New Year's Eve in Erie
Getting a leap on 2020
Tuesday, Dec. 31 to Jan. 1
As Earth completes its orbit around the sun, we're left standing in a very different place than we were in the previous year. Regardless of how you may feel about all the changes 2019 has brought, the growth seen in our personal lives should be celebrated one way or another.
Businesses and venues around Erie are ready for such celebrations with a broad range of events happening this New Year's Eve.
While it's impossible to attend each of the over two dozen New Years events happening across the city — though such a feat would be both admirable and magical — we've compiled a list of the most notable of parties and separated them into sections for your choosing based on what kind of night you wish to close the decade with. — Hannah McDonald
A Family Fun Finale
A Magical New Year's Eve at Splash Lagoon
9 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. (Jan. 1) Over a decade after the release of the final book in the series about the world's favorite English wizard, the love of Harry Potter is thriving, and just so happens to be the theme of the indoor water park's year-end party.
Splash Lagoon, 8091 Peach St. // Multiple packages available // All Ages // splashlagoon.com/new-years-eve
Noon Year's Eve at The ExpERIENCE Children's Museum
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ring in the new decade with the family at a reasonable hour with an apple juice toast and balloon drop.
ExpERIEnce Museum, 420 French St. // Members, $4; Non-members, $9 // All Ages // eriechildrensmuseum.org/events/noon-years-eve
Noon Year's Eve Party with The Checkers Show at ECPL (Edinboro Branch)
11 a.m. to noon Juggling, unicycling, and a humorous live show are all part of this holiday celebration fit for all ages.
Edinboro Public Library, 413 West Plum St., Edinboro // Free // All Ages // events.erielibrary.org
Last Night/First Day Walk at Presque Isle State Park
11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (Jan. 1) Learn about how the new year is celebrated around the world and take in the beauty of our own skyline on the last night of the year with this 2-mile educational walk led by a state park naturalist. Noise makers are encouraged. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted. There is no fee but registration is required.
PI State Park, 1 Peninsula Drive // Meet at Rotary Pavilion Beach 7 // Free // All Ages // events.dcnr.pa.gov
End of the Decade Date Destinations
2 for the Show, and Danny and the Daddios at The Cork 1794
5 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. shows Enjoy fine dining and back-to-back acoustic shows happening all evening at one of Erie's most popular new restaurants. Reservations required for dinner.
The Cork 1794, 900 W. Erie Plaza // Reservations required // cork1794.com/live-music
New Year's Eve at Riverside Brewing Company
5 p.m. to midnight RBC will be serving lunch and dinner on the final day of 2019, with local talent Nick Nasibyan taking the stage for the later meal, followed by country trio Concord Station at 8 p.m. Reservations required.
Riverside Brewing Company, 1 Fountain St., Cambridge Springs // 21+ // riversidebrewing.co/entertainment
Sky Sands at Junior's Last Laugh
6 p.m. and 9 p.m. shows Dance into the night at Erie's only comedy club. Back-to-back shows, a complete breakfast buffet, and champagne toast will make it a night like no other. Tickets for the 6 p.m. show are $20 and $35 for the 9 p.m. show (which includes dancing and the buffet).
Junior's Last Laugh Comedy Club, 1402 State St. // Multiple packages available // 21+ // jrslastlaugh.com
Broadway's Best at Erie Playhouse
7:30 p.m. Enjoy the greatest love songs to ever grace Broadway — featuring works by Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein and more — before concluding the evening with a champagne toast.
Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10th St. // $30 // All Ages // erieplayhouse.org
New Year's Eve Party at Avalon Hotel
7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Jan. 1) Party downtown at one of Erie's most well-known hotels, dance to music by DJ Salt. The party doesn't have to stop when the dancing feet get tired. Avoid the treacherous winter drive home by treating yourself to an overnight package. Tickets to the party start at $59.
Avalon Hotel, 16 W. 10th St. // Multiple packages available // 21+ // facebook.com/events
Rock Around the Clock NYE Bash at Room 33
8 p.m. to 2 a.m. (Jan. 1) For the price of admission to this State St. speakeasy-style bar, catch Erie's Matty B and the Dirty Pickles playing 50's rock n' roll rhythm and blues, enjoy deluxe party favors, and a midnight cocktail.
Room 33, 1033 State St. // Tickets, $20/person; VIP groups of 4, $225 (includes extras) // 21+ // room33.bar
Boogie on the Bay
9 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Jan. 1) Can't get away this holiday season? Consider attending an island destination beach party on the shores of Presque Isle Bay, complete with live music. Tickets start at $55 and include four drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and a champagne toast.
Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier // Multiple Packages Available // 21+ // facebook.com
New Year's Eve Party at the National Comedy Center
9 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Jan. 1) The ringing of laughter will bring in the new year in Jamestown, New York. The party will include drinks and live music by For the People. Watch the ball drop in Times Square on a 357-square-foot video monitor and toast the clock at midnight with free champagne.
National Comedy Center, 203 W. Second St., Jamestown, NY 14701 // Tickets from $18.50 // 21+ // facebook.com
Fun 'til Sun (Late night parties)
New Year's Eve at Presque Isle Downs & Casino
11 a.m. to 2 a.m. (Jan. 1) Counting down the hours until the new year, the local casino has a day of giveaways, live music, buffets, and other activities planned to ensure that your last day of the decade is one to remember.
Looking for a place to start the new decade? Dance the night away to the powerhouse trio of Tito Bongiorno from the M-80's, Terry Wood of Greek Army, and Marty Coe of the Earthquakers, who have teamed up to play a broad range of classic and modern rock sure to get you on the dancefloor.
Presque Isle Downs and Casino, 8199 Perry Hwy // 21+ // presqueisledowns.com/promotions/nye
New Year's Eve Bash at Playport
5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (Jan. 1) If you're over relying on others to provide your favorite party drinks, look no further than this BYOB party at Erie's west side arcade.
Play Port, 2730 W. 12th St. // 21 + // playporterie.com/special-events
New Year's Eve Ball 2020 at Resolution Nightclub
9 p.m. to 2 a.m. (Jan. 1) Watch the ball drop on a 30-foot LED video screen, enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and champagne, and get your groove on at Erie's largest New Year's Eve party the last three years running.
Resolution, 28 N. Park Row // $10 // 21+ // facebook.com/events
The BIG New Year's Eve Bash at BIGBAR
9 p.m. to 2 a.m. (Jan. 1) For a small cover fee, enjoy a night at the club and grand finale of a massive balloon drop while toasting champagne with your closest friends and bar-crawlers.
BIGBAR, 14 E. 10th St. // Door, $5 // 21+ // bigbar.net/big-events
Chestnut Grove and The LEC — Back-to-back shows at The King's Rook Club
10 p.m. to 2 a.m. (Jan. 1) A double-headed show in the downstairs concert complex of this venue will throw you head first into the new year, music by psychedelic rock band Chestnut Grove and hip-hop funk group The LEC.
The King's Rook Club, 1921 Peach St. // 21+ // facebook.com/events
