New Year's Eve is one fixed night, and almost everyone gets more than one offer for it. Some friends are traveling, some are staying home with family, and some won't commit until they know what else is on the table. The group chat stalls on "let's figure it out" until the best options are gone.
Venues, restaurants and travel plans for the night are often set well ahead, so the sooner your group knows who's in, the more choices you have. When the 31st doesn't work for enough people, a nearby night or a New Year's Day gathering can still bring everyone together.
How Commonhour works for New Year's Eve
Create a plan with the options you're considering, such as New Year's Eve itself, the night before or after, and a New Year's Day brunch. Turn on All day if you're only choosing a night, or paint start times if the hour matters, such as a dinner versus a late party.
Share one link in the group chat. Everyone opens it in their browser and taps what works. No account, no app.
Watch the ranked list fill in. The options that work for the most people rise to the top, with a note of who can't make each one.
Pick a night and send the calendar invite to everyone who's free, so it's on their calendars and not just in the chat.
What it works for
A New Year's Eve party or dinner with friends. See who can make the night itself, and what time suits most people.
A nearby night instead. If the 31st is spoken for, offer the weekend before or after and celebrate with the people who are around.
A New Year's Day gathering. Choose a brunch or an afternoon for friends or family who have other plans the night before.
A New Year's weekend away. Find which days work for a group trip; for dates across several days, see scheduling group trips.
Tips for a better turnout
Ask early. Tables, venues and travel for the night are often arranged well ahead, so an answer in November beats one in late December.
Offer the night itself plus one or two fallbacks. A short list gets faster answers, and the ranked list shows whether the 31st really is the best option.
Offer a couple of start times. A dinner and a late party fit different people, so see which one the group prefers.
Check who can't make each option. Each option shows who's missing, so you can tell if it loses the people the plan is built around.
Calendar invites are free, always. Google Calendar, Outlook, or an .ics file, with everyone who's free already added as a guest.
What it doesn't do yet
Commonhour finds the night or time. It isn't an invitation page: it doesn't take reservations or collect RSVPs, dish sign-ups or gift lists, or split costs. Without an account a plan takes up to 12 responses; sign in with a free account to go past it.
New Year's Eve scheduling questions
Should I plan for New Year's Eve itself or a nearby night?
If people are split between other plans or traveling, offer the night itself alongside a nearby night or New Year's Day, and let the ranked list show which one the most people can make.
How early should I ask about New Year's Eve?
As early as you can. Reservations, venues and travel for the night are often arranged well in advance, so a link sent in November leaves more options than one sent in the last week of December.
Can I use it to choose a start time?
Yes. Offer a few start times, such as an early dinner or a late party, and see which fits the most people.
Does everyone need an account?
No. They open the link and tap what works for them, with nothing to install. Without an account a plan takes up to 12 responses; sign in with a free account to go past it.
Is the calendar invite free?
Yes. Sending the calendar invite is free, with Google Calendar, Outlook or an .ics file, and everyone who said they're free is already added as a guest.