Budget-friendly New Year's Eve events on Long Island
Performer Lori Mitchell Gay appears in a tribute show as Tina Turner as part of the "Legends Of Rock" concert series. Credit: Legends in Concert / Denci Freeri
New Year’s Eve is a night to celebrate, but often it can get pretty expensive. You don’t need to break the bank to have fun. From free town ball drops to rockin live performances that aren’t too costly, ring in 2023 at these local spots:
TOWN BALL DROPS AND RISES:
Patchogue Village’s 'Midnight on Main Street'
People celebrate New Years Eve by watching fireworks explode over Main Street in Patchogue as part of their midnight on Main celebration. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Set for the intersection of West Main Street and West Avenue W. Main St. and West Ave. // spell out Avenue and West when there are no numbers attached to the address. Abbreviate when there are address numbers attached. from 7 to 9 p.m., DJ Charlie Lombardo will be performing throughout the bash while attendees score free noisemakers and party hats., and Vendors will also be selling food and drinks. Ten seconds before "Patchogue Midnight" (9 p.m.) arrives, the family of the late Louis Giancontieri (the builder behind the mechanism that's lifted the ball since the debut event in 2014) will be on-hand to push a special button that initiates the rise of the ball, which will take place drop // removed since it's not actually dropping/ at 9-p.m.-sharp, followed by fireworks.
INFO Free; patchogue.com
Farmingdale Village NYE ball drop
The pre-ball drop party kicks off on the Village Green (at the intersection of Main and Prospect streets), where heaters will be in place and live music by The Electric Dudes will begin at 7:30 p.m. Noisemakers, glow sticks and hot chocolate will be available for attendees. The ball lighting and countdown will start at 8:30 p.m.
INFO Free; farmingdalevillage.com
Village of Lindenhurst Centennial New Year's Eve ball drop
This first-ever town ball drop is part of the village’s 100th year celebration and the party kicks off at 7 p.m. with the passing out of free hats, glasses and noisemakers and live music by the Good Life band at Village Square Park (116 N. Wellwood Ave.) Snacks will be available for purchase and the ball drop will occur at 9 p.m., followed by a fireworks show.
INFO Free; villageoflindenhurstny.gov
FAMILY-FUN: UNDER $30
New Year’s Eve parties at United Skates
Katherine Kelleher and her daughter Connie Kelleher, from Holtzville, skate together at United Skates of America. Credit: Morgan Campbell
The last day of 2022 kicks off at the “Noon Year’s Eve Party” from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event includes skate rental, noisemakers and a light rope necklace plus a slice of pizza and a small drink ($16 in advance admission fee; $20 at the door). From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., the “Family New Year’s Eve Party” features all-you-can-eat pizza, soda and chips, skate rental, a glow necklace and noisemakers for $28 per person.
INFO 1276 Hicksville Rd., Seaford; 516-795-5474, unitedskates.com
CRESLI seal walk at Cupsogue Beach
Spot seals on a nature walk in Westhampton Beach this weekend.
One unique way to kick off the last day of 2022 is to take a stroll to spot wildlife with the Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island. For a suggested donation of $5 ($3 age 17 and younger), participants will receive a guided walk to see, learn and take some photos of local wildlife. The walk is approximately 1.2-miles round-trip and takes around an hour to 90 minutes. Attendees can bring their own cameras and binoculars but telescopes and high-resolution cameras with a viewing screen will also be accessible; advance registration is required.
INFO 975 Dune Rd., Westhampton Beach; 631-319-6003, cresli.org
‘Countdown to 12! Riding into 2023’ at LICM
Celebrate the New Year a the Long Island Children’s Museum. Credit: Danielle Silverman
The Long Island Children’s Museum is hosting a kid-friendly countdown to the New Year, but instead of midnight, the event kicks off at noon and includes confetti-flying ball drop (noon and 4 p.m.), dance party, face painting and crafts. Admission is $15, free for children younger than a year, with all activities included; advance purchase is highly recommended.
INFO 11 Davis Ave., Garden City; 516-224-5800, unitedskates.com
The ‘New Year's Eve Goth Bash’
The 6 to 9 p.m. soiree at the George D. Costello Roller Skate Rink is for guests under the age of 21. During the event, attendees can either dance or skate to alt music genres ranging from industrial to Goth to techno. Once 9 p.m. rolls around, the venue goes 21-and-over and the bar opens and the dance party continues. Admission is $10 with free skate rental included; skating not required.
