Listen. It’s the end of the year. We’re all tapped out. The below New Year’s Eve options — including events for those of us celebrating with children — won’t break the bank. There are plenty of things to do in Philadelphia this December 31 and January 1, whether you’re into celebrating with kiddos, watching fireworks, ice skating, drinking, dancing, music appreciating, Mummering, or also drinking and dancing.
Have a happy 2024, y’all! 🥂
NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH THE FAM
Because those of us with kids tend to be fast asleep once midnight hits.
TIME THE PARTY TO NOT INTERFERE WITH NAPTIME. December 31 from 9 to 11:30am and 1 to 3:30pm, the Please Touch Museum two way-before-dark New Year’s Eve Countdowns. Each features a live DJ dance party, jugglers, kids’ rock legend Johnny Shortcake, access to the whole interactive attraction and a grande finale ball drop and confetti. $25. 4231 Avenue of the Republic
RING IT IN EARLY WITH SUPERHEROES, GYMNASTICS, PUPPETS … Pop-Up Play comes to Cherry Street Pier on December 31 from 5 to 7pm to lead superhero-theme activities: cape- and shield-making, playful “training,” the chance to be the villain. Other activities: a gymnastics course, puppet-making and puppet theater, a glow room, DJ, balloon drop and great view of those 6pm fireworks. $27. 121 N. Columbus Boulevard
GET THEM OUTSIDE AFTER DARK. Franklin Square offers crafting, a light show, plenty of hot cocoa (pay-as-you-sip) and a respectable view of the early fireworks on Penn’s Landing in their family-friendly — and free — party on December 31 from 5 to 8pm. (Park closes at 8pm.) Free. 200 N. 6th Street
TAKE ’EM ICE-SKATING. Every year, Penn’s Landing’s RiverRink hosts two NYE parties. The first, December 31 from 5 to 8pm, is definitely the more family-filled. You ticket will get you admission to ice-skating ($10 off if you’re not skating), snacks, and a ride on the Ferris wheel. The early fireworks go off at 6pm. Rain or shine. $53-$63. 101 S. Columbus Boulevard
NEW YEAR’S EVE PERFORMANCES
In case you’d rather class up the joint with some musical appreciation.
CELEBRATE WITH SYMPHONY AND DANCE. The Philadephia Orchestra accompanies the dancers of Caleb Teicher and Company as they tango, mambo, waltzes and perform the Charleston. Special guest: 13-year-old violinist Himari. Marin Alsop conducts. $50-$156. 300 S. Broad Street
GET DOWN WITH SNACKTIME. The beloved Philly party band comes back to Brooklyn Bowl on December 31 at 9pm (doors and DJ at 8pm) to ring in the New Year with the brassy funk vibes they’re calling SNACKTIME 2025: A SPACELUV ODYSSEY. The theme: Outerspace, Kubrick-style. WXPN presents. $43-$92. 1009 Canal Street
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTIES IN PHILLY
All events below are age 21 and up unless otherwise specified.
COME AS YOU ARE TO LOVE CITY BREWING. This Callowhill brewery isn’t about to take advantage of rookie partiers on this big night. Nope. There’s no dress code — and no cover charge to hang as DJ Mac Wondo spins house, amapiano, baile funk and jungle, as you have a pay-as-you-go drink or two, or watch the balloons drop at midnight on December 31 from 8pm til close. Free. 1023 Hamilton Street
CELEBRATE … NOCHEVIEJA. The Fringe Bar (also in view of those fireworks) hosts a Perro Negro Reggaeton Bash on December 31 from 8:45pm to 2am. The all-inclusive night includes two DJs, two dance floors, four bars and outdoor access. $52-$193. 140 N. Columbus Boulevard
HAVE A Y2K NYE. The Lounge at World Cafe Live is partying like it’s 1999 on December 31 from 9pm. This affordable, welcoming-to-all Riot Nerd Now That’s What I Call A New Year’s Eve dance party features music from about 30 years ago and requires both tickets and a (free) table reservation. $15. 3025 Walnut Street
DANCE WITH CHARLI XCX AND CHAPELL ROAN. (Or, at least, dance to Hot To Go et al) at the present-day pop-forward New Year’s Eve at Underground Arts on December 31 from 9pm. From $21. 1200 Callowhill Street
ICE SKATE INTO 2025. Penn’s Landing’s second indoor-outdoor NYE bash on December 31 from 10pm to 1am pretty much duplicates the earlier one (skating, snacks, Ferris wheel ride, pay-as-you-order cocktails), except the fireworks go off at midnight, as the good lord intended. All ages. Rain or shine. $53-$63. 101 S. Columbus Boulevard
PARTY ON THE PIER. Cherry Street Pier reups the vibes, grown-style with an affordable bash featuring Shekhinah B. and her live band, DJ AMber Lang and the WCE Collective, plus an included signature cocktail and champagne toast and those fireworks views on December 31 from 10pm to 1am. $37. 121 N. Columbus Boulevard
GO BACK IN TIME TO GO FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR. On December 31 at 10pm, DJs Josh Baker and George Purkins show up upstairs at Northern Liberties’ 700 to spin party tunes from the 80s, 90s and aughts in this cozy and classic Philly venue — all for a low, low price. $10-$15. 700 N. 2nd Street
NEW YEAR’S DAY
Seriously, Philadelphia, you have one option on January 1: Mummers or bust. Here are the details.
GO TO THE PARADE. Starts at 9am on January 1 at City Hall. Heads south on Broad Street to Washington Avenue. Lasts through the afternoon, typically past 5pm. The order of performances: Fancies (the giant, most elaborate costumes; only one such division / club is left), Wench division (these are the partiers who’ve made themselves notorious in ways we don’t need to mention here), Comics, String Bands (who play actual live music, banjos and all). Free to watch from the street. Bleacher seats ($25) at City Hall are ticketed, and, because Philly, available to purchase only in person at the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market streets or by calling (800) 537-7676. Broad Street from Market Street to Washington Avenue
WATCH THE FANCIES COMPETE INDOORS. As the parade goes on, a whole other set of Mummers, 10 clubs who’ve built entire sets and rehearsed narrative dance situations, put on two staged, 3-hour shows — the Fancy Brigade Finale — inside the PA Convention Center, January 1 at 11:30am to 3pm and 5 to 8pm. Tickets available for purchase in person at the Independence Visitor Center, by phone, (800) 537-7676, or online. $27-$43. 1201 Arch Street
WITNESS TWO STREET. The time-honored post-parade tradition of stomping back to Pennsport to party isn’t the most refined way to experience the ancient art of Mummery, but it’s definitely a way to keep the Miller Lite flowing. Expect bands, booze and misbehavior from the afternoon of January 1 into the wee hours of January 2. Free. 2nd Street from Washington Avenue (site of the Mummers Museum) to Snyder Avenue
