New Year’s Eve New York 2022 | 10 Incredible Ways to Celebrate New year’s Eve in New York
Celebrating New Year’s Eve in New York City is an experience unlike any other. The lively and vibrant atmosphere of New York City makes it the perfect palace to be on New Year’s Eve. The entire city is lit up in anticipation, and numerous concerts, shows, parties, and events are being held all around the city to welcome the new year.
Why Celebrate 2021 New Year’s Eve in New York City?
A city has dazzling and vibrant as New York has only joy and fun to offer on New Year's Eve. From attending the iconic Ball Drop in Times Square, to partying and bar hopping with your friends from one pub to another or enjoying a relaxing cruise with your partner, there’s something for everyone in New York City!
Top Attractions in New York on New Year's Eve
What’s the Weather in New York during New Year’s Eve?
Highest Temp: 6-8 °C
Lowest Temp: -1-2 °C.
Chances of Rain: There is about a 25% chance of rain.
What to Wear: Winter wear with a couple of layers should suffice. Be sure to cover your next since it gets quite chilly at night.
10 Best Things to do in New York on New Year’s Eve
1. Witness the Ball Drop at Times Square
Celebrating New Year's Eve at Times Square is one of the most popular ways to celebrate the new year. The highlight of the event is the iconic ball drop at exactly 12:00 AM. Every year, almost a million people make their way to Times Square, and the energy and intensity of the event is unlike anything else you’ve seen before!
What to Expect: Huge crowds, most popular attraction, party
Tips: Reach early to secure a good spot to watch the ball drop
2. Watch Fireworks
The epic fireworks show that lights up the night sky is one of the highlights of New Year's Eve at New York City. There are 4 main spots where fireworks are launched. The most popular, as you might have already guessed, is Times Square. Central Park is close behind, and is a great place to relax on the lawn and catch the fireworks display. If you’d like to avoid crowds, New York Harbor is a great spot, which can be seen from New Jersey and Brooklyn as well. Prospect Park in Brooklyn is the 4th spot, and is also not very crowded usually.
3. Go Partying
If you’re in New York City with your friends for New Year’s Eve, there’s no better way to usher in the new year than by hopping from bar to bar. Numerous parties are held all over the city, making it the perfect place to enjoy a fun night. Be sure to book tickets for these parties in advance, and make sure you know exactly what's included - whether it is food, drinks, the entry fee and so on.
4. Attend The New York Road Runners’ Midnight Run
Another very popular event for fitness enthusiasts is a fun 4-mile run sponsored by the New York Road Runners Organization. The run starts at Bethesda Terrace exactly at the stroke of midnight, and is set underneath a 15-minute fireworks display that promises to make your experience magical.
5. Attend a Show or Concert
There are several popular shows that take place on New Year's Eve. One such show is the New Year’s Eve Gala by the Metropolitan Opera. You can catch renowned stars such as Javier Camarena, Angel Blue, and Pretty Yende in action as you enjoy an unforgettable performance.
6. Go on a Cruise
A boat cruise is one of the best ways to explore the city. You can enjoy some live music and some delicious food while catching stunning views of the famous New York skyline. You can see the skyline lit up at night, making your cruise straight out of a fairytale. This is the perfect experience for a date, although it can be a little heavy on the pockets.
What to Expect: Romantic, panoramic views, fireworks
7. Visit Coney Island
Although Coney Island is thought of as a summertime vacation spot in New York City, it reopens only for one night on New Year's Eve. Take a ride on the massive Ferris Wheel and catch the breathtaking fireworks display. The New York Aquarium is also a place you can visit, although it is only open until 9:00 PM. If you enjoy going to a beachside carnival for some fun activities on NYE, Coney Island is the perfect spot.
What to Expect: Family-friends, rides and activities, fireworks
Tips: Book your tickets in advance and expect large crowds
8. Go Ice Skating
Don't miss a chance to get on one of Manhattan's iconic ice skating rinks to celebrate the new year. Glide under the glorious Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in Midtown or head to an open-air holiday market at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park's rink. This is the only free skating rink in the city! Wollman Rink in Central Park also makes for a magical skating experience with breathtaking views.
