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| Photo by Freeimages.com/Marcos Santos |
With New Year's Eve getting closer, Millennials headed to the Big Apple will have plenty of options to ring in 2016. NYC & Company, New York City's destination marketing organization, has rounded up the top celebrations in all five of New York's boroughs.
Manhattan
Times Square is more than just the ball drop. Individuals can also submit New Year's wishes in person at the New Year's Eve Wishing Wall or online at timessquarenyc.org. All wishes are collected and added to the confetti that rains down onto the square as 2016 begins. The wall is available starting in December -- check timessquarenyc.org for specific locations and times.
Also in Times Square, The Times Square Alliance and Shred-it will once again come together to put on a Good Riddance Day celebration, where anyone can bid their bad memories of 2015 a hearty farewell. Old love letters, cellphones and pink slips alike all can be brought to be shredded or destroyed with a mobile shredding truck or mallet with rubber matt available for attendees on December 28 from noon to 1 pm. Available on Shred-it’s website is a form to be entered into the contest to win a trip to NYC for Good Riddance Day and New Year’s Eve. Those who can't make it to Times Square can submit things to be shredded via the website shredit.com or tweet with the hashtag #GoodRiddanceDay.
Of course, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve will return this year, hosted by Ryan Seacrest and featuring live performances including headliner Carrie Underwood. The show will begin at 8 pm, continuing through the night. Visit dickclark.com
Other top Manhattan celebrations include:
New York Philharmonic: On New Year’s Eve, Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall will resound with French delights like Offenbach’s Can-Can and Saint-Saëns’s Carnival of the Animals among others for the New York Philharmonic’s La Vie Parisienne. Pianist Makoto Ozone, artist-in-association Inon Barnatan and mezzo-soprano Susan Graham will make guest appearances and headline the show, conducted by Alan Gilbert. For more information, visit nyphil.org.
The Metropolitan Opera: The Metropolitan Opera will perform Les Pêcheurs de Perles December 31 through February 4, the first Met performance of Georges Bizet’s opera in a century. Following the performance on New Year's Eve, there will be dinner and dancing on the Mercedes T. Bass Grand Tier. For more information, visit MetOpera.org.
Madison Square Garden: Phish returns to Madison Square Garden with a show to ring in the New Year from December 30 through January 2. For more information, visit thegarden.com.
Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine: The Cathedral Choir, Orchestra, and soloist Jamet Pittman will be joined by guests Judy Collins, Jason Robert Brown, and host Harry Smith of NBC News for this year’s New Year’s Eve Concert for Peace at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. For more than 25 years, the show has brought people together to bring in the New Year with peace, which will this year feature Leonard Bernstein’s work, with a performance of his Chichester Psalms. A limited number of general admission seats are free and open to the public. Later in the evening, a special late-night service will be held to ring in the New Year. For more information, visit stjohndivine.org.
Merchant’s House Museum: On New Year’s Day, the Merchant’s House Museum in the East Village will be re-creating one of old New York’s cherished traditions—paying house calls to revive and reaffirm friendships. House tours, 19th-century readings on New Year’s Day celebrations, punch and confections will all be part of the festivities, as well as a holiday raffle drawing. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit merchantshouse.org.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square: With over 500 artifacts and 20 galleries, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square will once again be holding a New Year’s Eve celebration to ring in 2016. This year’s event includes an open bar, nonstop cocktail-style delicacies and a night full of entertainment. There will be live performances, dancing and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. VIP guests will enjoy two additional hours at the open bar. For more information, visit ripleysnewyork.com.
New York Road Runners Midnight Run: On New Year’s Eve, the four-mile NYRR Midnight Run takes off in Central Park. The night begins with dancing and music at 10 pm, followed by a costume contest at 11 pm. The race around the park will begin at 11:59 pm beneath the fireworks as the new year begins. There will be several prizes throughout the night, including cash prizes for the top three runners to finish for both men and women. For more information or to register, visit nyrr.org.
Bateaux New York will host a New Year’s Eve dinner cruise with live soft jazz. For more information visit bateauxnewyork.com.
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises: Circle Line ships will take guests to the Statue of Liberty to watch the annual fireworks show. The party cruise includes hors d’oeuvres, a full open bar, party favors, a DJ, and a midnight champagne toast. The cruise boards at 9 pm and sails from 10 pm to 1 am. (Must be 18 years old to board and 21 years old to drink alcohol.) For more information or to purchase tickets, visit circleline42.com.
World Yacht Cruises: World Yacht Cruises will also host a New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise, which boasts views of the fireworks and the city, all seen from the Statue of Liberty. The cruise goes around Manhattan and includes a five-course dinner, premium open bar, DJ, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Boarding is at 9 pm, and the cruise sails from 10 pm to 1 am. The fun continues with a dockside party until 1:30 am. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit worldyacht.com.
Waldorf Astoria New York: The hotel’s Peacock Alley restaurant will offer a dinner celebration with seafood, caviar and traditional dinner stations complete with a live band, dancing and premium open bar. Visitors can book now at eventbrite.com. Additionally, the hotel’s historic restaurant, Bull & Bear Prime Steakhouse, will offer a pre-fixe dinner menu, live band and dancing with several packages to choose from. For reservations, visit opentable.com.
Mandarin Oriental New York: The Mandarin Oriental New York will host its annual black-tie New Year’s Eve gala, featuring an open bar cocktail hour, six-course gourmet dinner and live entertainment throughout the evening. The hotel also has a special New Year’s Eve Celebration Hotel Package, which includes luxury accommodations, two tickets to the gala and daily breakfast. For more information and to reserve, email [email protected].
InterContinental New York Times Square: Ca Va Brasserie by Todd English at the InterContinental New York Times Square invites visitors to count down to the new year with its masquerade party, featuring unlimited food and drinks from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The hotel will also offer a special New Year’s Eve package with a minimum two night stay. For more information, visit interconny.com.
Mastro’s Steakhouse: The restaurant will be hosting a celebration with live entertainment featuring the MKG Trio as well as dancing and party favors for guests. Passed hors d’oeuvres and handcrafted cocktails will be available throughout the night and the traditional champagne toast will take place at midnight. For more information, visit mastrosrestaurants.com
The Bronx
New York Botanical Garden: As a part of the 2015–2016 annual Holiday Train Show, Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends will be taking children and their families on a memorable sing-along adventure as they decorate the station. The event runs from January 2 to 24, with select show times, and parents are encouraged to bring cameras for photo opportunities with Thomas. Visit nybg.org for tickets and the full performance schedule.
Brooklyn
Coney Island LED Ball Drop: For those who want to experience the thrill of the ball drop without the crowds of Times Square, Coney Island will be hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration with an LED ball drop simulated on the Parachute Jump. A fireworks show will be held at midnight, and boardwalk bars and restaurants will be open for after parties. For more information, visit coneyislandusa.com
Prospect Park Fireworks: Visitors and locals can celebrate New Year’s Eve in Prospect Park under Brooklyn’s annual fireworks display at midnight, sponsored by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. This event is free and open to all ages and includes hot refreshments and entertainment. The Grand Army Plaza, along West Drive in Prospect Park, and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and 95th Street are the best places to see the show. For more information, visit prospectpark.org.
Jimmy Buffett at the Barclays Center: The Barclays Center will host Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band for their first New Year’s Eve concert in New York City, where they will perform music spanning their entire career. For more information, visit barclayscenter.com.
Coney Island Polar Bear Club Annual New Year’s Day Swim: On New Year’s Day 2016, the Coney Island Polar Bear Club will uphold the tradition of its annual plunge into the Atlantic Ocean. The swim is open to the public and starts at 1pm on the boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue. Camp Sunshine, a charity for children with life-threatening illnesses, will be accepting donations. For more event, pledging and registration details, visit polarbearclub.org.
Queens
Resorts World Casino: This year for New Year’s Eve, Resorts World Casino will be hosting the Legends in Concert tribute show, featuring impersonators of Tina Turner, Prince, Lady Gaga, Rod Stewart and many others. Tickets range from general admission to VVIP, and all guests must be 18 and over. The show will begin at 9 pm. Following the show, a party will be held at Club360, and all casino games will be available, including over 3,000 slot machines. For more information, visit rwnewyork.com
Staten Island
Nicotra’s Ballroom: Beginning at 7:30 pm, Nicotra’s Ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn New York/Staten Island will host a New Year’s Eve Gala to ring in 2016 with a cocktail reception, dinner and traditional champagne toast. A DJ will play music all night for dancing, and guests will enjoy a light show. There will be a live feed of Times Square playing through the night for viewing the ball drop. For more info, visit nicotrasballroom.com.
Angelina’s Ristorante: Visitors and locals can spend their New Year's Eve in Staten Island at Angelina's Ristorante enjoying Italian cuisine. Beginning at 8:30 pm, guests can celebrate with a three-course all-inclusive menu. For more details, visit angelinasristorante.com.
Visit nycgo.com/newyearseve