New Year’s Eve light show in Prospect Park and more fun for Brooklyn families

Note: Due to the weather forecast of high winds and expected lightning, the New Year’s Eve celebration in Prospect Park has been canceled. 

Ring in the new year with a festive light display over Prospect Park! Due to drought conditions and the recent fire, the park has cancelled their annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display and replaced it with light show created by drones, featuring iconic landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty, accompanied by live music.

Plus, more local New Year’s Eve fun, from kid-friendly parties (well before midnight!) to dance parties and specials on food and drinks for the grown-ups!

New Year’s Eve Light Show in Prospect Park | Grand Army Plaza

Note: Due to the weather forecast of high winds and expected lightning, the New Year’s Eve celebration in Prospect Park has been canceled.

10pm-12am | FREE | RSVP here | Weather dependent—update will be posted here at 6pm on 12/31 

Join Brooklyn’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve Celebration at Grand Army Plaza presented by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Prospect Park Alliance, in partnership with NYU Brooklyn and the Brooklyn Public Library. This free event will take place on Tuesday, December 31, from 10 pm until 12 am, with live music and a grand light display. In light of the unprecedented drought conditions and recent fire, for the first time this year, this 44-year tradition will pivot from fireworks to a light show celebration in Brooklyn’s Backyard. The event will include live entertainment by Quintessential Playlist starting at 10 pm. A festive light show display will begin at midnight in the skies above Brooklyn’s Backyard, featuring beloved iconography including the Brooklyn Bridge, the Big Apple, the Statue of Liberty and more. Note the light show is weather dependent. An update will be posted here and on social channels at 6pm on December 31.

Noon Year’s Eve at Good Day Play Cafe | Park Slope

10:30am-12:30pm | $45/child

Join Good Day Play Cafe in Park Slope for a New Year’s Eve party at their indoor play space. Ring in the new year with a ball drop (kid’s edition) at noon! Each ticket includes hot cocoa or juice box, pizza, and open play!

Children’s New Year’s Eve Party at 390 Social | Park Slope

New Year’s Ease at Randolph Beer | DUMBO

12-8pm | No reservations needed 

Bring the kids to Randolph on New Year’s Eve for brunch all day, pitcher specials for adults, games, and TV! Randolph will be open 12-8pm both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. All are welcome, just walk in!

3rd Street Block Association New Year’s Eve Block Party | Park Slope

1:30pm-12:00am

Ring in the new year at a Park Slope neighborhood block party! The festivities will be happening between 1:30pm and midnight on 3rd Street between 5th & 6th Avenues. Come one, come all! Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

• 1:30pm | Gingerbread Bounce Castle
• 3:00pm | S’mores and Hot Chocolate
• 5:00pm | Food truck arrives ($15 per plate)
• 6:50pm | NYE Countdown (small kids)
• 11:50pm | NYE Countdown (local stoops)

Threes Brewing’s Family-Friendly Balloon Drop | Gowanus

Bar and kitchen open at 2pm | Balloon drop at 4pm | FREE | No RSVP necessary

Threes Brewing will host their Second Annual Family-Friendly Balloon Drop on New Year’s Eve. They’ll have a sparkling cider toast and food specials from our friends at Grand Army. Bar and kitchen open at 2pm, balloon drop at 4pm. No tickets needed. Bring the kids, bring the family, have everyone home and tucked into bed (including yourself, if you want) by 5pm! Then, for the later crowd, DJ Henry James will start at 9pm and go into the wee hours. Free entry and a complimentary beer toast at midnight, and food by Grand Army South.

NYE Balloon Drop at Space Club | Fort Greene & Greenpoint

4pm | No need to book ahead

Both locations of the play space Space Club will be hosting a New Year’s Eve ball drop at 4pm. No need to book ahead of time!

Early New Year’s Eve Celebration at Dave & Busters | Downtown Brooklyn

4-7pm | Tickets start at $34.99

Ringing in 2025 at Dave & Buster’s is a Vibe! You don’t need to wait until Midnight to ring in the New Year! Celebrate early at D&B and get the kids to bed on time! Each Ticket Includes: a banquet including flatbreads, wings, burgers, pretzel dogs, and more, unlimited soft drinks, a $20 Power Card and unlimited video game play, access to exclusive party space, a video ball drop, ginger ale toast, and New Year’s Eve hats and noisemakers. Dave & Buster’s will also host a later party for adults starting at 9pm; learn more here!

Family Karaoke & Ball Drop at Vineapple | Brooklyn Heights

5-8pm | Reservations on Resy

Join us for a fun & family-friendly New Year’s Eve! Our full dinner menu will be available and we will have kid-friendly dishes too! Karaoke will be from 5pm until the “Ball Drop” at 8pm. Then, grown-ups are welcome from 9pm-1pm for trivia, music, the live televised ball drop, plus drink and food specials. Adults reserve on Resy as well.

