Besides the iconic Ball Drop at the Electric Tower (fireworks and musical performances start at 10:30p in Roosevelt Plaza), WNY has lots of other options to ring in the new year!

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Gateway Harbor: Avoid downtown's traffic and head to Gateway Harbor Park in Tonawanda (just the ball drop this year, no bar crawl).  The event starts at 6p, with family activities inside Salem Church.  The ball drop is followed by fireworks over the Renaissance Bridge on the canal.

First Night Buffalo:  The city's biggest family-friendly New Year's Eve party includes dancing, comedy, poetry, puppet obstacle challenges (?!?), bounce houses, rides, and more.  Get tickets at any Wegmans for $10 in advance ($12 at the door) for anyone age 3+.  The event runs 5p-10p at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.

Old Falls Street:  Watch movies, compete in a giant inflatable obstacle course, or just dance your hiney off with the family inside the Conference and Event Center in Niagara Falls.  Tickets are only $6 with food and non-alcoholic beverage available.  A balloon drop and complimentary sparkling juice toast will help ring in a safe new year.

Keg Drop:  Rusty Nickel Brewing is hosting a Keg Drop this year, with a party including food, drinks, a fire pit, and everyone's favorite game, Cornhole.  Get details on their Facebook page.  Note: pre-sale tickets are required!

The Lodge:  Enjoy a Black Diamond Affair with dinner from 5p-9p and a DJ starting at 10:30p. Pre-sale tickets are $10 cheaper than at the door, and get you one drink ticket, hors d'oeuvres, game room access, and a champagne toast.

The Foundry:  Get a little fancy at this black tie, 007-themed affair. Enjoy casino games, food, open bar, music, and dancing til midnight.  General admission is $125 and includes it all, plus valet parking!

Buffalo Riverworks:  There's a full day of fun at RiverWorks, starting with open skate from 10am to 4pm.  After 6pm a $10 cover for adults ($5 for kids 10 and under) includes open skate, roller skating, and a champagne toast at midnight.

 

Ottawa Senators v Buffalo Sabres
NHLI via Getty Images / Bill Wippert
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Of course, the Sabres are playing tonight too, for the annual Tux & Pucks game...while tickets via the First Niagara Center site are sold out for the game, you may have luck through "third party vendors".

 

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