Saratoga New Year’s Eve Entertainment Unveiled

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Allman Betts Band will headline Saratoga’s 2026 New Year’s Eve festivities as part of an all-night music lineup spread across three venues. 

The largest venue, the Saratoga Springs City Center, will host Allman Betts (a Southern rock group that includes the sons of three members of the Allman Brothers Band), Ally the Piper (an internet-famous bagpipe player), Kieran Rhodes (a singer/pianist featured on “America’s Got Talent”), Doc Horton (a Capital Region pop-soul performer), Heard (a world music/jazz collective), Glass Pony (a “psychedelic groove circus” group from Albany), and Maggie Doherty (a Saratoga-based singer/songwriter).

Indie pop band the Nicotine Dolls will play at the Universal Preservation Hall, with Troy-based act The Belle Curves opening. 

At Caffe Lena, indie-folk/Americana ensemble Reese Fulmer and the Carriage House Band will take the stage. The caffe’s Executive Director Sarah Craig described the group as a younger, up-and-coming version of the Allman Betts Band.

In addition to a full night of music, Saratoga’s New Year’s Eve festivities will launch (literally and figuratively) with a fireworks display at the City Center accompanied by DJ RVMBA outside on Ellsworth Jones Place. This portion of the event, held from 5 to 6:30 p.m., is family friendly and free to attend.

The ‘Toga party will wrap up on the morning of New Year’s Day with the Saratoga First Day 5K at 11 a.m. Participants can run and/or walk through Broadway, the city’s residential East Side, and the Spring Run Trail.

“From the festive fireworks to the First Day 5K – and a whole lot of outstanding entertainment options in between, Saratoga New Year’s Eve offers an incredible New Year’s celebration with something for everyone,” said Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. “We hope folks will join us to ring in 2026 by partaking in this beloved Saratoga tradition.”

“Since moving the fireworks earlier, the New Year’s celebration accommodates both families as well as nightlife revelers to the wonderful hometown feel of our beautiful downtown,” said Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford. “Come early or late; you will find New Year’s Eve in Saratoga Springs to be a singular unique experience.”

Tickets for the music acts are now on sale at www.saratoganye.com. Additional information, including a full entertainment schedule, is also available on the website. 

Early online registration for the 5K is encouraged and available at fc4events.com. The registration fee includes an event shirt and competitive awards. Late registration opportunities will be available on the day of the race.