Photograph by Yuliya Skya Courtesy of House of Yes

It is almost time to ring in the New Year! If you are looking for a way to celebrate in New York City that avoids Times Square and the massive crowds that gather to watch the ball drop, we’ve rounded up some of the most exciting ways to bid farewell to the past year. From secret masquerade balls to bike rides for a cause, here are 10 alternative ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in New York City:

1. The Illuminati Ball

Photograph by Mark Shelby Perry, Courtesy of Speakeasy Dollhouse

Inspired by the Baron and Baroness de Rothschild’s iconic 1972 Illuminati Ball in France attended by celebrities like Salvador Dali and Audrey Hepburn, The Illuminati Ball – New York City will explore guests’ deepest desires with daring performances and experiences all night long. Staged within a three-floor, 6,500 square foot space inside massive former Victorian-Era bank in Brooklyn, masked guests will take part in ritual ceremonies and wander through areas such as the Domed Ballroom where there will be dancers, fire, aerial pole, and levitation performances and interactive tableaus throughout the night.

This evening is produced by Cynthia von Buhler and the team at Speakeasy Dollhouse, experts in immersive theatre experiences who have staged six hit plays including Ziegfeld Midnight Frolic at the Liberty Theater in Times Square and The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini at Theatre 80. You can purchase VIP and Outer Circle Tickets here.