New York City is fully in holiday mode, and the festive energy isn’t slowing down anytime soon. From cozy, candlelit restaurants and seasonal pop-ups to bustling holiday markets and iconic winter experiences, the city is offering endless ways to celebrate. Whether you’re planning a last-minute outing, hosting visitors, or looking ahead to New Year’s Eve, there’s no shortage of things to do — including where to eat, where to shop, and where to celebrate the iconic ball drop as the year comes to a close.
From Cozy Classics to Festive Feasts
Olio e Più Bryant Park
With the iconic Bryant Park Christmas Tree lit and bright, the neighborhood is in full holiday swing, and the newly opened Olio e Più Bryant Park offers the perfect escape from the winter chill with warm Italian cuisine. Building on the success of its downtown location, which you can’t help but gawk at as you walk by due to its striking beauty, this Midtown outpost brings the trattoria’s rustic-elegant style, classic Italian comfort dishes, and neighborhood charm just steps from the Bryant Park rink, Winter Village, and Broadway theaters—ideal for holiday dining or pre- and post-show meals. Olio e Più will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, serving select seasonal dishes including Panzerotti Ricotta e Spinaci (housemade ricotta and spinach ravioli with brown butter and sage) and Stinco di Agnello (braised lamb shank with mashed potatoes and broccolini), alongside seasonal drinks and the full à la carte menu. With an elevated menu, daily Aperitivo Hour, weekend brunch, and a tailored prix fixe lunch, Olio e Più highlights fresh, high-quality ingredients and festive offerings perfect for the season. For any festive-related coverage or questions, we would love to host you for a dine-and-cover experience.
Travelers Poets & Friends, Pamina Dolci e Gelato, and Osteria 57
Tucked into a charming corner of the West Village, Travelers Poets & Friends, Pamina Dolci e Gelato, and the newly relocated Osteria 57 come together to create a seamless, one-stop Italian holiday destination. Side by side, the trio offers an all-day experience, from curated market shopping and seasonal pastries to festive dining and dessert. At the center is Travelers Poets & Friends, an Italian specialty market where guests can sip coffee, browse imported goods, shop housemade pastas and sauces, and pick up limited-edition Settepani Bakery panettone, making it ideal for holiday gifting or a cozy meal at home. On Christmas Day, it becomes one of the city’s most distinctive dining options, serving traditional Italian holiday classics like homemade tortellini in brodo, roast veal, roast beef, and lasagna. Next door, Osteria 57 hosts Christmas Eve dinner in its new home, offering its full menu alongside seasonal specials focused on fresh seafood, winter vegetables, and handmade pastas. The experience ends on a sweet note at Pamina, the beloved artisanal gelateria, which debuts festive pop-ups including a tiramisu collaboration with baker Lilli Maren and holiday gelato flavors created with Settepani Bakery, such as rainbow cookie and panettone gelato. Together, the three spaces deliver shopping, dining, and Italian holiday nostalgia in one beautifully curated West Village block.
Le Jardinier
Célébrez la magie de la saison at Le Jardinier. This holiday season, Le Jardinier offers a full suite of festive dining experiences, perfect for celebrating in style. On Christmas Eve (Dec 24), enjoy a 6-course “Réveillon de Noël” menu or a 4-course à la carte tasting, featuring seasonal highlights like Maine scallops, Hudson Valley duck, and Pain de Epice mousse. On Christmas Day (Dec 25), savor the 6-course “Jour de Noël” menu or a 4-course signature menu in a warm, wintery setting with floor-to-ceiling windows, offering classic Italian- and French-inspired holiday dishes. Close out the year on New Year’s Eve (Dec 31) with two celebratory options: a 4-course set menu or the luxurious 6-course “Nouvelle Année” menu, complemented by optional wine pairings. Guests can dine in Le Jardinier or upstairs in the elegant Sereine room with a festive DJ, and continue the celebration at Bar Bastion with live jazz and a midnight toast. Across all three nights, Le Jardinier delivers seasonal, vegetable-forward cuisine in a serene, elegant atmosphere, making it a must-visit for the holidays and year-end celebrations in New York City.
