Times Square isn't the only place you can celebrate New Year's Eve. For the second year, Coney Island and Prospect Park in Brooklyn will have their own New Year's celebrations. The events are open to the public. Brooklynites can enjoy fireworks, food, and family-friendly activities.
Brooklyn borough president Eric Adams and the Alliance for Coney Island executive director Johanna Zaki stopped by the PIX11 studio to talk about the upcoming events.
BP ADAMS ANNOUNCES 2015 ONE BROOKLYN NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION, WITH FIREWORKS AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVITIES IN CONEY ISLAND AND PROSPECT PARK
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams announced plans for New Year’s Eve celebrations in both Coney Island and Prospect Park for the second year in a row, giving Brooklynites greater access to family-friendly festivities. Hosted by Borough President Adams, with lead sponsorship from Council Member Mark Treyger, Airbnb, NYC and Company, and the One Brooklyn Fund, Inc., the second annual New Year’s Eve celebration in Coney Island will be highlighted by a digital “burst” of lights to ring in 2016 from the iconic Parachute Jump. This year’s Coney Island event at Steeplechase Plaza will once again complement his ongoing support of the 36thannual fireworks and festivities held in Grand Army Plaza, staged in partnership with the Prospect Park Alliance. The party will begin in Coney Island at 9:00 PM, while Prospect Park’s will commence at 11:00 PM.
“This New Year’s Eve, whether you’re a beachgoer or a landlubber, Brooklyn will be the place to be!” said Borough President Adams. “With fireworks in Coney Island and at Grand Army Plaza, and family-friendly activities on both ends of the borough, the best parties for ringing in 2016 will be in the center of the universe: Brooklyn, USA!”
Both Coney Island and Prospect Park will ring in the New Year with celebrations that will include fireworks, live entertainment and hot chocolate. Coney Island will countdown to 2016 with the digital “burst” from the Parachute Jump, along with sideshow entertainment from Coney Island USA and tunes from Infinity Music and Priceless Band. Prospect Park will feature music from DJ C. Live and the Brooklyn Mash It Up Band at Grand Army Plaza that leads into the big pyrotechnic display.
“Brooklynites don’t need to travel across the river to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style anymore, because Coney Island is the place to be for family-friendly, exciting fun, just as it has been throughout its storied history,” said Council Member Treyger. “More than 5,000 people gathered at the People’s Playground last year to welcome 2015, and a big crowd is expected again as we say hello to 2016, continuing to prove that Brooklyn is home to some of the most exciting events and cultural attractions in New York City. Whether it is the live music, the fireworks, riding the legendary Wonder Wheel or the thrilling Thunderbolt, the experience of our beloved Boardwalk, or the area’s terrific eateries, visitors will experience a variety of activities to ensure that their New Year’s Eve experience is an enjoyably memorable one. I am proud to work with Borough President Adams, the Alliance for Coney Island, and all the people and organizations that are joining forces to help build a growing tradition that is sure to stand the test of time: New Year’s Eve in Coney Island!”
“New Year’s Eve fireworks at Grand Army Plaza are truly a borough-wide 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 thousands of revelers each year 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.”
“The NYC & Company Foundation is pleased to support an event with so much appeal to New Yorkers and visitors alike,” said Fred Dixon, president and chair of NYC & Company Foundation. “The One Brooklyn New Year’s Eve Celebration gives people yet another reason to explore and welcome the new year in Brooklyn. We are proud to partner with Borough President Adams in keeping Brooklyn a vital, exciting and welcoming place to live and visit.”
As an supplement to last year’s festivities, Borough President Adams announced that the Abe Stark Rink, B&B Carousell, Deno’s Wonder Wheel, and Thunderbolt roller coaster will be open and free of charge throughout New Year’s Eve and into New Year’s Day; there will be details revealed in the coming days regarding further additions. Additional partners on his celebration in Coney Island include the Alliance for Coney Island, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Central Amusement International, City Ice Sports, Inc., Community Board 13, Coney Island Beautification Project, Department of Parks and Recreation, Explore Brooklyn, FDNY, Luna Park, NYPD, and Tom’s Coney Island.
“The Alliance for Coney Island is happy to work in partnership with Borough President Adams and Council Member Treyger to ring in the New Year in Coney Island for the second year in a row,” said Johanna Zaki, executive director of the Alliance for Coney Island. “Building on the success of last year's inaugural event, we want to continue the new tradition of providing New Year's entertainment on the historic Coney Island boardwalk. Get ready for an exciting show capped off by fireworks to ring in 2016!”
“Luna Park is thrilled to participate in the New Year’s Eve celebration, which is quickly becoming a holiday tradition in Brooklyn,” said Valerio Ferrari, president of Central Amusement International. “We look forward to sharing Luna Park with all of the families and friends in the community!”
“We are proud to host the 2016 New Year's Eve ball drop celebration in our community,” said Stephen Moran, chair of Community Board 13. “We would like to thank Borough President Adams and his staff, as well as the Alliance for Coney Island, for making this happen. We look forward to working with you in 2016. Happy New Year to all!”
“Our whole Vourderis family is delighted with the success and togetherness this past summer in Coney Island,” said Dennis Vourderis, co-owner of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. “With millions of people enjoying the attractions, we want to keep the party going so we are opening for the first time ever on New Year’s Eve AND New Year’s Day. 50% of all ticket sales on New Year’s Day will be donated to the Coney Island Polar Bear Club. This is a ‘cool’ way to kick off the New Year as we also look ahead to our 100th anniversary in 2020.
“We invite everyone to come out and celebrate a Coney Island New Year with us on the Boardwalk!” said Jimmy Kokatas, owner of Tom’s Coney Island.
More information about both events is available at brooklyn-usa.org as well as nycgo.com.
Attractions and venues, hours of operation, promo/discounts
Abe Stark Skating Rink, 7 - 11 p.m., free skating
Thunderbolt Roller Coaster, 8 - 11 p.m., free rides
B&B Carousell, 8 - 11 p.m., free rides
Deno's Wonder Wheel, 9 - 11 p.m., free rides
New York Aquarium, until 9 p.m., discounted admission
Coney Island USA, until 11 p.m.
White Castle, 7 - 11 p.m.
Wahlburgers, until 12 a.m.
Grimaldi's, until 2 a.m.
Applebee's, until 2 a.m., free Champagne toast at midnight
Nathan's Famous, until 2 a.m.
Peggy O'Neill's, until 4 a.m.
Coney Island Brewery, until 4 a.m., ticketed event: $85.00 per person — purchased in advance.
