50 Ultimate New Year’s Songs: Countdown To 2026

New Year’s Eve isn’t just about champagne and confetti. It’s about a celebration with music that makes you feel alive, hopeful, and excited for the year ahead.

From timeless classics that close out the year to modern hits that make you want to dance your way into January, here are 50 of the best New Year’s songs to ring in the new year.

Many of these New Year’s songs are family-friendly. Enjoy them at a celebration at home or at a New Year’s Eve party!

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Note: This list of New Year’s songs contains recommendations only. We encourage parents or guardians to review lyrics and content to ensure they’re appropriate for their family.

New Year’s Anthems & Songs For Your Countdown Playlist

1. “Auld Lang Syne” – Mariah Carey

“Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?”

No New Year’s celebration is complete without this song. “Auld Lang Syne,” originally a Scottish poem by Robert Burns in 1788, reminds us to cherish old friendships as we step into a new year.

Fun fact: The title means “old long since,” or “for the sake of old times.”

2. “Happy New Year” – ABBA

This song, released in 1980, is a reflective, bittersweet classic that perfectly captures the emotions of leaving one year behind.

Fun fact: ABBA originally wrote this for a musical that was never made. It was originally conceived for a musical set around a New Year’s Eve party.

3. “New Year’s Day” – U2

This 1983 hit isn’t just about the calendar turning. It’s about hope and unity. The lyrics were inspired by the Polish Solidarity movement.

4. “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” – Ella Fitzgerald

This is a jazzy classic asking a special someone to share the night with you. Ella’s velvet-smooth voice turns this into the ultimate romantic New Year’s Eve question.

5. “Funky New Year” – The Eagles

This upbeat rock tune captures the chaos (and hangovers) of New Year’s Day in true ’70s style.

Fun fact: It was originally released as a B-side to “Please Come Home for Christmas.”

6. “A New Year” – Annaleigh Ashford

Broadway energy meets fresh-start optimism in this uplifting anthem. It’s perfect for belting out with kids or friends at midnight.

7. “New Year’s Resolution” – Otis Redding & Carla Thomas

A soulful duet that’s all about setting intentions for love and kindness in the coming year.

Lyric highlight: “Let’s make promises that we can keep and call it our New Year’s resolution.”

8. “New Year’s Day” – Taylor Swift

Taylor’s soft piano ballad is a modern reflection on the past year, looking ahead with hope.

9. “Ring Out, Solstice Bells” – Jethro Tull

Folk-rock vibes perfect for a cozy winter New Year’s Eve.

10. “1999” – Prince

A party anthem for the ages! Even though the year has long passed, “1999” still makes every celebration feel like the biggest bash ever.

Fun fact: Prince wrote “1999” in 1982 after watching a documentary about Nostradamus’s apocalyptic predictions. While others felt fear, he turned it into a hopeful anthem celebrating life.

11. “Let’s Start the New Year Right” – Bing Crosby

This jazzy swing tune makes for a perfect backdrop to a classic, family-friendly celebration.

12. “Countdown” – Beyoncé

A modern pop hit with a fun countdown theme. Perfect for the final moments before midnight.

13. “Raise Your Glass” – P!nk

A perfect toast song for anyone embracing imperfection.

Lyric highlight: “So raise your glass if you are wrong in all the right ways!”

14. “Tonight, Tonight” – Hot Chelle Rae

Fun, flirty, and full of energy. Perfect for teens or family dance parties.

Lyric highlight: “We’re going at it tonight, tonight, there’s a party on the rooftop top of the world.”

15. “New Year’s Eve” – Snoop Dogg & Marty James

Hip-hop fun with a celebratory vibe. Family-friendly lyrics depend on the version. Check for clean edits.

16. “Up We Go”- Lights

This song is an upbeat pop anthem that’s all about optimism. It’s great for motivating yourself on January 1st.

17. “New Year’s Day” – Bon Jovi

Speaking at a listening event, Jon Bon Jovi said it was a song “about the rebirth of the band.”

18. “New Year’s Prayer” – Jeff Buckley

Buckley’s haunting tone makes this a beautiful song for quiet reflection before the fireworks start.

19. “This Will Be Our Year” – The Zombies

Hopeful and timeless, this 1968 gem celebrates new beginnings.

Lyric highlight: “This will be our year, took a long time to come.”

20. “New Year” – Tyler Read

This Tyler Read song is a little-known pop-rock anthem that feels tailor-made for resolutions and reinvention.

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21. “The New Year” – Death Cab For Cutie

The song’s famous lyric, “So this is the New Year, and I don’t feel any different,” speaks to the feeling of monotony and disappointment that can follow the pressure of a holiday.

22. “Celebration” – Kool & The Gang

With its upbeat rhythm, infectious groove, and feel-good lyrics, it’s the perfect song to ring in the New Year, get everyone dancing, and remind us all that life’s big (and small) moments are worth celebrating.

