New Year’s Eve 2024 In Westfield: NJ Festival Orchestra, Rooftop Party

WESTFIELD, NJ — And just like that the year is just about over. With 2025 around the corner there are plenty of ways to ring in the New Year around the Westfield area.

From rooftop parties to midnight buffets to pre-fixe meals there is still time to make plans.

Here is a look at some events happening around Westfield:

• Maize, 301 N Avenue West, Westfield. The New Year's Eve party starts at 5 p.m. with two seatings: 5 to 6:30 p.m. (Welcome cocktail at 6 p.m.),$99 - 4-course prix fixe. Second seating is from 9 to 10 p.m. (Welcome cocktail at 9 p.m.), $149 - 6-course prix fixe, (Champagne toast at midnight, party favors, and DJ until 1 a.m.) Entertainment includes DJ KennyRoc from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Ball drop viewable on TVs in the bar area. Late-night bar menu available until 1 a.m. Click here for more information.
• The New Jersey Festival Orchestra's quintessential New Year’s celebration returns with a superb revue of Broadway classics in glorious symphonic splendor to Westfield High School at 550 Dorian Road in Westfield. Come join the festivities as Maestro David Wroe, NJ Festival Orchestra and soloists direct from the Broadway stage swing to favorites from America’s Great Songbook. Click here for more information.
• Stage House, 366 Park Ave., Scotch Plains. New Year's Eve Party starts at 9 p.m. with a special menu, drinks and DJ Breaknek and DJ Redrum. Click here for more information.
• The Grain House at the Old Mill Inn, 225 Route 202, Basking Ridge. There are two ways to ring in the New Year. A Special Menu along with many of The Grain House's favorite regular menu items will be offered for dinner. Or check out the Dine & Stay Exclusive Package for $350 which includes: an overnight escape in a King Deluxe room, $150 credit to indulge in a New Year’s Eve dinner at The Grain House, featuring exclusive holiday specials. Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries to toast. Continental Breakfast to greet the New Year with a fresh start. oldemillinn.com.
• The Bradford Rooftop’s New Year's Eve Event at 600 Somerset Corporate Blvd., Bridgewater. The event is $50 per ticket and includes two drinks, a DJ, and a champagne toast. Standing room only. Other packages are also available - thebradfordrooftop.com/new-years-eve.
• Pacha Mama, 2115 Route 22, Green Brook. The New Year's Eve event will feature music by DJ O.D., an a la carte menu with NYE specials, open bar packages, and champagne toast at midnight. Click here for more information.
• Green Knoll Grill, 645 Route 202/206, Bridgewater. New Year's Eve Bash at 8 p.m. Includes complimentary midnight buffet, champagne toast, drink specials all night, and a DJ. Click here for more information.
• Village Brewing Company, 34 West Main St., Somerville. The New Year's Eve will include a full dinner service until 9 p.m., and show your receipt for free entry to the bar scene after 9 p.m. Without dinner, there is a cover charge of $10 on Eventbrite or at the door. Click here for more information.
• Saly G's Restaurant and Tavern, 169 Washinton Valley Road, Warren. Music by DJ Paul Anthony, Pre-Fixe 4-course dinner with seating at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. $125 per person. Call 732-677-7400 to reserve or click here for more information.
• Stone House at Stirling Ridge, 50 Stirling Road, Warren. Dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. and include 3-Course Prix-Fixe Menu for $95 for adults and $30 for children (12 & under). There is also a late-night dinner for reservation for $125 per adult. To make a reservation or to view the menu visit stonehouseatstirlingridge.com.

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.