And for the grown-ups…

New Year’s Eve Dance Party with DJs Marc Bars & Trauma at ParkLife | Gowanus

9pm-2am | $20 tickets

It’s Parklife’s annual New Year’s Eve party! Dance into 2025 with DJ Marc Bars and DJ Trauma. They will be playing the best of the 80’s and 90’s pop and hip hop, with a mix of hits through the decades. Plus very special guest DJ Mikey Palms. We look forward to seeing all you grown and sexy creatures on the dance floor! Drink packages are available with admission and include two cocktails plus prosecco.

Plus, more New Year’s Eve specials in our neighborhoods:

• Colonie | Brooklyn Heights
  Seatings start at 5pm | Reservations on Resy
  Colonie will be offering an extra festive three-course menu on New Year’s Eve for $95 per person.
• Long Island Bar | Brooklyn Heights
  Early seatings $85/person | Final seating with champagne toast $105/person | Email [email protected] for reservations!
  The favorite neighborhood bar will be open for a special New Year’s Eve celebration, including cocktails, a champagne toast at midnight, and family-style appetizers including deviled eggs, market fritto, peel & eat shrimp, and tapenade on toast.
• Montague Diner | Brooklyn Heights
  24-hour service | No cover 
  Montague Diner is staying open all night long on New Year’s Eve! Champagne, caviar and more, all night and into the morning.
• Ingas Bar | Brooklyn Heights
  Seatings start at 5pm | Reservations on Resy
  Ingas Br will serve a festive prix fixe menu on New Year’s Eve, including king crab legs, New York strip, and flourless chocolate cake for dessert. See the full menu here.
• bar56 | DUMBO
  Seatings start at 5pm | Reservations on Resy
  Celebrate New Year’s Eve at bar56 with a custom 4-course menu from Executive Chef Vincent Cortese. They’ll be featuring celebratory dishes for the evening.
• KINJO | DUMBO
  First seating at 6pm, second seating at 8pm | Reservations on Resy
  Kinjo will be offering a special 15-course omakase menu for New Year’s Eve. There will two seatings at 6pm & 8pm for $165 per person. A $60 beverage pairing will also be available.
• Gran Eléctrica | DUMBO
  Seatings start at 5pm | Reservations on Resy
  Celebrate Gran Eléctrica at their last ever dinner service! (They’re reopening in February with a new concept.) Walk in or reserve in advance on Resy.
• Celestine | DUMBO
  First seating 5:00-8:30pm, second seating 9:15pm onwards | Reservations on Resy
  Take in gorgeous views of the Manhattan skyline with a celebratory New Year’s Eve dinner at Celestine, the DUMBO Mediterranean restaurant just feet from the waterfront. They will have two seatings: 5:00 to 8:30pm (perfect for the kiddos!) and 9:15pm onwards. The first seating is $160/person for a four-course prix fixe and $70/child under 12. The second seating $190/person and includes a guarantee of the table for the night plus a midnight Champagne toast.
• Pearl Street Restaurant | DUMBO
  Seatings at 6pm and 8:30pm | Reservations on Resy
  On New Year’s Eve, Pearl Street Restaurant will offer a 10-course tasting menu, with black and white truffles, Japanese wagyu, Golden osetra caviar, plus a champagne toast!
• The River Café | DUMBO
  One seating at 8pm | Reserve online
  Join The River Café for an intimate New Year’s Eve celebration filled with glamour, elegance, and a touch of sass. One seating for the night, beginning at 8pm.
• Seamore’s | DUMBO
  Open 11:30am-9pm
  Seamore’s will have a New Year’s Eve Special of a dozen oysters and a bottle of Cava for $45.
• Superfine | DUMBO
  8pm-1am | $75 advance reservation for a table, $40 admission at the door | Reserve online
  New Year’s Eve Supperclub! Swing, burlesque and a night to remember. $75 per person for a table reservation that includes door charge and champagne toast at midnight, or $40 General Admission at the door 8pm–1am.
• Time Out Market | DUMBO
  8pm-1am | FREE
  NYE Party powered by HRLM Champagne! Live music, open bar, festive party favors and more. Access is free for the general public. Tickets required for open bar and other goodies.
• Vinegar Hill House | Vinegar Hill
  Seatings from 6pm until 10:30pm | Reservations on Resy
  Ring in the New Year at Vinegar Hill House! Dress to the nines, drink some bubbly, blow some noisemakers, throw truffles and caviar on your dishes. Seatings from 6:00 until 10:30 on Tuesday, December 31, $125 per person prix fixe.
• Grand Army | Boerum Hill
  Reservations on Resy, walk-ins also welcome | No cover 
  For New Year’s Eve, Grand Army will be offering a special seafood tower, a snack tower, and specials on bubbly. Plus, DJ Fritzo will be providing live entertainment. Grand Army will also be open on New Year’s Day, and will have happy hour starting at 5pm, with specials on oysters, snacks, wine and beer.
• Black Forest | Cobble Hill & Fort Greene
  $10 tickets for Boerum Hill | $15 tickets for Fort Greene
  Black Forest’s NYE party will take place at both locations, with a live DJ in Fort Greene and a special NYE playlist on Smith Street. There are optional open bar packages, the ball drop on the big screen, and a free toast at midnight.
• Chez Moi | Cobble Hill
  7:30/8pm seating $70 | 9:30/10pm seating $90 | Reservations on Resy
  Chez Moi will be serving a 4-course pre-fixe menu, plus a party in the adjoining bar Le Boudoir with music, cocktails, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.
• Nabila’s | Cobble Hill
  Seatings start at 6pm | Reservations on Resy
  Celebrate the new year at Nabila’s with a 4-course Lebanese Feast of classic favorites and fun specials, including Large Format Lamb Shank and Samke Harrah! They’ll also be pouring new Lebanese wines. $110/person.
• Clover Club | Cobble Hill
  9pm-12:30am | $175/person | Purchase tickets by email: [email protected]
  Clover Club’s New Year’s Eve party will have an open bar, champagne toast, live music, and a full food menu. The Saloon will be open for walk in cocktails and our full food menu all night long!
• Leyenda | Cobble Hill
  No tickets & no cover | Reservations recommended for larger groups
  The Latin American cocktail spot will be hosting a New Year’s Eve Party with no cover and no tickets. However, reservations are still recommended for larger groups. There will be a champagne toast at midnight!
• Luana’s Tavern | Carroll Gardens
  Seatings start at 5pm | Reservations on Resy
  Luana’s will have live music to celebrate New Year’s Eve!
• Bar Louise | Park Slope
  Dinner + Party 9:30pm-1pm for $135/person | Party 10pm-1am for $50/person | Reservations on Resy
  Join us for a seated dinner with endless sparkling wine, or just snacks and a welcome cocktail! Either way, we’ll be partying like it’s the Roaring 20’s with feather boas, masks and killer tunes (come in costume if you want!).
• Pizza Delivery from Emily Brooklyn | Clinton Hill
  Take-out on New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day
  For those who’d rather stay in on New Year’s Eve, Emily Brooklyn is offering special packages through GubHub and Door Dash. Package #1 includes a choice of 2 pies, wings, choice of 2 cans of sparkling wine or N/A canned cocktail (with NYE goodies), all for $65. Package #2 includes choice of 4 pies, wings, and 4 cans of sparkling wine or N/A canned cocktail (with NYE goodies), all for $125. Emily will also be open on New Year’s Day from 11am – 9pm with more specials: loaded fries with Emmy burger toppings, a bacon egg and cheese pizza, and more.
• Dinner Party | Clinton Hill
  Seatings start at 5:30pm | $160/guest | Reservations on Resy
  This new communal dining restaurant is hosting a 5-course pre-fixe New Year’s Eve meal with an optional wine or beverage pairing. You can book private, communal, window counter or bar seating.
• Threes Brewing | Greenpoint
  Open at 5pm | No cover  
  Stop by the Greenpoint location of Threes Brewing on New Year’s Eve! Free entry and a complimentary beer toast at midnight!