The Standard NYC
This holiday season, The Standard, High Line is anything but standard, transforming into a whimsical winter wonderland where nostalgia, indulgence, and cozy moments come together in the heart of NYC. At The Holiday Plaza, guests can browse the retro Standard Tree Farm with expert guidance (available through 12/24, starting at $149.99), sip steaming cocoa or apple cider from the Hot Stuff Airstream, or linger by fireside nooks in The Gingerbread Room, surrounded by cookies, pastries, and spiced drinks. Inside The Standard Grill, holiday dining is elevated with tableside gingerbread houses finished with boozy eggnog crème anglaise, alongside a special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menu featuring Baked Clams, Salad of Seven Fishes, Arctic Char, Christmas Roast Pork, Shepherd’s Pie, and a warm gingerbread dessert, making it one of the most joy-filled and nostalgic holiday experiences in NYC. They have have really thought of everything.
BLACKBARN
Guests enjoyed an unforgettable holiday brunch at BLACKBARN, featuring festive treats like complimentary pumpkin bread and hot apple cider, the chance to write letters to Santa, and fun photo opportunities with him—even on BLACKBARN’s ski lift in the Tavern. Diners who brought toys helped support The Floating Hospital’s Candy Cane Lane Program and HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services, adding a meaningful touch to the celebration. Under the guidance of celebrated Chef John Doherty, BLACKBARN’s rustic-chic setting served a remarkable brunch menu, including favorites like Blue Corn “Johnny Cakes,” house-made croissants and apple cider donuts, Huevos Chilaquiles, Waffle Croque Madame, and Cornflake Crusted French Toast. Even though Santa is back at the North Pole, you can still experience the magic of BLACKBARN yourself during Christmas and New Year’s.
Where to Welcome The New Year in Style
BarChef
Welcome 2026 at BarChef (21 W 35th St, 3rd Floor) during their New Year’s Eve Party, a late-night celebration of modernist cocktails and immersive experiences presented by Joonbug Events. From 9 PM to 2 AM on December 31st, enjoy a premium open bar, live DJ, and some of the most impressive cocktail creations I’ve ever seen. Guided by Frankie Solarik, judge on Netflix’s Drink Masters, BarChef blends science and seduction with pastry-inspired ingredients, tableside aromatics, liquid-nitrogen techniques, and Michelin-style presentation, turning each drink into a performance. On New Year’s Eve, the space transforms into an intimate, immersive, and unmistakably BarChef environment—perfect for ringing in 2026 in style
SLATE NYC
Slate will always be special to me after one of my favorite birthday gatherings, and it’s the perfect place to ring in 2026. Slate (54 W 21st St) is hosting an all-night New Year’s Eve celebration from 8 PM–4 AM in the heart of Chelsea, featuring a 5-hour open bar, complimentary appetizers, and a live DJ spinning across the sleek, multilevel venue. As midnight approaches, enjoy a champagne toast and watch the Times Square Ball Drop on Slate’s massive in-house screens while the DJ leads a high-energy countdown. VIP upgrades offer exclusive table and bottle service, perfect for celebrating in style. Whether you’re dancing into dawn or toasting with friends, Slate has everything for an unforgettable start to 2026. Tickets are available here
Big Deal Speakeasy Casino’s Roaring Twenties New Year’s Eve Celebration
Celebrate 2026—America’s 250th anniversary—in historical style at Big Deal Speakeasy Casino (1 E 28th St., 6th Floor) with two immersive Roaring Twenties events transporting guests straight to 1926. The evening kicks off with the New Year’s Pre-Game from 6:30 PM–9 PM, a glamorous Prohibition-era warmup featuring festive cocktails, jazz-age ambiance, and lively casino-style games. As midnight approaches, the New Year’s Eve Speakeasy Spectacular from 10 PM–1 AM invites just 80 guests to enjoy Roulette, Craps, Blackjack, Baccarat, Poker, burlesque performances, dancing, a full open bar, passed gourmet hors d’oeuvres, vintage accessories, and a midnight champagne toast. For an extra elevated experience, private blackjack tables with bottle service are available.
