New Year’s Eve guide for the Jersey Shore
Atlantic City’s New Year Eve celebrations will burst into 2016 with fireworks and thousands of popping corks.
Tropicana will be launching a free 10-minute Fireworks By Grucci pyrotechnics show over the Boardwalk together with their multimedia light show at midnight, while over at Caesars revelers will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most champagne bottles simultaneously uncorked when the ball drops.
The current record stands at 2778, set in 2007 in Pesaro, Italy.
All the best AC parties
Billed as the biggest New Year’s Eve party on the East Coast, Uncorked NYE features six parties under one roof inside the Playground Pier at Caesars Atlantic City. Highlights include a five-hour open bar, dueling piano bar, karaoke bar, Irish pub, a Roaring 20s-style speakeasy and DJ Solo performing at nightclub.
Guest can also watch the Times Square ball drop on a 40-foot LED screen and participate in the aforementioned cork popping record breaker. General admission is for guests 21 and older and costs $100 and VIP admission is $150. Each ticket holder will receive a bottle of champagne.
In addition to fireworks, Tropicana will groove into the new year on a retro vibe with a concert performance from the Pointer Sisters at 9:30 p.m. Tickets range from $79 to $89. Keep on gettin’ funky over at the casino’s Boogie Nights dance club which will feature an open bar from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., appetizers, entertainment, party favors and a balloon drop at midnight. Tickets are $60 per person or $100 per couple. Inside the casino’s Anthem Lounge the party theme is Paint the Town Red, with a three-hour open bar, complimentary party favors, red accessories and champagne toast, plus DJs A Drop and B Lee. Tickets are $60.
Northern Irish electronic dance music (EDM) artist and former BBC Radio 1 host, DJ Fergie will helm the party at Golden Nugget’s Haven Nightclub. Tickets cost $75.
Los Angeles DJ, Vice will be spinning at the Borgata’s mur.mur nightclub. Tickets cost $75 and feature an open bar from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Harrah’s Pool after Dark will have DJ Jessica Who on deck, an open bar from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., party favors and a champagne toast. Tickets are $75 for general admission.
Trump Taj Mahal will flash back to the 70s with the 10-piece Right On Band. Tickets cost just $16 (cash bar).
FantaSea Resorts is offering a four course buffet, entertainment from DJ KC, champagne toast, cash bar, plus complimentary party favors. Tickets cost $85.
The Chelsea Hotel’s Crystal Ballroom will have a live DJ, five hour open bar, complimentary appetizers and party favors, plus a complimentary champagne toast. General admission starts at $69.
Philadelphia’s own Kevin Hart will also be on hand to wrap up the year with laughs at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $59.50.
Other NYE celebrations at the shore
Ocean City’s annual First Night festivities begin at 4 p.m. with 61 live performances at numerous venues in town. Fireworks will cap off the event at midnight.
New this year, button holders can enjoy free access to Gillian’s Wonderland Pier amusements rides and go swimming at the Aquatic and Fitness Center pool. Music highlights include Neil Diamond tribute band, Real Diamond, the Hegemony String Band, Ocean City Pops and the Fabulous Grease Band. Other entertainment includes a reptile show, magicians, jugglers, comedians and performances of classic fairytales Snow White and Hansel and Gretel.
Free parking will be available in all municipal parking lots. A free jitney service will also be operating continuously between designated locations between the Transportation Center (9th and Haven Ave.) and the 7th Street parking lot. Admission buttons cost $20 and can be purchased online or by calling 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
Sea Isle City offers its family-friendly early New Year’s Eve in Egypt celebration at the municipal gymnasium from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The countdown with a falling crystal ball at 7 p.m. will be followed by fireworks at JFK Beach. Admission price is a dessert (yum!).
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