Good morning Wilmington!

New Year’s Eve is almost here, and Wilmington has no shortage of ways to celebrate. In today’s issue, you’ll find a variety of local events — music-filled nights, dance parties, and festive gatherings — to help you close out the year your way.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Thalian Hall Begins Major Demolition as $25M Renovation Moves Forward

• Canes’ Goaltending Takes Hit with Kochetkov Season-Ending Surgery

Historic Thalian Hall to Double in Size During Multi-Million-Dollar Upgrade

WWAY-TV Thalian Hall Center for Performing Arts is entering a new era with a $25 million renovation that includes major demolition beginning in the new year. The project will double the venue’s size and capacity, upgrade the historic main stage, expand the lobby, and add new features like a recording studio, education center, an outdoor performance space, and innovative venues such as The Hippodrome and The Wilde Cat Club. Leaders say the renovation will preserve Thalian Hall’s historic character while boosting cultural and economic impact downtown.

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Hurricanes Goalie Pyotr Kochetkov to Miss Remainder of Season After Surgery

The News & Observer Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov will undergo surgery for a lingering lower-body injury and is expected to miss the rest of the 2025–26 NHL season, according to head coach Rod Brind’Amour. The 26-year-old has been dealing with the issue throughout the season, later identified as a hip ailment. His absence adds to the Hurricanes’ growing injury list, which already includes key players Seth Jarvis and Jaccob Slavin, both listed as week-to-week.

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News Roundup

Local News

A funeral was held in Wilmington for Solange “Niki” Thompson, founder and owner of Indochine, honoring her life and legacy. Thompson, who died Dec. 18 at age 73, was remembered during a private Buddhist ceremony attended by family and visitors, with donations requested to support Lower Cape Fear LifeCare. WWAY-TV

Carolina Beach is reminding residents and visitors that most fireworks are illegal in North Carolina ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations. Town officials say any firework that leaves the ground is prohibited, with violations carrying a $500 fine and a Class 2 misdemeanor, and they urge the public to consider safety and elevated fire risks when celebrating. WECT

What You Should Know

The CIA carried out a previously undisclosed drone strike on a Venezuelan port facility earlier this month, marking the first known U.S. attack inside Venezuela. U.S. officials believe the dock was used by the Tren de Aragua gang for drug trafficking, no casualties were reported, and the strike risks escalating tensions with President Nicolás Maduro amid an expanded U.S. counter-narcotics campaign. CNN

What Might Surprise You

France has granted citizenship to George Clooney and Amal Clooney, along with their twin children, allowing the family to formally settle in the country. The couple cited France’s strong privacy protections and quieter rural lifestyle as key reasons for the move, while Clooney retains his U.S. citizenship and continues his film career. The New York Times

NYE: Back to the 80’s

NEW YEAR’S EVE - WED DEC 31: 8PM - 2AM @ Barzarre - CD

DJ Straftanz is bringing back his epic annual NYE event for the 7th year in a row! This event has been growing every year! You don't want to miss this spectacular night! It's actually DJ Straftanz' fave show of all year!

Join us at the Barzarre for a New Year's Eve dance party with Pop, Rock, & Dance with music from the 80's

This YouTube clip gives you a glimpse of what to expect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQl2KEsBAR0&t=7600s

THE EVENT IS ALL AGES | FREE ADMISSION

Photosensitive seizure warning: A very small percentage of people

may experience a seizure when exposed to certain visual effects, including flashing lights or patterns that may appear during the show. We do NOT use stroboscopes, but some of the music videos we play on the big screen may possibly impact people with a severe photosensitivity.

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New Year's Eve Album Release Party w/ The Queen's Giant & Blue Karma

NEW YEAR’S EVE - WED DEC 31: 8PM - midnight @ Bourgie Nights - ILM
Fusing elements of Rock, Blues, Country, and Electronica, The Queen's Giant brings a high energy sound with a refinement and flavor that oozes originality. Accompanied with an inventive rhythm section and diverse keyboard synthesizers, Brendon Jacobsen drives this project via attractive songwriting and a raw, penetrating guitar. Forming in 2021 in Wilmington, NC, The Queen's Giant aims to establish a brand that offers a professional, highly entertaining live act while we meticulously craft our debut album. Each musician in this band comes from a completely different background, and it is our understanding of each other's unique perspective that drives the creative direction. The variety of influences each artist applies to the project produces an amusing, dynamic sound complemented by a dazzling lead guitar, a sturdy, guttural bass, and a sentimental yet striking match of keys propelled by bolting percussion.

