There are many reasons to look ahead to 2025 with a sense of trepidation, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. New Year’s Eve is precisely the time to throw those cares away and head into the night with abandon.
Sleepwalking into World War 3? Pop the cork and let the champagne explode!
Inflation beginning to rise again? Blow up another balloon!
Unaffordable housing prices? They can’t get any higher than you are going to be on New Year’s Eve.
Whether you prefer your year-end revelry in the form of cocktail attire and prixe fixe dining or street clothes and spilled beer in a sweaty mosh pit, there’s something for everyone in this year’s New Year’s Eve guide for Ulster County.
Charitable chorus
The award-winning Ars Choralis, under the direction of Barbara Pickhardt, will present Together We Rise, a free New Year’s Eve concert at 6pm at Old Dutch Church in Kingston, in partnership with the City of Kingston and the church. Benefiting People’s Place, a nonprofit serving low-income Ulster County residents, the program will feature inspiring music, narration by Troi Stover, and a message of unity inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with donations accepted in cash or check.
Festive, folksy fusion
At Falcon in Marlboro, spend the night with Deadgrass, a dynamic lineup of top-shelf musicians, including Matt Turk, C Lanzbom, Dave Richards, Kensuke Shoji, and Katie Henry, promising an evening of exceptional talent blending blues, jazz, bluegrass, and more. With Grammy-winning and festival-headlining artists who have collaborated with legends like Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, and The Indigo Girls, the performance showcases a rich tapestry of musical expertise and creativity.
Disco ball drop
The legend of Studio 54 lives on at The Hudson House & Distillery in West Park. Presented in conjunction with Jungle Love, the swanky, elegant, and potentially debaucherous affair is $150 to attend, and includes an open bar, four-course dinner, champagne toast, ball-drop live stream and party favors. Attendees are encouraged to don their best 70s costume.
Just dance
If you’re looking for an exuberant dance party, check out local entertainment icon Chris Wells and The Silver Spaceship with Freeks Garage at Colony in Woodstock. Seasoned musicians will deliver a high-energy performance that dancing shoes cannot help but respond to.
Holiday hoedown
Ashokan Center’s NYE dance party features live music, delicious snacks, and a lively, welcoming atmosphere! Enjoy performances by Jay & Molly with Swingology (vintage swing, contras, and squares), T’Monde (Cajun and Zydeco), and Midnight on the Water (waltzes, contras, and squares), with dances called by John Krumm and Erica Weiss—no partner or experience needed. The night includes a sing-along, a festive dinner (reservation required), a cash bar with local beverages, and a late-night snack spread, all set in two vibrant dance halls open until 1am.
Winter soulstice
Known for his electrifying performances, soul legend Lee Fields will ring in the new year at Bearsville Theater. Fusing soul, funk, and R&B with his powerhouse vocals and timeless style, Fields will set the stage for an unforgettable night culminating in a festive balloon drop.
Countdown and get down
Community Rave Network has almost single handedly brought raves back to the area, and their venue of choice (Avalon Lounge in Catskill) will host their sweaty New Year’s Eve rager. Join DJs Scotia, Rager, SVB, Brad and Rose Club at the danciest venue in our area, complete with laser lights and fog machines laying it on so thick you’d link you were in a Mission Impossible heist scene.
Stockade 54
At Salt Box in uptown Kingston, 2024’s final festivities are 70s-themed, with soul, disco, pop, rock and glam bumping from the speakers. With multiple intimate indoor and outdoor spaces, this is the perfect venue to get lost in while surrounded by party people. Jeff Bisti will provide the photo booth, and there will be a toast with bubbles at midnight.
Horn of plenty
Ring in the New Year in style at Unicorn Bar in Kingston with a fashionable black-and-gold-themed celebration. Enjoy live performances by the infectious Unicorn Brass Band and local rockabilly stalwarts Lara Hope and the Ark-Tones, plus a dance set from DJ Tikka Masala to keep the party going into 2025. Dress to impress in your finest black and gold attire, enjoy a champagne toast at midnight, and revel in a night filled with surprises and queer joy.
