We're just days away from 2026. Sure, you can cram into Times Square with the tourists. Or attend the 30th annual Phish New Year’s Eve concert at Madison Square Garden.
But across the river, far from the potentially adult-diapered masses watching the ball drop, in the distant land of Brooklyn, many other alternative ways to welcome in the new year await those who’d simply rather not.
Here’s a selection of the best events in Kings County to bid adieu to 2025.
New Fear City’s "Death Party"
For those looking to enter 2026 covered in blood, beer, and shards of a fluorescent light fixture, wrestling producer New Fear City is hosting a New Year’s Eve “Death Party” at Gowanus metal bar Lucky 13 Saloon. New Fear evens are “no ring,” so expect ultra-violent performance art, scantily clad dancers, furniture being used as weapons and a constant proximity to not just the other side of the year but eternity.
Doors are at 10:30 p.m. and tickets are $25.
Royal Palms’ "Flamingo Formal"
Not physically far from New Fear City’s event but offering a decidedly distant vibe is Royal Palms' Shuffleboard Club and its "Flamingo Formal," with dancing and shuffleboard until 2 a.m. (for a truly chaotic but convenient New Year’s Eve double-header, attend both back-to-back).
Admission is free but doors close once the space hits capacity. Tickets ensure admission, cost $136.29 and include a wristband good for unlimited beer, wine, select signature cocktails and well liquor from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Walk-in court times and shots are available for separate purchase.
Party until 7 a.m. on New Year's Day at Xanadu, Bushwick's psychadelic skating rink.
"Disco Simulator: Xanadu NYE 2025"
Currently the only year-round indoor skate rink in New York City, Xanadu is a reliable home to late-night dancing — on feet and wheels — during every season. But the venue is pulling out the stops this New Year’s Eve for its second-ever end-of-year bash.
"Disco Simulator: Xanadu NYE 2025" will be a 12-hour long celebration, starting at 7 p.m. and going until 7 a.m. New Year’s Day. The lineup includes skating on the early end, legendary Detroit DJ Moodymann and, eventually, breakfast. Tickets start at $32.71.
Prospect Park fireworks
After taking a hiatus last year, the 45-year-tradition of the reigning in the new year with a fireworks display in Prospect Park is back. The celebration kicks of at 10 p.m. with some music, and the fireworks begin in the last minute of the year.
The event is free and open to the public, although you can RSVP via Eventbrite if that for some reason sparks joy.
House of Yes suggests you wear black and white with pops of color for its new year's bash.
House of Yes’ New Year’s Eve
For the 10th year in a row, arch-Bushwick den of hipster hedonism House of Yes will be throwing a New Year’s bash at its 2 Wyckoff Ave. space. There’s going to be a diversity of entertainment throughout the night, including a wedding chapel, scavenger hunt, tarot, beauty bar and, of course, a lineup of DJs.
The suggested dress code is black and white, with pops of color. Phones aren’t allowed and photos are strictly prohibited on the dance floor.
Early- and anytime-entry tickets are now waitlist only, but late entry (after 1:30 a.m. ) and premium tickets are still available, starting at $55 and $185, respectively.
The Bell House’s "Abba Lang Syne"
Shouldauldacquaintancebeforgot … Mamma Mia! If Sweden’s most famous export is your ideal soundtrack to start 2026 to, Park Slope’s The Bell House has the New Year’s Eve party for you. The standing-room-only event features a bar, an Abba cover band, and that’s it — but perhaps that’s all that’s necessary. Tickets are $37.
Ride a pony, get covered in sparkles at one of Brooklyn's best DIY venues.
Rubulad’s "Out Of This World!"
OG Brooklyn DIY space Rubulad is bringing out the big, weird guns to celebrate the passage of time. The indoor-outdoor venue’s “Out Of This World” New Year’s Eve lineup this year includes "pony" rides, a “sparkle station,” live music, DJs and a midnight champagne toast, all for, as they claim, 30 moon rocks before 8:30 p.m. and after 1:30 a.m., 40 moon rocks otherwise. Tickets are available online.
Purgatory’s "Great Big Red Ball"
For a very red-nosed, big-shoed New Year’s, look no further than Purgatory, which is a bar and performance space in the liminal space at Brooklyn’s cemetery-filled eastern edge. “The Great Big Red Ball” promises plentiful “sacred & silly clown surprises,” courtesy of the group Clown Cult.
Tickets start at $22.66, and the event starts at 7 p.m. Clown attire encouraged.
JunXion’s "A New Dawn New Year’s Experience"
Event producer JunXion is having a three-stage show at East Williamsburg venue the Chocolate Factory from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m., with DJs, art and performances throughout the night. In addition to the indoor entertainment, there will also be party buses parked outside offering additional surprises.
Tickets start at $41.86
