NYC & COMPANY ANNOUNCES HIGHLIGHTS OF NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION THROUHGOUT THE FIVE BOROUGHS —A Million People Will Descend on Times Square to Celebrate Annual New Year’s Eve Tradition and Ring in 2013— —Events Across All Five Boroughs Provide New Yorkers and Visitors with Diverse Options to Celebrate the Start of a New Year— New York City (November 28, 2012) — When the clock nears midnight on the night of December 31, the eyes of the world will focus on New York City to watch the famous Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball drop and celebrate the start of a new year. NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, is encouraging New Yorkers and visitors to experience this iconic event or take in one of the many other unique New Year’s Eve activities taking place throughout the five boroughs. “On December 31, Times Square – the “Crossroads of the World” – comes alive with a million people welcoming in the New Year,” said George Fertitta, NYC & Company’s CEO. “New York City is the perfect backdrop to celebrate the iconic ball drop event in Times Square or to sample many other distinctive celebrations taking place throughout the five boroughs. We invite visitors and New Yorkers to say goodbye to 2012 and ring in 2013 in the nation’s number one city tourism destination.” Over 100 million television viewers in the United States and more than 1 billion people worldwide are expected to join the estimated 1 million revelers in New York City watch a 105-year-old tradition: the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. A 12-foot geodesic sphere covered in 2,688 Waterford crystals, the Ball weighs 11,875 pounds and is powered by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LED lights capable of creating a palette of more than 16 million vibrant colors. At 11:59 p.m., the Ball begins its descent atop One Times Square as millions of people count down the final seconds of the year, and celebrate the beginning of a new year full of hopes, challenges, changes and dreams. More Times Square related events taking place in the city in the hours prior to the Ball Drop include: New Year’s Eve Wishing Wall: Located at the Times Square Museum & Visitor Center (located at 7th Ave between 46th & 47th Streets, open 7 Days a Week, 8AM - 8PM), the wall is quickly filling with visitors’ wishes for 2013. Everyone is welcome to stop by and record their wishes on pieces of paper. Individuals can also submit their wishes online (page available in English, Spanish and French) at timessquarenyc.org. All of the wishes from the wall and those submitted online will be collected and added to the confetti that flutters down onto the streets of Times Square at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Good Riddance Day: On December 28, the Times Square Alliance invites the public to say good- bye and good riddance to the worst memory from 2012. Last year, Cintas Corporation provided a large mobile shredding truck in Duffy Square and sledgehammers to discard and destroy depressing memories. Submit your 2012 Good Riddance online at timessquarenyc.org. A trip to the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration will be awarded to the person with the most creative entry, allowing them to say, “Good riddance” in person. New Year’s Eve at the New York Marriott Marquis and Renaissance New York Times Square: Round out the ultimate New Year’s Eve experience at the Marriott Marquis, located in the heart of Times Square. Guests can either attend an elegant gala in the Broadway Lounge, complete with an open bar, music, food and live entertainment, or ring in the new year at the View Restaurant & Lounge. Here, guests can enjoy a 5-course dinner and dancing while experiencing panoramic views, 48 floors above Times Square. For more information and ticket pricing, visit nymarriotmarquis.com/. Visitors seeking climate-controlled comfort with arguably the best views of Times Square can head to Renaissance Times Square’s R Lounge, which is offering special New Year’s Eve packages starting at $2,500 per person (tax and service charge additional). Contact the hotel for tickets and information at renaissancetimesquare.com/ or call (212) 445-1445. Many other distinctive New Year’s celebrations and events are taking place throughout the City— what follows are some highlights of activity in the five boroughs: Brooklyn: Grand Army Plaza: New Year’s Eve celebrations in Brooklyn kick off at 11pm with entertainment and hot refreshments at Grand Army Plaza and fireworks from midnight to 12:15am at the Long Meadow. The best viewing locations for the fireworks are within Grand Army Plaza, along West Drive in Prospect Park, and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and 