A Guide to New Year's Eve & New Year's Day in Greater Philadelphia for 2025/2026

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 6 p.m. & midnight

Philadelphia celebrates New Year’s Eve with two unforgettable (and free!) fireworks displays along the Delaware River Waterfront — one at 6 p.m. (perfect for sleepy kiddos) and one at midnight.

There are plenty of perches to catch the dazzling displays, supersized this year to ring in 2026, including Race Street Pier, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Pier 68 and Washington Avenue Pier.

KYW Newsradio has the official soundtrack for both shows, so listen to the music in person on the Waterfront or tune in to 1060-AM or and 103.9-FM from wherever you’re watching.

For more info, check out our what-to-expect guide for this year’s fireworks show.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 8 p.m. – midnight

Philadelphia kicks off the yearlong celebration of America’s 250th anniversary on New Year’s Eve with a brand-new (and free!) concert and fireworks on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Hip-hop legend LL Cool J headlines the concert with guests DJ Jazzy Jeff, Adam Blackstone, Dorothy and Technician The DJ. Gates open at 6 p.m. for the 8 p.m. concert.

After the performances, the skies above the Philadelphia Art Museum light up with a dazzling midnight fireworks display to ring in 2026.

Find a spot to catch the fireworks with our guide to 15 spots to see the display.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 4-6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Located inside the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, Keating’s Rope & Anchor toasts the new year with two celebrations, timed perfectly with the fireworks shows over the Delaware River.

Perfect for families with littles, the 4 p.m. dinner offers a buffet with lots of sweet treats that wraps up at 6 p.m., right when the first fireworks show begins.

The adults-only dinner kicks off at 8:30 p.m. with a buffet that then turns into a party with an open bar, dancing and a champagne toast at midnight, just as the fireworks light up the skies for the second show.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

It’s impossible to get closer to the Visit PA New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront than from the water itself aboard a vessel from City Cruises Philadelphia. Tickets to the three-hour cruise include an open bar, buffet dining and DJ sets.

A two-hour-long early version sets sail at 4:30 p.m. and offers pay-as-you-go drinks, DJs and dancing and great views of the early fireworks show.

The later cruise ends with — what else? — views of the midnight waterfront fireworks show and a sparkling wine toast for guests over 21 years of age. Tickets are required and upgrades are available.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Put those resolutions on ice, and send 2025 out in style. During two ticketed time slots — 5 to 8 p.m. (good for the kids!) and 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. — attendees get a front-row seat to the Visit PA New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront while gliding across the ice rink.

Skating and spectator-only tickets also include a spin on the waterfront Ferris Wheel (always a crowd-pleaser), family-friendly entertainment and giveaways (while supplies last), plus access to Winterfest’s pay-as-you-go boardwalk games, arcade games, rides, food and drink.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Get a front-row seat to the rain-or-shine fireworks shows at the covered Cherry Street Pier during the 21-and-older New Year’s on the Pier celebration, kicking off at 10 p.m. with music and dancing. Tickets are required, and food and drink are pay-as-you-go.

New for 2025: The National Liberty Museum’s replica Liberty Bell gets moved to the waterfront pier to ring in 2026 and to mark the kick-off to Philly’s 2026 celebrations. And yes: You can touch this bell.

Find more info below on Cherry Street Pier’s family-friendly New Year’s Eve Kids Countdown at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

Dine above the clouds at Jean-Georges, one of Philadelphia’s top reservations (literally), located inside the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia high atop the city’s tallest skyscraper.

The swanky restaurant pulls out all the stops to ring in the new year, beginning with a prix fixe tasting menu complete with wine pairings. The theme for this year’s celebration — Midnight in Havana — features Latin-inspired cuisine and live Cuban jazz.

The festivities continue with an after-dinner cocktail party with an open bar, more live music and dancing. The night ends with a champagne toast and a stunning view of the waterfront fireworks.

Welcome 2026 with arms spread wide on the starboard bow of the world’s oldest and largest four-masted tall ship during the Moshulu’s New Year’s Boat Bash. Multiple DJs, a full jazz band and a live acoustic duo keep the party going before the midnight fireworks show on the water.

General admission begins at 9 p.m. with access to an open bar and first-come, first-served seating. VIP reservations, available starting at 8 p.m., include added perks like reserved seating, passed hors d’oeuvres and buffet stations.

