Where To Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2024 In Wayne

WAYNE, NJ — As the end of 2024 approaches in Wayne, local venues are getting set up for their New Year's Eve celebrations to ring in 2025, from a kid-friendly celebration at the library to several parties with DJs, champagne, and plenty of food.

There are also hikes going on at a number of New Jersey state parks on New Year's Day, including in Passaic County.

Here is a look at some events happening to toast the new year in the Wayne area:

For the whole family

Rockin' Noon Year's Eve Concert with Kurt Gallagher, Wayne

This musical celebration at the Wayne Public Library is free but has a waiting list. Kids can enjoy snacks, a balloon drop, and a countdown to 2025.

• Tuesday, Dec. 31 from 11:15 a.m. - 12 p.m., located at 461 Valley Road, Wayne.

Jyoti's 30th annual New Year's Eve Bash, Wayne

A dinner buffet, Bollywood music, and a live projection of the ball drop are in the cards for this annual event. Tickets are $45 for children aged 5-12, $65 for teenagers, and either $80 or $95 for adults, depending on if they choose to purchase the open bar option.

• Tuesday, Dec. 31 beginning at 8 p.m., located at 24 U.S. Highway 46, Wayne.

Kids' Rockin' New Year's Eve Party at The Shannon Rose Irish Pub, Clifton

Activities at this celebration include a DJ dance party, bagpipe music, and a celebratory toast.

• Tuesday, Dec. 31 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., located at 98 Kingsland Road, Clifton.
• Reservations recommended; call the restaurant at 973-284-0200.

First Day Hike, NJ State Botanical Garden

This family-friendly hike in the Ringwood State Park woodlands includes two options: A climb to the Mt. Defiance overlook and back, or an alternate hike without the climb. No registration required; start at the Carriage House Visitor Center between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. for a map, and allow about 90 minutes for a moderate 1-mile hike. The hike will be cancelled if there is too much snow, or excessive cold.

• Wednesday, Jan. 1 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. located at 5 Morris Road, Ringwood.

For adults 21+

New Year's Eve at Cosmopolitan, Wayne

Celebrate with dancing, a DJ, and an "elaborate" dinner buffet, plus a premium open bar, champagne toast, and plenty of desserts. Tickets are $160 per person.

• Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. until Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 1 a.m., located at 1377 Route 23, Wayne.

Uncorked Wine Lounge New Year's Party, Totowa

Enjoy a huge charcuterie board and toast with champagne and noise makers at midnight, with DJ Jerry Demo providing the soundtrack. Tickets are $25.

• Tuesday, Dec. 31 beginning at 9 p.m., located at 650 Union Boulevard, Totowa.
• Call for reservations: 973-782-4780

New Year's Eve Celebration at Spuntino Wine Bar and Italian Tapas, Clifton

Their special menu includes a caviar service, bone-in ribeye, and poached lobster along with a number of champagne and sparking wine options.

• Tuesday, Dec. 31 beginning at 5 p.m. at 70 Kingsland Rd, Clifton.

NYE Party at the Pub at The Shannon Rose Irish Pub, Clifton

The party includes live music from Radio Strangers Band and DJ John Feelgood, and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $100 for a four-hour open bar and three-course dinner, or $75 for just the open bar.

• Tuesday, Dec. 31 beginning at 9 p.m., located at 98 Kingsland Road, Clifton.
• See ticket options here.

New Year's traditions and resolutions

In the United States, one of the most popular New Year’s Eve traditions is the dropping of the giant ball in New York City’s Times Square. Other U.S. cities have their own versions of this celebration, such as the Peeps Chick Drop in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and the giant Potato Drop in Boise, Idaho.

The transition from one year to the next is often marked by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” a Scottish folk song whose title roughly translates to “days gone by,” according to Encyclopedia Britannica and History.com.

The tradition of New Year’s resolutions dates back 8,000 years to ancient Babylonians, who made promises to return borrowed items and repay debts at the beginning of the new year, which was in mid-March when they planted their crops.

• Related: What New Year’s Resolution Did You Keep? How Did You Do It? [Patch Survey]

According to legend, if people kept their word, the pagan gods would grant them favor in the coming year. However, if they broke their promises, they would lose favor with the gods.

Many secular New Year’s resolutions focus on imagining new, improved versions of ourselves.

The failure rate of New Year’s resolutions is about 80 percent, according to U.S. News & World Report. There are many reasons, but a big one is they’re made out of remorse — for gaining weight, for example — and aren’t accompanied by a shift in attitude or a plan for coping with the stress and discomfort that comes with changing a habit or condition.

Happy New Year from Patch!