New Year’s Eve 2022: Celebrate In And Near Tredyffrin/Easttown

TREDYFFRIN/EASTTOWN, PA — New Year’s Eve is the start of a new beginning with lots to celebrate with family and friends in and around the Main Line.

If you are looking for something extra special to do on New Year's Eve, you don’t have to go far.

In addition to the traditional dining out in local restaurants, there are special events sprinkled in the suburbs and our city of Brothery Love.

There is Arnold’s Go Karts in Oaks, Longwood Gardens in Chester County and Firework cruises in Philadelphia.

Here is a look at some happenings on the Main Line and Beyond:

• 118 North Wayne Steal Your Peach: an Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead Tribute Band Tickets include open bar and food. Tickets are available here.
• Valley Forge Casino Resort, New Year’s Eve: 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. games; karaoke 8 p.m. DJ Rashaun; 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Revolution Chop House, jazz duo, champagne toast at midnight. Reservations available here.
• 30 Main, 660 Lancaster Ave., Berwyn: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Cocktails, entertainment and champagne toast Tickets cost $70.
• Crystal Tea Room: 8 p.m.to 2 a.m. Live DJ 100 Penn Square, East Philadelphia. Buffet and open bar. On top of the Wanamaker Building with chandeliers. Black tie optional. Tickets are available here.
• Ben Franklin Yacht Fireworks Cruise: Known as one of the best annual New Year’s Eve yacht parties in the state, the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise is a special affair. Boarding is at 9:30 p.m., leaving at 10 p.m. A buffet dancing, DJ music, a buffet with a roast beef carving station and more will be followed up with a spectacular fireworks display on the river. Parking available at Penn's Landing Road and Christopher Columbus Boulevard. More information is available here
• Xfinity Live: New Year’s Eve party:1100 Pattison Ave, Philadelphia 9 p.m. to closing food, beverages, live performance by Split Decision, multiple DJs,midnight toast, party favors and more. Tickets are available here.
• New Year’s Eve Arcade Party: Pinball Gallery, 81 Lancaster Ave., Malvern. 8 p.m. to 1 .m. More than 100 pinball machines and video arcade games. Snacks, soda and party favors. $50 per person. Tickets are available here.
• Arnold’s Family Fun Center: 2200 West Drive Oaks; Kids New Year's Eve Family Party 12 to 7 p.m. Free admission, magic with KooKoo, balloon drop, unlimited bumper cars, laser tag, rope course, and pizza buffet.
  Adults are invited from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. for a party with a live rock concert, open bar and more. More information is available here.
• Longwood Gardens: 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348, 4:30 to 10 p.m., weather permitting. Outdoor music, gardens and lots of lights. Reservations are not required for garden touring. More information is available here.

Around the country

In the United States, one of the most popular New Year’s Eve traditions is, of course, the dropping of the giant ball in New York City’s Times Square. Various cities have adopted their own iterations of the event — the Peach Drop in Atlanta, the Chick Drop in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and the giant Potato Drop in Boise, Idaho.

The history of New Year’s resolutions dates back 8,000 years to ancient Babylonians, who would make promises to return borrowed objects and pay outstanding debts at the beginning of the new year, in mid-March when they planted their crops.

According to legend, if they kept their word, pagan gods would grant them favor in the coming year. If they broke the promise, they would fall out of God’s favor, according to a history of New Year’s resolutions compiled by North Hampton Community College New Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

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.