Year’s end, world’s end
Join Kingston’s longtime apocalypse-themed pop-punk-post-hardcore band Dead Unicorn in celebrating its 20-year anniversary at Keegan Ales. Career highlights include winning a car and starring in a marketing campaign for Ford Motor Company, touring the US, and releasing five albums, including one that predicted the Covid pandemic. Their sixth album, End of the Universe, expected next year, contains a 15-minute song with no repeating parts. It’s heavy, catchy and complicated. Funky rockers Girls Wish will open the show.
A wheel good time
Roll into an all-ages open skate party from 5-10pm at Skate Time in Accord. Celebrate with the whole family and witness an 8pm “ball drop” complete with sparkling wine and juice. Enjoy complimentary NYE noisemakers, a lively set from DJ Julie, immersive video art by B.A., and face painting by Dyani.
Champagne jazz
Experience an evening of exceptional jazz at Lydia’s Cafe in Stone Ridge with vocalist and pianist Teri Roiger, vibraphonist Bill Ware, bassist John Menegon, and drummer Matt Garrity. Roiger is celebrated for her unique style reminiscent of jazz legends. An open jazz jam will follow the formal performance. A prixe fixe buffet will be spread.
Fab 2024
Beatles fans should follow the long and winding road to The Lemon Squeeze piano bar in New Paltz for a night of Fab 4 classics performed by The Threetles featuring Noel Carey. There will be giveaways and a Veuve Clicquot-sponsored champagne toast at midnight.
Ole Lang Syne
Ole Savannah in Kingston is a New Year’s Eve mainstay. Its cavernous, casual atmosphere is perfect for packing partiers in and leaving them room to wild out. Their year-end dance party features DJ Eddie Parker and only has a $10 cover charge.
Rambling on
No New Year’s Eve in Woodstock would be complete without a Helm Family Midnight Ramble at Levon Helm Studios, and this year’s celebration features Woodstock’s own Roche Collins. The genre-blending musical outfit are known throughout the area for a sound that is both familiar and undeniably fresh.
Masked bash
DJ Majic Juan and DJ Dookz could be considered Woodstock’s house DJs for their prolific party-starting history. This year is no exception, as the pair will lead a masquerade party at Pearl Moon in Woodstock. There’s no cover charge, and the venue is versatile enough for you to cut a serious rug, or avoid the dancefloor entirely.
New awakening
The most “conscious” of New Year’s events in our area will happen at High Meadow School in Stone Ridge. This collaborative celebration fostering positivity, resilience, and connection was organized by local community weavers, artists, visionaries, and healers of the Hudson Valley Conscious Community. Enjoy a chant circle, ecstatic dance, meditation, tarot readings, and more.
New Orleans Eve
Shared music space The Muse (Rosendale) will host a year-end celebration complete with champagne toast at midnight, and a cash bar. The shindig is headlined by the eminently danceable Soul Purpose, a seven-member band playing NOLA funk, soul and swing.
Gunk funk
Mohonk Mountain House pulls out all the stops for New Year’s Eve, and this year is no exception. Kids aged 4–12 can enjoy their own exclusive party from 7–10:30pm, featuring music, dancing, crafts, and a movie. Groove to live music from Hudson Valley favorites Fish Bowl (8pm) and The Classics (10pm), capture memories in the Silly Snaps photo booth (8pm), marvel at close-up magic by Alexander Boyce (9pm), roast marshmallows by the campfire (9:30pm), and enjoy a dazzling fireworks display at midnight. Top off the night with a midnight breakfast buffet.
Nothin’ but a good time
Tribute bad Iron Cobra will help you go classic rockin’ into the New Year at The Garage Bar & Grill in Marlboro. Covering songs by the likes of AC/DC, Motley Crue, Van Halen and Poison, expect a lighters-in-the-air night of headbanging and hard partying. It’s a rare all-ages, no-cover show.
Assembly required
At press time, there were still a few seats left for The Felice Brothers at Assembly, uptown Kingston’s new 450-capacity music venue. Check last week’s issue or search our website for a full rundown.
Join the family! 