Sail your way into 2026 in luxury aboard the Ben Franklin Yacht for a New Year’s Eve celebration you won’t forget. Cruise in style on the Delaware River on a 90-foot yacht that can hold up to 260 people, featuring three climate-controlled indoor/outdoor party decks.

Enjoy four hours of music, dancing, a premium open bar and 360-degree views of the stars as you wait for the waterfront fireworks show to set the sky above the yacht ablaze. Pro tip: Grab a bite to eat beforehand, as no meals will be served.

Get the star treatment at this celebrity-style shindig at the Pyramid Club, 500 feet above the streets of Center City. The annual, lavish gala — held inside the penthouse of the BNY Mellon building — features a five-hour open bar, buffet stations and DJ sets.

Through the skyscraper’s 20-foot-tall floor-to-ceiling windows, take in sweeping views of local landmarks like City Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art and — maybe most importantly — the waterfront fireworks show.

Tickets are required, and if you really want to feel like a celeb, upgrade to VIP status to skip the lines and enjoy reserved seating.

Beat the cold this year with some hot Latin vibes at the 21-plus New Year’s Eve reggaeton dance party at Fringe Bar, bajo del puente (below the bridge). The party features two live DJs, two dance floors, four bars, an open patio and the hottest Latin and Top 40 beats.

Plus, get prime views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the midnight fireworks show from both indoors and outdoors. General admission tickets are required — or you can upgrade to Silver or Diamond tickets with preferred seating and bottle options.

May the odds be ever in your favor this year at Live! Casino & Hotel New Year’s Eve festivities.

Have a wickedly fun time with Wicked-themed prizes and winnings galore, in addition to dancing and a toast at Center Bar or dinner, at The Prime Rib.

Asian fusion restaurant Luk Fu breaks out the bubbly and toasts to the New Year with special dishes, NYE cocktails and sake, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight. Luk Fu’s menu features authentic Southeast Asian fare and private karaoke rooms, too.

Stay tuned for info as the casino’s other restaurants announce their NYE party plans.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | Times vary by party

Ahh, NYE — the night out of all nights out. And Center City’s liveliest nightclubs, bars and nightlife venues do not disappoint. Lucky for us, Joonbug has curated a selection of more than two dozen of Philly’s best parties — many promising a five-hour open bar, live DJs, midnight toasts and top-quality vibes — to make planning your NYE moves super easy.

Choose from the ever-popular bar crawl (venues to be announced); the hip-hop/house dance party at Wicked Wolf; the chic lounge at The Winston; the chill, nostalgic vibes at Frame PHL; and more.

Why limit yourself to just one stop? Get access to multiple spots with Joonbug’s All Access NYE Pass.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Located on Front Street just a few hundred feet from the Delaware River, the nearly two-century-old building housing the luxurious Penn’s View Hotel features some of the best up-close street-level views of the evening’s fireworks.

Enjoy New Year’s Eve dinner at on-site restaurant Panorama with a special three-course prix-fixe menu offered over two seatings timed for each fireworks show. The later seating costs a bit more, but also provides party favors, a toast at midnight and access to the after-party.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 6 p.m. – midnight

Located inside the swanky Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia, Aquimero has an epic evening planned with an exquisite four-course prix fixe menu followed by a cocktail party to ring in 2026.

Chef Richard Sandoval has curated a decadent menu filled with delicious delights like caviar, seafood and a choice of entrees that include surf and turf, duck breast, rack of lamb or branzino.

Stay after dinner for the cocktail party (separate reservation and fee) featuring an open bar, appetizers, desserts, live music, party favors, and a midnight champagne toast and balloon drop.

*DJ air horn noise* This high-energy party in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex features confetti, food and drink packages, live party anthems from Go Go Gadjet, multiple DJ sets and a champagne toast at midnight.

And if that’s not enough, the party spans all eight venues inside of the newly renamed Stateside Live! — including Live! Arena, PBR Philly, 1100 Social and Miller Time Beer Hall — and includes a silent disco, karaoke and bull riding. Tickets are required, and VIP upgrades are available.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Ring in the new year with hundreds of new friends at the 20th annual bash in The Wanamaker Building’s snazzy Crystal Tea Room. Don your finest party wear and prepare to boogie into 2026 with a laser light show and an epic balloon drop at the stroke of midnight.

