A New Era at Saratoga New Year’s Fest

With the year coming to an end, excitement is building in Saratoga Springs for the upcoming Saratoga New Year’s Fest.

Known as the largest New Year’s celebration north of Times Square, the event will provide nonstop entertainment for the entire weekend, starting Friday and ending Monday. Throughout the festival, downtown Saratoga Springs will be transformed into a stage for a range of shows, shining lights of musical brilliance and celebration.

The festival this year ushers in a new era, moving away from the customary First Night activities that have been held since 1996. Featuring a new structure that emphasizes a music fest spotlighting destination artists instead of cover bands, the event is expected to feature a diverse range of national, regional and local talent, including genres such as rock, country, blues and jazz. With something for everyone, the makeover seeks to achieve the ideal harmony between mass appeal and critical praise.

Tickets for the event can be purchased ahead of time. The price per person starts at $25, and children under 16 get in free of charge. With these tickets you can attend a wide range of events at different locations throughout the city. 

This year’s roster features big names including eight-time Grammy winner Joan Osborne and 10-time nominee Robert Randolph, well-known for his skill with the pedal steel guitar.

In addition, both well-known and up-and-coming musicians – including Tracy Bonham, Dogs in a Pile, Organ Fairchild, Toubab Krewe and Ward Hayden & the Outliers – are on the bill, each bringing their own sound and enthusiasm to the mix.

Examining the festival’s schedule in more detail, producer Robert Millis – who met with Discover Saratoga, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, city Commissioner of Accounts Dillon Moran and the Saratoga City Center to suggest a new plan the previous year – offers his thoughts on what attendees can anticipate this year. The pre-fireworks block party and the outside show are two of the festival’s new attractions that Millis is excited about.

“Probably to see how our experiment of that outdoor show works,” Millis said. “So whether people come down early, whether we successfully deliver what we internally call a miniature Times Square experience,” he continued, emphasizing the goal of the festival: to offer a distinctive and lively experience.

Millis also offered recommendations specific to the various participants. He recommended planning “your itinerary to get there a little earlier this year,” for those without children. New Year’s Eve falls on a Sunday. Thus, he said, arrive during the day. “After that, attend the block party and fireworks. Then you’ll probably carry on with your wandering, but will eventually arrive at the City Center for one of the two acts’ main show.”

The Saratoga Springs City Center will present a free family concert starting at 4:30 p.m. and fireworks at 6 p.m. to kick off the festivities. This free outdoor celebration, presented by Druthers and Death Wish Coffee, is the perfect way to start the new year with the whole family.

Millis provides an alternative schedule for families with little children, saying, “You’re probably going to come up early and go home early. … You’ll go over to the block party, where there will be a few activities taking place including a large-scale magic show on the main stage. This will be your first time attending a major rock event, most likely for the children as well. And the fireworks will be visible to you.”

He makes sure there is plenty of entertainment appropriate for all ages and highlights the event’s family-friendly nature.

A wide spectrum of musical preferences is taken into account when planning the event, said Millis. He draws attention to how reasonably priced the festival is, providing a wide selection of bands and performers for a small admission price.

“All that is yours for 25 bucks. We’ve kept costs low. Where else on New Year’s Day can you get the Gibson brothers, Joan Osborne and Robert Randolph for 25 bucks?” 

The First Day 5k on Monday provides an opportunity for participants to start the new year on an energetic note as the festival comes to an end. The famous race, which wraps up the weekend’s festivities, is 3.1 miles long and mimics the Firecracker 4 itinerary.

More than just a party, the Saratoga New Year’s Fest is a demonstration of the ability of music and community to bring in the new year. To learn more and to register for the event, visit SaratogaNewYearsFest.com.

Schedule of Events

Friday

• DJ Logic
  • 10 PM, Putnam Place

Saturday

• Nth Power
  • 7 PM, Universal Preservation Hall
• The Weight Band
  • 8:30 PM, Universal Preservation Hall

Sunday

Afternoon entertainment

• Will Pedicone
  • 2:00 PM, Impressions of Saratoga
• Maurizzio & Kaos
  • 2:30 PM, Franklin Square Market
• Pete Pashoukas
  • 3 PM, Sixth Generation Strings
• Erin Powers
  • 3 PM, Overland on Broadway
• Swing Docs
  • 3 PM, City Center “Jazz Room”
• Kids Music with Ice Princess (Cait Devin) & Deb Cavanaugh
  • 3 PM, Caffe Lena

Late-afternoon entertainment

• Sketches of Influence
  • 4 PM, Jazz Room at City Center
• Gibson Brothers
  • 4 PM, Universal Preservation Hall
• Jeff Brisbin
  • 4:30 PM, Holiday Inn
• Erin Powers
  • 4:30 PM, Coat Room
• Pete & Chris Magic Show
  • 4:30 PM, Ellsworth Jones Place (outdoors at City Center)
• Kids Music with Ice Princess (Cait Devin) and Deb Cavanaugh
  • 4:30 PM, Caffe Lena
• Toss the Feathers
  • 4:45 PM, Parting Glass Irish Pub

New Year’s Eve evening entertainment

• Tops Of Trees (Ending with Fireworks!)
  • 5-6 PM, Ellsworth Jones Place (outside of City Center)
• Halfstep
  • 5 and 7:30 PM, City Center “Dead & Groove Room”
• Country Kickers Line Dancing
  • 5 to 7:30 PM, City Center “Country Room”
• Chris O’Leary with Tia Comedy Show
  • 5 PM, Inn at Saratoga
• Erin Powers
  • 5 PM, Coat Room
• Kristian Montgomery
  • 5 PM, Tap & Barrel
• Shine On
  • 5 PM, Embassy Suites
• Tracy Bonham
  • 6:30 PM, Universal Preservation Hall
• Chris O’Leary with Tia Comedy Show
  • 6:30 PM, Inn at Saratoga
• Triskele
  • 7 PM, Parting Glass Irish Pub
• Ragged Company
  • 7:00 PM at Quarters
• Robert Randolph
  • 7:30 PM, City Center Main Hall
• Chris O’Leary with Tia Comedy Show
  • 7:30 PM, Inn at Saratoga
• Double Barreled
  • 8 PM, Nashville of Saratoga
• Classic Rock Tent
  • 8 PM, Ice House
• Patrick Wisdom Stewart
  • 8 PM, Baileys
• Organ Fairchild
  • 8:30 PM, City Center “Dead/Groove Room”
• Ward Hayden & The Outliers
  • 8:30 PM, City Center “Country Room”
• Toubab Krewe
  • 8:30 PM, Universal Preservation Hall
• Maggie’s Clan
  • 9 PM, Parting Glass Irish Pub
• Joan Osborne & Band
  • 9:30 PM, City Center Main Hall
• GA-20
  • 10 PM, Universal Preservation Hall
• Dogs in a Pile
  • 10 PM, Putnam Place
• Organ Fairchild
  • 10 PM, City Center “Dead/Groove Room”