2025 Black Tie New Year’s Eve Gala at the Luxurious Willard – Washington, DC

Steeped in 200 years of history, the iconic Willard InterContinental Washington, DC is the venue for Washington’s premier & most luxurious international New Year’s Eve celebration, presented for the 18th year.

Visit the Gala Website for More Detailed Information. As we reach capacity for the gala, ticket prices are subject to increase without prior notice.

Click here for additional New Year’s Eve gala details, special room rates at the Willard for gala attendees, as well as important ticket terms.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in grand style & indulge in a sophisticated haven of luxury & service as we welcome 2025! We have assembled a selection of the finest entertainment from around the world to bring you an unparalleled and spectacular evening of sophistication and elegance.

You do not need a date to attend. Attend on your own or with friends, and join other internationally minded professionals from around the city and the globe for a magical New Year’s Eve gala.

Experience an unforgettable New Year’s Eve party as you indulge in free-flowing champagne, an open bar, a spectacular balloon drop in the Euro Discotheque Ballroom, & dance the night away to live bands & DJs. For dinner choose from an elegant sit down 3-course dinner with champagne or a dinner buffet of international cuisine. Also enjoy exquisite desserts by the pastry chef at the Willard!

Celebrate NYE in grand style with various ballrooms representing an international destination with entertainment from around the world, party favors, & more! Please note that as we continue to refine the gala, themes, menus, entertainment, bands, and other gala details are subject to change.

Purchase of tickets constitutes your acceptance of ALL ticket sales policies, terms for participation of events, acceptable behavior at events, and the no refunds policy outlined at.

https://www.internationalclubdc.com/About/TicketSalesPolicy.aspx

About the International Club of DC & Our NYE Gala

We are Washington DC’s premier organization for internationally-minded professionals with a membership of over 47,000 individuals. We collaborate with over 80 embassies to present cultural events for our members.

Our annual New Year’s Eve Gala is our most magnificent and elaborate cultural event of the year. The New Year’s Eve party is well-attended by both singles and couples alike so you are welcome to attend on your own or with friends to meet and socialize with other International Club of DC Members and diverse professionals from around the world.

A Luxurious Rendezvous on New Year’s Eve

The Willard InterContinental is a sophisticated haven of luxury and service, in the heart of Washington DC, Steeped in over 200 years of history, the iconic Willard InterContinental Washington, DC, located two blocks from The White House, is a historic hotel that offers 335 spacious and elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites that exude a unique blend of contemporary luxury and historic charm. The hotel has played host to world leaders, dignitaries and celebrities, and now it is your turn to experience an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration at one of DC’s grandest hotels. The Metro is just a couple of blocks away providing easy access.

Health & Safety Notice

By participating in the event, you agree to follow the DC COVID guidelines in effect at the time of the event and understand and agree that the guidelines may change at any time without notice and that you along with your guests agree to adhere to the guidelines in effect at the time of the event: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I attend on my own?

Yes! You don’t need a date to attend as both singles & couples attend the gala. Attend on your own or with friends to celebrate with other internationally-minded professionals! Our members are friendly, outgoing, and a diverse group of internationally-minded professionals.

How do I pick up my tickets?

Tickets are only released to the credit card holder who must arrive at the Registration Desk located across from the reception desk in the lobby (together with any guests). The credit card holder is required to sign for & collect tickets with PHOTO ID matching the name on the guest list along with the CREDIT CARD used to purchase tickets. Tickets will be released ONLY to the credit card holder. If you purchased multiple tickets, please arrive for registration with your guests.

For the security of the credit card holder and our guests, we have instituted strict policies for admission to the event and there will be NO EXCEPTIONS to our admission policies:

Please ensure that the tickets are purchased by the actual credit card holder as tickets will ONLY be released to the person who purchased the tickets upon presenting the CREDIT CARD used for the transaction PLUS PHOTO ID matching the name of the ticket purchaser and credit card holder.

For the security of the credit card holder, by reserving a ticket you agree that there will be an audio and video record of each guest collecting tickets at the registration desk upon presenting photo ID with a signature collected for the acceptance of the tickets. If you purchased more than one ticket, please arrive for admission together with your guest(s).

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES will tickets be released to anyone other the credit card holder who purchased the tickets. Both PHOTO ID and the physical CREDIT CARD used for the reservation are required to collect the tickets. No refunds will be provided if admission is denied due to lack of required photo ID and the physical credit card to collect your tickets.

What do I wear?

The recommended attire is either cocktail attire or Black Tie optional. Formal gowns, cocktail dresses, tuxedos, dark suits, or other appropriate attire are all welcome! Have fun dressing up as you can’t overdress for this event!

Will there be a coat check?

For security considerations, coats and large bags are not allowed in the event space. The hotel will offer a coat check for guests attending the gala for a nominal fee of approximately $10 cash per coat/item. Kindly note that we are not responsible for the coat check, as the coat check arrangements will be handled directly by the hotel.

May I transfer my tickets?

