No one does New Year's Eve like New York City! Besides the Times Square ball drop watched by millions around the world, our fair city boasts a handful of other annual events to ring in the new year. From saying midnight runs to all-night poetry readings, check out our uniquely New York traditions!
Founded in 1903 by Bernarr Macfadden, a Victorian-era bodybuilder and celebrity, members of the club dive into the frigid Atlantic Ocean every Sunday at 1:00 p.m. from November to April. One of the club’s founding beliefs is that the winter ocean plunge serves as a “boon to one’s stamina, virility, and immunity.”
From 11 am until 1:00 pm on New Year’s Day, hundreds of brave souls dive into the water — not only cleansing their souls but also raising money for various local community nonprofits. Prior online registration is required.
2. Poetry Project’s New Year’s Day Reading Marathon
Photograph by Ted Roeder.
From 1 pm to midnight on January 1st, the Poetry Project hosts its annual New Year’s Day Marathon, eleven hours of live poetry readings and live performances from 200+ performers, readers, educators, lecturers, editors, curators, and writers at St. Mark’s Church.
This tradition was founded by Anne Waldman in 1974 with 31 poets. Over the years, countless forward-facing luminaries have shared their work, including Yoko Ono, Amiri Baraka, Allen Ginsberg, and Patti Smith. To guarantee entry at your desired timeslot, guests are encouraged to purchase a ticket in advance. The entire day will also be livestreamed.
3. Good Riddance Day at Times Square
In the lead-up to the new year, celebrate the departure of unwanted memories on Good Riddance Day in Times Square. Hosted by the Times Square Alliance, the event is inspired by a Latin American tradition in which New Year’s revelers stuff dolls with objects representing bad memories before setting them on fire.
On December 28, visitors to Times Square for Good Riddance Day will have the opportunity to write down their own unpleasant, embarrassing, and unwanted memories from 2025 and symbolically wipe the slate clean for the new year. Head to Times Square Plaza on Broadway between 45th and 46th Streets to leave your grievances.
4. Virtual New Year’s Day at Merchant’s House Museum
Exterior shot of Merchant’s House Museum.
If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to celebrate the new year in the past, look no further than the Merchant’s House Museum New Year’s Day Virtual Celebration. Through an immersive video experience, the museum will take guests back in time to the mid-19th century, giving them a taste of the tradition of paying social calls to family and friends in honor of New Year’s Day.
Guests will learn intimate details about how the Tredwells, the former owners of the Merchant House, decked their house for New Year’s Day. In addition, guests will learn about how the family prepared their list of social calls.
5. Watch St. John the Divine’s New Year’s Eve Concert for Peace
On December 31st, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., the Cathedral of St. John the Divine will host its annual New Year’s Eve Concert for Peace. The concert tradition was founded by Leonard Bernstein in 1984 as a tribute to the people of New York City and a means of celebrating the season’s music.
This year, the show features Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, performed by a stellar cast of soloists and the Cathedral Choir and Orchestra, along with commentary by the renowned journalist Harry Smith.
6. NYRR Midnight Running at Central Park
The 2018-19 NYRR Midnight Run.Photograph courtesy of New York Road Runners.
Run straight into the new year at Central Park's NYRR Midnight Run. The four-mile race begins at the stroke of midnight on the 72nd Street Transverse. Runners will head north along East Park Drive and look around at the 102nd Street Crossing to West Park Drive, completing the loop at the finish line near the Bethesda Terrace.
7. Time’s Up! Annual New Year’s Eve Bike Race
The Time’s Up! Annual New Year’s Eve Bike Race will end at Belvedere Castle, where a New Year’s Eve dance party and fireworks display will take place.
For bike enthusiasts, the Time’s Up! Annual New Year’s Eve Bike Race is a perfect activity to pursue. The bike ride starts at three different locations at three different times, but it all ends at one spot: Belvedere Castle. At the end of the ride, all participants join together for an after-party in the middle of Central Park. The event, hosted by Time's Up, a not-for-profit direct-action environmental group, is intended to inspire positivity and togetherness.
8. First Day Hikes
July 2, 2019 – Brooklyn, NY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo delivers remarks during the opening of Shirley Chisholm State Park. (Mike Groll/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)
To kickstart the new year on the right foot, head to your favorite local park for a First Day Hike. First-day hikes are held at New York State Parks, while New Year's Day Hikes are held at NYC Parks across the city. Led by Park Rangers, the walks are designed help kick-start your get-healthy New Year's resolutions.
Irene Madrigal is a sophomore at Barnard College intending on majoring in English and History with a minor in Spanish. As a native New Yorker, she can be found guiding her friends across the city and
