NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization, today announced a festive lineup of New Year’s celebrations in Times Square and throughout the five boroughs. New Year’s Eve is a distinctly powerful in New York City as throngs of visitors choose to celebrate in Midtown Manhattan and beyond. As the holiday season quickly approaches, New York City is pleased to invite the world to join the exceptional celebrations that will ring in 2019.
“The ball drop on New Year’s Eve in Times Square is one of the world’s most iconic annual celebrations and we invite visitors and residents alike to enjoy this incredible spectacle,” said NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon. “New York City is poised to welcome travelers with signature style at several key events that will ensure a memorable start to 2019.”
Below is an overview of celebrations taking place in Times Square and beyond on New Year’s Eve.
Times Square
Seventy-foot tall numbers “1” and “9” will be delivered on December 13 and available for proactive Instagrammers to grab their celebratory NYE shot at the various Times Square plazas through December 22.
On December 28 from noon till 1pm locals and travelers are invited to enjoy Good Riddance Day at the Broadway Plaza in Times Square where bad memories are eliminated with the help of Shred-it, a document shredding company.
From December 1 – 29 visit the Wishing Wall in Times Square Plaza to share your hopes and dreams for 2019. At midnight all wishes will be dropped as confetti and sent into the universe for consideration as the New Year begins. Electronic wishes can be submitted here or on Twitter & Instagram using #ConfettiWish.
The nearly 6-ton ball, covered with 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles, is capable of lighting up the night with more than 16 million different colors from One Times Square. As the final seconds of 2018 expire, a host of nearby venues will offer new years’ cheer with a view of the ball drop.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rocking Eve with Ryan Seacrest will broadcast the Times Square festivities globally with the help of performances by superstar performers (to be announced) and hosts Ryan Seacrest & Jenny McCarthy
Viewers around the world can also visit timesSquareNYC.org, NewYearsEve.nyc and TimesSquareBall.net to watch the annual event.
Midtown Manhattan
From the East River to the Hudson, midtown hotels will once again welcome the new year with the unique style and flare that has made New Year’s Eve a signature celebration in the neighborhood:
The New York Marriott Marquis will host a five-course dinner, unlimited premium open bar, and entertainment at The View Restaurant & Lounge, in the center of the Times Square party with 360-degree views revolving completely.
The Peninsula New York’s Salon Den Ning will host a Rooftop Party with culinary creations and a Champagne toast at midnight while the hotel’s signature restaurant, Clement, will host a black-tie event complete with a gala dinner, dancing and a DJ to last past midnight.
Ai Fiori at The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue will offer a special four-course pre fixe meal and specially-curated New Year’s Eve Tasting Menu for anyone who wishes to ring in the new year with some of the finest French and Italian-inspired cuisine in New York City.
The Sanctuary Hotel’s Haven Rooftop Lounge will offer a variety of premium packages for its New Year’s Eve celebration. Guests are invited to enjoy 4 hours of premium open bar drinks, unlimited gourmet appetizers and a party hosted by two professional DJs.
Additional NYC Celebrations
The festivities are far from limited to Midtown Manhattan, however, other events include:
The Z Hotel NYC will celebrate NYE with a multicultural feast including Asian duck breast, Rosemary and Thyme Rack of Lamb, and Grilled Marinated New York Strip. An open bar, buffet and complimentary midnight toast are included in the festivities at this Long Island City hotel. (Queens)
The Hilton Garden Inn, situated in the heart of 415 acres of protected woodlands, is hosting a New Year’s Eve Gala in its lavish Nicotra’s Ballroom. The all-inclusive event will feature a live band and DJ until 1 am. Upgraded tickets including an overnight stay in a King Suite are available. (Staten Island)
The only casino in New York City’s five boroughs, Resorts World Casino, invites those 21 and older to celebrate at Bar360 with a night of concerts that includes a performance by TKA K7, a NYC-based rap group that rose to prominence in the 90’s. Guests are also encouraged to explore the casinos 4,200 slot machines and 1,300 electronic table games. (Queens)
Party on Park Avenue at the Loews Regency Hotel: Enjoy a night of glitz and glamor in a stylish suite on Manhattan’s Upper East Side complete with an open bar, champagne toast at midnight and seated dinner courtesy of The Regency Bar & Grill. All packages must be booked by December 28. (Manhattan)
Yankee Stadium will convert the baseball diamond into a football field at the 9th Annual New Era Pinstripe Bowl on New Year’s Eve once again this year. Visitors can watch top college teams compete in the annual football game played at the historic baseball stadium, fans are encouraged to explore the various renowned dining options in the neighborhood and stay at the historic Opera House Hotel. (Bronx)
New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show, the annual exhibition of classical model trains moving through a hand-crafted display of New York City’s built environment will be open until 6 pm on New Year’s Eve. More than 175 miniature iconic city structures, including new additions such as the Oculus, One World Trade Center and the Battery Maritime Building, are made entirely out of plant parts. (Bronx)
Coney Island USA will host their annual NYE celebration in Steeplechase Plaza for the fifth time, complete with a fireworks display from the storied Parachute Jump. Boardwalk restaurants and attractions such as B&B Carousell, Deno’s Wonder Wheel, and Thunderbolt roller coaster will be open and ready for the New Year’s festivities. A digital burst ball drop will ring in 2019, followed by a Circus Sideshow Fire Spectacular at 1am. Visit coneyisland.com for more info. (Brooklyn).
Visitors are invited to ring in the New Year with Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams for the 39th edition or The New Year’s Eve Fireworks Celebration at the historic Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Park. The family-friendly event is a free, authentic way to celebrate with tens of thousands of locals and travelers with live entertainment. (Brooklyn)
For a beautiful, unobstructed, view of the NYC Skyline coupled with an extravagant fireworks display over the Hudson River, take a ride on Circle Lines New Year’s Eve Cruise in New York Harbor from 9 pm to 1 am. A DJ and midnight toast complete an event that is 21+ to drink, 18+ to enter. (Manhattan)
The Empire State Building will celebrate the end of 2018 with festive LED confetti lighting until five minutes before midnight on Dec 31, 2018, when it will switch to its signature sparkling white lights through sunrise on January 1, 2019. Full lighting schedule is available here. (Manhattan)
The rock band Phish will return to Madison Square Garden for their 60th performance at the world’s most famous arena from December 28 to 31. New Year’s Eve attendees are invited to sing-along to fan favorites as the popular 90s group rocks in the New Year. (Manhattan)
Four-time Grammy winner Renee Fleming will join new Musical Director Jaap van Zweden and the Philharmonic at The New York Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve Concert for a night of song and dance. (Manhattan)
2019 TCS NYC Marathon hopefuls and running lovers are invited to participate in the most festive qualifying race of the year at the NYRR Midnight Run. Registered runners and their plus ones will gather at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park for a four-mile race that starts at 10pm and concludes by 12 am with a beautiful fireworks display at the finish line. (Manhattan)
New Year’s Day and Beyond
The Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year’s Day Plunge is free with prior-registration and kicks off at 1 pm at the Stillwell Avenue boardwalk entrance. Participants are invited to enter the New York Aquarium complimentarily after the plunge and to go to the Coney Island Brewing Company to warm up after the swim. (Brooklyn)
