Guide to New Year's Eve Celebrations in Philly
Adiós 2014! Ring in the new year in the City of Brotherly Love with our picks of the best New Year’s celebrations:
Adiós 2014! Ring in the new year in the City of Brotherly Love with our picks of the best New Year’s celebrations:
Family Friendly
Delaware River Waterfront & SugarHouse Casino’s Fireworks
The Delaware River Waterfront will once again hold Philadelphia’s most popular New Year’s attraction: fireworks. Thousands of spectators will be able to watch two free fireworks shows. The first show, at 6 p.m., is “Salute to the Big Screen” and includes songs from Hans Zimmer and John Williams that were featured in some of Hollywood’s biggest movies like Rocky and Pirates of the Caribbean. The second show, at midnight, is "Party Like It’s 2015" and includes pop hits from Pitbull, Arianna Grande, Daughtry, and Patrick Stump. More info.
Family New Year’s Eve at Independence Seaport Museum
The Independence Seaport Museum, located at Penn’s Landing, is hosting a family-friendly celebration from 4 to 7 p.m. Guests will be given party hats, noise makers, and a sparkling cider “toast” to celebrate before fireworks show at 6 p.m. The party is included in the price of regular museum admission. More info.
Countdown 2 Noon at the Please Touch Museum
At noon and 1 p.m., guests can enjoy music and activities at the museum in Fairmount Park. This year’s party will highlight the 150th Anniversary of Alice in Wonderland. Advanced tickets are required. More info.
New Year’s Eve at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
Enjoy ice skating with a great view of fireworks for $25-40 (various prices for skaters and spectators). The rink is offering two skate sessions, 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. After skating a couple of laps, enjoy food and drink in the Lodge and warm up next to a fire pit. More info.
Kid’s New Year’s Eve Countdown at Franklin Square
This Old City park is holding their very own free, family-friendly "square drop" at 6 p.m. Also offered: a dance party, mini golf, carousel rides, and food from SquareBurger and more from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will also feature the the final Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show of the year at 8 p.m. More info.
Under $50
Free New Year’s Eve at Milkboy
Starting at 8 p.m., Milkboy Philadelphia is hosting a free New Year’s Eve party with live music from The Paper Shakers, Thee Idea Men, The GTVs and Foxtrot & The Get Down. The party also includes free snacks and a free whiskey toast at midnight. More info.
Cuba Libre’s “Tropicalia”
Cuba Libre is hosting a five-course dinner at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., and a 1920s-style dance party at 11 p.m. To salsa, merengue and bachata the night away, general admission is $25 per person or $40 per couple. For a two-hour open bar, get VIP tickets for $75. More info.
West Philadelphia Orchestra at Undergrounds Arts
Underground Arts is celebrating the new year with performances by West Philadelphia Orchestra, Johnny Showcase & the Mystic Ticket, Mercury Radio Theater and You Do You. Tickets range from $30- $40, and include different perks. More info.
New Year’s Funkin’ Eve at FringeArts
Celebrate the new year with live music, a beer garden bonfire, balloons and midnight fireworks at FringeArts, the newest attraction on the Delaware River Waterfront. Pay-as-you-go snacks and sparkling cocktails from La Peg will also be available. Tickets are $15. More info.
New Year’s Eve Milonga at Ruba Club
For $40, head to Ruba Club for an night of tango. From 8 to 9 p.m., there will be an all-levels tango lesson, followed by a party with a cash bar, multiple DJs, light food and a champagne toast. More info.
New Year’s Eve at World Cafe Live
Both the upstairs and downstairs stages of this music venue will feature live music on New Year’s Eve starting at 10 p.m. Downstairs, Philly Bloco will play a mix of samba, funk and reggae, while blues band the Dukes of Destiny will play upstairs. Tickets are $30-$35. More info.
Lucky Strike Pin and Heels
Spend your night at Center City bowling alley Lucky Strike. The party includes music from DJ Micah, party favors, a champagne toast, and more for $5-$30. More info.
Over $50
Preview of The Olde Bar at Bookbinder’s
Jose Garces’ newest restaurant, The Olde Bar at the original Bookbinder’s location in Old City, will host its preview party on New Year’s Eve.The party will run from 8 to 10 p.m and feature live music, a full bar, and food including a raw bar, a slider station, and clam boil. Tickets are $195. The actual opening of the restaurant is in early January. More info.
15 at The Piazza
The Northern Liberties hot spot is hosting a big party with a five hour premium open bar, and music for $89. If you're looking for more perks like food and top shelf spirits, buy Ultra or VIP tickets starting at $109. More info.
New Year’s Eve Dance Fever at SugarHouse Casino
For $75 per ticket, enjoy an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, live music, a champagne toast and a private viewing area of fireworks at midnight. The party starts at 10 p.m. More info.
12 Midnight at the Crystal Tea Room
The Crystal Tea Room, located in the historic Wanamaker Building, is hosting a black-tie party from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The party features an open bar, buffet dinner, live entertainment and a silent auction. Tickets range from $29 (for after 12:30 a.m. admission) to $259 for a platinum VIP pass. More info.
Stratus Lounge’s A Midwinter Night’s Dream
For $150 per person, guests can enjoy food and drinks at Red Owl Tavern along with dancing and a champagne bar at the Stratus Rooftop Lounge, all located in the Hotel Monaco. The party starts at 9 p.m. More info.
NYE Tristate Party at Lincoln Financial Field
A huge party is going down at SCA Club in the football stadium for New Year’s Eve. A crowd of more than 2,000 people will have access to multiple bars, dance along to live music and DJs, and watch the ball drop on more than 50 HDTVs. Various ticket packages are available starting at $50. More info.
Bar Volver
Volver at the Kimmel Center is offering three different options to celebrate the New Year. There will be a tasting menu from 5 to 6 p.m for those who want an early evening of celebrating; a dinner and dancing special in the dining room at 8 p.m. (includes an exclusive tasting menu, dancing until 1 a.m. and champagne toast); and an evening soiree with light bites, an open bar, dancing and a champagne toast at the bar.Prices vary per option. Advance reservations are required. More info.
NYE Celebration 2015 at Xfinity Live!
End 2014 with access to seven parties at Xfinity Live! Celebrate with a five-hour open bar, live music by Lima Bean Riot and Split Decision, and more than 75 TVs to watch New Year’s festivities. Tickets range from $79-$189. More info.
New Year’s Eve Fiesta at Cantina Dos Segundos
Enjoy a three-course prix-fixe Mexican dinner and a two-hour open bar for $65 at this Northern Liberties restaurant. More info.
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