The countdown to 2026 is on.

There’s no telling what the year will bring. But we do think that, if you’re spending time in St. Paul when 2025 ends, you’ve got a pretty good chance of starting the new year off with some fun.

From music to comedy to larger-than-life objects dropping from the sky Times Square-style, here are some ideas to ring in 2026 in St. Paul.

Dropping Stuff

Minnesota Bobber Drop at Midway Saloon: For the fourth year, a 7-foot fishing bobber will drop at midnight to ring in the new year. Beforehand, at 9 p.m., blues guitarist Dylan Salfer will perform. The event is at the Midway Saloon, 1567 W. University Ave.

Puck Drop and Fireworks at Rice Park: If you’re more of a hockey person than a fisherman — or if you just want to get to sleep earlier than midnight — head over to Rice Park downtown (109 W. Fourth St.) for a 10-foot disco-ball style hockey puck drop at 8 p.m., before a fireworks display. (The puck itself was created at Wonder Studios, also the fabrication hub for Can Can Wonderland’s putt-putt courses.) The puck drop and fireworks, plus live music and the Red Bull DJ Truck, are all part of the Bold North Breakaway Fan Fest, a free festival alongside the IIHF World Junior Championship. Metro Transit is offering free rides to and from the festival starting at 6 p.m.

Comedy Shows

Comedian Jesse the Shrink hosts the weekly comedy open mic at Gambit Brewing in Lowertown. (Courtesy of Jesse the Shrink)

Freshly Squeezed New Year’s Eve at Gambit Brewing: Comic Ali Sultan, who has performed on Comedy Central, “Late Night with Stephen Colbert” and “DryBar Comedy,” headlines a pair of shows at the Lowertown brewery and comedy hotspot, produced by comedian and real-life therapist Jesse the Shrink and musical comic Lefty Crumpet. Other local comics will also perform. Showtimes at 7 and 10 p.m. at Gambit Brewing, 441 E. Fourth St., Suite LL2. Tickets are $25 for general admission or $30 for a reserved seat; online at freshlysqueezednye.eventbrite.com

Maggie Faris at Laugh Camp Comedy Club: Over at Laugh Camp Comedy Club inside Camp Bar, St. Paul comedy staple Maggie Faris headlines an 8 p.m. show. Farris, a St. Paul native, has performed around the country and opened for folks including Fortune Feimster, Michael Che, Daniel Tosh and Lewis Black. Tickets available online for $29.75; camp-bar.net/shows/340117

New Year’s Eve Comedy at Station 10: Another Jesse the Shrink joint: Comedian John DeBoer, who’s been featured on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” Sirius XM and “DryBar Comedy,” headlines two shows at Gatherings at Station 10, the space above A-Side Public House (754 Randolph Ave.). Showtimes at 7 and 9:30 p.m.; tickets are $25 for general admission or $30 for a reserved seat; online at station10nye.eventbrite.com

Music and Celebration

Mini golf at Can Can Wonderland in St. Paul. (Nancy Ngo / Pioneer Press)

Can Can Wonderland: The mini-golf and vintage arcade destination is celebrating its 9th birthday on New Year’s Eve with two DJ stages, tarot readings, a caricature artist, a “glitter bar,” a photobooth and plenty of snacks and drinks. Tickets $25 online at cancanwonderland.com; 755 Prior Ave N.

Mancini’s: At the iconic West Seventh steakhouse, the house band The Midas Touch is playing hits from across the decades. Music from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., no cover; 1400 W. Seventh St.

Patrick McGoverns: The West Seventh pub is hosting a DJ from 9 p.m. onward in a heated atrium area, plus a toast at midnight and other specialty drinks; 225 W. Seventh St.

Pillbox Tavern: If you want to provide the music yourself, the downtown sports bar is hosting karaoke from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Seafood and prime rib specials will be available, and a free champagne toast will be offered at midnight. No cover; 400 N. Wabasha St.

St. Paul Hotel: Class it up with live jazz at the downtown hotel’s lobby bar. From 6 to 10 p.m., vocalist Erin Livingston, bassist Gary Raynor and pianist Larry McDonough will perform. No cover; 350 Market St.

White Squirrel Bar: The West Seventh music lounge is going full bluegrass to close out the year, with Americana “future folk” quartet Seculants headlining alongside The Gated Community and The Ungrateful Little String Band. Music starts at 9 p.m.; no cover; 974 W. Seventh St.

Family Friendly

The New Year’s Eve party at Minnesota Children’s Museum is called Sparklerama. (Courtes of Bruce Silcox)

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Sparklerama at the Minnesota Children’s Museum: If you have kids and don’t want to wait till the 31st to celebrate, the Minnesota Children’s Museum is holding “Sparklerama” from 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 30, with family fun music, dancing, crafts and other activities. Tickets are $10 for members and $25 for non-members; https://mcm.org/new-year-party.

Noon Year’s Eve at the Minnesota Zoo: Some animals are nocturnal, but it’s OK if your kids are not: The zoo is throwing a kid-friendly party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 31 with a DJ (or a silent dance party if that’s more your speed), a craft lounge and a new year’s countdown to 12 p.m. (not a.m.!). Kids are encouraged to dress like a penguin, or choose their favorite cozy winter outfit. Event is included with zoo admission, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley. More info at mnzoo.org/special-events.