The festivities stretch across multiple party rooms with live DJs, buffet-style dining, a premium open bar with complimentary soft drinks and bottled water, and a “to-go” table with Philly soft pretzels. Tickets are required and VIP upgrades are available.

DJ O-BOYY sends dancers back in time for a throwback NYE party at Northern Liberties’ Craft Hall. The tunes: hits from the ’90s and 2000s. Retro attire is encouraged but not required.

The kitchen and bar at Craft Hall are open for pay-as-you-go food and drink for the ticketed event that kicks off at 9 p.m.

Who likes to party? We like to party! And Riot Nerd’s got some NYE bashes for the budget-conscious reveler:

• Recession Pop NYE Party at Underground Arts: Throwback to the broke-but-fabulous early-oughts to ring in 2026 on a budget. Dance to Britney, early Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Black Eyed Peas, and feel the nostalgia at this no-frills celebration at Underground Arts. The party starts at 9 p.m. Advanced tickets are only $20!

• Goth New Years Dance Party at Khyber Pass Pub: Find your best black attire for Riot Nerd’s annual party upstairs at the Khyber Pass Pub. Celebrate the dawn of a new year dancing as DJs Cryptic Dollface and George Purkins spin goth from the ‘80s to today. The party kicks off at 9 p.m.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Dress to impress for this party under the stars at the swanky Stratus Rooftop Lounge — located atop the Kimpton Hotel Monaco — featuring an open bar, special New Year’s-themed cocktails and entertainment from live DJs.

Revelers have two options for access to the sky-high bash: the $50 GA Gold option gets you into the party with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight; the $115 Platinum ticket give you access to the select open bar, hors d’oeuvres and a midnight champagne toast. Tickets are required.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Located inside the Hyatt Centric Center City, Patchwork bids farewell to 2025 with dinner and dancing. Start off your night with a buffet before hitting the dance floor for an epic party with an open bar and midnight countdown. Tickets are required.

If you’re looking to stay over in the city, check out the hotel’s Cozy Nights, Icy Delights package and enjoy skating in Dilworth Park, hot cocoa and a late check-out. The hotel’s prime location makes exploring the city or taking in the 125th annual Mummer’s Parade a breeze.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 6 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.

SOUTH, one of Philadelphia’s premier jazz clubs, presents a sexy and soulful New Year’s Eve celebration featuring a three-course meal of Southern cuisine and the musical stylings of Warren Oree’s Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble. 2025 marks the 10th year of the jazz-powered party.

With two seatings to choose from, you can enjoy an early dinner and one musical set before catching the fireworks or indulge in dinner and two sets of performances before counting down to midnight with the band and a roomful of jazz lovers.

Say goodbye to 2025 and hey to 2026 with The Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts as you immerse yourself in the sounds of your favorite movie scores.

Enjoy the music of majestic scores like the Oscar-winning soundtrack to Oppenheimer, Grammy-winning Encanto and Emmy-winning The Mandalorian. Known as Hollywood’s go-to conductor, Anthony Parnther leads the orchestra for the final concert of the year.

With a 7 p.m. showtime, you’ll still have plenty of time to grab a New Year’s Eve dinner and see the dazzling fireworks on the waterfront.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 7 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.

Philly natives and musical powerhouses Aja Graydon and Fatin Dantzler, better known as Kindred the Family Soul, helped to establish Philly’s neo-soul sound alongside Philly greats like Jill Scott, Jazmine Sullivan and Musiq Soulchild.

Less of a homecoming and more of a family reunion, the soulful duo (and married couple) return to the City Winery stage for the fifth year in a row for a special New Year’s Eve concert with two shows.

The venue features a special prix fixe dinner with two seatings — one at 5 p.m. and one at 8 p.m.

Philly’s unofficial ambassadors of funktastic fun know how to party, and this year, the beloved musicians of SNACKTIME have their eyes set on the stars for their third annual New Year’s Eve bash.

The genre-bending brass band blends elements of jazz, punk and R&B for a special set with more than enough energy to carry you into the new year. So get ready to go on a sonic odyssey from Fishtown to the moon and back — all before midnight — during this 21-plus show at Brooklyn Bowl.

