Top 2015 New Year's Eve Parties In Philadelphia
Ringing in the New Year is a time-honored tradition. If you wish to get out and about this year, there are plenty of options in Philadelphia. Whether you have a limited budget, are looking to paint the town or are searching for a family-friendly event, you can find what you want. Here are some of the top New Year's Eve parties in Philly to ring in 2015.
Blue Cross River Rink Winterfest
Columbus Blvd. and Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 925-7465
www.delawareriverwaterfront.com
For family-friendly fun, consider visiting the Blue Cross River Rink for ice skating fun and more. Outdoors there will be a winter garden, which includes a forest of trees, rustic furniture and fire pits. The newly finished regulation-size rink also houses a Lodge which is loaded with ambiance with its indoor fireplaces and rocking chairs on a wraparound porch. The Lodge serves food for casual dining (outdoors there is a concession stand for quick service) and a coffee bar. Kids can also have fun in the Lodge in the arcade which has both free and paid games. The highlight will be a beautiful light show that is coordinated with music and synched to nearby Spruce Street Park that will play twice an hour (every hour and a half hour). The Blue Cross River Rink is open until 12:30 a.m. and the Lodge is open until 1 a.m. on New Year's Eve.
Countdown to 2015
Hyatt Regency
201 South Columbus Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.pennslanding.hyatt.com
The Hyatt offers amazing views of both fireworks shows and two difference scenes depending on your preference. Catch the early show with the kids while you nosh on a family-friendly buffet, or dance the night away while you drink champagne and countdown to midnight at the late party.
Mad River Bar & Grille
4100 Main St.
Philadelphia, PA 19127
(215) 482-2666
www.madrivermanayunk.com
Mad River Bar & Grille is offering up a fun evening for New Year's at its scenic location. You can enjoy beautiful views of the river while spending time with friends. General admission begins at 8 p.m. and the party goes until 2 a.m. and includes a premium open bar for five hours (9 p.m. to 2 a.m.), champagne toast at midnight, party favors, DJ and dancing and a complimentary ticket to the after party at Lit Ultra Bar. Mad River also offers upgraded packages with more amenities for larger parties for a larger priced ticket.
Masquerade at the Piazza
1050 N Hancock St
Philadelphia, PA 19123
www.piazzaatscmidts.com
Enjoy the end of 2014 and the start of the New Year inside a massive heated tent at the Piazza at Schimdt's in NoLibs. A champagne toast, a DJ, a live band and access to nearby bars are just some of the things revelers here can enjoy, and while masquerade attire is optional, having a blast is not.
McFadden's at Citizens Bank Ball Park
1 Citizens Bank Way
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 952-0300
www.mcfaddensballpark.com
If you don't have a lot of money to spend but want an evening out, you can join others to dance the night away at McFadden's at Citizens Bank Park. This bar is very spacious and can accommodate a very large crowd, but also has a sophisticated feel. You can pay a $9 cover for the event from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and purchase your own drinks or upgrade to the open bar (cost is $49). Each ticket will give you a complimentary ticket to an after party at Lit Ultra.
New Year's Eve at Revolution House
Revolution House
200 Market St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.revolutionhouse.com
Spend your NYE on Revolution House's heated patio, where the dance party will be happening into 2015. In addition to a champagne toast and drink specials, the party also includes a spectacular view of the fireworks.
New Year's Eve at the Independence Seaport Museum
Independence Seaport Museum
Penn's Landing
Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.phillyseaport.org
Celebrate the New Year from 4 - 7 p.m. with noisemakers, party hats and a festive cider toast at the Seaport Museum. This kid-friendly event also includes games, prizes and treats.
New Year's Eve Countdown for Kids
Franklin Square
6th & Race Sts
Philadelphia, PA
www.historicphiladelphia.org
This free, kid-friendly event features crafts, music and a children's dance party. There's also a "countdown" to the "Square Drop" at Stephen Starr's SquareBurger and a prime view of the 6 p.m. fireworks. Finally, watch the last 2014 showing of the Square's light show, the "Electrical Spectacle."
New Year's Eve Feast
The Moshulu
401 S Columbus Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.moshulu.com
Hop on the Moshulu for a dessert buffet, drinks and a view of the fireworks from the boat's heated deck. Feeling hungry? Order up a four-course feast pre-party.
