What are you doing for New Year’s Eve? For many of us, staying up late at home watching the ball drop or heading to a house party with friends will suffice. But for others, it’s serious business choosing the venue (or venues) you’ll revel in the New Year with. Options range from kid-friendly to so-adult-you-might-blush.
We’ve done the work compiling a list of the hottest New Year’s Eve parties for every breed of celebrant and organized them into four general categories. For daytime festivities amenable to all members of the family, check our “Daytime Casual & Kid-Friendly” section below for some fun choices. Looking for a laid-back party with all the New Year’s Eve traditions but minimal craziness? Our “Casual” section is for you. Got some Christmas bonus cash to burn in luxurious decadence? We’ve listed some swank shindigs in the “Upscale” section. And finally, if you seek to honor the biggest party night of the year, the “Party Time” section lists events that can get rowdy and raucous. Cheers!
DAYTIME CASUAL & KID-FRIENDLY
MaMA – Marbletown Multi Arts
Marbletown • 3pm
The Spirit Brothers will perform a special afternoon concert to usher in the New Year for the early-birds. Their vibe is by turns uplifting, serene, elevating, and transcendent. This is a great event to get your soul centered and ready to emerge into what we hope will be the best year of our lives (wouldn’t that be nice?)
Skate Time
Accord • 5pm • $12 adult, $10 child (plus skate rental)
If you think locals needed any more confirmation that Skate Time was party central, get a load of this: They’re throwing two separate New Year’s Eve parties: one in the afternoon for kids and one in the evening for adults.
The kid-friendly half will feature music by DJ Julie, special activities and performances, party supplies and sparkling grape juice for all (sparkling wine is also available for purchase). The fiesta culminates in a celebratory early “ball drop” at 8pm. They’re doing normal admission and rental prices, another sign of how cool it is to have a kick-butt roller rink that serves all ages with joy and respect.
Ole Savannah
Kingston • 5pm-8am • $99
Ole Savannah is a great option for catching a tasty dinner in a casual and spacious dining establishment before heading out to your New Year’s Eve party of choice. It’s a classic menu: Bottle of champagne; crab cake or shrimp cocktail appetizer; filet mignon with lobster tail, garlic herb seared scallops, French-cut chicken breast; and for dessert, a flourless chocolate tart (the regular dinner menu will also be available). But don’t be surprised if you find yourself staying, because Ole Savannah will also host a New Year’s Eve party as well (information below).
Old Dutch Church
Kingston • 6pm
At the end of this holiday season, the esteemed Ars Choralis will present a program titled “Let Our Love Be Heard”, a classical chorale concert performance, with narrations by Ulster County Poet Laureate Kate Hymes, City of Kingston Arts and Cultural Affairs Director Kitt Potter, and more. The show has a theme of peace, respect for one another, and inclusiveness. The event is free, open to the public, and a delight for all ages. Just spending a few moments in the beauty of this venue is enough to send you into the New Year with your spirit uplifted.
CASUAL
The Falcon
Marlboro • 5:30pm • $30 suggested donation
Did someone say eighteen-piece band? There aren’t many local venues that could fit The Ed Palermo Big Band, a jazzed-up, comedy-tinged, progressive outfit of talented musicians who regularly bring Frank Zappa’s work to energetic life on stage. This makes for a night of mind-boggling musicianship but also a fun atmosphere more akin to a raucous party than a heady jazz sesh. Show up early to get a great meal in.
Ashokan Center
Olivebridge • 5:30pm • $15-$30
The woodsy, rustic Ashokan Center hosts its New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance leading right through midnight and into the new year, but the festivities actually start on Fri., Dec. 29. The whole weekend will be dedicated to music and dance classes from Ashokan regulars, evening dancing, sing-alongs and jams. It all culminates in the New Year’s Eve gala featuring live dance music from Jay & Molly with Swingology, Wheels on the World, and Pont Ondulé with callers John Krumm and Bob Isaacs. If you like folksy fun and stringed instruments, this will be right up your alley.
