Uptown from the madness that is Times Square on New Year's Eve, you can find a festive but much less crowded celebration in New York City's Central Park.

There's a party in Central Park starting at 10 p.m., with a costume party, a DJ spinning tunes, and fireworks by the Grucci family (the same people who do the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks each year). The New York Road Runners Club has an annual New Year's Eve race starting at 12 Midnight, and the Central Park party is affiliated with the race, but you don't have to run to have fun at the party. You can enjoy the music and fireworks and cheer the runners on, and it's all FREE. It's not often you can find a new year's eve celebration in New York City that doesn't cost anything, but this is one of them.

The New Year's Eve party takes place at the Central Park Bandshell, south of the 72nd Street Transverse in Central Park. The closest entrance is at Fifth Avenue and 72nd Street.