The sky over the Garden State will be filled with colorful bursts of light as New Jerseyans ring in the New Year. But the pyrotechnic shows are just the highlight; most celebrations boast performances, food and kid-friendly fun.
Fireworks Aboard the Battleship
Come aboard! Battleship New Jersey in Camden opens her decks for guests to watch the 6 pm or midnight fireworks shows over the Delaware River. They’ll be music, food and drinks.
Time & price: Decks open at 4 pm for 6 pm show and at 10 pm for midnight show; $10 donation
First Night Haddonfield
Start 2018 with alcohol-free festivities along Kings Highway. See more than 30 performances from groups such as the Duprees, the Trammps and the Screaming Orphans, take the kids to the petting zoo area, and munch on food truck treats.
Time & price: 5 pm-midnight; $15
First Night Ocean County
With face painting, magic shows, balloonists, jugglers and more, you’ll forget you’re at the beach in the winter. Show off your skee-ball skills at four participating Seaside Heights boardwalk arcades: Casino Arcade (Grant Ave.), Coin Castle Arcade (Sumner Ave.), Lucky Leo’s Arcade (Hamilton Ave.) and Shake Shoppe Arcade (Hancock Ave.). At 5 pm, brave the cold to watch the fireworks show.
Time & price: Noon-5 pm; $5
Tropicana New Years Eve
Cheers! Eat, drink and dance the night away at Tropicana Atlantic City. The fireworks display over Atlantic City’s Boardwalk at 9 pm pairs perfectly with a dinner at Olón, Cuba Libre or Carmine’s. Continue the night with a live performance by Sister Sledge.
New Year’s Eve Splash
Welcome the New Year among friends and fish at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden. Spend the day visiting your favorite animals, boogey down at the nighttime dance party and be dazzled by the fireworks display over the Delaware River.
Price: $21, children; $29, adults
New Year’s Eve in New Brunswick
New Brunswick’s many eateries and bars will offer specials to kick off the new year. Add some entertainment to your night at State Theatre’s Salute to Vienna concert, a combination dance, vocal and instrumental performance. Stroll over to Monument Square Park at 11:30 pm for the fireworks show countdown.
First Night Morris County
On New Year’s Eve, Morristown transforms into a stage. For one price, experience 85 dance performances, concerts and comedy shows at 24 venues. The venues are within walking distance of one another and the historic Morristown Green, where you can view the 9:15 pm and midnight fireworks show. Free shuttles run all evening.
Price: $25 for access to all performances
First Night Ocean City
Before the midnight fireworks display, enjoy endless entertainment for the whole family. Learn about reptiles with Jungle John, bounce on inflatables, zip around the ice rink and do the twist with Chubby Checker on the Music Pier. Take a spin on the rides at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, open from 5-9 pm. Free jitneys available for ticket holders.
Price: $20 for access to all events
Sea Isle City New Year’s Eve
Perfect for kids who won’t make it to midnight, this celebration offers an early countdown to the new year at 7 pm. Food, dancing and family activities will tire you out before the 8 pm fireworks display. Jitneys available from 5 pm-4 am.
First Night Warren
Food, fireworks and family-fun take over Rutherfurd Hall during the annual NYE party. Participate in the reptile show, watch Irish Step Dancers, don an airbrush tattoo and more. Fireworks kick off at 7:15 pm on the Great Lawn. Free shuttle buses available from Allamuchy Township School parking lot and Panther Valley Ecumenical Church parking lot.
Time & price: 4-8 pm; $10 for access to all activities