On December 31, approximately 1 million revelers, celebrating the start of the new year, will fill New York City's Times Square to enjoy performances by Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber and to watch the famous New Year's Eve Ball descend from One Times Square.
In the days and hours before the Ball drops, events and activities related to the New Year's celebration will be held across New York City.
Located at the Times Square Visitor Center, the New Year's Eve Wishing Wall is quickly filling with visitors' wishes for 2012. Everyone is welcome to stop by and record their wishes on pieces of paper. Individuals can also submit their wishes online at timessquarenyc.org/index.aspx . 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.
From 1 to 3pm on December 31, join Patrick and Family at Staten Island Children's Museum for a Rocking New Year's Eve daytime celebration for the whole family, with music, dancing, party hats, make your own maracas, snacks and a special countdown.
On New Year's Eve, New York Road Runners hosts the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, a 4-mile race in Central Park. Before the race starts at midnight, enjoy a laser light show and fireworks, dancing and a costume parade at the Central Park Bandshell.
New Year's Eve celebrations in Brooklyn kick off around 11pm with entertainment and hot refreshments at Grand Army Plaza and fireworks from midnight to 12:15am at the Long Meadow.
For more information about New Year's Eve events happening in New York City, visit www.nycgo.com/holidays .
For more information about top events in New York take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in New York.