US New Year Celebrations Near Me
US New Year Celebrations Near Me, Say goodbye to 2023 and welcome in 2024 with a raw bar, Mediterranean station, carving station, open bar, hors d’oeuvres, and live music. Tickets are available on-line.
It wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve in South-central Pennsylvania without the town’s famous bologna drop. Join the crowds at the iconic Lancaster County borough as a pair of yellow pants drop to welcome the new year.
Which Country Gets New Year First?
As partygoers around the world say goodbye to 2023 and turn their calendars over to January 1, one place will be saying hello to 2024 first. That will happen when the tiny Pacific island nations of Tonga, Samoa and Kiribati ring in the new year on December 31. The next country to welcome the new year will be Australia and then New Zealand.
Eventually, the new year will reach South Korea and Japan, all of which are a few hours behind. But it will take more than a day for the New Year to reach Howland Island and Baker Island in the US outlying territories of Antarctica, which lie 12 hours behind UTC. By the time these islands see the new year, it will be January 2 in American Samoa and January 3 in the rest of the world.
Most Brits look to Australia as the first place that celebrates the New Year but this is not the case. Kiritimati Island – known as Christmas Island – and a line of 10 other mostly uninhabited islands in the central Pacific Ocean will be the first to welcome 2024. Despite lying directly south of Hawaii, they find themselves in the New Year while Brits are still sipping their morning coffee at 10am GMT on December 31.
Interestingly, the New Year is celebrated at different times in countries and regions that use the Chinese lunar or Tibetan solar calendars. Those who celebrate based on the Gregorian calendar will always begin the new year at midnight in Greenwich Mean Time.
How Do Americans Celebrate New Year’s?
The New Year is a time for hopes and dreams of better things to come. It is also a day of family, friends and special traditions.
In America, the holiday is observed on December 31 and often celebrated with parties, fireworks displays, watching the Times Square Ball Drop and making New Year’s resolutions. The most popular resolution is to lose weight and get in shape, with many people setting a goal of at least losing 10 pounds. Others want to save more money, learn a new language or quit smoking. Regardless of what resolutions are made, most people set goals to try and make the next year better than the previous one.
Many Americans celebrate New Year’s with their families by eating a traditional meal and sharing toasts. The dinner may include foods that have meaning to them such as black eyed peas, which symbolize luck and wealth or cooked collard greens, which are believed to bring good health. The New Year’s kiss is another tradition of the day, and it is common for couples to kiss at midnight.
Some Americans will spend New Year’s away from home, either by traveling or going to a party hosted by a friend. A recent poll showed that 37% of drinking-age Americans say they will drink on New Year’s Eve, with younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) more likely to be among those who plan to do so.
The last day of the year is a time to remember old friendships and acts of kindness, so it is common for people to send cards and letters to loved ones. Many people will listen to a favorite song or musical piece to help them say goodbye to the old year and hello to the new one. For some, this song is “Auld Lang Syne” from the Scottish poem that is about the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. The words are sung by choirs and groups at concerts, and they are often played at funerals and other public events.
American New Year Traditions
As the year comes to a close, it’s time to celebrate the beginning of a new one with friends and family. Many people take part in customs around the world to welcome the new year and wish for good luck in 2024. Some, like the ball drop in Times Square, have a very long history. Others may seem less familiar, but could still bring you good fortune this year.
In Ecuador, it’s customary to burn effigies of famous people on the last day of the year to destroy bad “juju.” In other places, the sound of pistol shots or the chiming of clock towers signal that it’s time to say goodbye to the old and hello to the new.
For Americans, the first day of a new year is a time for family and food. Many families eat Hoppin’ John (a stew made with black-eyed peas, which symbolize coins) to ensure luck in the new year, and green vegetables are often on the menu, as they symbolize prosperity.
Some South American countries encourage travelers by having people walk around their neighborhoods with empty suitcases to bring in a year full of adventure. Those looking to bring health and wealth into their homes will fill a bowl with water and throw it out the window at midnight — supposedly washing away any bad luck from the past year. Those who love sweets might try eating a peppermint pig, which has roots in the 1880s and was reportedly invented by candy makers who wanted to boost sales.
New York City
Every year on New Year’s Eve, millions of people from around the world watch in awe as Manhattan’s iconic Times Square lights up with a spectacular display that signals 2024. Confetti fills the air as well-loved live musical performers take center stage, and spectacular fireworks coronate the night sky.
This is a highly coveted event, so be sure to plan ahead. Purchase tickets in advance for the best view of the festivities and arrive early to secure a spot at one of the city’s many public viewing areas. Be prepared to wait in long lines, as NYPD security and police will be on high alert.
In addition to the fireworks show, NYE in NYC also includes plenty of other events for all ages. Families can visit the Brooklyn Hangar for a fun DJ set from Dutch duo Tinlicker, followed by a performance from local artist Booka Shade. There will also be food and drinks available for purchase, while guests can also dance the night away to a live performance by the Brooklyn Big Band.
If you’re looking for a more active NYE experience, the New York Road Runners’ Midnight Run is the perfect way to start your year off right. The 4 mile race takes place in Central Park and helps you qualify for the NYC Marathon! You can also sign up for a free, fun run in Times Square to see the famous ball drop and celebrate with a few cocktails.
