A night of music and celebration on New Year’s Eve in Ely &#8211; Hometown Focus

Mesabi Symphony Orchestra and the Northern Lakes Arts Association are hosting a special New Year’s Eve concert and celebration on Wednesday, December 31, at 5:30 p.m. at Ely’s Historic State Theater. Submitted photos.

The Mesabi Symphony Orchestra (MSO) joins the Northern Lakes Arts Association (NLAA) to present “An Evening of Music and Celebration” featuring Ely’s own Ian Francis Lah with Becca Olson and Lily Stanley, accompanied by the Mesabi Pops Orchestra.

These two arts organizations come together for a night of music at Ely’s Historic State Theater to say farewell to 2025 at the end of NLAA’s 40th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of MSO’s Artistic Director and Conductor Benjamin Nilles.

Ian Francis Lah, the NLAA executive artistic director, says, “Our New Year’s Eve concert shows what happens when two arts leaders join forces. Northern Lakes Arts Association and the Mesabi Symphony Orchestra share a deep commitment to expanding what the arts can mean in northeastern Minnesota, a region where orchestral music is a rare and meaningful gift.

“Our first collaboration two years ago opened the door to new artistic possibilities, and it set the foundation for the New Year’s Eve concert we now create together. NLAA has long supported MSO’s work because bringing a full symphonic experience to a rural community changes what audiences believe is possible. This concert invites our neighbors into a night of artistry, celebration, and connection, proving that world-class music belongs here just as much as anywhere else.”

The New Year’s Eve celebration will include a reception prior to the concert featuring hors d’oeuvres and beverages available at a cash bar, and there will be a champagne toast to ring in the new year after the performance.

This collaboration was conceived from a desire to provide community members with a fresh and entertaining way to celebrate New Year’s Eve, showcasing the musical talent of the region. This year’s celebration starts at 5:30 p.m. with a reception of hors d’oeuvres and beverages available at the cash bar. The music begins at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a champagne toast to ring in the new year. Benjamin Nilles of the MSO says, “It’s always exciting to put on a special event and concert that features different styles of music from our regular concert season. I’m a big fan of the Christmas and holiday season, so having a New Year’s Eve performance where we collaborate with great vocalists, while I conduct our Pops Orchestra, is a great way to ring in the new year!

“This year will feature music by Billy Joel, Abba, Natalie Cole, and much more, so there will be music for everyone! Grab a drink, snack on some hors d’oeuvres, and pop the cork on the champagne with us this year as we say hello to 2026.”

The event hosted a sellout crowd previously and is expected to sell out again this year. Tickets are only available online at mesabisymphonyorchestra.org.

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