Month: December 2024

It’s midafternoon on New Year’s Eve, crowds are already gathering in Times Square, and you’re not sure how to ring in the new year — but there’s still time. We’ve assembled a list of some great last-minute New Year’s Eve celebrations in Brooklyn, (all with tickets still remaining!) plus a few New Year’s Day activities to get 2025 started right.

Family-friendly celebrations: 

New Year’s Ease: Celebrate all day long at “New Year’s Ease” at Randolph Beer. This chill, all-day event is kid-friendly and features all-day brunch, pitcher specials, and more – no reservation needed! New Year’s Ease continues on Jan. 1, too, so you can relax and recover from your midnight celebrations.

Dec. 31 & Jan. 1, 12-8 p.m. Free to attend. Randolph Beer, 82 Prospect St. at Pearl Street in Dumbo.

Early New Year’s Eve at Dave & Buster’s: You don’t have to wait until midnight to celebrate the new year! Dave & Buster’s is hosting a kid-friendly, early New Year’s Eve party so you can enjoy the day and still get the kids to bed on time. Each ticket includes a banquet with flatbreads and snacks, hats and noisemakers, a video ball drop and a ginger ale toast — and it’s all done by 7 p.m.

4-7 p.m. $42.21. All ages. Dave & Buster’s 625 Atlantic Ave. between Flatbush and 6th avenues in Prospect Heights.

Prospect Park New Year’s Eve Celebration: An old tradition takes on a new twist this year, as the fireworks at the annual Prospect Park New Year’s Eve celebration have been replaced with a light show in the skies over the park! Head to Grand Army Plaza for live music by Quintessential Playlist starting at 10 p.m. and ring in the new year with the midnight light show.

10 p.m-12 a.m. Free to attend, RSVP in advance. Grand Army Plaza at Flatbush Avenue in Prospect Park. 

Chill celebrations: 

Good Riddance 2024! at Wild East Brewing Company: Give 2024 the boot with some delicious food, drinks, and live music at Wild East Brewing Company. There’ll be charcuterie boards, holiday cookies, live performances in the Barrell Cellar Room, a midnight toast — and the chance to meet Timmy the pug. 

8 p.m.-1 a.m. $20-$50. Wild East Brewing Company, 623 Sackett St. between 3rd and 4th avenues in Gowanus. 

Pete’s New Year’s Eve Party 2025: This relaxed celebration requires no reservation, no cover fee, and no New Year’s Resolutions! Enjoy live music from Cupid’s Nemesis and Kid Midnight, sip on some $8 prosecco, and welcome 2025 without too much fuss.

9 p.m.-4 a.m. Free to attend. Pete’s Candy Store, 709 Lorimer St. between Richardson and Frost streets in Williamsburg. 

Late-night parties: 

Xanadu New Year’s Eve Holographic Extravaganza: Tonight, Xanadu Roller Arts will be full of “holographic magic” at its first-ever New Year’s Eve celebration. The night starts with a live set by musician Spank Rock before electro-funk duo Chromeo take over after a midnight countdown and champagne toast. The party will continue until sunrise, and Xanadu’s serving some free breakfast at 6 a.m. before everyone heads home. 

11 p.m.-6 a.m. $44.55. 21+. Xanadu Roller Arts, 262 Starr St. between Wyckoff and St. Nicholas avenues in Bushwick. 

Hot Fix Sideshow’s Ball Drop: Coney Island just might be the best place to celebrate New Year’s Eve, and Hot Fix Sideshow has a spectacular evening planned. Dress in your best glittery, macabre-inspired outfit and head to the People’s Playground for a disco dance party followed by hours of fire eating, sword swallowing, tattooing, live music, a champagne toast — and a “never-before-seen” live ball drop. 

8 p.m.-1 a.m. $75. Coney Island USA, 1208 Surf Ave. between Stillwell Avenue and West 12th Street in Coney Island. 

