Philly's Biggest New Year's Events
Spending New Year's Eve in Philadelphia? Good choice! Here's where to watch the ball drop and toast 2012 in the City of Brotherly Love.
Twice the Fireworks, Twice the Fun
6 p.m. and midnight, FREE
Start the new year off with a bang: Philadelphia will usher in 2012 with two sets of fireworks again this year! The shows (at 6 p.m. and midnight) will be choreographed to a live soundtrack that will play at Penn's Landing and at Camden's Wiggins Park, so that revelers on either side of the river can enjoy 'em. And don't forget—KYW Newsradio will broadcast the soundtracks to both shows, and CBS3 will broadcast the midnight set of fireworks live on TV.
New Year's Eve Aboard the Battleship NJ
4 p.m. and 10 p.m., $8 donation
Want a comfier place to watch the fireworks and dance the night away? Cross the river to the Camden waterfront for food, music, bar service and even the chance to fire the 5-inch gun at midnight, all aboard the Battleship NJ. The ship opens at 4 p.m. for the early fireworks and then again at 10 p.m. for the midnight display, and the RiverLine service will operate extended hours for the event.
12Midnight at the Crystal Tearoom
www.nyephilly.com
8 p.m., SOLD OUT
Sadly, 12Midnight at the swanky Crystal Tearoom is already sold out, but this list wouldn't be complete without its inclusion. And of course, that doesn't mean you can't start planning for 2013! The party takes place in the Wanamaker Building, and over 1500 guests attend each year. Tickets are divvied up into General Admission, VIP and V-VIP, and prices range from $99 to upwards of $200. Live music, dancing and table service for VIPs round out the fun.
New Year's Eve Buccaneers Ball at the Seaport Museum
8:30 p.m.; $195 for individual tickets, $350 for couples
Watch the fireworks at this black tie-optional gala at the Seaport Museum. Enjoy cocktails, dinner and dancing to music from the Rich Posmontier Band; plus, guests can take part in the fun Buccaneer theme with eye patches, pirate hats and noisemakers—ARR!
New Year's Eve at the Piazza at Schmidt's
9 p.m.; $100 general admission, $150 VIP
Any activity at the Piazza is fun, but New Year's Eve? That could be epic! Party into 2012 inside a 20,000-square foot tent with food and drinks from the Piazza's eateries (Gunners Run, Kings Oak, PYT and Raw), plus 20 service bars and food stations galore, then watch the ball drop on the Piazza's giant-screen TV.
Philadelphia Mummers Parade
All along Broad St
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.phillymummers.com
New Year's Day, 10 a.m., FREE
It wouldn't be New Year's in Philly without the annual craziness of the Mummers Parade! The parade, which is the longest running New Year's Day tradition in the country and dates back to the 1600s, features elaborate costumes, music, dancing and more than 10,000 participants. The level of pageantry is guaranteed to far surpass any other parade you've ever seen—anywhere!