Looking to change things up this New Year’s? Why not enter 2026 swinging (golf clubs, that is)? Part sports bar/restaurant, part driving range, both Top Golfs in our area — Northeast Philadelphia and King of Prussia — stay up late to putt (and drive) in the new year.

High-energy music and late-night bites (including dessert!) up your game as you swing the night away with friends. Tickets reserve a bay for you and five friends and include unlimited play, buffet, soft drinks and a midnight toast.

For all of the children (and kids at heart!) who love Disney, the annual Disney on Ice production remains a holiday must, with four opportunities over the New Year’s holiday to catch the show.

Witness virtuoso figure skating, thrilling stunts and high-flying acrobatics in a variety of colorful and interactive Disney worlds while popular characters like Moana and Elsa skate and dance to the high-energy beats. Sing along to newer songs from Zootopia, Inside Out 2 and Moana 2, as well as the classics from Toy Story, Frozen and Encanto.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 9-11:30 a.m. & 1-3:30 p.m.

Kick off the new year a few hours early with music, dancing and a special kid-friendly countdown with a ball drop at the Please Touch Museum’s Countdown to 2026, featuring two time slots again this year.

The littles can enjoy hands-on activities or hit the dance floor to groove along as a DJ spins tunes ahead of the big confetti-filled ball drop. New this year: Please Touch Museum members can upgrade to a VIP experience to get priority entry and other exclusive perks.

If you’ve got kiddos that love to sing and dance, kick off the new year with a family-friendly concert at Ardmore Music Hall in Philadelphia’s Countryside. The intimate Montgomery County venue offers standing room only for this show — perfect for dancing into 2026.

This year’s concert features Alex & the Kaleidoscope, an interactive performance aimed at children ages 4 to 8 years old. The show inspires little ones to sing along as they learn fun facts about the world.

The daytime event includes a countdown to noon, arts and crafts and a brunch. Tickets are required.

Historic Franklin Square hosts an early family-friendly end-of-year celebration with the Kids’ New Year’s Eve Countdown.

New Year’s crafts and festivities kick off the night. Then all eyes turn to the tippy-top of the on-site Squareburger for the countdown to the Times Square-style Square Drop, coinciding with the 6 p.m. fireworks show on the waterfront (visible from the park).

Bonus: Don’t miss Franklin Square’s free Electrical Spectacle Light Show, cozy fire pits and other fun activities like the ticketed Chilly Mini Golf.

Note: Franklin Square closes on New Year’s Eve at 8 p.m.

This ticketed, family-friendly party on Cherry Street Pier features hands-on games and activities from PopUpPlay and make-and-take crafting stations.

At 6 p.m., press pause on playtime to enjoy a front-row view of the riverfront’s gorgeous fireworks.

The pier makes for the perfect spot to view the early show of the dazzling Visit PA New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the waterfront, promising more booms this year to kick off 2026.

Join Count von Count and other furry friends like Elmo, Cookie Monster and Abby Cadabby to celebrate the new year a few hours early with a dazzling display of red, green and blue fireworks viewed from inside the park.

Sesame Place’s annual fireworks show kicks off at 6 p.m. and is included in regular admission. Note: The park closes admission just before the celebration to get ready for the show, so plan to arrive on the earlier side.

Philadelphia meets the Amalfi Coast at Old City’s Positano Coast. This New Year’s Eve, indulge in an elegant à la carte meal of Mediterranean-inspired seafood and house-made pastas.

Hang around for the swanky after-dinner party with a live DJ, dancing, cash bar and of course, a special midnight toast. The restaurant’s close location to the waterfront also makes a perfect dinner spot for those who want to catch the fireworks show over the Delaware River.

South Philly’s River Twice has curated a seven-course tasting menu to celebrate the last night of 2025 with fine American cuisine.

Enjoy a New Year’s feast that includes razor clams, raw, aged beef, hiramasa, halibut, chou farci of iberico pork, venison and dessert — all featuring fresh, local ingredients. Reservations start at 5 p.m., with the last seating at 10 p.m. (which also includes a complimentary champagne toast).

Located in Philly’s Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, Greek restaurant Almyra offers a family-style dinner to celebrate the new year. The spot’s close proximity to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway makes it a good option if you want to catch the concert and fireworks.