Nebula
A night at Nebula never disappoints—weekends, weeknights, even private parties—it’s just a solid New York venue backed by nightlife experts. Ring in 2026 at Nebula (135 W 41st St) as Audien takes over Times Square for an electrifying New Year’s Eve celebration from 9 PM–4 AM. GA guests can enjoy an early open-bar window from 9 PM–12 AM, with tiered ticket options including late-night entry after 12:30 AM. Expect a full-scale nightclub experience, signature production, and a countdown soundtracked by Audien’s live set. This 21+ event encourages elevated attire, and table reservations are available.
Tempo by Hilton Times Square
At Tempo by Hilton Times Square, New Year’s Eve reaches its pinnacle with unmatched access to the city’s most coveted views. Guests can book a Ball-Drop Room or the King Corner Suite with Times Square Panoramic View, offering direct, unobstructed sightlines of the iconic ball drop—essentially securing a private balcony seat above the crowds. With the exclusive NYE package ($1,995 per guest), the evening becomes truly VIP: a personal security escort guides guests to and from a private viewing pen, ensuring they witness the moment in comfort and style. Afterward, the celebration continues at Highball, where top-shelf cocktails, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, and elevated dining set the stage for a night of dancing to live DJs, creating a seamless, unforgettable New Year’s Eve in the heart of Times Square.
The Time Square EDITION
The Times Square EDITION is bound to be an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebrations. A Night at 701 West (The Time Square EDITION) offers Michelin-starred dining by Chef John Fraser, expertly paired wines and cocktails by Amy Racine, welcome drinks and canapés, a five-hour open bar, live music, VIP access to unobstructed Ball Drop views with private security, a midnight champagne toast, and an after-party with a two-hour open bar—tickets start at $2,995++ per person, with an overnight package available. Alternatively, The Garden Party on the Terrace and Outdoor Gardens delivers a vibrant, alfresco experience with passed sweet and savory bites, specialty cocktails, live music, open bar, VIP Ball Drop access, a midnight toast, and a two-hour after-party—tickets from $1,500++ per person, or $1,800++ with the overnight package. Both offer a flawless, festive, and truly unforgettable way to welcome the New Year. EDITION also has exceptional festive décor across its portfolio. In collaboration with Interview Magazine, feature trees adorned with past cover stars, tinsel, and playful chaos, while lobbies are dressed with candy-filled stockings inspired by Warhol’s Factory muses and friends. Guests can explore the vibrant trees, flip through archival imagery, and soak in a festive New York City spirit.
Mercer at Arlo SoHo
Arlo so is certainly not your basic hotel, it has style. Mercer at Arlo SoHo (231 Hudson St) brings NYC house music to life this New Year’s Eve. Hosted by the teams behind Azure Day Party and Amber Sunset Party, the celebration takes over three rooms with special guest DJs and the city’s top local house talent. Tickets include a five-hour open bar, and table reservations are available for those seeking a premium experience. Located in Lower Manhattan, Mercer delivers the energy, culture, and sound of NYC’s vibrant house music scene, promising an unforgettable night filled with pulsating beats and immersive vibes.
Nerai
Nerai (55 E 54th St) is always a hit and in an extremely convenient location. It will be offering a five-course prix fixe menu for $145 per person, with optional wine pairings: classic at $55 or premium at $90. Guests can indulge in standout dishes like Black Bass Crudo, Roasted Beet Salad, Sunchoke Soup, King Crab with Short Rib Orzo, Lobster Pasta, Grilled Lamb Chops, and Halibut Kakavia, finishing with decadent desserts like Blonde Chocolate Mousse or Saragli. Seating runs from 5 PM–9:45 PM, perfect for a glamorous, elegant evening before the ball drop.