Laugh It Up Comedy Club
Poughkeepsie • 8pm • $100
Laugh it Up Comedy Club at Mahoney’s in Poughkeepsie has been on a roll lately, consistently booking the latest names in comedy. If you want to laugh your way into 2024, head to this event featuring rising stars from New York City: Jerrold Benford, Dan Madonia, Anthony Zenhauser and Adam Izzo. The night consists of more than just laughs: There will be a midnight balloon drop, appetizers and a buffet dinner, dancing and music, party favors and a champagne toast. And if you needed any more encouragement to loosen up, belly up to the 4-hour open bar. If you’ve got the energy, head downstairs for the afterparty with DJ Parag, raging until 4am.
Ole Savannah
Kingston • 9pm-1am • $10
DJ Eddie Parker seems to be everywhere these days getting the dancefloor moving, and this New Year’s Eve he’s parking it at Ole Savannah. This is the option for folks who want a down-to-earth spot to drink and dance the night away with their fellow local revelers.
Colony
Woodstock • 9pm • $50-$95
The Felice Brothers will be celebrating their latest album release with a two-night stint at Colony culminating in a New Year’s Eve celebration. The group intertwines somber melodies with upbeat tunes, all while delving into themes of environmental awareness, humanity, legacy, and the inevitability of death. They’re a local favorite and well-regarded everywhere they tour, delivering heart-on-sleeve performances that get audiences singing along. If that sounds like your cup of tea (or champagne), this should be an unforgettable night.
Tinker Street Tavern
Woodstock • 9pm • $71.21
This favorite watering hole of locals will let it all hang loose heading into 2024 with a three-hour open bar and champagne toast at midnight. It’ll be a laid-back affair with great music and company.
UPSCALE
The Grandview
Poughkeepsie • 7pm • $160+
The granddaddy of local upscale New Year’s Eve parties happens at The Grandview, an epic celebration that earns the title ‘gala’. Attendees will enjoy a whopping six-hour open bar featuring top-shelf drinks, music by K-104’s pro DJ Bill Beale, a cocktail reception, and an astounding variety of gourmet foods. There will be butler-style passed hors d’oeuvres, a chilled seafood display, and stations for Italian, American, Spanish and Chinese foods. That’s not even to mention a four-course dinner and late-night eats. You’ll get your fill of luxury.
The Hudson House & Distillery
West Park • 7pm • $95+
Here’s a top-shelf option for craft liquor lovers. Admission includes an open bar featuring some of the tastiest locally-made spirits, a four-course meal, champagne toast, ball drop livestream, party favors and midnight snacks. Jungle Love will provide a live musical journey through the most danceable hits from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, hot off winning Hudson Valley Magazine’s 2023 award for Best Party Band in the Hudson Valley.
Bearsville Theater
Woodstock • 8pm • $30-$2,000
Though shows at the intimate and charming Bearsville Theater have been relatively sparse for years, they consistently go all-out for New Year’s Eve. Live music will include Sean Matthew Whiteford and The House Party Band – a local musician supergroup of sorts – taking you on a musical odyssey from the 60s to pop hits of the modern era. DJs take over after that: Dave Leonard at 11pm and Majic Juan at 1am. There will be a “balloon drop spectacle” to ring in the new year at midnight and prizes for best costume and best dancer. Though general admission is accessible, this show is particularly geared to those seeking an exclusive experience, with VIP tables starting at $150 for two people, going all the way up to $2,000 for a 15-person VIP green room. VIPs also get champagne on the house, table service, free coat check and private bathrooms.
Millstream
Woodstock • 7pm
If a mouthwatering menu and low-key bar hang is your thing, dip over to Millstream for refined dinner specials and free champagne toasts all night. The bar will stay open late for all merrymakers headed into 2024.
The Lemon Squeeze
New Paltz • 6:30pm
If the phrase “upscale piano jazz bar” piques your interest, The Lemon Squeeze is your best destination this New Year’s Eve. Details on the event are scarce on their website, but based on the venue’s history, expect exquisite cocktails, carefully crafted food and a jazzy evening full of great live music.
