What is open on New Year’s in New York?

What’s open during New Year’s in New York? New Year’s Eve is celebrated in style in New York, with the Ball Drop in Times Square, a fireworks show at the Statue of Liberty and lots of great parties! New Year’s Day is also an official holiday, which means sights and attractions may have modified opening hours. I’ve listed what there is to do on New Year’s in New York right here.

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Eric's Index

1 What’s open on New Year’s in New York?
- 1.1 Activities open on New Year's Eve 31-12-2025 and New Year's Day 01-01-2026
- 1.2 Other activities during New Year’s
2 Shopping during New Year’s
3 Eating out on New Year’s Eve
4 Getting around the city on New Year’s in New York
5 FAQ

What’s open on New Year’s in New York?

Opening times of many attractions and sights may be different from other days during this period. Here’s what you can do on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in New York:

Activities open on New Year's Eve 31-12-2025 and New Year's Day 01-01-2026

Major Attractions	31-12	01-01	Major Museums	31-12	01-01
9/11 Memorial	✔	✔	9/11 Museum	✔	✔
Empire State Building	✔	✔	American Museum of Natural History	✔	✔
Top of the Rock	✔	✔	MoMA	✔	✔
One World Observatory	✔	✔	The Met	✔	✖
Summit One Vanderbilt	✔	✔	Intrepid Museum	✔	✔
Edge Observation Deck	✖	✔	Guggenheim	✔	✔
Hop on Hop off Buses	✖	✔	Madame Tussauds	✔	✔
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights	✖	✔	RiseNY	✔	✔
Rockefeller Christmas Tree	✔	✔	Broadway	31-12	01-01
Ice Skating	✔	✔	Radio City Christmas Spectacular	✔	✔
Christmas Markets	✔	✔	The Nutcracker	✔	✖
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island	✔	✔	Aladdin	✔	✖
Circle Line Cruises	✔	✔	Chicago	✖	✔
Helicopter Tour	✔	✔	Hell's Kitchen	✖	✔
Bike rentals and tours	✔	✔	Mamma Mia!	✖	✔
Zoos & New York Aquarium	✔	✔	Other Broadway Shows	✖	✔
Sports	31-12	01-01	Shops	31-12	01-01
Brooklyn Nets	✖	✔	Macy's	✔	✔
New York Islanders	✖	✔	Woodbury Common Outlet	✔	✔
Public transportation	✔	✔	Restaurants	✔	✔

Other activities during New Year’s

Taking a cruise on New Year’s Eve is great fun! Get on board and make a toast to the new year at midnight while watching the fireworks.

Ring in the new year on the dance floor at one of New York’s many New Year’s Eve parties. From luxurious parties in the most unique locations to cosy parties in bars, there’s something for everyone! You can also attend one of the Ball Drop parties to see the iconic Ball Drop in person. See here my personal Top 10 of New Year’s Eve Events in New York.

On New Year’s Day, you can start the new year off right with a stroll through Central Park followed by a brunch. If you prefer to stay on dry land, you can visit one of New York’s many museums.

Shopping during New Year’s

It isn’t possible to go to Times Square on New Year’s Eve unless you want to see the Ball Drop or can show the police that you need to be in the area; for example, if you have tickets to a party around Times Square or your hotel is located there.

Shops around Times Square will be closed on New Year’s Eve, while shops in other areas are still open but will close their doors earlier. On New Year’s Day, however, most shops will be open!

Eating out on New Year’s Eve

You can have dinner at a restaurant on New Year’s Eve in New York, but bear in mind that most of the places are fully booked months in advance. Therefore, I recommend making a reservation well in advance.

Getting around the city on New Year’s in New York

On both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, public transport in New York runs on a modified schedule. Check in advance if your subway line is running. It is very crowded on New Year’s Eve, especially around Times Square, so it can be difficult to get a taxi in the area.

FAQ

As New Year's Eve is celebrated in a big way, opening times will be modified. I’ve created a handy overview of the main attractions in the city, so you can easily see what is open and what is closed during New Year’s.

During New Year's in New York, the subway runs on a modified schedule.

Some sights and attractions in New York are closed during New Year’s, so it’s good to plan ahead. Make reservations for a fireworks cruise, for example, or buy tickets for one of the NYE parties.

Yes, New York is very busy during the holidays, especially on New Year’s Eve. So prepare in advance and avoid Times Square, unless you’ve made reservations here.