Emerald Nuts Midnight Run
The party starts early for the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run—dancing begins at 10 p.m., there’s a costume contest at 11 p.m., and the runners head out promptly at midnight. The four-miler begins at the Central Park Bandshell at 72nd Street, circling up around 103rd Street. There are treats along the way: The route brings you by both the Still Hunt panther and the statue of New York City marathon Fred Lebow checking his stopwatch, and there’s a champagne toast at the halfway point (the 102nd Street Transverse). Prizes are awarded to the first, second, and third place male and female racers and runners who qualify with existing times.
Cost: $55 for NYRR members, $25 for Junior/Senior members, $60 for non-members; day of the event, $60 for NYRR members, $35 for Junior/Senior members, $65 for non-members
Brooklyn Bridge Walk Into the New Year
Combine learning and leisure at the family-friendly Brooklyn Bridge Walk into the New Year. Tour guides from New York Talks and Walks will lead observers from City Hall across the Brooklyn Bridge, where people can enjoy refreshments, prizes, and stunning views of the fireworks and the Empire State Building’s light show. The tour meets at 160 Broadway, and multiple walks will start between 10:15 and 11:15 p.m..
Cost: $40 online, $50 day of the event; children 9–18, $20 online, $30 day of the event; children 8 and under, free
Laughing Lotus’ Spirit Dive New Year’s Eve Class
Start off 2013 at the end of a Vinyasa yoga class at Laughing Lotus. D.J. Bryan Black mixes rock, R&B, indie, and world music to make for a fun and sweaty session. Join the class for the countdown, the vegan treats, and the kombucha on-tap, and go into your New Year with that special yoga glow.
Cost: $40 advance sign-up; $50 at the door
Time’s Up New Year’s Eve Bike Ride
Looking to begin the New Year on wheels? Join environmental advocacy group Time’s Up’s fourteenth New Year’s Eve Bike Ride. Revelers can join the ride either on a bike or skates at one of the two pickup points in Manhattan: It starts under the arch in Washington Square Park at 10 p.m., or jump in at 23rd and Broadway at 10:20 p.m.. The ride ends at Belvedere Castle in Central Park, where there will be dancing, food, drink, and, presumably, many people catching their breath.
Cost: free
18th Annual Brooklyn New Year’s Eve 5K
Held by Brooklyn Road Runners and Skechers, this is Prospect Park’s only nighttime race of year. Runners begin at 11:15 p.m., following a course along the Prospect Park Roadway that starts and finishes at 9th Street. Head there early for the giveaways: There’s hot chocolate and sparkling cider, glow necklaces, fleece hats, gifts from Skechers, and Skechers gift certificates to the first and last female and male finishers. Try your best to finish at midnight—you can see fireworks from the finish line!
Cost: $25 through 12/23, $30 from 12/23 to 12/30, $40 race day
Sacred Brooklyn
Wanna be in the midst of a hot yoga class at midnight? You’re not alone. Sacred Brooklyn’s New Year’s Eve class starts at 10:45 p.m. and is designed for attendees to be in the camel pose—kneeling, chest open, back arched—as the clock strikes twelve. Playlist requests are happily accepted, and there’s child care available across the hall ($5 per child).
Cost: $25