The Best Family Friendly New Year's Eve Events
Looking for something fun to do with the whole family this New Year's Eve? Lucky for you we've found some of the best family-friendly events in the city that are ringing in 2015 with a bang. By Carly Petrone.
New Year's Eve Family Cruise
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If you and your family want to ring in 2015 on the water, we suggest getting tickets to the New Year's Eve Family Cruise. Pint-size party animals can dance along to music, play Wii-games, enjoy treats, and walk away with party favors. Witness the New York Harbor all lit up and toast to the New Year with a complimentary glass of champagne (for the adults, of course). Make sure to fill up on the dinner buffet and bring cash for the bar that will be serving beer and wine. The boat sets sail at 9:20 p.m. until 12:20 a.m. (boarding begins at 9:05 a.m.). Adult tickets are $200 and children are $125.
Central Park Fireworks and NYRR Midnight Run
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Get in shape with your family this New Year's Eve during the New York Road Runners (NYRR) Midnight Run inside Central Park. If you need a pre-run warm up make sure to get there at 10 p.m. for dancing, live performances, and a 15 minute fireworks show. Get your running shoes on because the four-mile race countdown begins at 11:59 p.m. with another spectacular fireworks display happening to light up the the night and start off 2015 with a bang. See website for entry fees and registration.
New Year's Eve Concert For Peace
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If staying up until midnight just isn't an option for you and your family, head over to the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine and enjoy the New Year's Eve Concert For Peace. Harry Smith hosts the event with special guests Judy Collins and Jason Robert Brown performing. Take in the music, the candles, and the spirit of peace as we gear up for January to begin. Come be a part of a tradition that Leonard Bernstein started thirty years ago. General admission seats are free and open to the public. Ticketed seating is also available for $100. Concert starts at 7 p.m.
Time's Up New Year's Eve Bike Ride
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Grab your bike or skates and get ready for the Time's Up New Year's Eve Bike Ride! Meet at Washington Square Park and ride to Belvedere Castle inside Central Park. Wear your most festive outfit and bring your noisemakers because this ride is all about having fun and celebrating the beginning of a new healthy year. If your kids can't cycle quite that far there is also an alternate pick-up point at Madison Square Park. Just show up at 10 p.m. and start pedaling your way into 2015.
Coney Island Fireworks Extravaganza
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Take the whole family to the Coney Island New Year's Eve Extravaganza. Enjoy music, sideshow performances, and giveaways before the countdown begins with 8,000 LEDs on the Parachute Jump. Once the clock hits midnight a fireworks show will take over the skies, ringing in another year. The fun begins at 9 p.m.
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Carly Petrone is a freelance writer living in New York City.
