‘Ringing in the New Year with Family & Friends Philly Style’
What a great way to ring in the 2019 New Year with family and friends, to be watching fireworks in Philadelphia, America’s birthplace. Where the second Continental Congress met at Independence Hall and adopted the Declaration of Independence. With so much Philadelphia History surrounding us, could you think of a better place to watch the fireworks!
The Fireworks, which is Philadelphia’s main attraction on New Year’s Eve, draws thousands of people to the Delaware River Waterfront, specifically at Penn’s Landing, where the Blue Cross River Rink is located. Rivers Casino will be putting on two fireworks shows, one at 6 pm and the second one will explode at midnight.
What’s so exciting is that you have two view points in watching the fireworks. You can view the fireworks from the New Jersey side, especially down at the Camden Aquarium, which gives you the view of the Philadelphia skyline behind the fireworks. Or as mentioned, you can watch them from the Penn’s Landing side in Philadelphia, with the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in the backdrop. We have also listed some New Year’s Eve parties for all ages throughout Philadelphia as well!
Places to watch New Year’s Eve Fireworks & NYE Parties in Philadelphia
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Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
An excellent family-friendly location for those that like to ice skate or just relax by the fire pits. You can lace up your skates for two different New Year’s Eve celebrations while watching the fireworks at the Blue Cross RiverRink. You can party on ice starting at 5 pm or lace them up for the second party session at 10 pm. Click here for tickets (You must click on the Dec 31 date to select time of tickets). Don’t forget to hang out at Winterfest next to the Blue Cross RiverRink, where you can relax with hot chocolate, beer, wine and or food. Both places are located at Penn’s Landing. More info: Click Here.
Location: Columbus Boulevard & Market Street | (215) 925-RINK
Cherry Street Pier for Kids
New Year’s Eve Kids Countdown Party with Fireworks – $25 – Starts at 6 pm. Enjoy an extravaganza featuring tons of activities for toddlers and tykes with spectacular views of the Rivers Casino New Year Fireworks on the Waterfront! For more info of activities, click here. For tickets, click here.
Location: 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd | (215) 923-0818
Cherry Street Pier for 21 and Over
New Year’s Eve on Cherry Street Pier! $25 – Starts at 6 pm. Party all evening long with live DJ, out-of-this world art installations and exhibitions, open studio tours, fire pits, a festive photo booth, noisemakers, games, and make-and-take art stations. Ticket includes a complimentary Mainstay United Fruit IPA. For more info, click here. For tickets, click here.
Location: 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd | (215) 923-0818
Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing
The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing allows you to have incredible views of the fireworks on the Delaware River with a synchronized soundtrack in the background during the show.
Location: Chestnut Street and Columbus Boulevard
Race Street Pier
Race Street Pier is an amazing spot to watch because the main part sits at the edge of the Delaware River next to the Ben Franklin Bridge. We recommend that you get there early, because it’s probably going to fill up fast because of the limited space. Reminder: Alcohol and glass containers are not permitted at the Pier.
Location: Race Street and Delaware Avenue.
Rivers Casino Dance Party
Rivers Casino is the one who is sponsoring this year’s fireworks on the Delaware River Waterfront and who are throwing a massive party to ring in 2020 with Rivers Casino’s New Year’s Eve celebration. Starts at 10 pm. Enjoy music by DJ Naj, 3 Hour Open Bar and an incredible view of the fireworks at midnight. For NYE Party Tix. Info click here.
Location: 1001 N. Delaware Avenue | (877) 477-3715
Adventure Aquarium
Party with the fishes at Adventure Aquarium’s fifth annual New Year’s Eve Splash. Families not only will have access to the entire aquarium, but guests will get to dance away with a DJ & enjoy free giveaways. For the fireworks, you’ll get to enjoy a front row view at 6 pm from the Aquarium’s Waterfront promenade. More information online here. For tickets, click here. (All included with your Membership or General Admission)
Location: 1 Riverside Drive | (856) 365-3300
Independence Seaport Museum
Ring in the New Year at the Independence Seaport Museum. The family fun starts at 10 am with fireworks at 6 pm. Guests of all ages will receive a complimentary party hat and noisemaker. For more info & tickets: Click Here ~
Location: Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Walnut Street | (215) 413-8655
Penn Treaty Park
The seven acres of open green space at Penn Treat Park is situated along Delaware Avenue which offers clean picnic areas and provides a great vantage point from which to watch the fireworks. BYO lawn chairs.