The menu includes pita bread and a variety of spreads like spicy feta, smoked eggplant, Santorini fava, beet and edamame hummus, as well as salad, dumplings, four different kinds of kebabs (filet mignon, shrimp, chicken and artichoke), sides and dessert.

Reservations start at 4 p.m. and end at 9:45 p.m.

On New Year’s Eve, East Kensington Polish restaurant Little Walter’s offers its full menu a la carte in addition to a specially curated five-course tasting menu.

Chef Michael Brenfleck’s cuisine represents a modern spin on classic Polish dishes. The $75 five-course tasting menu includes: placki z karczochami (cardoon pancakes with caviar and sour cream), ryba po grecku (black cod and monk kielbasa), pierogi z galonka (beef shank with foie gras cream) and budyn z makowa (poppyseed roll bread pudding with plum butter ice cream). Reservations are recommended.

If you’re planning to skip the crowds in Philly and head to the countryside, Stella of New Hope welcomes you to dinner and a party. Located in the Ghost Light Inn on the Delaware waterfront in Bucks County, executive chef Keith Bernstein has curated a fabulous four-course tasting menu.

Diners can choose from several offerings for each course, with options such as oysters, king crab, wild boar and lobster. Those enjoying dinner at the restaurant can stick around for the big New Year’s Eve party afterward at a discounted rate.

If you’re looking to have dinner close to the waterfront fireworks show, contemporary French restaurant Forsythia is a good choice. Chef Christopher Kearse has curated a four-course menu to help you savor the last bit of 2025.

The menu includes tasty delights like baked scallops with matsutake mushrooms, fluke crudo with caviar and kumquats with a divine chocolate mousse for dessert, all for $150.

Reservations are required. Dinner wraps up by 10 p.m., perfectly timed to get you to a party or find a primo spot to take in the midnight fireworks show on the waterfront.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

The Twisted Tail hosts a Burlesque & Blues NYE event featuring live blues from The Mikey Junior Band.

The party kicks off at 9 p.m. with music and burlesque performances throughout the evening. Guests can choose their own adventure with a variety of ticket offerings from basic to lavish.

Partygoers can keep it simple with The Lindy Hop access that includes a cover charge and champagne toast at midnight, or go all out with The Charleston package that includes a four-course dinner, table service, premium bar, party favors and a midnight champagne toast.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Havana as DJ Mantekilla spins the tunes during a high-octane celebration featuring dancing, confetti drops, a midnight countdown and more at Cuba Libre in Old City.

Get the celebrations started early with the $99 Dinner & Dancing package, which includes a four-course prix fixe meal of Cuban classics like mofongo del malecon and lechon asado al horno, a tropical crème brûlée for dessert, non-alcoholic drinks, a champagne toast and party favors.

The party portion of the evening gets into full swing at 10:30 p.m., leading up to the big countdown at midnight.

Chester County’s horticultural haven rings in 2026 with an evening of back-to-back musical performances among its lush gardens, fantastic fountain shows and spectacular light displays.

Guests can enjoy two live performances (5 and 7:30 p.m.) on the attraction’s signature Longwood Organ, as well as live performances from the Galena Brass band, Olde Towne Carolers and Polkadelphia.

Plus, the 2025 edition of A Longwood Christmas is still glimmering and glowing with gemstones and gilding along with horticultural fetes of poinsettias, wreaths and trees.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 7 p.m. – midnight

The cute town of Kennett Square, with its specialty shops and farm-to-table dining, doubles as both a charming travel destination and the mushroom capital of the world, producing about 60% of the country’s mushrooms.

Fittingly, the small town celebrates the start of every new year with music, entertainment and its annual midnight Mushroom Drop, where a giant, illuminated ʼshroom (instead of a ball) is hoisted 80 feet into the air and descends just in time for the clock to strike midnight.

Live music and entertainment, including a laser show, start at 7 p.m. Admission is a non-perishable food item.

Mum’s the word! Start the year off with one of Philly’s most famous traditions, when more than 10,000 costumed marchers — many of whom practice all year for this one-day celebration — strut their stuff on the streets of Philadelphia in a sea of sequins, feathers, face paint and umbrellas.

The perfectly Philly parade celebrating 125 years of revelry (!) kicks off at City Hall before heading down Broad Street to Washington Avenue in South Philly. Show up a little early to snag your favorite viewing spot along the route, or reserve a ticket for bleacher seating.