100 New Year’s Eve writing prompts

100 New Year’s Eve Writing Prompts

Here are 100 New Year’s Eve writing prompts, the clock striking midnight on December 31st and here are holds a symbolic power unlike any other, representing both the closing of one chapter and the tantalizing blank page of another soon to unfold. As writers, this singular holiday possesses a unique creative pull – calling us to capture the wild revelry of parties and celebrations unfolding amid the intimate contemplations of those alone on this night. It compels us to explore the strange intermingling of nostalgia and hope that infuses the year’s final hours. Whether one is an aspiring writer searching for writing inspiration or an experienced pen simply longing to limber up with a few quick exercises before the new year arrives, these 100 eclectic New Year’s Eve prompts promise to ignite the imagination.

Covering a colorful spectrum of genres from tender romance to family drama to quirky magical realism, the prompts offer narrative springboards rather than restrictive rules – showing off the holiday’s supple storytelling potential. We’re encouraged to inhabit a diversity of perspectives as the fateful midnight countdown nears, chronicling crowded celebrations through the eyes of servers, volunteers and revelers while also giving voice to the solitary soul welcoming 2024 from an empty apartment or airport terminal’s uncomfortable chair.

Despite vastly different backdrops, each vignette allows writers to illuminate the unique blend of nostalgia and tentative optimism that inflects this night, stitching a fragmented year together with memories even as our dreams threaten to rend fresh seams. Whether grappling with endings or beginnings, these prompts give writers the chance to capture the bittersweet essence of New Year’s Eve in all its messy glory before launching their own blank pages into whatever 2024 may hold.

Here are 100 writing prompts about New Year’s Eve 2023:

