NYE 2014
If you’re looking to spice up your NYE 2014 plans this year, there will be numerous events taking place across the country on Dec. 31. From EDM to piano rock, and even a sporting event or two, a wide range of options is available for those looking for something a little more out of the ordinary this New Year's Eve.
Billy Joel, Phish to Ring in the New Year in the Big Apple
In New York, Billy Joel will spend the evening performing for the first time at the massive Barclays Center, which opened in Sept. 2012. Phish, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, also will be in town as 2013 comes to a close. The eclectic jam band will headline four concerts at Madison Square Garden from Dec. 28-31.
More NYE 2014 Concerts
If you’re in the mood for something rowdier, dubstep DJ Bassnectar will also perform on Dec. 31 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The California native’s set will be a perfect fit for the festive holiday, as his shows are packed with catchy dance beats and extravagant light displays.
For fans of Southern rock, Zac Brown Band is scheduled to perform at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on Dec. 31, while folk rock group The Avett Brothers also will help fans celebrate the arrival of 2014 by playing a concert in the band’s home state of North Carolina.
Las Vegas New Year’s Eve 2014
In addition to an eight-minute, city-wide fireworks show, Sin City is per usual featuring a number of over-the-top, flashy celebrations for the end-of-the-year holiday. Bruno Mars will be performing at The Chelsea, a beautiful new venue within the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The theater, described by Cosmopolitan directors as boasting a breathtaking yet grounded industrial design, is scheduled to open with an inaugural concert by Mars on Dec. 29.
Pop fans also can celebrate the arrival of 2014 by attending Piece of Me, the new Britney Spears residency at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Like Mars, Spears also will be performing in a new space; Planet Hollywood completely revamped its PH Live theater for the show, turning the venue into the world’s largest indoor projection theater. The “Till the World Ends” songstress is performing on both Dec. 30 and 31.
Las Vegas staple Celine Dion also is on tap to continue her reign at Caesars Palace with concerts from Dec. 30-31, while Maroon 5 will play on the same dates in special performances booked at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
Notable NYE 2014 Sporting Events
Ahead of the ever-popular NHL Winter Classic—which this year pits the Detroit Red Wings against the Toronto Maple Leafs—the Winter Classic Alumni Game is scheduled for Dec. 31. Legendary players featured on the day’s rosters include Sergei Fedorov, Alex Delvecchio, Mats Sundin, and Darryl Sittler. In other NHL action, the Boston Bruins will host the New York Islanders at TD Garden on the evening of Dec. 31.
For the NBA, the Portland Trailblazers will travel to Chesapeake Energy Arena to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. As of Dec. 4, the two squads are 1-2 in the Northwest Division, with Portland clinging to a one-game lead over OKC.