New Year's Eve is Thursday, Dec. 31. Hogmanay at the High Point Museum Dec. 19, a New Year's ball craft Dec. 26, library hours and trash.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated every year at the same address. Facts come from the city calendar, the city’s collection schedule and Guilford County Schools’ calendars page. City customer service: 336-883-3111.

New Year’s Eve is Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026, and New Year’s Day falls on a Friday. No public countdown or fireworks show in High Point had been announced as of Oct. 11. The High Point Museum marks the season early with a Scottish Hogmanay celebration and a craft for children, and the library and trash schedules change around the holiday.

What this means for you

  • Family fun before the day: Scottish Faire on Saturday, Dec. 19, and a New Year’s Eve ball craft on Saturday, Dec. 26, both at the High Point Museum.
  • Library: closes at 5 p.m. Dec. 31; closed Jan. 1.
  • Trash: normal schedule all week.
  • School: Guilford County Schools students return Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027.

Events

No New Year’s Eve party, ball drop or fireworks in High Point had been announced by an organizer as of Oct. 11. Restaurants and venues post their own plans in December; we add them here only when the venue announces them on its own page.

At the High Point Museum, 1859 E. Lexington Ave.:

  • Scottish Faire in Historical Park, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. A celebration of Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year’s Eve, and the Yule season: Revolutionary War soldiers of the North Carolina Highland and 71st regiments, Gaelic music and storytelling, tartan history and Hogmanay dishes cooked over an open fire, according to the event listing. Visitors are encouraged to wear their family tartan or plaid.
  • Let’s Craft! Tin Foil New Year’s Eve Ball, Saturday, Dec. 26, in the Little Red Schoolhouse: children make their own ball “to count down to 2027.” A sensory-friendly session with dim lights, a calm room and limited numbers runs from 10 a.m. to noon, and an open session from noon to 2 p.m., according to the event listing.

The museum is closed Dec. 23-25.

What is open and closed

  • High Point Public Library, 901 N. Main St.: closes at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, and is closed Friday, Jan. 1, according to its listings on the city calendar.
  • Trash and recycling: the week of Dec. 28 to Jan. 1 runs on the normal collection schedule, and drivers cannot return for missed carts in holiday weeks, according to the city’s collection schedule. Christmas week is also normal. More on our trash and recycling guide.
  • Guilford County Schools: winter break for students runs Monday, Dec. 21, through Friday, Jan. 1, on the district’s 2026-27 traditional calendar. Monday, Jan. 4, is an optional teacher workday, so students return Tuesday, Jan. 5.
  • Police, fire and 911 run as normal.

Getting home safely

The High Point Police Department’s website carries its news releases and contacts. Call 911 in an emergency. If you are celebrating away from home, plan a ride before you go out.

Related: holiday lights and Christmas events, Christmas parade, Valentine’s Day in High Point and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a New Year’s Eve countdown in High Point?

No public New Year’s Eve countdown, ball drop or fireworks show in High Point had been announced for 2026 as of Oct. 11. This page will list one when an organizer announces it.

Is trash picked up on New Year’s Day in High Point?

New Year’s week, Dec. 28 to Jan. 1, runs on the normal collection schedule. Drivers cannot return for missed carts in holiday weeks.

Is the High Point Public Library open on New Year’s Eve?

It closes early, at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, and is closed Friday, Jan. 1, 2027.

When do Guilford County Schools go back after winter break?

Winter break for students runs Dec. 21 to Jan. 1. Monday, Jan. 4, 2027, is an optional teacher workday on the traditional calendar, and students return Tuesday, Jan. 5.