1. You wake up on December 31st realizing this will be the first New Year’s you spend completely alone. How do you feel? What do you do?
2. You have an opportunity to attend a glamorous New Year’s Eve party this year. Write about getting ready, what you wear, who you meet at the party, and how you feel ringing in 2024.
3. The ball is just about to drop in Times Square. Write a story from the perspective of one of the police officers securing the event.
4. You have tickets to see your favorite band play a New Year’s Eve show. Describe the night – the music, the countdown to midnight, the celebration with friends.
5. You’ve just been hired to work as a server at an upscale restaurant on New Year’s Eve. Write a story about your hectic but exciting night.
6. Write a story about a married couple whose New Year’s Eve plans get unexpectedly cancelled. How do they end up salvaging the night?
7. You decide to get together with childhood friends on New Year’s Eve. Write about reminiscing over old memories and catching up.
8. A busy single mom scrambles to find a babysitter on NYE so she can finally have a night out. Write this story.
9. You have to work the New Year’s Eve night shift. Write a story about the colorful characters and conversations you encounter.
10. Your flight gets cancelled on December 31st due to bad weather. You end up spending New Year’s Eve with complete strangers in an airport.
11. Write a story about someone who finds out devastating news right before midnight on New Year’s Eve.
12. A family gathers at the grandparents’ house for a New Year’s Eve celebration full of games, laughter and hope for 2024.
13. Best friends reunite for their annual New Year’s Eve slumber party – write about their traditions, goals for the upcoming year, and secrets shared.
14. Your character lives on the West Coast and video chats their family on the East Coast at midnight on New Year’s Eve to ring in 2024 together.
15. Write about someone who has to work the night shift on NYE, but finds small, special ways to celebrate.
16. Your most fun, dependable friend has to cancel your NYE plans last minute. You have to scramble to make new ones.
17. Write about someone who usually hates NYE, but decides to have an epic, magical one this year – what do they do?
18. Your character volunteers to work at a children’s hospital handing out treats and celebration favors to sick kids on NYE.
19. Your character decides to spend NYE reflecting on their personal growth and setting meaningful goals for 2024. Describe their thoughtful night.
20. The power goes out just before midnight on New Year’s Eve. Write about how your characters improvise and end up having more fun.
21. A busy college student decides to throw a small NYE party in their tiny apartment for all their friends who couldn’t make it home this year.
22. Write a story about someone whose flight gets cancelled on the 30th, forcing them to spend NYE stuck in an unfamiliar city. What adventures ensue?
23. Your character finds themselves working the drive-thru window at a fast food place on a busy NYE – describe the madness and mayhem you see.
24. Write a story about someone who finds themselves spending NYE with someone they have complicated romantic feelings for. How does the night unfold?
25. A group of longtime friends creates extravagant costumes every year for NYE. This time the theme is sci-fi/alien invasion – describe each outfit.
26. Your main character goes out to their favorite bar alone on NYE, hoping to meet someone interesting. Do they? What’s the interaction like?
27. Write about an introverted character who decides to push themselves by attending a huge NYE costume party this year. Describe their costume and experience.
28. Your character orders Chinese food and watches the NYE celebrations in Times Square alone in their PJs. Tell the story of a cozy, happy night.
29. Write about an elderly character reflecting on past New Year’s Eves – maybe from the 1920s, 50s, and 80s – compare celebrations and traditions.
30. An unexpected blackout leads your characters to have an old-fashioned New Year’s Eve by candlelight and fireplace. Describe this cozy night.
31. Your character finds a magic camera on NYE that shows them snapshots of their upcoming year. Describe 5+ significant images it reveals.
32. The family dog inadvertently eats the edibles intended for the adults’ NYE party leading to a strange, chaotic night. Tell this story from the dog’s perspective.
33. On a whim your character takes a trip to New York City to experience the NYE ball drop in Times Square. Describe crowds, sights and their experience.
34. Your character is tasked with creating fun games, activities and entertainment for a children’s NYE party. Describe several of their ideas.
35. Your protagonist decides to go bar-hopping alone on NYE, determined to find new friends/love. Tell the quirky story of their night out.
36. Your character has plans to celebrate NYE with their partner, but wakes up with no memory of them or the past year of their life. What happens on this strange night?
37. Your character finds a spot with a perfect view of a local NYE fireworks show. While there alone, a stranger joins them and they form an unexpected connection.
38. Your protagonist volunteers at a homeless shelter serving food and passing out donations on NYE. Write about the conversations and connections they make.
39. Your character’s NYE plans fall through so they wander their city taking polaroids of strangers. Write quick stories about 5+ images/people that stand out.
40. A meet-cute on an elevator that gets stuck for 2 hours on NYE leads to more. Write this romance short story.
41. Your character goes to a fortune teller on NYE that gives them eerie but accurate predictions for the next year. Describe 5+ fortunes she sees.
42. Write a story about friends stuck at the world’s worst NYE party who sneak away to have their own celebration.
43. Your character goes through a bad breakup right before NYE. Their friends swoop in to take them on fun adventures all night to lift their spirits.
44. Your protagonist babysits their little cousin on NYE. Write about the silly games, kid’s champagne toast, midnight celebration, etc.
45. Your character’s resolution is to be more helpful this year so they decide to volunteer on NYE. Write about who they help and how it impacts them.
46. A grumpy character gets trapped overnight in an airport with an annoyingly upbeat person on NYE. Write their odd couple story.
47. Your protagonist gets invited to a glitzy NYE wedding with a group of wild college friends. Describe the celebration and after party shenanigans.
48. Your character meets someone at a masquerade NYE ball and spends the night falling in love though they never see each other’s faces. What happens at midnight when they unmask?
49. NYE superstitions say to wear polka dots, smash plates, etc at midnight. Write a story about friends trying these rituals all night for good luck.
50. Your character returns to their hometown for nostalgic celebrations on NYE including a visit to their favorite childhood haunts. Describe this trip down memory lane.
51. The big NYE storm fills up the homeless shelter with new people in need. Your character (volunteer or person staying there) connects with someone unexpectedly.
52. Your protagonist finally decides to stand up to their abusive partner during the NYE party. Write about this scene and the fallout after.
53. A character’s long lost friend suddenly shows up on their doorstep to celebrate NYE. Write about their emotional reunion.
54. Your protagonist signs up for a medical trial that pays well but requires staying in a facility over NYE. Describe their surreal holiday experience.
55. Your character manages a fancy hotel. Describe the over-the-top celebrations, crazy requests, mishaps and more that happen working NYE.