Location: Delaware Avenue and Beach Street
Battleship New Jersey
Guests will be able to get spectacular views of the New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the decks of the Battleship New Jersey at 6 pm and midnight. The party will consist of music, dancing and food and beverages for purchase. Tickets are just a $10 donation per person. You’ll also get to enter for a chance to fire the Battleship’s five-inch portside gun after each fireworks show! – For more info, Click Here.
There is a second option! You can stay overnight on the Battleship New Jersey. The package includes dinner, breakfast, a tour of the Battleship and to be able to watch the fireworks show at midnight. For more info, Click Here.
Location: 62 Battleship Place | (856) 966-1652
Spirit of Philadelphia
Enjoy a cruise on the Spirit of Philadelphia for two special sailing adventures to ring in the New Year. The first dinner cruise will set sail from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm so you can enjoy the fireworks at 6 pm. The second cruise is from 9:00 pm to 12:30 am, in which you’ll enjoy a night of dancing, entertainment, party favors, food and an open bar. For more info: New Year’s Eve dinner cruises on the Spirit of Philadelphia
Location: 401 S. Columbus Boulevard
Moshulu
Enjoy a spectacular view of the fireworks as you dine aboard the Moshulu during a special New Year’s Eve celebration with a four-course prix fixe menu from 3:30 to 10 pm! Cost is $150 per person. INFO – The menu is available right here.
The Deck Philly New Year’s Eve Bash on the Moshulu
10 pm – 1 pm. VIP starts at 9 pm. Ring in 2020 with fireworks, fun, and dancing on the deck. DJ Frank Nitty is spinning top 40 and classic dance hits from the bandstand and DJ Ozkar Zoara is mixing hip hop, salsa and dance music on the Bow Deck. Tickets, click Moshulu New Year’s Eve Party.
Location: 401 S. Columbus Boulevard | (215) 923-2500
Front Street
The entire length of Front Street between the South Street and Market Street bridges are prime fireworks viewing spots on New Year’s Eve.
South Street Bridge
The South Street Bridge is down by Front Street outside of Headhouse Square. This can be a great spot to set up camp with limited benches for viewing the fireworks.
Location: South Street Bridge over I-95
One Liberty Observation Deck
Visitors and residents, from 5 pm to 7 pm, can watch the fireworks! Featuring a live DJ, balloon artist, face painter, mask decorating station, coloring table, and much more! One Liberty Observation Deck will not be open for midnight celebrations this year. ~ Click Here for Details ~
Location: 1650 Market St. on the 57th Floor | (215) 561 – 3325 (DECK)
Franklin Square
Franklin Square is celebrating New Year’s Eve with a FREE, kid-friendly “Square Drop” in lieu of the famous ball at 6 pm. From 4 pm to 8 pm, kids can enjoy the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel, Philly Mini Golf, enjoy SquareBurger’s hearty winter menu and celebrate with a Kids Dance Party in the indoor pavilion before watching the Penn’s Landing’s Fireworks early show at 6 pm. The fun continues with the the final Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show of the year at 8 pm. ~ Info (located at bottom of the page) ~
Location: 200 N. 6th Street | (215) 629 – 5801
Noon Year’s Eve at The Franklin Institute
10 am – 12 pm at The Franklin Institute. Celebrate with fiery live science shows, magic milk firework experiments, make-and-take noisemakers, plus live shows on the Science of Fireworks, and other surprises. FREE with general admission. For more info, click here.
Location: 222 N. 20th Street | (215) 448 – 1200
New Year’s Funkin’ Eve at FringeArts
10 pm – 1 am. Ring in the new year with a live set by ILL DOOTS, Philly’s favorite funk-driven, hip-hop-influenced, jazz-trained, Barrymore-winning tribe of musical misfits, who will keep you dancing well into 2020. We’ll also have music by DJ MATPAT who will keep the beats spinning all night. Plus outdoor fire pits, Polaroid keepsakes, all the balloons you can handle, a cash bar, and more! More info, click FringeArts New Year’s Funkin’ Eve. For tickets, click FringeArts New Year’s Funkin Eve tickets.
Location: 140 N. Columbus BLVD | (215) 413 – 9006
Howl at the Moon
7 pm – 1 am. Held at this dueling-piano bar, enjoy a premium open bar, hors-d’oeuvres, party favors and a complimentary champagne toast. Buy tickets ahead of time for guaranteed entry (standing-room only) or reserve a table for up to four guests. For more info, Click Here.
Location: 258 S. 15th Street | (215) 546 – 4695
Glitter City Gala at The Bellevue Hotel
Get all dressed up and enjoy this fabulous party on multi-floors with dance floors, open bar, buffet stations and more! Also enjoy a Philly twist on the Times Square tradition: the dropping of a Liberty Bell at midnight. For more details and tickets, click Glitter City Gala.
