Complete Guide to New York's New Year's Eve Fireworks in Brooklyn

New Year in New York!

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Updated on 06/27/19

Brooklyn Bridge fireworks — Steve Kelley aka mudpig

For New Year's Eve, you can choose between fireworks in Brooklyn's centrally located Prospect Park, a midnight seaside fireworks display in Coney Island, or a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Grand Army Plaza, located at the main entrance to Prospect Park, is a major viewing site for the Prospect Park fireworks, which are shot off in the Great Lawn section of the park. For a good spot, arrive early.

Events: 10:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.: Entertainment and hot refreshments at Grand Army Plaza.

How to Get to the NYC's Grand Army Plaza Fireworks by Public Transportation

It's easy to get to the fireworks by subway from all points in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and elsewhere. For those unfamiliar with the area:

Option A : Take #2 or the #3 subway to the Grand Army Plaza Station. Proceed up Flatbush Avenue (it's a slight uphill, in case you aren't sure which way to go) or follow Plaza Street until you see a very large monument and traffic circle, both of which are called Grand Army Plaza.

(Using the same subway, you can take a slightly more distant exit at Eastern Parkway. Exit the Eastern Parkway station. Walk down Eastern Parkway from the Brooklyn Museum and past the Botanical Gardens to Grand Army Plaza.)

Option B : Take the Q or B to the 7th Avenue Station. Follow Flatbush Avenue up the hill. Grand Army Plaza is about 3 blocks away.

Option C : Catch an F or G train to the 9th Street and 7th Avenue stop, which is about three quarters of a mile away from Grand Army Plaza. However, you can see the fireworks from along the way, so you don't have to walk the entire distance to Grand Army Plaza.

Or, take the same trains, the F or G, to the 15th Street Prospect Park Station. From here, you can walk into the park, following signs "to the bandshell," and watch from anywhere either on the park roadway or on the grass. And, if you don't mind walking, there are a few other stations slightly further away.

Option D : Take the N or R train to the Union Street station, and walk from 4th Avenue straight up to Grand Army Plaza, under a 15-minute walk.

Option E : Take any train (or the LIRR) to Atlantic Avenue subway station, and walk or take a bus up Flatbush Avenue.

Buses:
You can also go by bus:

B61 / B68 to Prospect Park West
B69 / B67 to 9th Street
B41 or B71 to Grand Army Plaza (will be routed for the event)

Get a Free Ride on NYC Buses, Subways, Cabs on New Year's Eve

Parking Near Grand Army Plaza on New Year's Eve for the Fireworks Display

Parking can be tough in certain neighborhoods in Brooklyn, and Park Slope is one of them. Visitors can search for street parking in and around Grand Army Plaza, from 4th Avenue in to Prospect Park West in Park Slope, along the residential blocks that are within walking distance of Prospect Park. Or, try Prospect Heights, between Vanderbilt Avenue and Flatbush Avenue.

The biggest parking garage in the area is Central Parking on Union Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenue, a ten-minute walk to Grand Army Plaza. Several others listed on Google are quite small and many spaces are reserved for local monthly customers who regularly park there.

So, parking can be tough. If you plan on driving to see the fireworks, try to arrive in the neighborhood early. Better yet, rely on mass transit for a safe New Year's Eve.

Finally, it might be tough to nab a cab, but not impossible. List of 100 Car Services in 20 Brooklyn Neighborhoods.

New Year's Eve in New York: What to Do Before the Fireworks at Grand Army Plaza

At 10:30 p.m. attend the free pre-party at Grand Army Plaza, with entertainment, and some light refreshments.

Or, for drinks or dinner beforehand, make a night of it! Eat at one of the many small neighborhood places in Prospect Heights or toward Park Slope's Restaurant Row, on Fifth Avenue. (Listings to come.)

Take a 3-mile, almost-midnight run in Prospect Park finishing near the viewing spot for the fireworks.

Go see The Nutcracker at Brooklyn Academy of Music.

New Year's Eve in New York: What to Do After the Midnight Fireworks in Brooklyn

Park Slope has multiple bars and venues with New Year's Eve events. Nearby, you can visit some small neighborhood places in Prospect Heights.

Grand Army Plaza at twilight — F. M. Kearney / Design Pics / Getty Images

New Year in New York: Where to Get a Great View of the Brooklyn Fireworks

In Grand Army Plaza
Inside Prospect Park itself, on the West Drive
On the street, along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and 9th Street.

Coney Island Fireworks — demerzel21 / Getty Images

New Year's Eve in Coney Island

Rather spend New Year's Eve at the beach instead of the park? You can see a midnight fireworks display at Coney Island. Spend New Year's Eve on the iconic Coney Island Boardwalk. Luna Park will host their 4th annual fireworks display. The celebration usually starts around 6 p.m., past events included extended hours at the New York Aquarium and free rides of the Wonder Wheel.