If you’re not into New Year’s Eve parties but still want to do something special, sign up for the New York Road Runners’ Midnight Run in Central Park. Start off with a party at 10 p.m., complete with music and DJ, and get ready for the countdown to the new year — the four-mile run starts at midnight to the accompaniment of fireworks, with glasses of champagne offered at checkpoints throughout. Note that this is a race for fun (and prize money, if you’re a veteran runner). The festival is free to the public, and the best view of the fireworks will be just south of 72nd Street.
Wed., Dec. 31, 10 p.m., 2014
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