Top 10 Ways to Have Fun with Your Friends in the New Year 2024

Friendships are one of the most important relationships in our lives. Making time for fun with friends can relieve stress, boost happiness, and create priceless memories. As we enter 2024, there are so many exciting, creative ways to spend quality time and have memorable experiences with your best friends or close group.

1. Host a themed party night.

Nothing brings a group together quite like a super-fun themed party! Pick any theme that fits your friend group—decades like the 80’s or 90’s are popular—or go for movie characters, athletes, video game characters, or music genres. Everyone dresses up to match the theme, which makes for hilarious photos. Play games, enjoy food and drinks that go with the theme, and end the night with a themed dance party. Laughter and inside jokes will abound!

2. Plan a Weekend Getaway

A short weekend trip with friends is refreshing and a fantastic way to make memories together. You can relax at a nearby beach house rental or cabin in the mountains. Or check out a new city just a few hours away that has sites, restaurants, and entertainment you’ve wanted to experience together. Wherever you go, build in plenty of free time for lingering meals, board or card games, shopping, attractions, and late-night talks that turn a getaway into a bonding adventure.

3. Take a class together.

There are so many interesting classes that provide perfect friend date ideas. Take a cooking class and learn recipes you can recreate. Express your creative side with a painting or pottery-making class. Learn flower arranging or how to grow your own backyard veggie garden. If you want something more active, take a dance class like ballroom, hip-hop, or salsa. Or enroll in a group fitness bootcamp to get in shape while having fun with your besties.

4. Go to a show.

Music, theater, comedy—all kinds of incredible live shows roll through town that you and your friends would love. Going to shows together bonds you through the shared experience as you get caught up in the excitement, music, and entertainment together in that moment. Arrive early for dinner or plan fun cocktails or appetizers beforehand to keep the experience going all night. Epic memories are made from shows enjoyed with great company!

5. Game Night

Winter weather makes it tempting to snuggle up indoors, making game nights perfect for this time of year. Set out yummy snacks and comfy blankets or pillows, and get ready for endless rounds of whatever board or card game your crew prefers. Classics like Pictionary or Charades are always hilarious times with friends. For video gamers, multiplayer combat and racing titles mean all your friends can join in the matchups and thrilling victories!

6. Check Out a New Local Spot

The start of a new year is a great excuse to start exploring hidden gems in your area that you and your friends haven’t experienced yet. Check out that new restaurant with an amazing menu, the just-opened ax throwing range for adventuresome types, or the arcade bar if your crew prefers games and cocktails. Part of the fun of grabbing food or playing games in a new place is soaking up the vibe together.

7. Volunteer together.

Use your next friend’s hangout as a way to give back to others in your community! Look for local volunteer groups that could use some extra help preparing meals, building houses, cleaning up parks, or other charitable acts. You’ll bond with your friends doing good work, plus it feels amazing to know you’re helping make a difference together.

8. Tackle an Outdoor Challenge

If your friend group enjoys being active, make 2024 the year you finally check off that epic adventurous feat you’ve always wanted to do! Conquer an intense hike that ends with gorgeous mountaintop views. Go camping in an amazing national park to reconnect with nature. Train for and run a 5K, 10K, or even half marathon. Bond during the training, then celebrate your accomplishments together!

9. Host Pilates and Prosecco Night

A healthy, refreshing idea for your next friend night is to start with an invigorating Pilates workout together, then reward your efforts with a round of celebratory bubblies! Hire a Pilates instructor to lead the workout portion, then afterwards, have a mimosa bar set up with prosecco, juices, fruit slices for garnish, and fun glassware. Toast to your fitness feat, then settle in to catch up without any guilt!

10. Annual Friend Trip

Finally, consider establishing an annual girl trip or friend getaway that you take together every year. It could be during spring break or summer, when it’s easiest for everyone’s schedule. Pick a fun location where your bond can strengthen even more through adventures like learning to surf, relaxing at the beach, laughing for hours, or road tripping through beautiful landscapes. An annual tradition will have you counting down until the next time you meet up!

The start of a fresh new year is the optimal time to commit to spending more quality time enjoying life with your closest friends. Try out some of these fun ideas that are sure to create endless laughs, deeper connections, and wonderful memories you’ll look back on fondly. Here’s to making 2024 your best friend year ever!