4pm: if you're tough enough to brave the times square crowd for the ball drop, it's best to arrive early. free >>
7pm: judy collins and other performers sing, read and meditate at the annual new year's eve concert for peace @ the cathedral church of st. john the divine, free >>
7:30pm: dreamy dean and britta and undersea poem ease you in to the new year with an early show at southpaw. $20 adv ($25/door) >>
8pm: have a 'sweet sweet new year's' at pete's candy store with the sounds of dead river company (anti-folk) and the parking lots (garage). free chocolate for the first 75 people. free >>
8pm: 92yt hosts an evening of music, comedy, visual and conceptual art, plus an after-midnight interactive party with dj and open mic. $15 >>
8pm: union hall dedicates both floors to their party, with acid pop dance duo project jenny project jan downstairs and djs upstairs. $20 adv ($25/day of) >>
8pm: gemini + scorpio's speakeasy-themed 'bootleggers' ball' has live old-timey bands (stumblebum brass band, the mad jazz hatters), main squeeze orchestra, djs, burlesque, aerial stunts, tarot readings, games of chance, more. free original sin cider 8pm-9pm. 450 union st, $30 adv ($40/door) >>
8pm: the bell house's rock and soul blowout with obits and eli paperboy reed + the true loves is sold out, but 100 $40 tix will be available 7pm at the door >>
9pm: watch the fireworks from williamsburg's berry park's rooftop bar, free >>
9pm: joanna angel and the girls of burningangel.com host nc-17's 'new year's eve xxx-travaganza' with live performances, go-go dancers and dj's. $6 adm. for bands/free after. lit lounge >>
9pm: golden triangle + electric tickle machine rock in the new year at glasslands. open skyy vodka bar 9-10pm. $10 >>
9pm: 'auld twang syne:' ring in the new year bluegrass-style with live bands at the living room, $15 >>
9pm: theo + michael t's rated x: the panty party/red + black masquerade ball @ don hills, $15 with invite or rsvp ($20 without) >>
9pm: built by meanred's party at the old american can factory (bk) features dj sets by folks from the rub, lloydski + project matt. free colt 45 9pm-10pm. $25 >>
9pm: 3rd ward's 'new lost city' lineup includes the lady circus, a trio of brass bands (the hungry march band, stumblebum brass band, raya brass band), 13 dj's, casino games, more. all spread across 2 buildings. 195 morgan ave, $29 >>
9:30pm: expect burlesque (julie atlas muz, dirty martini), flying trapeze, singers, more at murray hill's new year's eve variety show. galapagos, $25+ >>
10pm: dj's, dancing, a costume parade and contest, fireworks and 4-mile race at the central park's annual midnight run. central park bandshell, free >>
10pm: gypsy band bad buka and the coney island circus side show do it carny-style @ radegast hall and biergarten, free >>
10pm: enjoy a 'high-octane honky-tonk new year's eve' @ banjo jim's with sean jershaw + the new jack ramblers. $10 adm. includes a raffle ticket, noise-makers, champagne toast >>
10:30pm: ride up to central park's belvedere castle for time's up's 11th annual new year's eve bike ride and outdoor after party. fireworks! meet at washington square park. free >>
11pm: view fireworks near the arch of prospect park's grand army plaza, free >>
11:45pm: sonic uke host their 6th annual ukulele drop and mini-show from a brownstone. 321 23rd st, bk. take that, times square. free. >>