Brooklyn Honky-Tonk New Year’s Eve: New Year’s Eve takes on a rustic vibe at Desert 5 Spot! Put on your cowboy boots for a night of live music by The Whiskey Biscuits and DJs Chase Manhattan and Chase Coppins in the venue’s cozy, desert-themed lounge and celebrate at midnight with a tequila toast. 

9 p.m.-2 a.m. $200+. Desert 5 Spot, 94 Wythe Ave. between North 10th and 11th streets in Williamsburg. 

Take A Chance On Me Post-Midnight Disco Dance Party: The celebrations don’t have to stop at midnight — and this one doesn’t even start until 12:30 a.m. Spend the wee hours of New Year’s Day dancing to 70s hits and much more spun by DJ Dandelion!

12:30-3:30 a.m. $8. Littlefield NYC, 635 Sackett St. between 3rd and 4th avenues in Gowanus.

Bubbles & Bass Seize the Day at House of Yes: Ring in the new year with, well, bubbles and bass! The party will feature plenty of champagne, sparkle showers, “basstastic” tunes, dancing, and more. Dress how you want, celebrate old friends and new, and dance your way to 2025. 

Jan. 1. 5 a.m.-5 p.m. $60. House of Yes, 8 Wyckoff Ave. 

New Year’s Day Events:

Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge: There’s really only one way to start a new year in Brooklyn, and it’s at the Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge. Gather on the beach with thousands of other people and run into the freezing ocean to wash away 2024 and welcome 2025! The event is free, but donations are encouraged, and will be distributed to various local organizations. 

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free, donation encouraged, advanced registration required. Coney Island Beach at Stillwell Avenue.

New Year’s Day Super Hike: Clear your head on New Year’s Day with a long hike in Prospect Park, guided by NYC Park Rangers! Dress warm and put on your hiking shoes for a long tour of the hidden gems in Brooklyn’s Backyard. 

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Meet at Parkside Avenue and South Lake Drive in Prospect Park.

Japanese New Year: Head to Japan Village for some Japanese New Year’s traditions! The afternoon starts with a traditional musical performance, followed by a Sake barrel breaking ceremony, lion dancing, and mochi pounding. 

1:30 p.m. Free. Japan Village at Industry City, 943 3rd Ave. between 35th and 36th streets in Sunset Park. 

New York City is grappling with a growing flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) surge. Health officials report a significant uptick in cases of both illnesses during the holiday season, raising alarm among local residents. 

The latest data from the city’s Department of Health (DOH) indicates that nearly 8,000 individuals tested positive for the flu, a 73% increase from the previous month, while RSV cases have soared to close to 5,000.

Statistics compiled up to Dec. 21 suggest that the current wave of infections may be underreported. People often opt to recover at home without seeking medical attention or have been held back from seeking help due to the holiday season.

A DOH representative said the numbers aren’t more worrying than previous surges, as flu and RSV cases typically rise around the holidays. 

“It is common for us to see an increase in respiratory viruses this time of year, especially as people are indoors more and gather for the holidays,” a DOH spokesperson told amNewYork Metro. “Respiratory viruses are on their own timeline and it is not uncommon for one virus to increase while others plateau or decrease.”

Vaccination remains pivotal in combating the spread of these viruses. Health professionals stress the importance of getting vaccinated, particularly among vulnerable populations such as young children and the elderly, for whom the risks of RSV are notably high.

Currently, available vaccines for RSV target individuals aged 60 and above or those aged 75 and up.

Public health experts recommend that individuals, especially those who are immunocompromised or have recently contracted the flu, should consider wearing masks in crowded settings to help reduce virus transmission. 

“The NYC Health Department recommends New Yorkers get tested and consult with their medical providers about treatment, especially if they are at increased risk for severe outcomes,” the representative said. “We also urge New Yorkers to ‘roll up their sleeves’ and get the flu and COVID vaccine to protect themselves.”

Despite the ongoing presence of COVID-19, flu and RSV appear to be of greater concern as the winter season progresses. While COVID cases continue to circulate, their impact appears to be overshadowed by the escalated rates of influenza and RSV infections.

Health officials urge residents to remain vigilant, adopt preventive measures and consider vaccination as the best defense against these seasonal viruses.