Photo Courtesy of Matthew James Ortiz Photography
Elsie Rooftop New Year’s Eve
Rise above the city and welcome 2026 in style at Elsie Rooftop (1412 Broadway, 25th Floor), a glamorous penthouse inspired by the iconic Elsie De Wolf and just steps from Times Square. Enjoy a live view of the NYC Ball Drop, a five-hour open bar, passed appetizers, and room for 500 guests as the celebration blends modern rooftop energy with Gatsby-era elegance. Refined mixologists, curated cocktails, and light bites set the tone across indoor and outdoor spaces for a seamless night of revelry. Running from 8 PM to 4 AM, with tickets from $249, Elsie Rooftop offers a chic, high-altitude New Year’s experience perfect for starting 2026 in style.
Celebrate 2026 with a Festive Prix Fixe at Ponty Bistro in Harlem
Ring in 2026 Harlem-style at Ponty Bistro, where the $85 prix fixe menu blends French technique with West African flair for a celebration full of flavor and flair. The evening begins with a champagne toast and vibrant appetizers like kale salad with pine nuts, apricot, dried cherries, and lemon honey vinaigrette; crisp tuna with cilantro, pickled soy-ginger vinaigrette, and wasabi aioli; or grilled shrimp risotto in a delicate white wine garlic sauce. For the main course, enjoy pan-seared scallops, grilled hanger steak, filet mignon, pan-seared bass, or roasted chicken, paired with seasonal sides and sauces. End the night with indulgent desserts like crème brûlée or a warm chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream, making it a stylish, soulful, and delicious way to welcome 2026 at this beloved Harlem hotspot.
Park Rose Italian New Year’s Eve Feast
Celebrate 2026 at Park Rose, the newest and coolest spot on Park Avenue, with a festive Italian New Year’s Eve feast designed for sharing, savoring, and celebrating together. Start with house-made garlic bread, giardiniera, and roasted peppers, followed by a colorful spread of appetizers like Spicy Pepperoni with cherry peppers, vodka sauce, and hot honey; seasonal burrata; Castelfranco Caesar with Pecorino Romano and white anchovy; arancini; and prosciutto cotto with smoked mozzarella and pistachio romesco. For your entrée, choose from comforting Pumpkin Ravioli, Flat Iron Steak, Cauliflower Steak, or Branzino, each served with seasonal sides. End the night with chef-selected desserts and a celebratory glass of champagne, all while enjoying a lively atmosphere, open bar, and music that keeps the energy festive. Park Rose offers the perfect way to welcome 2026 in style—book now and make it part of your NYE tradition.
PUBLIC New York
Ring in 2026 at PUBLIC New York, where high-energy vibes meet hypnotic beats across ARTSPACE and THE ROOF. Dress to impress and enjoy premium open bars, complimentary midnight toasts, and some of the city’s most iconic views while dancing the night away. At THE ROOF, take in panoramic skyline vistas, front-row views of fireworks, and a four-hour premium open bar. Guests can savor passed hors d’oeuvres and toast with champagne at midnight as world-class DJs Gabriel Liberty and Prince Terrence spin the hottest tracks of 2026. Doors open at 8:30 pm, with the open bar running until 12:30 am—secure your tickets now for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration.
The Alderman
Celebrate the arrival of 2026 with a night of culinary indulgence and festive flair at The Alderman (154 W 48th St), right in the heart of Times Square. The evening begins with an early four-course dinner from 5 PM–7 PM ($99 per person), featuring house-made breads, seasonal butter, a vibrant mezze platter, and shared dishes like tender ribs with corn cake, smoked seared scallops, and a refreshing herb salad. Entrées include steak with truffle and potato gratin, roasted branzino, chicken roulade, or stuffed delicata squash, finished with a rich brownie and festive mini pastries. For a full-night experience, the NYE Dinner & Party ($299 per person, 8 PM–10 PM) adds a premium open bar, in-house DJ, and exclusive table reservations, carrying the celebration through midnight. With exceptional cuisine, flowing drinks, and the energy of Times Square just steps away, The Alderman offers an unforgettable way to welcome the New Year.
