COVID-19 surge prompts cancellations for some New Year’s Eve events in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE — The recent surge in COVID-19 cases is putting a pause on more of our day-to-day lives -- from flights, to football, to holiday celebrations.

The increase in cancelations is causing some to wonder what could be next, especially as New Year’s Eve gets closer.

While some events are finalizing their preparations, others are canceling their plans all together.

In a social media post, Noda Company Store announced the New Year’s Eve Ball After Hours was canceled.

The company explained in the post that there were just too many spikes in the omicron variant of COVID-19 for it to be able to host the ball responsibly.

The company went on to say that they hope they will be able to celebrate the new year with everyone next year.

A smaller venue, VBGB Beer Hall and Garden, also announced that they had canceled their New Year’s Eve event. VBGB said they decided to cancel the event due to the rapid rise in COVID cases.

But some event organizers have found a way to make their event work.

“So, for now it is certainly on, but we reserve the right to have something happen or have new information, and have us say ‘hmmm,’” Moira Quinn, Senior VP of Communications for Charlotte Center City Partners, said.

Quinn is the spokesperson for Charlotte Center City Partners, where planning for ‘Charlotte New Year’s Eve’ has been underway for at least a year.

“Really, as soon as the one is over, we start thinking about the next one. And with this one, we really had to think a lot about what COVID might bring. And what kinds of things do we need to do to stay COVID-safe,” Quinn said.

Organizers said they have reached out to local healthcare partners, such as the Mecklenburg County Health Department, Novant, and Atrium Health, for tips on how to keep everyone safe.

“We are asking them: ‘What can we do to make sure this is the safest thing we can do? And should we even think about doing this?’ And so they said, ‘Masks outdoors, it is going to be safe if you do it that way,’” Quinn said.

The city’s event will be held in an open area outdoors.

“There’s plenty of space in that area. It’s going to be at Levine Avenue of the Arts,” Quinn said.

Quinn said for now, Charlotte Center City Partners’ plan is moving forward although the next few days could change that decision.

“We’re always trying to weigh information and making sure that we’re making the right decisions. And the right decision today may not be the right decision tomorrow,” Quinn said.

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