Levon Helm Studios
Woodstock • 9pm • $100-$135
The Midnight Ramble is more than just a concert; it’s a living tribute to the foundational songbook of rock and roll. Born from the vision of Levon Helm, this event has become a beacon, preserving and enhancing his musical legacy for nearly two decades. The night will feature Woodstock’s teenage sensations Roche Collins, who will join their fellow Midnight Ramblers in a multigenre fusion steeped in the Catskills rock-and-soul tradition Helm helped spearhead. Tickets are almost sold out if not completely gone by the time you read this, but don’t fret, 2024 will offer more experience to catch this legendary local gig.
Butterfield
Stone Ridge • 5pm-8am • $165+
Hasbrouck House’s 7th annual Studio 54-inspired New Year’s Eve party has all the trappings of a top-shelf celebration: A sumptuous 5-course prix fixe dinner, sparkling champagne towers, gourmet late-night bites, and DJ Elle Dee providing the disco soundtrack. Attendees will hustle, bump, bus stop, robot and YMCA their way into 2024 within a womb of luxury.
Lawrence Park
Hudson • 10pm • $25-$75
The already-fancy (but still accessible) Lawrence Park will be completely transformed into a New Year’s Eve wonderland this Sunday, and tickets will be carefully portioned to allow plenty of room to move and dance. Tall Asss Matt will DJ the night, and $25 gets you in (with canapes and champagne toast) while $75 gets you a top-shelf open bar in addition. For those who like to drink in style, head to Hudson.
PARTY TIME
Skate Time
Accord • 9pm-1pm • $20/$25
Let’s be clear: Skate Time is an adult’s roller rink. First of all, alcoholic beverages are not commonplace in most roller rinks. Like, does the insurance company know? You’d think people would be falling over left and right, spilling liquids everywhere, but in practice it almost makes people more conscientious of their skating – after all, who wants to waste their booze?
There will be New Year’s Eve accessories like noisemakers on hand, and special menu options to jazz up the snack bar, which is already stacked with roller rink classics. DJ Julie will be spinning, there will be a midnight toast with prosecco or cava, and otherwise this will be a late-night version of the classic Skate Time party that most people who’ve been have come to love.
ArtPort
Kingston • 9pm • $24
One of the hottest new party venues in Kingston is ArtPort, which is located at the “Art Buoy” down by the Strand (a.k.a. the Rondout). It’s where freaks and geeks rub elbows with artists, punk rockers, club kids, and every other demographic of party people who don’t fit into traditional venues and like to get rowdy.
ArtPort’s New Year’s Eve extravaganza promises to be a crazy night to remember, with DJs Cee Dubya, El Camino, Gee St. Gee, Seymour Glass, and special guest Bill Kraemer. The theme is “masquerade”, so bring your best mask (preferably homemade) and be prepared to rage into the night.
Avalon Lounge
Catskill • 9pm • $18
The Community Rave Network (CRN) is a self-described local “web of DJs and collaborators finding ourselves and each other on the dance floor”. Their favorite haunt is the Avalon Lounge in Catskill, which has a long history of hosting some of the funnest, freakiest dance parties in the upper Hudson Valley. The CRN will host Avalon’s New Year’s Eve party, and if the past is any indication, things are gonna get loose and wild. If the word ‘rave’ makes your ears (and maybe other parts of your body) perk up, this is the party spot you want to come through on your journey to the new year.
Back Bar
Hudson • 9pm • $33.85
If you’re looking for a dance party in a venue you won’t lose your friends in, Back Bar is a decent option. DJ WildMob will spin, and there will be complimentary snacks and a midnight toast. The promoters promise an epic night of dancing and debauchery.
Pearl Moon
Woodstock • 9:30pm • no cover
If you like being out late in Woodstock, chances are you’re already familiar with Pearl Moon, the stylish restaurant/night club that has been a magnet for party people since its inception. Live music by Drip! will fill the room with the sounds of funk, rock and R&B, heating up the dance floor. The food and drink here is great, the ambience is superb – not a bad place to spend a few hours celebrating the turn of the calendar.
Join the family! 
