It’s time to celebrate New Year’s in New York State! Welcome 2025 with a First Day hike at a state park or trail, explore a wildlife refuge, or drive through an amazing light display. Want to stay home while you toast to the new year? Enjoy virtual ball drops, and home-based family-friendly activities courtesy of New York attractions.  

Originally published 12/8/2020 | Updated 11/25/2024

Ring in 2025 with none other than Long Island’s own Billy Joel! For the second year in a row, the “Piano Man” will be kicking off the New Year from UBS Arena, home of the New York Islanders, with an unforgettable performance. The show is his first arena performance in New York since the end of his 10-year residency at Madison Square Garden and begins at 9:30pm, where you’ll get to jam out to some of Billy Joel’s greatest hits. December 31, 9:30pm. Tickets prices vary and are available for purchase on Ticketmaster; Elmont.

Jumpstart your New Year’s resolution with a first day hike (Various Regions)

Credit: @mischief_ue on Instagram

Start 2025 outdoors on January 1 at a state park or trail near you by taking advantage of First Day Hikes hosted by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). This annual event features more than 80 hikes at state parks, historic sites, and other locations throughout New York State, including  Fort Ontario, Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, Herkimer Home State Historic Site, and Olana State Historic Site. The hikes vary from one to five miles and are led by staff from State Parks and the DEC, as well as volunteers. More information is available on the State Parks page. January 1; various locations throughout New York State; free, but advance registration is required for several of the First Day hikes.

Credit: @mingomatic on Instagram 

Times Square is ready to mark the beginning of the new year as it has ever since the first ever “ball drop” was held in 1907. Over the years, this cherished annual tradition has grown into a massive celebration, with live performances throughout the evening and coverage on multiple networks, including the popular “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.” Revelers are invited to celebrate live from Times Square, or to watch from afar. The event is free and open to the public if you want to cross it off your bucket list, but entry is on a first-come first-serve basis so make sure you get in line early!  For those wishing to enjoy the Ball Drop at midnight from home, along with behind-the-scenes stories, interviews, and more, Times Square will be providing commercial-free, website coverage of the event from 6 pm. For more information on this year’s event, you can follow the latest updates at the Times Square Official website here. December 31; Manhattan.

For a relaxing New Year’s Eve, take a beautiful drive through the colorful light displays at the Festival of Lights in Oneonta’s Neahwa Park. Drive past decorated trees, floating luminaries in the pond, and light displays created by community groups to keep you in the holiday spirit into the new year. For more drive-through light displays and other holiday happenings, check out these awe-inspiring light festivals. December 14 through January 1. Free admission; Oneonta.

Credit: Discover Saratoga

Downtown Saratoga Springs will welcome in 2025 with the biggest New Year’s Party North of Times Square! With the purchase of an admission badge, hop between listening to the evening’s 13 acts across 5 venues including winner of The Voice season 8 Sawyer Fredericks and headliner Ben Folds and Lindsay Kraft, amid a repertoire of comedy, jazz, classic rock, blues, and Celtic music. You can even purchase VIP tickets for Ben Folds, with seating in the front two rows. The exciting night also features a free concert and firework show open to the public at the Saratoga Springs City Center at 6PM. December 31-January 1; pricing for ticketed events starts at $25 for an advance purchase and runs up through $200 for their VIP+ ticket. Saratoga Springs.

Credit: Rosamond Gifford Zoo

Take the whole family to the zoo, ring in the New Year, and get the kids to bed on time with “Noon” Year’s Eve, complete with noisemakers, a dance party, and a ball drop countdown at noon and a sparkling juice toast! The party kicks off at 10am with dancing and photo ops in the zoo’s banquet room and the first 1,000 guests will receive complimentary party hats and horns. December 31, Free with Zoo Membership; $9 adults and $5 for children ages 3 and up; 10 am-noon; Syracuse.

Finish out 2024 with aquatic friends at the Long Island Aquarium (Long Island)

Photo Courtesy of Long Island Aquarium

Ring in the New Year with the whole family from under the sea at the Long Island Aquarium’s Fishes & Wishes celebration! Spend the night celebrating the year among aquatic friends with a dessert and ice cream bar, animal meet and greets, buffet dinner, a live DJ and dancing, and crafts. The event runs from 6:30pm-11pm, includes a cocktail bar for parents, and a mock midnight toast. $155 adults, $94 Children 3-12, $10 children 2 and under. Members save 10% on tickets; Riverhead.

Holiday Valley is welcoming 2025 with a vibrant night of skiing, celebration, and two parades. The night kicks off with a Groomer parade and the Torchlight Parade, where skiers travel down the trail while holding torches. After, dance the night away in the main lodge at the family-friendly party complete with a live DJ. The evening ends in spectacular fashion with a grand firework show that runs until 12am. December 31, 8PM-12AM. More details to be announced; Ellicottville.

Start the New Year with dazzling fireworks and spectacular views from Alexandria Bay! The show starts at 12am sharp from Casino Island, so be sure to stake out a spot from the adjacent Scenic View Park, which looks out onto the St. Lawrence River with Boldt Castle in the distance. December 31. Fireworks shoot off at 12am; Alexandria Bay. 

Credit: @bahramforoughi on Instagram

Make your way to Woodstock’s Bearsville Theater for an unforgettable evening of excitement. The night begins at 8pm with a live music extravaganza from Lee Fields Countdown the last moments of 2024 and welcome 2025 with a dazzling balloon drop. December 31, doors open at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm. General admission starts at $56.65. Reserved balcony seating is $106.65 and includes two drink tokens per ticket; Woodstock.

Photo courtesy of Mohonk Mountain House

Say hello to 2025 in style from the mountaintop at Mohonk Mountain House. The historic castle resort will be decked out in holiday cheer with festive wreaths, trees, and decorations. On the big night, enjoy live music and special performances, cozy up around evening campfires, gaze in awe at the grand firework finale, and grab a bite at the midnight breakfast buffet. Your New Year’s rate (minimum three-night stay) also includes three meals a day, afternoon tea service, yoga and fitness classes, winter outdoor activities, and more. December 30-January 1, 2025; New Paltz.

What better way to kick off the new year than with live performances, family-friendly activities, local food, comedy shows, and fireworks? Head to Saranac Lake for a family-friendly night to remember at North Country New Year. Enjoy live music from folk rock band Driftwood, balloon animals, caricatures, and face painting at the Kids Carnival, Adirondack Carousel rides, a fire dancing performance, and more. End the night with a dazzling firework show to start the New Year right! December 31, 6pm-10pm. Admission is $20/adult, $15/senior, and free for 18 and under; Saranac Lake.

VIRTUAL NEW YEAR’S EVENTS:

Ring in the New Year from home with First Night Buffalo (Greater Niagara)

This year marks the 36th anniversary of First Night Buffalo, and you’re invited to celebrate! Stay warm inside your home and experience an affordable night of fun for the whole family. On the big night, head to the website and watch magicians, exotic animals, jugglers, and much more, make this a New Year’s Eve to remember. Purchase your Party Pack box (sized for a family of 4), which includes party hats, balloons and a pump, face paint, glow in the dark hats, and more, including two Explore and More activity books. Purchase Party Packs at select Tops Markets locations or online. December 31; party boxes $25, virtual event is free; Buffalo.

Share New York State adventures with us on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter with #ILoveNY and #iSpyNY, and tag us on Facebook!