Things to Do for New Year’s Eve in Elizabeth, New Jersey

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with plenty of events and activities, enjoying social gatherings, scrumptious bites, and retail trips.

Mark your calendar for a series of thrilling celebrations and exciting activities for this New Year’s Eve. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities on this special occasion or seeking memorable ways to begin 2024, Elizabeth offers endless opportunities for New Year’s-themed fun for all ages.

1. Explore Elizabeth’s Nightlife with New Year’s Eve Parties

The neon-lit interior space of the Garden in Elizabeth, NJ.

Elizabeth has a great nightlife scene with popular clubs and bars. Make this New Year’s Eve an unforgettable night with live music, dancing, and refreshing drinks. Enjoy nightclubs and bars with special New Year’s celebrations, making your way to spots like Barcode and The Garden. Indulge in tasty bites and raise your glass for a midnight champagne toast.

2. Admire Elizabeth’s Twinkling Lights

Streetlights with holiday lights line the roads of Elizabeth, NJ.

The holiday season isn’t over yet in Elizabeth, New Jersey. With thousands of glimmering lights around the area, you’ll enjoy winter wonderland-like decorations and Instagram-worthy destinations. Capture New Year’s Eve memories in front of the towering Christmas tree that’s located just outside City Hall. Drive through Midtown and check out the glowing fixtures hanging from the streetlamps.

3. Embark on the Historic Heartline Walking Tour

A sign for an audio walking tour in Elizabeth, NJ.

Transport yourself to the past eras of Elizabeth with a self-guided audio tour of landmarks and significant sites. Explore more than 350 years of history and learn about historic buildings and streets. This tour is the perfect activity for history aficionados and families, and will give you an in-depth exploration of Elizabeth as a transportation hub.

4. Go Ice Skating at the Warinanco Sports Center

An aerial shot of the winter skyline in Elizabeth, NJ.

Glide across the ice at Warinanco Sport Center. This ice rink is a must-try holiday activity, with modern facilities and affordable admission. Looking for a date night idea for New Year’s Eve? Before the big toast at midnight, lace up your skates for a few laps around the rink.

5. Take in the Fresh Air with Outdoor Adventures

For those who love the cold weather, New Year's Eve is a perfect time to embrace the outdoors. Elizabeth is home to many parks and nature areas, which are top-rated destinations for running, biking, and strolling. Don your warmest parka and gloves, and bring a bottle of warm tea or hot chocolate for your outdoor excursion. Make your way to a nature area like Mattano Park, bringing your little ones for rounds of a game or jogging along the calm waters of the Elizabeth River.

6. Enjoy a the Tastes of Elizabeth During New Year’s Weekend

A close up shot of tacos at El Nachos Tequila Cantina in Elizabeth, NJ.

Experience incredible flavors and rich textures as you explore Elizabeth’s burgeoning culinary scene. Create a food-centered itinerary that takes on a tour of fine-dining restaurants, casual eateries, and lively bars. Don’t miss discovering a variety of cuisines from around the world, including Mexican, Italian, and Caribbean food.

7. Tackle Home Improvement Resolutions at IKEA

Start your furniture goals and home planning dreams for the new year at IKEA. This furniture hub will have special store hours on New Year’s Eve, running from 10am to 6pm. And, of course, no IKEA outing is complete without enjoying an order of their iconic Swedish meatballs.

8. Shop ‘Til You Drop Across the Mills at Jersey Gardens

People bustle about through the interior of a shopping mall in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

The Mills at Jersey Gardens

Dive into a shopping adventure, finding well-known brands and popular retail stores at this vast indoor outlet mall. The Mills at Jersey Gardens offer a variety of products and goods from iconic brands such as Nike Factory Store, Marshall’s and Primark. Taking a break between shopping stores? Catch a movie with friends and family at the AMC Jersey Gardens 20. Mall hours for New Year’s Eve run from 10am to 7pm.

Looking for more ways to make a special New Year’s Eve? Find upcoming events around this holiday weekend and discover unforgettable activities that you won’t find anywhere else.

Explore More

Winter Things to Do

Things To Do Between Christmas and New Year’s Eve

International Cuisine

Upcoming Events at the Ritz Theater

The Ultimate Guide to Warinanco Sports Center

Author

GoElizabethNJ

GoElizabethNJ is the city’s official tourist information center, providing visitors with the resources they need to visit the premiere up and coming urban destination.