MATAWAN, NJ — Looking for a unique way to ring in 2025? Patch rounded up an eclectic mix of things to do this New Year's Eve. We've got a diverse list of activities in the Matawan-Aberdeen area and North Jersey, whether you are single and want to mingle, have kids in tow or are looking for something in between:
Here are some NYE events happening around Matawan-Aberdeen:
New Brunswick is a prime one-stop destination to ring in the new year. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, New Brunswick City Center is the perfect location for a full evening of celebration, starting with New Year's Eve dinner specials at a variety of our upscale restaurants. After dinner, take in a comedy show at the Stress Factory or performance at the State Theatre or listen to some live music. Ring in the new year singing and dancing with friends on Livingston Avenue and watching the fireworks light up 2025! Stay the night in one of New Brunswick's hotels.
Live Entertainment in New Brunswick:
Stress Factory Comedy Club - New Year's Eve Extravaganza!! Join Stress Factory for New Year’s Eve! Full Buffet and Show! The early show includes a buffet and ticket. Late Show includes a Show, Buffet, and Open Bar! Comics: ISAIH KELLY AND CARRIE CARAVAS. Purchase tickets here.
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State Theatre New Jersey - Salute to Vienna. Waltzing into State Theater New Jersey, Salute to Vienna New Year's Concert is an enchanting, unforgettable celebration. Purchase tickets here.
Harvest Moon Brewery/Cafe - Live DJ. Prebooked drink package includes($75 tax and tip will be added) - first hour passed hors devours, premium open bar, and Champagne toast at Midnight! (9pm-2am). Regular door admission ($25) - comes with one drink ticket (10pm-2am).
New Brunswick fireworks at midnight
The city’s primary celebration returns with New Brunswick's Fine Restaurants and Bars bringing you New Year's Eve, New Brunswick-style. The Restaurant Guys present their well-renowned Fireworks Spectacular at midnight at Monument Square Park, across from Catherine Lombardi and Stage Left Steak. See all those who made it possible at NewBrunswickNewYearsEve.com.
Stay at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick or The Heldrich Hotel.
And fireworks will also be at Pier Village in Long Branch:
Ring in the new year in style with a trip to the city by the sea! Pier Village will be fully decorated for the holidays with a 24ft Illuminated Tree, Winter Lights, and plenty of cheer for your New Year’s getaway. Special New Year’s Eve events include live music, pre-fix dinners and a fireworks finale.
See the Pier Village Firework Spectacular beginning at 9 p.m. Dec. 31.
NYE Dinner and a Firework Show | Maya at Wave Resort
Celebrate the New Year with a fabulous dinner at Maya. Included in your dinner is a special prix fixe four-course meal from 5PM – 10PM and Acoustic Music Talent from 5PM – 9PM. Reservations: Reserve your table in advance. 5PM – 10PM Price: $120 includes a four-course dinner and 9pm Fireworks Show.
The Bar NYE Party | Wave Resort 9PM – 1AM Dance the night away at The Bars NYE Party and enjoy live DJ music and a cash bar. Open to the public / Free to enter
NYE Celebration | AvenueLive Music, Dancing, a delectable 5-Course Menu, Open bar and champagne toast is what Avenue is serving up this year for NYE. Come Celebrate in Style! Reservations: Reserve your table in advance. Two Seatings available 8PM and 9PM Price: $200 includes a five-course dinner, open bar, champagne toast and 9pm Fireworks Show.
NYE Party at Pier Pins - Free Table Games, Cocktails, Bowling and Music. Music by DJ Izik. | 9PM Reserve your lanes today.
Dinner and Music with Carl Gentry and Friends at McLoone’s Pier House 8PM – 12AM A La Carte Dinner, Live Music and a Champagne Toast at Midnight Reservations: Reserve Your Table
Rockin’ Into The New Year Party at McLoone’s Pier House | 8PM – 12:30AM Open Bar, Cocktail Reception and Live Music with Jillian Rhys McCoy, Tom Seguso, John Conte, Ralph Notaro & Arne Wendt Reservations: Reserve your Table Price: $135PP
Robinsons Ale House NYE Party | 8PM Open Bar, Live DJ and Champagne Toast at Midnight.
And elsewhere in New Jersey:
In the United States, one of the most popular New Year’s Eve traditions is the dropping of the giant ball in New York City’s Times Square. Other U.S. cities have their own versions of this celebration, such as the Peeps Chick Drop in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and the giant Potato Drop in Boise, Idaho.
But New Jersey has its own twist on the big ball drop: For the second year in a row, Hackettstown will have its M&M drop.
The transition from one year to the next is often marked by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” a Scottish folk song whose title roughly translates to “days gone by,” according to Encyclopedia Britannica and History.com.
The tradition of New Year’s resolutions dates back 8,000 years to ancient Babylonians, who made promises to return borrowed items and repay debts at the beginning of the new year, which was in mid-March when they planted their crops.
According to legend, if people kept their word, the pagan gods would grant them favor in the coming year. However, if they broke their promises, they would lose favor with the gods.Many secular New Year’s resolutions focus on imagining new, improved versions of ourselves.
The failure rate of New Year’s resolutions is about 80 percent, according to U.S. News & World Report. There are many reasons, but a big one is they’re made out of remorse — for gaining weight, for example — and aren’t accompanied by a shift in attitude or a plan for coping with the stress and discomfort that comes with changing a habit or condition.