New Year's Eve Fireworks Cruise
Spirit of Philadelphia
Penn's Landing
Philadelphia, PA
www.spiritcruises.com
It's all aboard the Spirit of Philadelphia for your choice of either a family-friendly or adults-only New Year's Eve party. Both options include dinner and a DJ, but the late-night festivities also feature an open bar.
New Year's Eve on the Battleship NJ
Battleship NJ
Camden Waterfront
Camden, NJ 08103
www.battleshipnewjersey.org
Whether you're there for the early fireworks with the fam or the late ones with your love, the Battleship NJ has a party that will fit your style. Enjoy food, drinks, music and a celebratory firing of the 5-inch portside gun at each event, or maximize the fun with an overnight party that includes dinner, breakfast and the chance to start off 2015 like a Battleship NJ crew member.
New Year's Eve Splash
Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Dr
Camden, NJ 08103
www.adventureaquarium.com
Usher in 2015 with the many aquatic animals that call Camden's Adventure Aquarium home. The 3rd annual Splash celebration includes encounters with the creatures, music, a "countdown" dance-party and a view of the early fireworks. The party starts at 5 and runs through 8:30 p.m.
New Year's Funkin' Eve
FringeArts
140 N Columbus Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.fringearts.org
Philly's coolest arts venue now offers its own NYE celebration, and guests won't be disappointed. With balloons, a beer bonfire, music and dancing, plus late night specials from the on-site La Peg, the festivities will have you kickin' off your shoes as you kickoff 2015. Bonus: Guests also get a great view of the midnight fireworks.
Sugarhouse New Year's Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront
Delaware River Waterfront
Philadelphia, PA
www.philadelphia.cbslocal.com/celebrate-2015
CBS 3 and KYW Newsradio are ringing in the New Year with a live broadcast of Sugarhouse New Year's Eve On The Waterfront midnight fireworks spectacular. The Celebrate 2015 special is set to be hosted by hosted by Chris May, Jessica Dean and Kathy Orr and will air on at 11:30 p.m. on CBS 3. You can listen to the synchronized audio fireworks soundtrack on KYW Newsradio 1060 at midnight, or you can catch the fireworks earlier in the evening at 6 p.m. at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Wiggins Waterfront Park in Camden and the Blue Cross River Rink.
Union Trust
717 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 922-3839
www.events/uniontrust
If you want a semi decadent New Year's, one of the hottest parties to end the year with will be at Union Trust. This historic and beautiful building is hosting a semi-formal event for New Year's Eve 2015. A live DJ will perform to keep people dancing. The main hall will have an Asian buffet, cheese station, sandwich station and dessert buffet plus a six-hour open bar from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The VIP rooms will also have an additional carving station and premium liquor. All guests will get New Year's party favors and a ticket to the after party at Lit Ultra Bar.
Related: Top Spots to See New Year's Eve Fireworks in Philly
Wired into the New Year
The Roxxy
939 N Delaware Ave
Philadelphia, PA
www.theroxxyphilly.com
With four huge TV screens broadcasting the Times Square NYE celebrations, confetti canons and champagne "showers," this Wired 96.5 party promises to be pretty amazing. In addition to drinks and festivities, guests can dance the night away and ring in 2015 with Chunky & Dijo Mijo.
Xfinity Live!
1100 Patterson Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
www.xfinitylive.com
If you can't decide what type of party you want to attend, perhaps you would like to attend seven different themed parties? Every year, Xfinity Live! is one of the most talked about and enjoyed New Year's Eve bashes in Philly. Seven different rooms host different themed New Year's Eve events. Some of the venues included are the Victory Beer Hall, Spectrum Grill, NBC Sports Arena, Broad St. Bullies Pub and the PBR. Each has its own style, whether you are looking for something urban-chic or just want to enjoy the outdoor patios of Victory Beer Hall. Pay once for general admission and enjoy an open bar from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. You can also upgrade to VIP which will have additional amenities and private seating.
Christina Dagnelli is a freelance writer in Philadelphia and the author of Little Squares with Colors: A Different way to look at autism. Her work on examiner can be found here Examiner.com.
