New Year's Eve 2026 in Murfreesboro: last year's downtown parties, the Stones River battle anniversary walks and the New Year's Day 5K on Jan. 1.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Details come from the city’s calendar, the National Park Service, Main Street Murfreesboro and the venues named. Where a 2026 date is not out yet, we say which year a detail is from.

New Year’s Eve 2026 falls on a Thursday. Most Murfreesboro parties for this year had not been announced when we checked, so below is what ran last year and what is already confirmed: the city’s New Year’s Day 5K at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 1, 2027. Murfreesboro also marks New Year’s in its own way: the Battle of Stones River began on Dec. 31, 1862, and the national battlefield holds anniversary programs around the holiday.

Who to call

  • Stones River National Battlefield: 615-893-9501
  • New Year’s Day 5K: 615-893-7439
  • Police non-emergency: 615-893-1311; emergencies, 911

New Year’s Eve parties

Venues post New Year’s Eve plans in November and December. Here is what ran on Dec. 31, 2025, from Main Street Murfreesboro’s New Year’s Eve guide; 2026 details are not out yet:

  • New Year’s Eve party at the Walnut House, downtown, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The 2025 party was the fifth, in cocktail attire, with casino games for fun downstairs, a dance floor upstairs, a cigar lounge outside, and early “midnights” at 10 p.m. (Puerto Rico) and 11 p.m. (New York) for those who head home early. The real midnight came with fireworks and a balloon drop. Proceeds went to Nourish Food Bank.
  • Happy’s Sports Lounge held a Rhinestone Rodeo party from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. with live music and a champagne toast at midnight.
  • The Velvet Room, the downtown speakeasy, held a themed party with music, dancing and food. It has a dress code.

We will add 2026 parties as venues announce them. Restaurants: only plans a restaurant posts on its own website or page will be listed here.

Battle of Stones River anniversary

The Battle of Stones River was fought from Dec. 31, 1862, to Jan. 2, 1863. Each year Stones River National Battlefield holds free programs around the anniversary. The 2026 schedule had not been released when we checked. Last year’s 163rd anniversary programs ran Dec. 26, 2025, to Jan. 2, 2026:

2025 date Program
Dec. 26, 29 and 30 Ranger talks at 11 a.m.; guided battlefield tours at 2 p.m., about 90 minutes
Dec. 27-28 Living history with musket and cannon firing at 10 and 11 a.m. and 1, 2 and 3 p.m. near the visitor center
Dec. 31 Real Time Walks at the hour the fighting raged: 10 a.m. Slaughter Pen, 1 p.m. Hell’s Half Acre, 3 p.m. Cotton Field
Jan. 1 A 30-minute talk at 11 a.m. and a walk through the national cemetery at 2 p.m.
Jan. 2 Living history and artillery demonstrations on the climactic fighting along the river

The park’s main entrance is at 1563 N. Thompson Lane; the visitor center is a mile in. Call 615-893-9501.

New Year’s Day 5K: Jan. 1, 2027

Start 2027 with the city’s New Year’s Day 5K at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 1, at Barfield Crescent Park, 697 Veterans Parkway. The 3.1-mile race is family-friendly and chip-timed, every finisher gets a medal, every registrant gets a souvenir shirt, and there are overall and age-group awards. Entry is $30. Call 615-893-7439.

Trash and closings

Fireworks at home

Murfreesboro’s Celebration Under the Stars fireworks are a Fourth of July show, and the city’s special events list has no New Year’s display. To report a problem with fireworks in your neighborhood, call police non-emergency at 615-893-1311.

What this means for you

  • Dec. 31: book a party early once venues announce; Real Time Walks are the free daytime option.
  • Jan. 1: run or walk the 5K, then visit the battlefield’s anniversary programs.

More guides: holiday lights and Christmas events, history and landmarks and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do on New Year’s Eve in Murfreesboro?

For 2026 we are still waiting on announcements. Last year downtown’s Walnut House held a 5th annual New Year’s Eve party for Nourish Food Bank from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Happy’s Sports Lounge threw a Rhinestone Rodeo party. Stones River National Battlefield held Real Time Walks on Dec. 31.

Is there a New Year’s Day race in Murfreesboro?

Yes. The city’s New Year’s Day 5K starts at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, at Barfield Crescent Park, 697 Veterans Parkway. It costs $30, and every finisher gets a medal.

Is trash pickup delayed for New Year’s Day 2027 in Murfreesboro?

No. New Year’s Day falls on a Friday, and the city’s 2026 holiday schedule shows no change to pickup.

Are there fireworks in Murfreesboro on New Year’s Eve?

The city’s special events list has no New Year’s fireworks show; its Celebration Under the Stars fireworks are for the Fourth of July. Last year the Walnut House party downtown ended at midnight with fireworks and a balloon drop for ticket holders.