Coney, Prospect Park gear up for annual New Year’s Eve extravaganzas

Ringing in 2018, the Brooklyn way!

If Brooklynites want a place to ring in the New Year, but want to keep it local, unique and affordable, the borough is bringing back its growing traditions.

At the People’s Playground, Coney Island will be hosting its fourth annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Thanks to the technological upgrade to the famous and landmarked Parachute Jump, attendees can watch a simulated LED ball drop at midnight. Last year, around 15,000 attendees celebrated in Coney and this year hopes to grow.

Hosted by Borough President Adams in partnership with the Alliance for Coney Island, the Sunday, December 31 event at Steeplechase Plaza will once again highlight a digital burst of lights from the iconic Parachute Jump, with a countdown to 2018.

This year, the festivities will begin in Coney Island at 6 p.m., with live entertainment starting at 9 p.m. and featuring performances by Coney Island USA, Infinity Music Entertainment, Blazes, The Priceless Band and more.

“For family-friendly New Year’s Eve fun, there’s nowhere better to be on the calendar’s biggest night than Brooklyn, the center of the universe,” said Adams. “Tens of thousands of revelers from our borough and beyond will be celebrating at two of our city’s most iconic locations, Coney Island and Prospect Park, with plenty of cheer to go around. I thank all of our community and corporate partners for helping us make New Year’s Eve in Brooklyn shine brighter than ever before.”

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In addition, the New York Aquarium will also have special extended hours of operations until 9 p.m. Bring your appetite as well as several eateries will be open such as Applebee’s, Coney Island Brewery, Kitchen 21, Nathan’s Famous, Tom’s Restaurant, and White Castle.

Yearly participants in the event are happy to continue the tradition.

Alexandra Silversmith, executive director of the Alliance for Coney Island, shares in that joy. “This event has grown every year and we can’t wait to see Brooklynites celebrate once again with restaurants open to grab a bite to eat, private parties and free live entertainment throughout the evening,” she said.

“Luna Park is thrilled to participate in this New Year’s Eve celebration that is becoming the holiday tradition in Brooklyn,” added Valerio Ferrari, president of Luna Park. “We look forward to sharing Luna Park with all of the families and friends in the community.”

“We are delighted to welcome Borough President Adams and all of Brooklyn to celebrate the New Year with a visit to Coney Island,” said Dennis Vourderis, owner/operator of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.

“Our Nathan’s flagship restaurant will be proudly serving hungry revelers until 2 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, and we will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on New Year’s Day,” added Phil McCann, senior director of marketing at Nathan’s Famous.

Additional partners on his celebration in Coney Island include State Senator Savino, Assemblymember Pamela Harris, Brooklyn Community Board 13 (CB 13), the New York City Parks Department and the NYPD.

For more info, visit www.facebook.com/allianceforconeyisland.

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Over at Prospect Park, another long-standing tradition will continue with the 38th annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Like previous years, fireworks will fill Grand Army Plaza and will also be visible from the park’s West Drive, and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and Ninth Street. Attendees will also jam to live music and be given free hot chocolate.

“New Year’s Eve fireworks at Grand Army Plaza are truly a boroughwide celebration, and so it is fitting to host in Prospect Park, ‘Brooklyn’s Backyard’,” said Sue Donoghue, president of the Prospect Park Alliance. “We welcome revelers to come to the Park to enjoy the gorgeous display, which would not be possible without the support of Borough President Adams, and we thank him.”

It is also staged in in partnership with the Prospect Park Alliance. The party will start at 10:30 p.m. and feature music from Brooklyn’s own Quintessential Playlist at Grand Army Plaza that leads into a grand pyrotechnic display.

For more information on that ring-in, visit www.prospectpark.org.

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