Where To Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2026 In New York City

NEW YORK CITY — The new year is fast approaching, which means it's time for New Yorkers to make sure they have the perfect plans to celebrate.

It's New York City, so, of course, there is the annual Times Square midnight ball drop, but there are also so many more iconic ways to celebrate 2026 that don't involve standing around in the cold with tourists. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Whether you want to experience the countdown at a concert in a cathedral, at a rooftop soiree, or with the kids, Patch has compiled a list of ways to celebrate the start of the new year.

Do you dare to brave Times Square?

Sorry, but no list of New Year's Eve events in the city would be complete without at least mentioning Times Square.

This year, the Times Square festivities will kick off at 6 p.m. when the ball is raised to the top of its pole above One Times Square at the corner of Broadway and 43rd Street.

If you go, you'll likely want to arrive early, as it's first-come, first-served. More information available here.

If you want to be inside, but still see the ball drop in Times Square, try the party hosted by the Times Square Applebee's, the party hosted by the Times Square Marriott hotel, the party hosted by Planet Hollywood, or the party at the Bowtie Bar, all of which have direct views of the ball.

Maybe get a workout in?

Seriously. It's a thing.

The New York Road Runners will host a midnight run in Central Park starting at 11:59 p.m. The event is for active New York Road Runner members, but that doesn't mean onlookers can't enjoy the spectacle of people running in New York City's backyard and get a little New Year's resolution inspiration. More information here.

If you're not a member of the NYRR but still want to experience a group cardio moment on New Year's Eve, there's a 5k run in Queens hosted by the Queens Museum and a bike ride and afterparty hosted by the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space, starting at the Brooklyn Bridge, and heading up to Central Park via Washington Square Park.

Or take in a performance?

If you want to kick off the new year a little early, Manhattan has all kinds of great matinees to see on Dec. 31, including The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the New York City Center. Both start at 2 p.m.

Then, at 7 p.m., the annual New Year’s Eve Concert for Peace at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on the Upper West Side will feature a special performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, performed by a cast of soloists and the Cathedral choir and orchestra. There's also a Sofar Sounds show at Great Jones Distilling Co.

Or, for those looking to laugh their way into the new year, try a New Year's Eve comedy show at Gotham Comedy Club in Chelsea, the Comedy Cellar in the Village, or Comic Strip Live on the Upper East Side.

Dance your heart out

New York has lots of good parties going on, ranging from laidback to totally outrageous.

On the outrageous end of the spectrum is the soiree at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, where a $300 ticket will get you and your friends into the top floors of One Vanderbilt, the 93-floor tower right next to Grand Central Terminal, and onto the glass ledges suspended 1,100 feet above Madison Avenue, according to the event's site.

For something more dance-y and cool, try Le Bain on the High Line, Little Sister Lounge in the East Village, or Public Records in Gowanus.

Celebrate "Noon Year's Eve" with the kids

Kids can get in on the New Year's Eve fun by counting down to noon on Dec. 31 at places like the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, where kids can dance to a live DJ set and make time capsules or partake in a Noon Year's Eve party at the library.

If you’re planning a holiday event — or any event — feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.