with Gold Coast’s very own DJ Libre!!

Get the good times rolling asap with a First Seating feast starting at 5:30pm. Enjoy a glass of Chandon on arrival and a 3-course menu for just $75 per adult (13 and above)! A kids menu is also available.

Second Seating will be best dressed on this occasion, with a 3.5-hour drink package and a 3-course menu starring house-made arancini, local and seared Goldband snapper and, drum roll please, Italian meringue bombe with raspberries, popping candy and dark Valrhona chocolate! Then, to top it all off, live entertainment and NYE fireworks- all for just $199 per adult. Cin cin!

Harvest Buffet
Our family-friendly hero for all manner of special occasions, Harvest Buffet, is ready and willing to host our nearest and dearest as we farewell the year that was. Offload the entertaining stress (*cough* in-laws onslaught) and gather for the famous smorgasbord spread with two seatings available for New Year’s Eve.

Good luck seeing midnight after you’ve feasted on hot and cold seafood, live shucked fresh oyster stations, carvery stations, salads, cheeses and desserts.. #foodcomaimminent. Adults (13 and above) are $120 pp, children 5 – 12 years $40, and 4 and under free – how good!

Nineteen at The Star
Set the tone for your 2025 by starting it in style, sophistication and on (roof) top of the world! We believe it’s called manifesting. Go for a bar package or settle into your choice of two seatings, emboldened by knockout views and stellar vibes. Make a bunch of ambitious ressos you’ll definitely keep this year (wink wink).

For $220pp, the Sunset seating kicks off from 5.30pm–8.00pm, with a four-course set menu. For anyone looking to ring in the new year in timeless, tasty luxury (and we mean luxury with a capital L) – the Moonlight Seating runs from 8.30pm–late for $260pp.

For live entertainment, we have killer beats by DJ Charles Oliver and DJ Dezastar to ensure an unforgettable end to 2024. Side note: this year’s theme is a white party, so dress to impress!

Kiyomi
For those of us who firmly believe at the heart of every epic celebration should be exquisite food –farewell 2024 with the kind of fanciful feast only Kiyomi could pull off. This December 31, our Japanese eats darling is offering two seatings, with full rein of the sumptuous a la carte spread. The prospect of saying cheers to New Year with stacks of Sushi, Chilli Ponzu Oysters, Miso Ceviche Kingfish – and, of course, crafted cocktails – will surely be a popular one, so be quick to book out before you miso out. San, Ni, Ichi…Happy New Year!

Uncle Su
If a crowd-pleasing taste bud party is in your flavour, look no further than one of the GC’s favourite (honorary) uncles – Uncle Su. Gather the friends and fam to tuck into some time-honoured celebratory fare: Cantonese-style classics and a selection of signature Beijing and Szechuan favourites. Take your pick of the two seating choices and tackle an a la carte menu fit for a king, including abalone, lobster and crab, every way you can imagine.

Atrium Bar
The ultimate cheat code for a no wukkas NYE? Book a booth and guarantee you and the crew a prime possy to cosy up and bid adieu to 2024. For groups sized 6–12, $399 gets you a bottle of Domaine Chandon to get into the swing of things, dibs on one of the Atrium’s booths and a $250 bar tab.

DJ Brent, Electro Disco and DJ Soundvibe will be there to keep you entertained while you kick it back, carve up the DF or people watch the night away. Let the good times (and woo’s) roll.

Spend the last hour of 2024 in a state of euphoria- dancing the year away to the hits of Touch Sensitive (currently supporting San Cisco’s tour), live and loud on The Lawn! What better way to close out, than jamming to next-level remixes and collabs by one of Australia’s top DJs?! Catch it all from 11pm on The Lawn and from the Garden Kitchen & Bar for free!

Where: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
When: Various times, Tuesday 31 December 2024

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST

The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be 18 years or over to enter the Casino and Atrium Bar. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT.