With 2025 around the corner, it’s time to already start thinking about your plans of how to ring in the new year. Luckily NYC is no short of options, thanks to our rooftop bars, electric nightclubs, great restaurants, and so much more. If you and your friends are still looking for something to do, we’ve got your back. These are the hottest parties and events you should be attending this New Years’s weekend.
1. New Year’s Eve Times Square Ball Drop
One of New York City’s most iconic New Year’s traditions is watching the famous ball drop over Times Square. An estimated 1 million people flock to Midtown to countdown the new year and watch the confetti fly! The event is free and and open to everyone on a first-come first-serve basis. Learn everything you need to know about this year’s celebration here.
📍 Times Square
2. Drone Show at Grand Army Plaza
While typically Prospect Park hosts some super awesome fireworks on NYE, this year they sadly won’t be due to the ongoing drought. Instead, New Yorkers can head to Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn to check out a brand new light show with illuminated drones starting at 10 pm!
3. NYRR Midnight Run
Run your way into 2025 with New York Road Runners’ annual Midnight Run that also helps runners qualify for the NYC Marathon! Embark on a 4 mile run when the clock strikes 12 and end up in Central Park! Learn more about the race and register beforehand here.
4. Circle Line’s New Year’s Eve Cruise
Hop aboard Circle Line cruises and celebrate NYE on the water with this once-in-a-lifetime fireworks cruise on the Hudson River. The 10 pm – 1 am cruise ($249 per person) includes a scenic passthrough of the city and its fireworks, plus food and drink! Learn more about the cruise and book your spot here!
5. Elsewhere New Year’s Eve at Elsewhere
To no surprise, one of our favorite places to dance, Elsewhere is throwing a huge NYE club night featuring an open-to-close set from LA-based artist Bonobo. Tickets to this show start at only $75 and are still available now!
📍 599 Johnson Ave, Brooklyn
6. Squid Game: The Experience
Right after binge watching season 2 of Squid Game (which drops December 26), try your hand at the real thing in NYC! This immersive experience brings you right into the game, and lets you play all the popular games from the Netflix show, including the beloved “Red Light, Green Light.” Squid Game: The Experience will be open on select days throughout NYE weekend so be sure to grab your tickets before they’re all gone!
📍 Manhattan Mall (100 W 33rd St)
🎟️ Get your Squid Games: The Experience tickets here!
7. NYE Celebration in Rockefeller Center
Partake in an incredible evening of fun at Rockefeller Center, whose NYE is right amidst the lights of the world-famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree! The event includes a delicious buffet dinner, open bar, live jazz band, and DJ. After your tasty meal, you’ll be invited to watch the Times Square Ball Drop on a big TV and then dance the night away on the dance floor. Tickets are limited and are $399 all in!
📍 Rockefeller Plaza (630 5th Ave)
🎟️ Get your tickets to NYE Celebration in Rockefeller Center here!
8. New Year’s Week with Teksupport
NYC’s premier underground event collective Teksupport is hosting an impressive week long string of events leading up to 2025. This year’s programming is set to feature noteworthy house and techno selectors for a series of five shows across two venues. Check out their stacked lineup below and register for presale now:
- December 27: Adam Beyer, Avision, Helang, Ilario Alicante b2b Dubfire, Nicole Moudaber at Brooklyn Storehouse
- December 28: Gorgon City, Nora en Pure, Patrick Topping, Alan Nieves at Brooklyn Storehouse
- December 29: Âme (Live) b2b Trikk, Carl Craig b2b Moodymann, KAYTRANDA, Mr. G (Live), Vivian Wang at Brooklyn Storehouse
- January 1 (Morning): Victor Calderone at Sony Hall
- January 1 (Day): Hot Since 82 b2b Ben Sterling, Joseph Capriati b2b Loco Dice, Prospa b2b Mink, Rossi. b2b Salome le Chat, The Fellas b2b Ice Thompson at Brooklyn Storehouse
9. Phish at Madison Square Garden
Legendary band Phish is set to once again host their iconic slew of New Year’s Week shows at Madison Square Garden, bringing a four-night run to lead into 2025! This year’s set of shows will see the band mark up to their 87th show at the World’s Most Famous Arena, keeping alive their beloved end-of-year tradition. The band released their 16th studio album Evolve in July earlier this year and are set to take over NYC from December 28th – December 31st! If you’re a fan of the rock band these shows will be absolutely legendary.
10. NEW YORK NEW YORK 2025 at The Roxy Hotel
This 70’s inspired NYC Ball Drop will feature a legendary lineup of DJ performances by The Muses, Nina Tarr, and Kristine Barilli. Premium bars will be serving champagne and other drinks all night, and different tiers of hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and bottles will be offered too. Dressing up is also highly encouraged!
📍 2 6th Ave
11. Cityfox New Year’s Eve
The gateway to 2025 has emerged. Embark on an epic journey of house and techno at Avant Gardner’s Cityfox NYE and NYD celebration! The Great Hall is set to feature two nights of dance music, featuring a lineup of Mind Against, Cristoph, 8Kays b2b Joplyn, Robag Wruhme, and Sintra on New Year’s Eve, plus Lee Burridge, Eli & Fur, and Monkey Safari on New Year’s Day. Tickets are on sale now for both events, which you can purchase here.
12. New Years Eve 2025 at Daintree Rooftop
Daintree is one of our favorite winter rooftops in NYC, and it’s a great spot to spend NYE this year too. This year’s New Years Eve Party will feature access to the best views of NYC’s skyline, an open bar (9 pm – 12 am), a live DJ, hors d’oeuvres, and a complimentary midnight Champagne toast! Dress to impress and enjoy the sweeping aerial views!
📍 25 W 38th St, Floor 29
13. NYE 2025 at Slate
Multi-level nightclub Slate is hosting an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration…complete with a 5-hour open bar, delectable appetizers, a live DJ, plus more! They will even be showing the Time Square ball drop on their in-house screens while you partake in a champagne toast at midnight!
📍 54 W 21st St
14. NYE at The Django
One of our favorite NYC jazz clubs is doing some NYE programming this year, which includes a three-course menu, a glass of champagne at midnight, and an epic live jazz set from JC Hopkins Biggish Band! It’s $275 per person for the experience and there are multiple seating times for the night!
📍 2 6th Avenue
15. New Year’s Eve Rooftop Party at The Peninsula
Dress in festive gala attire and ring in 2025 high above the lights of Fifth Avenue! The Peninsula’s Clement restaurant and Salon de Ning rooftop bar will transform its two terraces and dance floor into a high-energy party of socializing and music. There will be live music from Rock & Pop cover band The Chip Shop Boys from London, as well as a caviar bar, hors d’oeuvres, and specialty cocktail bar. It’s $750 per person or $950 if you want to include a 5 course dinner.
📍 700 5th Ave
16. The Book Of The Forbidden New Years Eve Celebration 2025 at Somewhere Nowhere
This event features music from Lohrasp Kansara, Nathan Leong, Firpo and Julian Gjaci, a premium open bar from 8 pm – 12:30 am, live theatrical performances, NYE party favors, and so much more.
They’re also hosting a slate of New Year’s Eve Week parties beforehand, welcoming star DJs like Matroda, AMÉMÉ, and Moojo.
📍 112 W 25th St
17. Santa’s Secret
Spend the final day of 2024 at the final day of Santa’s Secret, a sexy and raunchy speakeasy that includes drinks, performances, and immersive holiday experiences. If you’re looking for that one last holiday celebration before January, we suggest grabbing a ticket before they’re gone! Learn more about the experience here.
📍 548 W 22nd St
18. Midnight Train To Georgia at Georgia Room
Hop aboard the “midnight train” to Georgia…inspired by the extravagant balls thrown by the Vanderbilts, Astors, and Truman Capote himself. The party is set to take over the Freehand Hotel’s three spaces (across Bar Calico, the connecting Studio, and Georgia Room) on NYE to celebrate 2025! Guests can frolic in the sprawling Studio, dance in Georgia Room to the DJ’s, and enjoy a hush-hush reprieve in Bar Calico for specialty craft cocktails and an intimate aura of backroom bacchanal. There will of course be an open bar and hors d’oeuvres (~$150 per person).
📍 23 Lexington Ave, Floor 2
19. Manhattan Masquerade at Everdene
Party into the night at Virgin Hotels’ Everdene celebration from 9 pm – 3 am on NYE! Their Manhattan Masquerade party will feature a 3-hour premium open bar, a 9-piece brass band performance by Hudson Horns, a midnight toast, and more! Tickets are $200 per person and don’t forget to wear a festive themed mask!
📍 1227 Broadway
20. NYE 2025 at Loosie’s
Loosie’s, a subterranean nightclub in LES is hosting a party with a 4 hour open bar and champagne toast at midnight. It’s a perfect place to dance and get lost in the twinkle of the disco ball with that special someone!
📍 145 Bowery
21. Loreley
Loreley is making good on its holiday decor into the new year. Come December 31st, the twinkle lights and evergreens will still be up, but you’re going to have to witness all the festive goodness through a mask. The New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party, with Happy Hour from 5-1opm, has plenty of perks: no cover, free masks, and a free champagne toast at midnight. Should you bring your own mask, you’ll be treated to a free brewski. Other seasonal favorites include hot bourbon apple cider, peppermint nitro martini, and Loreley’s signature mulled wine.
📍 7 Rivington St
ℹ️ More info here.
21. Pieces
An LGBTQ+ staple in the Village, Pisces will ring in 2025 with happy hour deals (Monday-Friday 2 PM-8 PM), FREE live entertainment, and lively nightlife parties with performers such as Jan Sport, a RuPaul’s Drag Race alum, all while decorated for the festive season. Mark the NYE kickoff for 11pm (no cover) with DJ Gingy and host Bootsie Lefaris. Its neighborhood sister bars, including Playhouse, Balcon Salon, and Hardware Bar will also offer specials for New Year’s Eve.
📍 8 Christopher Street
22. Aqua
The newly-opened 24,000-square-foot stunner is kicking off our next 365 days around the sun with a Gatsby-themed New Year’s Eve celebration. While we’re headed for 2025, you can expect to take a step back in time to the roaring ’20s with a jazz band, live performances, and more. Before the clock works its way to 12, attendees can enjoy a five-course meal that celebrates the Italian and Japanese cuisine, with menu items such as truffle marade, black cod, and ribeye.
📍 902 Broadway
23. The Rockaway Hotel + Spa
It might not be beach weather, but you’ll want to make your way to The Rockaway Hotel + Spa this New Year’s Eve for a cocktail-style reception that features a premium open bar, live music by DJ Blue Claw, and of course, a great party and dancing as the NYC skyline and beach linger in the distance. ($100 per person, plus gratuity.)
📍 108-10 Rockaway Beach Dr, Rockaway NY