RAPID CITY, S.D. — Downtown Rapid City is set for a high-energy New Year’s Eve celebration as Brandon Jones takes the stage live at the historic Hotel Alex Johnson on December 31. The event promises a full night of music, celebration, and one of the city’s most iconic midnight traditions — the legendary ball drop.
Jones and his band will perform inside the Alex Johnson ballroom from 9:00 p.m. until midnight, providing the soundtrack as partygoers count down to the start of the New Year.
“We’re gonna be playing from nine to midnight inside the ballroom,” Jones said. “It should be a really good time.”
Beyond the live music, the New Year’s Eve event is packed with extras that make it one of downtown’s most anticipated celebrations. Guests can expect a festive atmosphere complete with a midnight countdown, the famous ball drop visible from downtown Rapid City, and thousands of dollars in prizes from numerous local businesses throughout the night.
“It’s kind of legendary,” Jones said of the ball drop tradition. “It’s really cool to come downtown to the big old Alex Johnson and watch the ball drop.”
Tickets for the event are $30 per person, with tickets and details available through the Hotel Alex Johnson’s website and social media channels. For those looking to turn the celebration into a full night out, the hotel is also offering room packages, making it easy for guests to celebrate safely without worrying about transportation after the party.
“Maybe just stay there,” Jones said. “It’s probably the safest bet. Party all night, and you don’t have to worry about getting home.”
Following the live performance and midnight countdown, the celebration is expected to continue with an after-party DJ, keeping the energy going well into the early hours of 2026.
The New Year’s Eve show will also give fans a sneak peek at what’s next for Brandon Jones musically. According to Jones, the band plans to debut brand-new, unreleased material during the performance.
“I’m pretty sure that might be the first show we share some of our brand-new music,” Jones said. “A lot of it will be coming out in 2026.”
Jones explained that the band is currently recording new music locally and plans to release singles that will eventually build toward a full album.
“We’ve got about 30 songs we’re working through,” he said. “We’ll do a couple of singles and then drop an album.”
With live music, prizes, a DJ after-party, hotel room packages, and one of Rapid City’s most beloved New Year’s Eve traditions, the Brandon Jones performance at the Alex Johnson Hotel is shaping up to be a centerpiece event for ringing in 2026.
Tickets and room package details are available now through the Hotel Alex Johnson — and with the ball drop, the party, and Brandon Jones live on stage, downtown Rapid City is ready to welcome the New Year in style.