Those who prefer something a little more upscale can head to Edison Ballroom for a night of music and dancing with Joe Battaglia and the New York Big Band. Guests can enjoy a four course meal, too, as well as drinks and snacks.
A lot of travelers are worried about protests affecting the NYE celebration, but Mayor Eric Adams assures revelers that the police have a “well-thought-out plan.” Starting at 4 a.m., Times Square will be closed to traffic and transformed into a pedestrian zone. At least a million people are expected to pack into the area, and the NYPD will be ready with a variety of security measures.
New Orleans
New Orleans is a true party city and this is particularly evident on New Year’s Eve. Balcony parties are a favorite local tradition with bars up and down Bourbon Street offering access to the beautiful wrought-iron balconies overlooking the streets below for a view of the action (and fireworks). Alternatively, you can enjoy a traditional New Year’s Eve in Jackson Square watching the fleur de lis drop and staying up to countdown to 2024.
This is also the time to experience the Allstate Sugar Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade, a Mardi Gras-style extravaganza with plenty of floats and bands, as well as the beloved local tradition of bead throwing. This is a great event for kids and families, and it’s even broadcast live on TV!
Those seeking a more sophisticated celebration can head to the elegant Vue Orleans perched 34 floors up on the Four Seasons Hotel for an unforgettable night of cocktails, light appetizers, DJ music, and a champagne toast at midnight. The sweeping river views are spectacular as you see the skyline of the historic French Quarter and the Mississippi River come alive with dazzling fireworks.
Other New Year’s events in the city include a special edition of Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve hosted at JAX Brewery. This Central Time Zone event is co-produced with New York City and Los Angeles and features a musical lineup and the classic Times Square ball drop.
If crowded outdoor and indoor parties aren’t your thing, many restaurants around town offer deals and packages for a quiet yet festive evening. Likewise, you can opt for a romantic night out on the river with a dinner cruise.
No one does New Year’s like the Big Easy! With soulful jazz in jazz clubs, lively street parades, and plenty of food options, you’ll have a blast saying goodbye to 2023 and hello to the upcoming New Year.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
For those traveling on New Year’s Eve, the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach area offers many ways to celebrate. From family-friendly events to Polar Bear Dips and fireworks, there’s something for everyone along the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast. Guests can start the day at LuLu’s at Home Port Marina for their Noon Year’s Eve event. This kids celebration includes craft activities, a sand castle building contest, inflatable slide and more fun on the sandy beach. There will be live music and the signature 400-pound Marshmallow PEEPS(r) Chick will make an appearance for a crowd-pleasing countdown and spectacular display of fireworks.
Families can also enjoy a spectacular bayfront fireworks show at OWA, the Orange Beach waterfront destination. This annual event is a fun and free way to welcome 2024 and features a jumbotron showing the Times Square ball drop at midnight. The event features a variety of food and beverage vendors, entertainment, an open bar, ice skating and live music.
Those looking for a more intimate and adult-centered New Years Eve party should head to Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar. This legendary spot offers three stages of live music, champagne at midnight and a special all-you-can-eat dinner and breakfast buffet. Tickets include party favors, an all-you-can-eat meal, and a souvenir koozie.
A few miles away at the Flora-Bama in Pensacola, a Polar Bear Dip takes place on New Year’s Day. The brave will be able to take a plunge into the chilly Gulf of Mexico at high noon. Anyone who fully sub merges in the water will receive a free draft beer and a free New Year’s Day lunch.
For those looking for an early New Year’s event, the Reelin’ in the New Year celebration at The Wharf is a great option. This family-friendly event begins with a Kids Confetti Drop at 10 am and continues with live bands, family friendly activities, and adult-centered fun until midnight when there will be a one-of-a-kind Marlin Drop and fireworks finale. This event is also included with admission to the venue. For more information, visit the website. A portion of proceeds will benefit local charities.
Fort Wayne
The city of Fort Wayne has a wide variety of options for celebrating New Year’s Eve, from family-friendly events to high-end parties. For example, you can enjoy a dinner cruise with Hornblower or spend a night at the Radisson Hotel Blowout, which has a DJ and live bands. Other highlights include the Deep River Waterpark and Damon Williams’ New Year’s Eve Comedy Bash.
You can also get in the spirit of the holiday by enjoying a performance by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. This event features a variety of music from various genres and is perfect for the whole family. The concert is followed by a dance party with food and drinks.
Another option for ringing in the new year is to attend a ball drop. Many cities host this tradition, which has been popularized by the one in Times Square. It’s a beautiful spectacle that includes a huge crystal ball that descends from a pole in the center of the square at midnight.
For a more low-key event, you can go to the Franke Park light display, which is known for its 150 giant displays of holiday lights. It’s the last chance to see this stunning display for the season. After the light show, you can visit a local restaurant or bar. Then, you can head to the ice rink for a game of hockey with the Fort Wayne Komets, which are playing the first-place Toledo Walleye.
If you want to stay out late, you can go to a downtown bar and watch the fireworks. This year, the Penny Drip is hosting a party with food and cocktails. Guests can choose between a general admission ticket, an open bar pass, or a reserved bar seat. Tickets are available online.
San Francisco’s location on the bay makes it a great place to celebrate the new year. There are several ways to welcome 2024, from a brunch and dinner cruise with Hornblower to the Passport to the World New Years Eve, which celebrates traditions from 7 different cities. There are even a few different fireworks shows to choose from.