New Year’s Eve at Lulla: A Gourmet Evening to Welcome 2026
Welcome 2026 with elegance and flavor at Lulla (113 W. 24th), where a festive four-course Italian dinner sets the stage for a warm and memorable New Year’s Eve. Begin with house-made focaccia and giardiniera, followed by a selection of seasonal favorites, including spicy Calabrian pizza and classic eggplant Parmesan. For your entrée, choose from indulgent holiday specials such as braised Osso Buco with creamy polenta, Agnolotti Bolognese, roasted branzino, and other gourmet creations crafted just for the occasion. Conclude the evening with a holiday-inspired tiramisu and a celebratory champagne toast to welcome 2026 in style.
Brooklyn Roots Collective The Pagne Party
New Year’s Eve hits differently at Brooklyn Roots Collective (255 Randolph St, Bushwick) as Good Vibrations returns with its most elevated celebration yet: The Pagne Party. On Wednesday, December 31st, this two-floor, high-capacity venue—complete with a VIP balcony overlooking the main floor and state-of-the-art sound—will keep the energy alive from 10 PM–4 AM. Curated by NYC’s top tastemakers, the night promises nonstop excitement, surprise moments, and a soundtrack powered by some of the city’s best DJs spinning every hit to carry you into 2026. Fashion-forward attire is a must, the crowd is intentional, and the vibe is all about closing out the year in style with people who know how to celebrate. Tickets are live—don’t miss the final, greatest show of 2025
Marquee Skydeck at Edge
I spent NYE last year at EDGE and it was epic—even with the fog! This year, ring in 2026 at Marquee Skydeck at Edge, Hudson Yards, for the city’s most elevated celebration. Guests will enjoy a live DJ set, premium open bar, and unmatched 360-degree views from the highest indoor/outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. VIP ticket holders get early access and extended open bar, while everyone toasts to 2026 with the Manhattan skyline as the backdrop. Tickets start at $200, with a Mastercard pre-sale beginning December 2 and public on-sale December 7. Guests must be 21+.
LouLou Adelaïde’s Salon
Spend New Year’s Eve at the always stylish Loulou (176 8th Avenue) and its speakeasy, Adelaïde’s Salon, with four unforgettable ways to celebrate. The Full NYE Experience ($175) includes a French-inspired prix fixe dinner, a live show hosted by Mathew Piazzi, a midnight champagne toast, and a DJ party until 4 AM. The NYE Prix Fixe ($109) offers a classic French dinner in Loulou’s warm, candlelit dining room. For entertainment-first nights, the Adelaïde’s Salon Show + DJ Party ($75) blends live performance with late-night dancing, while the NYE Late-Night Party ($40) delivers DJ sets, champagne, and high-energy fun from midnight–4 AM.
Nerina
Nerina (35 Commercial St, Greenpoint) opened nearly a year ago in January and quickly became one of my favorite dining experiences—perfect for welcoming 2026. Enjoy a four-course Mediterranean-inspired prix-fixe menu ($75 per person) with an optional wine pairing ($35), featuring dishes like Black Bass Crudo, Roasted Beet Salad, Lobster Orzotto, Halibut Kakavia, and Filet Mignon, crafted with seasonal ingredients and bold flavors. A live jazz quartet fills the space with rich melodies, creating a warm, celebratory ambiance for an intimate yet lively evening. Running from 5 PM–10 PM, Nerina offers a sophisticated alternative to the Times Square crowds, focusing on exceptional dining and memorable moments with friends and loved ones.
