new years ballons

As most of us already know, New Years Eve in NYC can be a stress inducing, pocket draining event that can force even the most levelheaded of New Yorkers to flip out at the sight of 600 glittery eye-glassed visitors packed into a Q train car at 3am.  So to ease up on at least one thing that you can control (expensive events), we’ve rounded up five free and cheap events all over NYC where you can ring in the new year with some cash still in your pocket.

1.  Sparkle New Year’s Eve at 92Y ($15) – Head downtown to Hudson Street to ring in the new year with 92ndY Tribeca’s variety show with an eclectic mix of music, comedy, and visual and conceptual art.  Afterwards, groove to a DJ and wait around for the open mic, which starts later.

2. New Year’s Eve Fun Run ($25) – Start the new year off with a head start on those fitness resolutions.  Runners will meet up at 11:15pm on Prospect Park West (at 9th Street) to blow through a three mile run, culminating in fireworks and hot chocolate at Grand Army Plaza.

3. Jivamukti Yoga School NYE Celebration (Free) – From 8pm – 9pm, enjoy a dance party with Ishwari and Shruti Ram. From 9pm – 12am practice mauna (being silent).  And from 12am – 12:30am, chant in the new year and receive a special massage and vegan chai tea.

4. 11th Annual New Year’s Eve Bike Ride (Free) Here’s another resolution starter — meet up at the arch in Washington Square at 10:30pm to ride up to Belvedere Castle in Central Park. Once there, everyone will partake in a dance party with a live marching band.

5. Prospect Park Fireworks (Free) – Fireworks are always nice, especially when they’re chased by free hot chocolate and cider.  The fireworks display starts at midnight (duh), and directly afterwards, you can watch Marty Markowitz get sworn in for his third term as Brooklyn Borough President.  Via Brokelyn.

Photo credit:  sue_r_b



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