INFO 102 3rd St., Greenport; eventbrite.com
GO BOWLING, SEE A COMEDY SHOW AND MORE: UNDER $100
‘Legends Of Rock' and NYE Celebration at Patchogue Theatre
Performer Jill Marie Burke appears in a tribute show as Pat Benatar as part of the "Legends Of Rock" concert series. Credit: Legends in Concert / Nick Foote
The “Legends of Rock” show will feature tributes to Pat Benatar, Freddie Mercury, Bruce Springsteen, and Tina Turner Dec. 30 through Jan. 1 at Patchogue Theatre. New Year's Eve will feature two shows (7 and 10:30 p.m.) with tickets starting at $55 for the first performance; $89 for the New Year’s Eve celebration which includes noisemakers and hats, a Champagne toast at midnight and a simulcast of the Times Square ball drop that will be matched with an in-house balloon drop.
INFO 71 E. Main St., Patchogue; 631-286-1133, thegateway.org
Hello Brooklyn at Stephen Talkhouse
The Hamptons hot spot will host a live show by Hello Brooklyn at 10 p.m. that will include a countdown at midnight. Tickets are $60.
INFO 161 Main St., Amagansett; 631-267-3117, stephentalkhouse.com
“New Year's Eve on the Lanes” at Bowlero Melville
People looking to roll strikes as the New Year rolls in can take advantage of a four-hour “Ball Drop” package that starts at $78.99 per person. From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., guests get unlimited bowling and shoe rental, a selection of specialty menu items such as wings, pizza, spring rolls and Caesar salad plus a Champagne toast at midnight. Decorations and party materials will be provided, and food will be arranged as either a platter or private buffet depending on order size. Bar packages are also available for additional costs.
INFO 895 Walt Whitman Rd., Melville; 631-271-1180, bowlmor.com
New Year's Laughin' Eve
In conjunction with the Long Island Comedy Festival, this event will take place Dec. 31 at The Argyle Theatre (34 W. Main St., Babylon; 631-230-3500, argyletheatre.com) and at Theatre Three (412 Main St., Port Jefferson; 631-928-9100, theatrethree.com). For both locations, shows will take begin at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., with Argyle prices starting at $50 for both shows (featuring comedians Bryan McKenna, Maria Walsh, Chris Roach and David Weiss) and will have two full bars in operation throughout the night. Theatre Three is $55 the first show, $65 for the second (starring Rich Walker, Eric Tartaglione and John Ziegler).
Nutty Irishman NYE
Patrons sip drinks and dine at the bar of the Nutty Irishman in Farmingdale. Credit: Daniel Brennan
DJ Billy and cover band Radio Riot will be the entertainment during this four-hour bash from 8 p.m. to midnight featuring a complimentary buffet, full open bar and a Champagne toast at midnight; $50 in advance, $60 at the door.
INFO 323 Main St., Farmingdale; 516-293-9700, thenuttyirishman.com
NYE parties at Port Jeff Bowl
Family bowling parties run 2 to 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 8 p.m. ($25 per person) which includes party favors plus free pizza, soda and rental shoes. The sessions will each include music, colorful lights flash and a countdown to the New Year. Starting at 9 p.m. the alley’s final hours of 2022 will see its Lucky Strike Bar and Lounge open and serving adult beverages, with the $30 per guest admission. The sessions also include favors and shoe rentals, as well as music from DJ Matt, who will start spinning at 8:30 p.m.
INFO 31 Chereb Ln., Port Jefferson Station; 631-473-3300, portjeffbowl.com
Freestyle party at The Warehouse
Fans of the freestyle sound can get down at this bash where DJ Dos will be spinning at 8 p.m., and the $60 general admission also includes noisemakers, hats, party favors and a free buffet.
INFO 203 Broadway, Amityville; 631-238-1820, thewarehouseli.com
NYE at Mulcahy’s
Ring in 2023 at Mulcahy’s in Wantagh. Credit: Mulcahy's Pub and Concert Hall/Gary Hahn
Guests attending this years bash get a three-hour open bar (mixed drinks and beer) and full buffet from 9 p.m. to midnight. Music will be provided by DJ Savage, DJ Sim and MC Neil Walsh. Tickets start at $60 (when purchased from the box office; starts at $65 when bought online).
INFO 3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh; 516-783-7500, muls.com
Double show at 89 North
The year ends here with performances by O El Amor and Drop Dead Sexy. General admission starts at $45, and includes passed appetizers, party favors, hats and noisemakers plus a Champagne toast at midnight. Doors open at 8 p.m.; show starts at 9 p.m.
INFO 89 North Ocean Ave., Patchogue; 631-730-8992, 89northmusic.com
