How and Where to Celebrate the New Year

A new year is upon us once again. While many are still wondering where the entirety of 2015 went, we look ahead to a fresh year, celebrated with glitzy fireworks and Champagne. Here are ways to celebrate in both Delaware and Pennsylvania. 

Delaware

Dec. 31

Let FireStone handle all your New Year’s Eve plans. Tickets for the evening include a premium open bar, dinner buffet and live music. Their outdoor patio will be heated for the event, so guests can celebrate indoors and outdoors. Attendees must be 21 and over.

New Year’s Eve Anchor Drop

Dec. 31

Anchors aweigh. The Lightship Overfalls, a national historic landmark and one of only 17 lightships remaining, will drop anchor as the countdown to 2016 begins. There will also be hot chocolate, fires and music. In the event of rain, ice or snow, the event will be canceled.

219 Pilottown Rd., Lewes.

New Year’s Dewey Ball Drop

Dec. 31

Don’t want to watch the ball drop on TV? Head to Dewey around 11:30 p.m. to watch the ball drop with fellow Delawareans.

New Orleans St. and Route 1, Dewey Beach.

New Year’s Eve Party at Dover Downs

Dec. 31

Dover Downs is offering different experiences for the last night of the year. Varying ticket levels are available for the lounge, VIP seating (which includes one bottle of Champagne) and the bar area. There will be a midnight toast, party favors and a performance by Best Kept Secret. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the festivities kick off at 9:30 p.m.

New Year’s Rockin’ at the Delaware Children’s Museum

Dec. 31

For families with young children, DCM’s midday event is the perfect way to ring in the year. Visitors can create their own noisemakers and will be showered in confetti as the clock strikes—noon.

550 Justison St., Wilmington.

New Year’s Eve at Summer House

Dec. 31

Head to Summer House Saloon for a fun evening. Partygoers can enjoy dinner, music and dancing, a Champagne toast at midnight and a balloon drop.

228 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth.

New Year’s Eve Party Keg Drop

Dec. 31

Crooked Hammock Brewery is hosting the first keg drop of the year, featuring an exclusive brew just for the night. Tickets include an open bar, food, live music and more. Festivities kick off at 9 p.m.

36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes.

Noon Year’s Eve

Dec. 31

The Brandywine Zoo is embracing a noontime celebration for children with games, crafts and a sparkling cider toast, all held at noon. Tickets are $6 and the festivities begin at 11 a.m.

1001 N. Park Drive, Wilmington.

Dewey Dunk

Jan. 1

Take a dip in the ocean at the Dewey Dunk and wash away the previous year. The $20 entry fee earns ocean-goers a bonfire and T-shirt to help warm up. Registration begins at 11 a.m.

Dagsworthy Beach.

Pennsylvania

Absolut New Year’s Eve Party at The Block

Dec. 31

Harrah’s Philadelphia will ring in the new year with its fourth annual NYE party. Tickets include an open bar, light fare, parking and a casino voucher. All attendees must be 21 and over.

777 Harrah’s Blvd., Chester.

The Count’s Countdown to New Year’s Celebration

Dec. 31

Head to Sesame Place this year to join the Count and friends as they ring in 2016. There is a celebratory meal and favorite rides. Tickets are required and start at $29.

100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne.

Countdown 2 Noon at the Please Touch Museum

Dec. 31

In the spirit of helping kids celebrate the new year without staying up past their bedtime, the Please Touch Museum will host another noon countdown. The museum will open at 9 a.m. and will have a countdown at both noon and 1 p.m. Tickets are required and start at $20.

4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia.

Fireworks on the Delaware River Waterfront

Dec. 31

This year, Philadelphia will ring in the new year with two amazing fireworks shows over the Delaware River. The first show, perfect for families, will take place at 6 p.m. The second will light up the night as the clock strikes midnight. The show will last about 15 minutes and can be seen from the Pennsylvania and New Jersey sides of the river.

101 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia.

Glitter & Gold New Year’s Eve Party

Dec. 31

Parx Casino is bringing the glitz and glam to their celebration. With live entertainment from The Exceptions & Goodman Fiske and DJ Eric Vanderslice, it will be a golden party. Tickets are available starting at $25; table and bottle service for four is available starting at $350.

2999 Street Road, Bensalem.

Making Time New Year’s Eve at Union Transfer

Dec. 31

Union Transfer is hosting an all-ages event to ring in 2016. Beginning at 9 p.m., they’ll have live entertainment from Dave P. & Sammy Slice, Broadzilla and more. Tickets, which range from $40–$50, include an open bar and Champagne toast, plus an after-party until 2 a.m.

1026 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia.

Midnight in the Square

Dec. 31

Not heading to Times Square with one million others to watch the ball drop? Head to the much closer—and far less crowded—Kennett Square, where they’ll have a mushroom drop. The event is free with a nonperishable food donation and will include a laser show, entertainment for children, plenty of food and more. For those with younger children who can’t stay until midnight, they’ll raise the mushroom at 8 p.m.

Downtown Kennett Square.

New Year’s Eve at Ardmore Music Hall

Dec. 31

Head to Ardmore Music Hall for a Brazilian-themed end-of-year blowout. Peruvian barbecue, a full bar, Brazilian music and a funk band will help you ring in 2016.

23 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore.

New Year’s Eve at Longwood Gardens

Dec. 31

If you haven’t made it to Longwood yet, check out their beautiful Christmas display while celebrating 2016. There will be strolling musicians, a barbershop quartet and more. The gardens will close at 10 p.m.

1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square.

New Year’s Eve at The Vault

Dec. 31

Valley Forge Casino Resort will host a bash in honor of another year. Tickets include an open bar, buffet, live entertainment and a Champagne toast. Attendees must be 21 and over.

1160 First Ave., King of Prussia.

New Year’s Eve Community Celebration & Ball Drop

Everybody’s hometown, Media, will host a celebratory ball drop to mark another year. Beginning at 11 p.m., there will be live entertainment by Philly Gumbo.

State & Jackson streets, Media.

New Year’s Eve Parties on Ice

Dec. 31

If you want to have a little extra holiday fun with your fireworks, head to the RiverRink Winterfest in Philadelphia. Situated on the waterfront, the rink is hosting two parties on New Year’s Eve, one from 5–8 p.m. and one from 10 p.m.–1 a.m. Tickets are required and include refreshments, ice skating and entertainment.

101 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia.

Party Through the Decades: New Year’s Eve 2016

Dec. 31

Sugar House Casino is hosting a big bash with an open bar and hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, a Champagne toast and some festive accouterment. The best part? They have a prime view of the fireworks in Philadelphia. Tickets are required.

1001 N. Delaware Ave., Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Orchestra: New Year’s Eve

Dec. 31

End 2015 on a high note. Join the Philadelphia Orchestra for a festive show, led by conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

1500 Walnut St., Philadelphia.

Start Making Sense NYE Takeover

Dec. 31

World Café Live is holding a New Year’s Eve party with a twist: Start Making Sense, a Talking Heads tribute band, is taking over both levels. Other entertainment for the evening will include Lovetester, Selectronics and DJ Kaos. Great Lakes beers will also be available to help toast the end of 2015.

3025 Walnut St., Philadelphia.

Mummers Parade

Jan. 1

Over 10,000 participants will march through the streets of Philadelphia for the annual Mummers Parade. A longtime Philly tradition, the Mummers will end the parade and head to the Pennsylvania Convention Center for performances.

Downtown Philadelphia.