56. Your protagonist visits a psychic right before NYE who tells them they’ll meet their spouse soon. Write the story of their hopeful year.
57. Your character plans for a dying relative’s last perfect NYE celebrating their life/legacy. Write heartfelt goodbyes as 2023 ticks away.
58. Your protagonist finally decides to make a move on their crush as the ball drops on New Year’s Eve. Will they find romance?
59. Write about neighbours who barely know each other alone on NYE banding together for a meal when they lose power during a storm.
60. Your protagonist’s seemingly perfect NYE night ends with them making an embarrassing mistake going viral before midnight. What happens?
61. A grumpy character stuck working at a fast food joint on NYE ends up having surprisingly heartfelt conversations with customers.
62. Write a story about a character who vows to move overseas in 2024 buying their plane ticket as a symbolic NYE act.
63. Your protagonist accidentally invites two dates to their NYE party, leading to hilarious mishaps trying to keep them apart.
64. Your protagonist rediscovers a beloved childhood memory just before midnight (old toy, song, etc). Write about how this impacts their 2023 reflections.
65. On a whim, your protagonist takes a solo trip to Monte Carlo to gamble and celebrate lavishly on NYE. Describe this fancy story.
66. The flight your protagonist is piloting gets quarantined on the tarmac over NYE due to a passenger illness scare. Write this drama.
67. Your protagonist parties too hard on NYE and wakes up New Year’s Day to a surprise tattoo, marriage certificate, or in another state. What surprise is in store?
68. A random power outage strands people in an elevator together missing the epic NYE parties they had planned. Write this odd story.
69. Your protagonist finds a sparkly gown at a thrift shop the day before NYE that seems to be magic. What mystical adventures unfold on NYE when they wear it?
70. The ball your protagonist ordered for NYE is delivered broken days before. Write a funny story about them scrambling to re-plan a dropped ball celebration on a budget.
71. Your protagonist promised their kids a perfect NYE so when the babysitter cancels last minute, hijinks ensue trying to salvage it.
72. Write about unexpected romances sparking at a hospital on NYE. (Nurse/doctor, patient/visitor).
73. Your protagonist gets called in to work the night shift on NYE. Write a story featuring colorful coworkers, conversations and midnight countdown antics.
74. Your character’s estranged best friend from childhood shows up unexpectedly on NYE. They spend the night catching up and reconciliation unfolds.
75. Your protagonist reluctantly goes to a holiday costume party and ends up having a profound, life-changing experience. What happens?
76. Your protagonist finally has enough money to celebrate NYE at their dream destination – tell the story of their perfect international holiday trip.
77. Your protagonist is tasked with keeping a wealthy family’s very spoiled children happy on NYE for a big bonus. Write funny stories of chaos and mayhem.
78. Your protagonist accidentally gets on the wrong cruise ship for a NYE vacation. Write a comedy about their wacky nautical vacation gone wrong.
79. Your protagonist meets someone in the final moments of 2023. You flash forward to show glimpses of their life together over the next year.
80. On NYE your protagonist finds a wallet outside a party with no ID, only a photograph. Tell the story of them sleuthing to find the owner.
81. A character is contemplating ending their life on NYE but a stranger notices them crying on a bridge and compassionately intervenes. Write this emotional story with a hopeful ending.
82. Your protagonist plans a fancy NYE party but their apartment gets destroyed in a pre-celebration mishap. Show them rallying friends for an impromptu street celebration.
83. Your character can’t afford their dream NYE celebration so their thoughtful partner secretly recreates aspects of it with DIY touches. Write this heartwarming story.
84. Your protagonist wakes up with amnesia on NYE slowly regaining memories showing how they will fall in love with their kindly caretaker through flashbacks.
85. Your protagonist finally decides to make their career dreams come true and quits their unfulfilling job on NYE. Write about starting 2024 following their passion.
86. Your protagonist’s eccentric relative dies right before NYE leaving behind elaborate funeral instructions including arriving via parade float. Describe this funny memorial service.
87. Your protagonist needs closure so they travel to reconnect with a past love on New Year’s Eve. Do they find the answers and resolution they hoped for?
88. Write a powerful scene where your character makes a New Year’s resolution to leave their abusive partner during a NYE party among cheering friends.
89. Your protagonist’s best friend goes into unexpected labor at a fabulous NYE costume party. Chaos and hilarity ensue!
90. While your protagonist is celebrating NYE, Death pays them a visit to reveal troubling secrets about the year ahead. What news must they now wrestle with?
91. Your protagonist accidentally gets trapped in a bank vault over New Year’s Eve with a handsome stranger. Over the course of the night romantic sparks fly.
92. On a whim your protagonist travels to New York City alone for NYE. Write funny stories about their adventures navigating the big crowds and celebrations.
93. Your protagonist was supposed to propose to their partner on NYE but the ring gets lost amid comical mishaps. Does it work out in the end?
94. Write about unexpected romances blossoming at a hospital on December 31st between patients, staff, strangers waiting for news.
95. Your protagonist attends a 1920s speakeasy-themed NYE costume party. Describe their elaborate flapper outfit and the glamorous celebrations full of mobster intrigue.
96. Your character’s critical client unexpectedly goes into labor on NYE so they heroically manage both the high stakes birth and keeping their client happy.
97. Your character goes into 2023 not believing in love but a meet-cute with a stranger as the New Year dawns changes everything. What 2024 visions suddenly seem possible?
98. A grumpy concierge’s whole perspective on life changes over the course of one unforgettable NYE shift spent listening to guests’ stories.
99. Your character finds a magical radio on NYE at midnight playing songs from their upcoming year hinting at what’s ahead. Describe 5 songs and their meaning.
100. Your protagonist celebrates an incredible NYE that they find out years later their guardian angel orchestrated behind the scenes. Flashback to show the miracles.

Whether used as a daily warm-up over the final days of December or simply savored as a one-time exercise on the last night of the year, engaging with these evocative prompts promises to spark creativity amid the reflective mood unique to December 31st. Some may inspire short sketches dashed off in the hours leading to midnight, while others may plant narrative seeds that blossom into fully formed short stories with the new year now in bloom. Whatever the final written destination, this eclectic collection of 100 story ideas celebrates the rich inspirational territory the transitional holiday offers all writers. As fresh dreams and declarations hover on our tongues, these prompts give us the nudge we need to capture the magic of New Year’s Eve and launch our writing into exciting uncharted territory when the gleaming ball drops at last. Whether used to bid a dramatic farewell to 2023 or determine adventures ahead in 2024, let these vivid prompts serve as your writerly life raft as you sail into the thrilling unknown future that awaits on January 1st. The blank page of another year is all yours – let your writing spirit soar. 

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