What to Expect: Family-friendly, sporting activity
Tips: Visitors have to reserve a time slot online before arriving, even at the rinks that don't charge admission.
9. Have a Delicious Feast
Many of New York's most popular restaurants have special menus set for New Year's Eve. Dine at a restaurant of your choice and enjoy delicious food and alcohol for a low-key New Year's Eve in New York City. Make your reservations in advance because things can get crowded on New Year's Eve.
10. Head to Prospect Park in Brooklyn
Brooklyn is a great place to escape the huge crowds in Manhattan on New Year's Eve. The New Year's Eve celebration at Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Park, Brooklyn is an absolute delight. Many tourists go here for great views of the fireworks along with drinks, food and a palpable atmosphere of joy and celebration.
Plan Your New Year's Eve in New York City
Subway: During peak hours (from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM and from 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM), they run every 2 to 5 minutes. From midnight until 6:30 AM, trains run around every 20 minutes. Due to the NYE celebrations, some subway stations and streets are barricaded early in the day. Be sure to check the subway website for the latest updates.
Bus: Purchase a MetroCard at the nearest subway station. This gives you full access to the city’s buses as well as subway lines, making it economical and easy to travel from one place to another.
Taxi/Car: You can always hail a taxi or rent a car to get around New York on New Year's Eve. There will be plenty of traffic, so prepare in advance accordingly.
Brunch (Price for 2)
Bar Boulud: from $30
Daniel: from $576
Del Frisco’s Grille: from $30
Dinner (Price for 2)
Eleven Madison Park: from $730
Hearth: from $240
The Dutch: from $50
Prices mentioned are for 2 people
Budget
Jazz On the Park Hostel: from $78
Neptune Hotel: from $95
Flushing Hostel: $90
Mid-range
The Gallivant Times Square: from $122
The Hotel @ Times Square: from $188
Amsterdam Court Hotel: from $190
Luxury
W New York - Times Square: from $231
The Chatwal, a Luxury Collection Hotel: from $673
The Pearl Hotel New: from $296
Tips for Celebrating New Year's Eve in New York
- If you plan on moving around the city quite a bit, be sure to purchase the MetroCard at your nearest subway station. This gives you access to all the buses and subway lines in NYC, and is quite economical.
- For great views of the fireworks display, the Empire State Building is a great spot. However, do note that it gets quite crowded, so heading to the landmark early is a good idea.
- Be sure to wear multiple layers of clothing and cover your neck since the temperature can go below freezing at night.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes since you will be doing quite a bit of walking 5throught the day and night.
- To gain access to washrooms and other amenities, you can purchase a ticket to an event at one of the businesses on Times Square. This way you can not just relax for a few hours before midnight, but you can also enjoy some food and drinks if it get s too cold outside.
New Year's Eve Parties in New York
Top New Year's Eve Experiences in New York
Know More About Celebrating New Year's Eve in New York
You can enjoy some fun activities on New Year's Eve such as attending shows, concerts, enjoying some delicious NYC delicacies, go bar hopping, take a cruise, catch a stunning fireworks display, and take part in the celebrations at Times Square.
There are 4 spots where you can catch the fireworks display in New York City on New Year's Eve. They are Times Square, Central Park, Prospect Park, and New York Harbor.
You can take part in numerous activities on NYE ranging from a relaxed cruise to going club hopping around town.
No, entry to Times Square is completely free on New York’s Eve.
Certain subway stations and streets are closed during New Year’s Eve in New York City. Check the subway website to know the exact station that are closed.
You can carry luggage to Times Square during NYE. However, it may be difficult to carry a lot of luggage and move around.
You can see fireworks in 4 spots around the city - Central Park, Times Square, Prospect Park, and New York Harbor.
Watch the ball drop at Times Square, attend a party, watch the fireworks go off or go on a cruise on New Year's Eve in New York.
The subway, buses and taxis are all functional in New York on New Year's Eve. Check the schedules in advance.
Times Square, Prospect Park, Coney Island are the best places to be at if you want to see dazzling fireworks on New Year's Eve in New York.