Happy New Year, Cottage Grove!
While most people are heading home from their New Year's Eve celebrations, some local gamers will still be rolling dice, playing cards, and enjoying a little friendly competition well into the first hours of 2027.
Gamesquall! continues into Friday, January 1, 2027, with free tabletop gaming until approximately 2:00 AM at the Odd Fellows Lodge in downtown Cottage Grove.
If board games, card games, miniature games, or tabletop roleplaying adventures sound like your kind of fun, this might be a different way to welcome the new year!
January 1: After-Midnight Gaming Details
Here's what you need to know.
Date: Friday, January 1, 2027
Time: 12:00 AM to approximately 2:00 AM
Location: Odd Fellows Lodge
Address: 317 E Main Street, Cottage Grove, OR 97424
Admission: FREE
Organizer: Gamesquall!
Contact: Jake Boone, (541) 653-7413
Important: This is the continuation of the New Year's Eve Gamesquall! convention that begins at noon on Thursday, December 31. The organizers do not announce a separate midnight opening or new program for January 1.
What Is Gamesquall?
Gamesquall! is an annual tabletop gaming gathering held in historic downtown Cottage Grove.
Rather than a large commercial convention with expensive tickets, celebrity appearances, or scheduled presentations, Gamesquall! keeps things simple.
It's an opportunity for people who enjoy tabletop gaming to get together, play games, and share their hobby with others.
And the price is hard to beat. Admission is completely free!
The event focuses on four main types of games:
Board Games
Strategy, competition, teamwork, and a little luck. Board games are one of the main attractions at Gamesquall!, with opportunities to play games from the event's collection or bring your own.
Card Games
Card games are another part of the gathering, giving visitors a chance to connect with others who enjoy tabletop card gaming.
Miniature Games
The event also welcomes games involving tabletop miniatures, strategy, and imaginative scenarios.
Tabletop Roleplaying Games
For those who enjoy storytelling, character development, and collaborative adventures, tabletop roleplaying games are part of the event's focus.
Specific game titles and sessions depend on what attendees bring and choose to play. The organizer has not published a guaranteed lineup for the overnight hours.
Ring in 2027 With a Game Night
Not everyone wants to celebrate New Year's Eve at a crowded bar or an expensive party.
For some people, sitting around a table with a good game and a group of fellow players is a pretty great way to spend the evening.
That's part of what makes Gamesquall! different.
Instead of focusing on a formal countdown party or a big production, the event is centered around the games and the people playing them.
And since Gamesquall! continues past midnight, participants can keep playing after the calendar officially changes to 2027.
The organizers haven't announced a special midnight countdown, tournament, or New Year's Day ceremony, so visitors should expect the regular gaming gathering to continue.
Bring Your Own Games or Try Something Different
Gamesquall! has an extensive library of games available for attendees.
But you're also welcome to bring your own games to share with other players.
That gives participants the flexibility to explore something unfamiliar, introduce others to a favorite game, or simply enjoy whatever games are being played.
The organizers don't operate a formal game-scheduling system, so available games and open seats will depend on participation.
If you're hoping to play something specific, it may be worth contacting the organizer or arranging a group ahead of time.
Can You Arrive After Midnight?
The Chamber's announcement says people are welcome to stop by at just about any time during the convention's scheduled hours, from noon December 31 until approximately 2 AM January 1.
That includes the early morning hours of New Year's Day.
However, the event is already underway by then, and the organizer has not published an individual schedule for the final two hours.
If you're considering arriving very late, contacting the organizer ahead of time is a good idea.
Where Does Gamesquall Take Place?
Gamesquall! is held at the Odd Fellows Lodge, 317 E Main Street in Cottage Grove.
The gathering space is located upstairs, directly above KNND and Books on Main.
The location is in the heart of historic downtown Cottage Grove, making it convenient for people already spending New Year's Eve in the area.
The organizers advertise free nearby parking.
Visitors who need accessible entry arrangements should contact the organizer before attending, since specific accessibility information hasn't been provided in the event announcement.
Things to Know Before You Go
Admission is free. The organizers do not advertise an admission charge.
This is a late-night continuation. Gaming starts the previous afternoon, not at midnight.
The scheduled ending is approximate. The organizer says the event runs until about 2 AM.
Bring a game if you'd like. Participants are encouraged to share their games, although the Gamesquall! library is also available.
Don't expect a formal tournament schedule. The event is intentionally informal, and individual games are organized by attendees.
Check age policies if bringing children. The published announcement doesn't establish a specific minimum age or child-supervision policy.
Plan your transportation. The event continues into the early morning, so make arrangements for getting home safely.
Ask about food and drinks. The organizer hasn't published specific food-service details for the overnight hours.
One Convention, Two Calendar Dates
For anyone looking at the Groovin' In The Grove Events Calendar, Gamesquall! appears on two dates because the convention crosses midnight.
Thursday, December 31, 2026
12:00 PM to midnight
Friday, January 1, 2027
Midnight to approximately 2:00 AM
Both listings refer to the same continuous event at the Odd Fellows Lodge.
This January 1 listing covers the final two scheduled hours of the convention.
Gamesquall! Contact Information
If you have questions about participating, bringing games, or arriving during the overnight hours, contact:
Jake Boone, Gamesquall!
Phone: (541) 653-7413
Website: www.gamesquall.com
Official Chamber listing:
https://business.cgchamber.com/events/details/gamesquall-12-31-2026-17570
Find More Things to Do Around Cottage Grove and Creswell
A new year means another year of community events, local businesses, and places worth discovering!
At Groovin' In The Grove, I'm working to bring upcoming events, local happenings, and community information together in one convenient place.
Whether you're interested in game nights, live entertainment, seasonal celebrations, family activities, or supporting local businesses, be sure to check out our events calendar.
Find more local events:
https://www.groovininthegrove.com/events
You can also follow my personal Facebook page or join the Groovin' In The Grove Facebook community for more local adventures, business spotlights, and upcoming events.
Here's to a great 2027 and another year of supporting the Grove!
Event details are based on the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce's published Gamesquall! announcement. The event runs continuously from December 31 into January 1, and the closing time is approximate.