Midnight?! 44% Will Snore Their Way Into 2026

If you’re the type who likes to start the New Year well-rested instead of wildly hungover, you are absolutely not alone.

Staying up until midnight on New Year’s Eve used to feel like a sacred tradition. The countdown, the champagne, the awkward kiss at 12:01. But for nearly half of Americans, that whole vibe is officially getting… snoozed.

44% won’t stay up for it

A poll by AP-NORC found 44% of people plan to be asleep when 2025 turns into 2026. No fireworks, no toast, no “Auld Lang Syne.” Just a nice, peaceful doze under a weighted blanket while the rest of the world yells “Happy New Year” at their TVs. And honestly, can you blame them?

January 1st is a work day for some

New Year’s Eve falls on a Thursday in 2025, which means Friday is still a workday for many – and nursing a headache the size of Times Square isn’t a great way to start the year fresh.

Some time zones have it easier

West Coasters have an easy out. They can catch the New York ball drop at 9 p.m. Pacific, do a quick celebratory cheer, then dive into bed before East Coasters even finish that glass of champagne. (Is watching a replay three hours later even worth it anyway?)

Most of us do still care

The fact that over half of us plan to stay up until the wee hours means New Year’s celebrations are still alive and well. The midnight countdown isn’t going extinct anytime soon – maybe just evolving. For some, the New Year starts with fireworks. For others, a solid eight hours of sleep and maybe a smoothie the next morning.

That said, health-conscious Gen Z is more apt to sip a mocktail than take a tug on a bottle of champagne. And once you’re over 50, it can take more than a calendar flip to muster that much enthusiasm.

New Year’s Eve is still a big night either way… some of us just celebrate with less glitter and more melatonin.