Don’t have New Year’s Eve plans yet? Embrace 2015 as a family with one of these fun-filled celebrations.
Celebrate by day…
New Year’s Eve Family Lunch Cruise
Celebrate in style with a cruise on the Hudson. Enjoy a lunch buffet, a DJ spinning Top 40 hits, and spectacular views. There will be a countdown to noon, as well as New Year’s decor, party favors, and a complimentary champagne toast for grown-ups. The boat will depart from Chelsea Piers at 11:30am. $44.90 per adult, $26.95 per child ages 3-12; Pier 61, spiritcruises.com
New York City Ballet’s “The Nutcraker”
Close the holiday season and welcome the New Year with a matinee performance of “The Nutcracker” by the New York City Ballet. Don’t miss George Balanchine’s choreography in this classic production, featuring a dazzling one-ton Christmas Tree and more than 200 performers. The show begins at 2pm. Available tickets start at $71 per person; David H. Koch at 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, nycballet.com
If you’re looking to indulge your creative side in 2015, celebrate at the Children’s Museum of the Arts’ museum-wide celebration! Enjoy refreshments, dancing, and arts and crafts. Make party hats and pop-up cards, participate in a pixelation workshop in the gallery, and collaborate on a New Year’s Eve ball. The party starts at 12pm and ends at 3. Free with museum admission; Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton Street, cmany.org
…or stay up until the clock strikes 12!
New Year’s Eve Concert for Peace
Looking for an inspiring way to ring in 2015? Join the Cathedral of St. John the Divine from 7-9pm for its annual candlelit Concert for Peace, hosted by Harry Smith and featuring guests Judy Collins and Jason Robert Brown. General admission seats are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, and sponsorship packages available starting at $100; Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave. at 112th Street, stjohndivine.org
Big Apple Circus New Year’s Eve Performance
Join the Big Apple Circus for a special New Year’s Eve performance of “Metamorphosis” beginning 9:30 pm, and ringing in the New Year with a champagne and sparkling apple cider toast at midnight led by the Ringmaster. You can even join the performers in the ring to dance along to live music, and special New Year’s Eve goody bags will be provided. $45 to $175/person, Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center, bigapplecircus.org
NYRR Midnight Run & Central Park Fireworks
Starting with dancing and 15-minute fireworks show lighting up the sky at 10pm , participate in the New York Road Runners’ Midnight Run and make the end of 2014 very memorable. The four-mile, unscored run will start at midnight after the countdown to the New Year. $35-$65 per person; starting line in Central Park at the 72nd Street Transverse near Bethesda Terrace, nyrr.org
Times Square New Year’s Eve Party at Madame Tussauds
If you’re looking to get into the thick of the New Year’s Eve action, check out Madame Tussauds’ annual New Year’s Eve Party, featuring multiple floors of music, drinks, decorations, and over 200 life-sized wax creations. Hang out with all your favorite superstars, and check out themed experiences, such as the Marvel Superhero Experience. Plus: see the ball drop live from the Madame Tussauds’ viewing gallery. The party starts at 7pm. From $129 per person; Madame Tussauds at 234 West 42nd Street, madametussauds.com
