With a new year comes the feeling of infinite new possibilities. Coming up with New Year’s resolutions is a familiar way to start the year, but these resolutions are notorious for failing before long. This can make you feel defeated rather than starting the year on a high note.
A better way to start the year is to plan what experiences you want to have. Perhaps there’s a sporting event or a live music festival you’ve always wanted to attend. This year could be the year you finally do it. Planning these activities will give you a sense of anticipation and excitement for the year to come, with plenty to look forward to.
Plan a weekend of indulgence
A full weekend of fun will start the year off in a good way. The first of January is on a Thursday, and you could follow your New Year’s Eve party with a celebratory brunch on that day. This would give you Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to spend together doing fun activities.
You could take short drives during the day, such as the 17-mile coastal drive, if you’re in California. In the evenings, you could play board games to keep yourself entertained and even do a spot of gambling. Perhaps you’ve never experienced what it’s like to play online casino games. You could try playing a slot game at one of the online casinos in states where this is legal. For example, Michigan online casinos are fully regulated. You may be surprised how entertaining this can be, especially when you receive a bonus for signing up and making a deposit.
Decide which music festivals to attend
A visit to Nashville could be on your bucket list, and attending its premier eight-day music celebration at Nissan Stadium would be fun. You could catch daytime performances and meet artists you’ve always admired.
You may want to go to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. At this festival that draws people from all over the world, you can experience many different types of music and enjoy the celebrity culture up close.
If you want to see Ariana Grande’s mid-year tour, you need to get tickets well ahead of time. She may be coming to your city or one near you.
Plan which sports events you want to watch
In March, fans can catch the World Baseball Classic in host cities such as Houston and Miami. March Madness follows soon after, lighting up arenas across the U.S., from Buffalo to Washington. The Stanley Cup playoffs then take center stage in April and June, with games played in cities throughout North America.
Midway through 2026, the FIFA World Cup arrives, with matches hosted in major U.S. cities including Dallas and New York. If you can’t attend these events in person, you can always enjoy the action through a live sports broadcast.
Visit a new town
You don’t need too much planning or a long day of travel to have an interesting new experience. You can visit a town or a little village within two hours of your location that you haven’t visited before. All you need is curiosity to explore and some free time.
You may discover an interesting downtown area or a charming local café. Perhaps a local park may inspire you to want to visit again and have a family picnic there. A short trip will remind you of what lies just outside your normal routine and that new adventures can be right around any corner.
Attend a cultural festival
When you’re coming up with New Year’s party ideas for friends, you may just decide to head off to Louisiana afterwards so you can extend your celebrations by attending the Mardi Gras.
This carnival is a centuries-old tradition. It begins on Jan 6, which is Twelfth Night, and continues until Feb 17. The weeks in between are full of fun and activities. From parades to vibrant street parties, you will see neighborhoods come alive. The colorful costumes are a delight to see, with one more elaborate than the other. Sequins, feathers, and bright colors abound. Another highlight is the amazing dancers and the marching bands.