Location: 200 S Broad St | (215) 568 – 3131
The Crystal Tea Room New Year’s Eve Party
Enjoy a six-hour open bar, complimentary party favors, buffet-style dining with dessert, live music and entertainment from body painters, hoop dancers and more, all included with general admission. For info and tickets, click Crystal Tea Room’s New Year’s Eve Party.
Location: 100 Penn Square East | (212) 255 – 4233
Chris’ Jazz Cafe
Shows at 7 pm, 9 pm or 11 pm. Chris’ Jazz Cafe transports you back to the Roaring ’20s with live jazz music from Chelsea Reed & Fair Weather Nine, Prohibition-era cocktails and menu specials like lobster bisque, rack of lamb and duck breast. Admission is $30 per person, and food and drinks are available a la carte. For details, click here. (sold out)
Location: 1421 Sansom St | (215) 568 – 3131
“Celebrity Style” New Year’s Eve Fireworks Gala
9 pm – 2 am at the Pyramid Club on Market Street. Penthouse Style, 500 feet above the city, party-goers will enjoy 5 hours open bar, butler passed Hors D’oeuvres, buffet stations, party favors, Champagne Toast at Midnight and more. For more info and tickets, click Pyramid Club’s NYE Gala.
Location: 1735 Market Street | (215) 567-6510
Burlesque & Blues NYE Party at Twisted Tail
9 pm – 1 am at Twisted Tail. Live music from the Mikey Junior Band starts at 9 PM with burlesque performances throughout the evening. This year they are offering show only tickets for $25 (still available) and VIP Tickets for $125 (sold out). Both tickets include admission to the party and a champagne toast at midnight. VIP Tickets are redeemable for $125 in food & beverage (not including tax or gratuity), and include table service and reserved seating for the entire party. Additional VIP Tickets are available by phone.
Their $75 NYE Dinner Menu includes admission to the party, but reservations for dinner are only available via OpenTable or by Phone. Because the $75 dinner menu includes the show, they have a very limited number of show-only tickets available! For those of you who’d like to dine between 5-6 PM, they are offering an a la carte menu that does not include a ticket to the show. For more details, click Burlesque & Blues NYE Party at Twisted Tail. For tickets, click here.
Location: 509 S. 2nd St | (215) 558 – 2471
New Year’s Eve Dinner & New Year’s Eve Party at the Plough and the Stars
The Plough and the Stars will open at 11:30 am until 2 am! They’ll have an a la carte dinner menu from noon to 8 pm. Later that night, they’ll have a $20 cover, DJ playing music, party favors and more! Please make reservations by calling: (215) 733-0300! For info, click here.
Location: Located on 2nd Street, in betwee Market & Chestnut Sts | (215) 567-6510
NYE Live at XFinity Live
Get access to five different bars and clubs, all under one roof, at XFINITY LIVE! A ticket includes an all-inclusive food and beverage package, live entertainment, dancing, a Silent Disco and a midnight ball-drop celebration paired with a champagne toast. More info, click here. Get tickets, click here.
Location: 1100 Patterson Ave |
New Year’s Eve at the Union Trust
8 pm – 2 am. Situated in Philly’s Historic District, ring in the New Year with a magnificent party at Philadelphia’s Union Trust! Enjoy a 6 hour premium open bar, a mini-buffet and platter served in early evening, as well as NYE party favors to. Listen to a live DJ spinning the hottest Top 40, Hip Hop, House and Mash Up beats as you get down on the dance floor through the night. Grab a complimentary champagne toast while watching a live broadcast of the iconic Times Square NYE Ball Drop. For details and tickets, click here.
Location: 1717 Chestnut St |
Considering that Penn’s Landing is so conveniently located within a short walk of the many areas to watch the fireworks in Philadelphia, you can’t go wrong hanging out in the city after the first fireworks event. You can eat, drink, and shop at such areas as Old City, South Street, Society Hill, and many more. So if you can’t make it to Penn’s Landing, hopefully you’ll catch the show from one of these places or on the New Jersey side.
But wait, we aren’t done just yet. After ringing in the new year, don’t forget Philly’s most celebrated tradition, the Mummers Parade which takes place New Years Day. Come watch the excitement and entertainment up and down Broad Street.
Enjoy the fireworks and the parade, and be safe. Happy New Years from MyPhillyAlive.com
Where To Go For New Year’s Eve Parties In Philadelphia! (click link)
Locations
Mentioned Above: Delaware River Front | Best place is Penn’s Landing
Date
December 31st | New Year’s Eve
Time
First Show | 6:00 pm
Second Show | Midnight
Cost
Free (fireworks at most locations) – Special Events are charged
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