BY RACHEL WALLACE
No matter your track record with sticking to New Year’s resolutions, January 1st always provides a chance to start fresh. Doing something fun, meaningful, and memorable on New Year’s Eve is a great way to leave the past year behind and feel confident in the future. Any of these six events in NYC are a unique way to ring in 2015 that you may not have considered before.
Kadampa Meditation Center: This Buddhist meditation center is a place where all people can learn Buddhist teachings and participate in meditation classes. The center will be hosting a New Year’s Eve event including food, an introduction to Buddhist practices, prayers, guided meditation, and a non-alcoholic New Year’s toast.
AMC 34th Street Silver Screens Festival: This event won’t be completely sober, but it is an option that doesn’t center solely on alcohol. With the purchase of a ticket, guests have access to an open bar, and will be able to enter either one of the open theaters, which will be showing Casablanca and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Jivamukti Yoga School: 26th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration: This New Year’s celebration will kick off your resolution to exercise more with a two-hour yoga class from 5pm-7pm. A vegan dinner, Kirtan dance party, and silent reflection follow. Certainly not the typical New Year’s, but this is the perfect way to decompress and reflect on the past year, while starting 2015 with a calm and clean spirit.
New Year’s Eve Bike Ride & Outdoor After Party: Time’s Up, a NYC group dedicated to promoting a cleaner environment, will be hosting a bike ride from Washington Square Park to Belvedere Castle in Central Park, where there will be a dance party and fireworks to ring in 2015.
New Year’s Eve Brooklyn Block Party at the Brooklyn Brewery: An indoor block party is the perfect answer to the unpredictable New York winter weather. This bash will feature multiple craft beers, BBQ (and Veggie Sloppy Joes), a DJ, and chances to win prizes throughout the night.
Back Forty West New Year’s Eve (SoHo): A delicious four-course meal with friends is a festive yet low-key alternative to going out to a club or bar this New Year’s. With an awesome menu and tables for up to 14 people, Back Forty West would be a great place for a cozy New Year’s get together.
Rachel Wallace is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she studied psychology, journalism, and warm weather. She recently moved back to her home state of New York to attend the Columbia Publishing Course and pursue a career in writing and editing. Some of her interests include poetry, hip-hip, yoga, and YouTube. She is adventurous when it comes to food and passionate about traveling. Her favorite places to be include London and the New York Renaissance Faire.
2015 image via Shutterstock