23. “It’s Just Another New Year’s Eve” – Barry Manilow

A nostalgic piano ballad for those who prefer a slower, more sentimental start to midnight.

Lyric highlight: “Let’s make it the best year yet.”

24. “Welcome To The Future” – Brad Paisley

Country lovers will enjoy celebrating how far we’ve come and what’s next with this anthem.

25. “New Year” – Kate York

The song encourages listeners to “let go of the past and start all over again”.

26. “New Year’s Song” – Tim McMorris

This song has a bright and upbeat tune that reminds you of all the hope of starting a new year.

27. “This Is The New Year” – A Great Big World

This feel-good pop track reminds us that every new year is a chance to begin again.

28. “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey

Not technically a New Year’s song, but it’s a crowd favorite when the countdown hits zero.

Fun Fact: The song’s chorus doesn’t start until 3 minutes and 21 seconds in, also serving as the track’s end.

29. “Next Year” – Foo Fighters

An alternative rock song filled with optimism and longing. Ideal for closing out one year and welcoming another.

30. “The Final Countdown” – Europe

The ultimate song for, well, the countdown. Add this right before midnight for maximum drama.

31. “Another Year Has Gone By” – Celine Dion

No one can sing a beautiful, heartfelt reflection on love and time passing quite like Celine Dion.

32. “Kiss Me At Midnight” – NSYNC

Fun, nostalgic, and pure Y2K. It’s practically made for the ball drop moment!

33. “Wake Me Up” – Avicii

Play this in honor of the person who will definitely be sleeping through the midnight countdown despite all the screaming and dancing.

34. “Nothin’ for the New Year” – Harry Connick, Jr.

Smooth and jazzy, with that crooner charm perfect for a classy NYE dinner.

35. “New Year’s Day” – Pentatonix

“New Year’s Day” by Pentatonix is a song that features a modern a cappella arrangement of the traditional Scottish New Year’s song, “Auld Lang Syne”.

36. “Can’t Stop The Feeling” – Justin Timberlake

You can’t help but start moving the moment this beat drops.

“Just dance, dance, dance.”

37. “Party In The U.S.A.” – Miley Cyrus

While this isn’t a traditional New Year’s song, its upbeat, feel-good energy makes it a perfect fit for ringing in the new year. With lyrics about stepping into something new and finding your confidence in an unfamiliar place, it captures that same mix of excitement and optimism that comes with starting fresh on January 1st.

It’s a great pick to get everyone dancing and singing along as the countdown begins.

38. “Happy New Year” – Judy Garland

The song tells the story of a lonely individual spending New Year’s Eve alone while reminiscing about a happier time. The lyrics reference others “donning their silly paper hats” and singing “Auld Lang Syne,” while the narrator is alone with a glass of lonely wine.

39. “Theme From New York, New York” – Frank Sinatra

This New Year’s song is a perfect choice if your celebration includes watching the ball drop in Times Square.

Fun Fact: It was first performed by Liza Minnelli in the 1977 movie New York, New York, but Sinatra famously covered it in 1979. His version became the iconic anthem of the city. 

40. “Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd

A sleek, neon-lit jam that brings the energy to your NYE playlist.

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41. End of Beginning” – Djo

A great song for January mornings when you’re feeling reflective.

42. “New Year” – Beach House

“New Year” by Beach House is a dreamy, reflective track that captures the quiet hope and introspection often felt at the start of a new year. Its hazy melodies and thoughtful lyrics evoke themes of growth, change, and the gentle optimism that comes with turning the page to a new chapter.

43. “I Gotta Feeling” – The Black Eyed Peas

The ultimate feel-good track for any celebration.

Lyric highlight: “Tonight’s gonna be a good night.”

44. “Dance The Night” – Dua Lipa

“Dance The Night” by Dua Lipa is the ultimate New Year’s anthem for shaking off the past and stepping into a fresh start with confidence.

Its upbeat disco-pop energy and empowering lyrics make it perfect for counting down to midnight.

It welcomes the new year on a high note, sparkles, dance floor, and all.

45. “Happy” – Pharrell

If joy had a soundtrack, this would be it. What better way to ring in a new year?

46. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” – Whitney Houston

An instant crowd-pleaser. Because who doesn’t want to dance their way into a new year with Whitney Houston?

47. “Firework” – Katy Perry

“Baby, you’re a firework! Come on, let your colors burst!”

48. “Just Dance” – Lady Gaga

Because sometimes, starting fresh means letting go and dancing through the chaos.

49. “thank u, next” – Ariana Grande

The perfect song for leaving behind whatever didn’t serve you this year.

50. “Best Day Of My Life” – American Authors

A hopeful New Year’s song that reminds you that the best is yet to come.

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