Every New Year’s Day, brave swimmers plunge into the water at Coney Island Beach to symbolically wash away the prior year. The tradition goes back 122 years, and The Coney Island Polar Bear Club is the oldest winter bathing club in the United States, dating back to 1903! Come to watch the madness, or register to participate! You can sign up as an individual, join a team, or create your own team to fundraise. Registered swimmers who reach $50 in donations receive a limited edition beanie. Funds help support local organizations in Coney Island, including the Coney Island YMCA and the New York Aquarium.

New Year’s Day Super Hike | Prospect Park

Wednesday, January 1 | 11am-1pm

If your New Year’s resolution is to get healthy, join the Urban Park Rangers on a lengthy hike. Dress warmly, put on your hiking shoes, and head to the park. Urban Park Ranger hiking guides will introduce you to the hidden gems of New York City. Explore nature, discover our city’s urban forests, and unplug from the world to clear your head.

 

Japanese New Year at Japan Village | Industry City 

Wednesday, January 1 | 1:30pm

Curious about Japanese New Year traditions? Celebrate with us at Japan Village! Enjoy live mochi pounding, a sake barrel breaking ceremony, and traditional Japanese performances! See full schedule below:

• 1:30 pm | Koto Performance (Japanese national instrument)
• 2:00 pm | Kagami Break (Sake barrel breaking ceremony)
• 3:00 pm | Shi Shi Mai (Lion Dance Pt. 1)
• 3:30 pm | Mochi Pounding (Traditional mochi making)
• 4:30 pm | Shi Shi Mai (Lion Dance Pt. 2)