9th Street. For more information, go to prospectpark.org. Coney Island Polar Bear Club Annual New Year’s Day Swim: The Coney Island Polar Bear Club is hosting its New Year’s Day Swim in the Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island at 1:00pm on January 1. For more information, go to polarbearclub.org/. Bronx: The New York Botanical Garden: As a part of the Holiday Train Show, New York City puppeteer Ralph Lee brings to life the classic children’s story in The Little Engine That Could Puppet Show. On December 31, there are shows at 1:00pm, 2:00pm and 3:00pm in the Ross Gallery. For ticket information, visit nybg.org/ Manhattan: Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises: This New Year’s Eve party cruise includes a full open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a DJ, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Boarding begins at 9pm with the cruise sailing from 10pm–1am. The cruise will feature fireworks at the Statue of Liberty and dancing; tickets cost $149 and are all-inclusive (you must be 18 years old for the cruise and 21 to drink alcohol). For more information and to purchase tickets, visit circleline42.com/. New York Philharmonic: The New York Philharmonic is celebrating the life and music of Marvin Hamlisch in a New Year’s Eve concert at Avery Fish Hall, starting at 7:30pm. Hamlisch’s accolades include three Oscars, four Emmys, four Grammys, two Golden Globes, a Tony and a Pulitzer Prize. He is also the man responsible for the scores in over forty movies and eight Broadway shows, including A Chorus Line. Conducted by Paul Gemignani, the concert features an all-star cast including violinist Joshua Bell and vocalists Josh Groban, Megan Hilty and Audra McDonald. Tickets can be purchased online at nyphil.org. Additional concerts on New Year’s Eve night include: Phish will play at 8:00pm at Madison Square Garden and Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra will perform at Terminal 5, both shows starting at 8:00pm. Pretty Lights are playing at the Roseland Ballroom, They Might Be Giants will be at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, and Gov’t Mule at the Beacon Theatre, all starting at 9:00pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, see ticketmaster.com. Additionally, Lincoln Center will host a swing dance concert featuring two sets of live music - to purchase tickets visit jalc.org/. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square: Ripley’s Times Square New Year’s Eve festivities for the whole family begin at 8pm on December 31. Be amazed by fire breathing acts, a DJ dance party, and a champagne toast at midnight. Parents can enjoy an open bar and hors d’oeuvre while the kids take part in scavenger hunts and New York City’s only Mission Impossible LaseRace. For more information visit ripleysnewyork.com/ Emerald Nuts Midnight Run: On New Year’s Eve at 11:45pm, New York Road Runners hosts the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, a 4-mile race in Central Park. Before the race starts, enjoy a laser light show and fireworks, dancing and a costume parade at the Central Park Bandshell. Cash prizes are offered for the top 3 runners in both the men’s and women’s categories, in addition to other fun prizes. Further details can be found at nyrr.org. New Year’s Eve Bash & New Year’s Day Brunch at Red Rooster Harlem: Sit down at celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster Harlem for varying prix fixe seatings from 5:30pm-10pm, or watch the ball drop at the New Year’s Eve Gala, starting at 10pm. At the Gala, guests will enjoy a live band and DJ, party favors, mini desserts, a champagne toast, and dancing. The following day, the restaurant’s doors will open at 12pm for a Gospel Brunch featuring Red Rooster’s signatures and specialties. To make a reservation, call 212-792-9001 or visit redroosterharlem.com/ Queens: Resorts World Casino: Billed as the largest New Year’s Eve party outside of Times Square is an event in the Resort World Casino’s “Central Park” event space. Tickets are $40 or 2,500 Genting Rewards points. This includes champagne, party favors and one free drink. Live entertainment will be provided by That 70’s Band. For tickets and more information, visit rwnewyork.com. Queens Theatre: The Handsome Little Devils present the Squirm Burpee Circus at the Queens Theatre between December 27-December 31. Shows are offered at 2:00pm and 7:00pm, featuring classic Vaudeville entertainment including slapstick, chainsaw juggling, swing dancing, the Human Cannonball, the Ladder of Love, and the Baron’s Magic Hour. For more information and ticket pricing, visit queenstheatre.org. For more information on the Handsome Little Devils go to handsomelittledevils.com/.