9pm Doors. 10pm Show. $20 ADV $25 DOS. 21+

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Havana Night NYE Party

NEW YEAR’S EVE - WED DEC 31: 8PM - midnight @ The Eagle's Dare - DT
✨ Havana Night New Year’s Eve at The Eagle’s Dare! ✨

Ring in 2026 with tropical heat, vibrant rhythms, and a night you won’t forget! 🌴🥂

Join us as we transform the space into a stunning Havana-inspired celebration featuring:

• 💃 Wilmington Latin Dance Group bringing the energy

• 🎷 Live music from Gin Fizz

• 🎧 Late-night vibes with DJ Brewtal

• ✨ A beautifully decorated venue designed for dancing the night away

• 🎈 Balloon drop & champagne toast at midnight!

Bring your friends, dress to impress, and get ready for a night of color, rhythm, and celebration.

• 📍 The Eagle’s Dare

• 📅 New Year’s Eve

• ⏰ Festivities start in the evening—dance until 2026 arrives!

$53.24-$76.02

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New Year’s Eve Party at Flytrap Brewing

WED DEC 31” 3Pm - 1AM @ Flytrap Brewing - ILM

🎉 𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐚𝐭 𝐅𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐩 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠! 🎉

We’re throwing a New Year’s Eve bash on 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟏𝐬𝐭 and you’re invited to celebrate with us from 𝟑𝐩𝐦-𝟏𝐚𝐦—𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 all night long!

✨𝐀𝐋𝐋-𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐒 ✨

🍺 $1 off Core Draft Brews

🍷 $5 glasses of House Wine

🥂 $5 glasses of Bubbles

🌮 𝐊𝐢𝐦𝐜𝐡𝐢 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐨 will be slinging their incredible Korean-Mexican fusion from 𝟓𝐩𝐦 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭—the perfect NYE fuel.

📸 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡 (the photo bus!) will be on site from 𝟕-𝟏𝟏𝐩𝐦 so you can capture those end-of-year memories.

🎶 And to top it all off, 𝐎𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐞 will be performing live from 𝟗𝐩𝐦-𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, taking us right into the New Year with an amazing set.

Let’s send 2025 out with good beer, good vibes, and good company. 🍻 𝐒𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝!

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New Year’s Eve

NEW YEAR’S EVE - WED DEC 31: 8PM - midnight @ Underfront - DT
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Underfront Co. in Downtown Wilmington NC on Front Street — Wednesday, December 31st — with a very special New Year’s Eve Edition of Fort Lowell Records’ own LET’S DANCE Vinyl DJ Night / Dance Party featuring a variety of music — Pop, Disco, Boogie, Indie, Hip-Hop, R&B, Electronic, etc. — including the latest hits and spanning the past five decades to ring in the new year. Dancing starts at 8:00pm and goes all night. Tickets are available to buy in advance (https://buytickets.at/fortlowellrecords/1960348); otherwise a $10.00 cover charge will be collected at the door upon entry paid via Cash, Credit Card, Venmo, or CashApp.

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Rusty Nail New Year’s Eve Party

WED DEC 31: 9PM @ The Rusty Nail - DT

It’s the New Year’s Eve Party !

• Vinyl DJ Heartbreaker 9pm

• Live Music GOLDIELUX 10pm

• $5 Donation Suggested*

Donations will go to the Nourish NC program.

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NYE Gala at Thalian Hall

WED DEC 31: 6:00 PM @ Thalian Hall - ILM
Have a decadent New Year’s Eve Gala with us – dinner, a show, and an immersive, all floors party, and dancing “until”! One evening to rule them all.

In creative black tie dress, you will relive the opulence and freedom of the 1980s. Think Dynasty meets Moonstruck. 
$192.60- $379.85

All-inclusive tickets available for every level:

• Dinner + Show + Party

• Show + Party

• Party Only

Plus post-show offerings galore:

• KAROKE

• JAZZ LOUNGE with BENNY HILL

• SILENT DISCO

• POP-UP ARCADE

• 80s NOSTALGIA

• CHAMPAGNE TOAST

• OPEN BAR

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2026 New Year's Eve Bash at Bluewater!

WED DEC 31: 9PM @ Bluewater - WB
Let’s celebrate together again at our annual New Year’s Eve Bash! Enjoy unbeatable views, festive energy, and an unforgettable night right on the water. Chris Cline band will be bringing the beats all night long, setting the vibe for drinks, dancing, and nonstop fun on the second floor.

Guests can look forward to complimentary late-night bar bites, a bubbly toast at midnight, party favors, and a memorable celebration overlooking the Intracoastal.

Multiple cash bars will be open throughout the second floor, plus access to balcony patios with stunning waterfront views.

Music starts at 9:00pm. Join us earlier for dinner and drinks to get the party going and then head on upstairs. $92.81

Learn More »

Tuesday

Wednesday - New Year’s Eve

Thursday - New Year’s Day