In the event you wish you transfer your ticket(s) to someone else you agree to contact us at least 96 hours (4 days) prior to the event so we can send you a ticket transfer form which requires your signature as well as presenting us with photo ID to verify the identity of the ticket purchaser. For the security of the credit card holder, there will be no exceptions to this policy. Printing and presenting your ticket confirmation WILL NOT grant anyone admission to the event as PHOTO ID matching the name on the geuets list is required for the release of tickets.

What is the average age of attendees?

Each ballroom of the New Year’s Eve Gala is a gala within a gala. With several live bands, DJs, and other entertainment, the gala is attended by guests comprising of a large age range. Whether you like to ballroom dance to a live band or dance the night away to our DJs performing the hottest club music, there’s something for everyone!

What’s the parking situation?

Kindly note that parking is handled directly by the hotel and we are not responsible for any aspect of parking. Hotel parking is limited, available on a first-come basis, and not guaranteed. We recommend rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.,), a cab or the Metro. Self-parking entrance is on F Street between 14th & 15th Street. Additional parking: Metropolitan Square on F Street between 14th & 15th Street, nearby garages, or street parking. Parking rates may increase and is set by the hotel.

When should I arrive for registration?

Registration commences 30 minutes prior to the time of admission on your ticket, but not earlier. Please arrive for registration 30 minutes prior to the time of admission on your ticket so that you can check-in, relax in the hotel lobby, and enter the event space at your time of admission. If you purchased more than one ticket, please arrive together with your guest(s). Allow plenty of time for traffic/parking. Kindly note that factors such as parking & traffic are beyond our control & it is your responsibility to arrive at the registration desk on time.

What’s the seating situation?

Unreserved seating is available for the duration of the 3-course dinner from 7:45 PM-8:45 PM for Presidential Level guests & the buffet dinner from 9PM -10PM for Diplomat Level guests.

All seating is unreserved & available for all guests after 10PM. With many guests expected, the gala is not presented as a seated function or an event with reserved seating. Since guests visit various ballrooms throughout event, the event is structured with unreserved seating in each ballroom with seating becoming available as guests leave one ballroom for another. While, seating is not guaranteed after 10PM, if you have a special need and unable to locate seating in any of the available ballrooms, please ask a Hotel Manager and we are happy to assist you.

I have another question…

We are happy to answer any additional questions you may have. Please contact us and we will get right back to you.

Ticket Terms

All Ticket Sales are Final. No cancellations or refunds on tickets for any reason, including severe winter storms, government actions, or health considerations as a result of Covid.

If the event is postponed due to COVID/health and safety considerations related to Covid, other pathogen, government guideline, mandate, or action, as well as any other factor beyond our control including severe winter storms, any ticket purchased can be transferred to attend the 2026 New Year’s Eve Gala or other subsequent New Year’s Eve Gala by emailing us at Info@InternationalClubDC.com.

While we do not expect government mandates which may require restrictions that result in the cancellation, restriction of capacity, or other limitations which might affect the event, you agree that such possibility exists by purchasing a ticket. By purchasing a ticket, you agree that ticket reservations for the 2025 New year’s Eve Gala will be transferred to the 2026 New Year’s Eve Gala or other future New Year’s Eve Gala in the event of government action beyond our control which might result in the postponement and rescheduling of the event for a future year.

Since ticket processing fees as well as payments made to vendors and performers engaged for the gala are nonrefundable, by purchasing a ticket, you agree that we are unable to offer refunds for cancellation, nonattendance for any reason, as well as rescheduling of the event at our sole discretion due to government restrictions, actions, or other conditions.

Acceptable Behavior Policy

By purchasing a ticket you agree to adhere to International Club of DC policies for ticket reservations, participation in events, and acceptable behavior:

https://www.internationalclubdc.com/About/TicketSalesPolicy.aspx

Vaccines and Vaccine Boosters Recommended with Your Doctor’s Consultation

It is highly recommended that you are fully vaccinated for Covid. If it has been more than 6 months since you were fully vaccinated, we highly recommend a vaccine booster with the consultation of your doctor. By purchasing a ticket, you agree to consult with your doctor with regards to receiving a vaccine booster prior to attending the event. You agree to adhere to any potential future health guidelines that may require boosters to be considered fully vaccinated.

Admission Criteria

Tickets will only be released to the person who purchased the tickets upon presenting photo ID and credit card used to reserve the tickets. If you purchased more than one ticket, please arrive for admission with your guest(s).

All attendees must be 21 & over.

No large bags or winter coats are allowed in the event space.

Security staff may screen guests and anything brought into the event space.

By participating in the event, you accept the responsibility to arrive for the event on time. Hotel parking is limited and not guaranteed due to the availability of space. All ticket sales are final.

The gala concludes at 1:30 AM with some aspects of the gala concluding at 12:00 Midnight (balloon drop) and 1:00 AM (bars and certain entertainment).

Event Details Subject to Change

Please note that as we continue to refine the gala, themes, menus, entertainment, bands and other gala details are subject to change. We may add, change, or remove any menu item, advertised band or entertainment, or other aspect of the gala.