By Maia Vines and Briana Bonfiglio
There’s no denying it — this New Year’s Eve will be unlike any other.
By midnight, restaurants adhering to New York’s Covid-19 guidelines will be dark, and most of us will be celebrating at home. But there’s plenty of events to attend on Long Island before eateries close at 10 p.m., helping you make the most of ringing in this much-needed new year.
So grab your masks, remember to social distance, and have some fun saying hello to 2021.
NYE BASH WITH VINNY, TINA & FRIENDS
Butterfields restaurant hosts a New Year’s Eve bash with live music from Vinny and Tina, plus a special guest appearance from Stephano. There will be a la carte dining from Butterfields’ new dinner menu. No cover charge. Butterfields, 661 Old Willets Path, Hauppauge. butterfieldsrestaurant.biz 7-10 p.m.
FAMILY NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
Ring in the new year at Bayville’s Winter Wonderland! Choose from a lunch or dinner party — both include free holiday express train rides, mini golf, and an early countdown to the new year. Bayville Adventure Park, 8 Bayville Ave., Bayville. bayvillewinterwonderland.com $24.95-$39.95. Free for kids under 12 months. 2/6 p.m.
FISHES & WISHES
Fishes & Wishes is back again this year at the Long Island Aquarium for a New Year’s Eve celebration. There will be a family-style dinner and dessert, arts and crafts for kids, a penguin appearance, and mock midnight toast. 431 East Main St., Riverhead. longislandaquarium.com $55-$99. Kids under 2 $5. 6:30-9:30 p.m.
HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR ON ICE & NYE PARTY
Due to the pandemic, The Gateway is transforming the Patchogue Theatre’s stage into an ice rink for this stunning holiday show. Experience beautiful dancing, singing, and figure skating with the family, all in a safe environment. The Gateway, 215 South Country Road, Bellport. thegateway.org $65-$95. 10:30 p.m.
NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER PARTY CRUISE
Board a bay cruise on the Sapphire Princess to celebrate the new year. Sapphire Cruises will provide New Year’s hats and noisemakers, along with food, drinks, and a DJ. Sapphire Yacht Charters, 11 Richmond St., Freeport. sapphireyachtcharters.com. $146. 7-10 p.m.
NOON YEAR’S EVE PARTY
Pick up a New Year’s Eve kit before the celebration at the Hauppauge Library’s children’s desk starting on Dec. 28. Then head on over to the midday party on New Year’s Eve for some kid-friendly fun. Hauppauge Public Library, 1373 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Hauppauge, hauppaugelibrary.org Free. Noon.
NYE FAMILY SKATE PARTY
United Skates of America hosts a special, festive skate session for families on New Year’s Eve. Enjoy skate rentals, all you can eat pizza, soda, and chips, noise makers, glow necklaces, and a mock countdown to 2021! United Skates of America, 1276 Hicksville Road, Massapequa. unitedskates.com $25. 6:30-9:30 p.m.
KIDS NYE NIGHT OUT
The Color Palette invites kids to celebrate the new year with painting, games, slime activities, pizza and soft drinks, a pinata, and an early New Year’s countdown. The Color Palette, 51 W Hoffman Ave., Lindenhurst. thecolorpaletteli.square.site $28. 6-8 p.m.
THRIVE NASSAU NYE MASQUERADE PARTY
THRIVE Nassau, a supportive, sober recovery community, hosts a hybrid masquerade party for New Year’s Eve. Choose to join via Zoom or in person. Meeting starts at 8 p.m., party at 9:30 p.m. 1025 Old Country Road, Westbury. thriveli.org Free. 8 p.m.-12:15 a.m.
ROCK ‘N’ GLOW TWILIGHT PARTY
Celebrate the new year with three hours of unlimited “rock and glow” bowling at Levittown Lanes. There will be bowling shoes and balls, heroes and salads, noisemakers, and a champagne and/or cider toast. Limit 5 people per lane. Levittown Lanes, 56 Tanners Lane, Levittown. levittownbowling.com $160. 5-8 p.m.
NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE CLUB
Live entertainment and fine dining awaits at The Club at Port Jefferson Country Club’s Waterview. After your meal, the staff will send you off with a to-go party box containing a bottle of champagne, New Year’s Eve hats, and noisemakers. The Waterview, 44 Fairway Drive, Port Jefferson. waterviewportjeff.com. Reservation times available between 5 and 8:30 p.m.
Sign up for Long Island Press’ email newsletters here. Sign up for home delivery of Long Island Press here. Sign up for discounts by becoming a Long Island Press community partner here.
