Join us in historic Old Town Winchester for a day full of celebration culminating with a spectacular and FREE New Year’s Eve Neon Nights & Laser Light Show at the Old Courthouse Civil War Museum, street performers along the walking mall and the traditional Apple Drop at midnight on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, from 6:00 pm to midnight. Downtown merchants will be open for dining, shopping and live entertainment. Parking in Old Town is FREE on New Year’s Eve through New Year’s Day.
The midnight Apple Drop tradition goes back many years when First Night Winchester was hosted and celebrated in Old Town Winchester. Kathy Nerangis came up with the First Night Winchester idea when she learned about similar efforts in Leesburg, VA in the mid-1980’s. In 1986 Kathy launched Winchester’s version of First Night and it ran strong in Old Town Winchester for 35 years (1986-2021.) With the support of the Nerangis family, the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is pleased to announce that this year’s apple drop is sponsored by Nick Nerangis in memory of his beloved wife, Kathy. Throughout the evening festivities, former morning radio hosts, Barry Lee and Lisa Herndon will conduct live interviews from local downtown establishments to talk about Kathy’s profound impact on First Night Winchester and how her infectious personality and volunteer spirit positively influenced our community. Kathy’s name will shine in neon and lasers as we ring in the newyear with the Apple Drop at the intersection of Boscawen and Loudoun Streets.
Throughout the day, visitors to downtown Winchester can take in and enjoy activities at several local museums. The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley will continue the First Night Winchester tradition at their museum location from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The museum will host a family-friendly day featuring admission by donation to the galleries and gardens and fun activities celebrating New Year’s Eve and the MSV’s twentieth birthday, including face painting and more. The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley is located at 901 Amherst Street, Winchester, VA 22601.
The Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum will host Noon Year’s Eve from 10 am to 12:30 pm. The cost is $15/person, and guests will enjoy snacks, crafts, special visitors, sock skating, and a “ball” drop at noon. The Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum is located at 19 W Cork Street, Winchester, VA 22601.
Special thanks to our partners including the City of Winchester, Winchester EDA, Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers, Riddleberger Brothers, Vision Restoration & Contracting, Shenandoah University, WO Grubb Crane Rental, Mosaic Church, Friends of Old Town, Merchant Suites, Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, VA250, and Virginia is for Lovers®.
For a full list of New Year’s Eve events in Old Town Winchester,
click here.
