UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — The City of Utica announced on Tuesday, November 14 that they will be bringing in old favorites as well as new features for their fourth annual New Year’s Eve Party, happening in the middle of downtown Utica.

“We are happy to continue this tradition of celebrating our great City that has a steadily growing downtown filled with diverse businesses, a state-of-the-art hospital, beautiful public spaces, and a thriving arts and culture scene, while honoring the dedicated men and women who show up every day to keep our communities and citizens safe. We’ll come together on December 31st to ring in the New Year, to recognize the extraordinary efforts of these public safety officers and to sendoff Mayor Palmieri with our most exciting event yet,” Barry Sinnott, Senior Vice President of Bank of Utica — who are sponsoring the event — said in a statement.

The city announced that they will be bringing back crowd favorites from last year, including local illusionist Leon Etienne, dancers from the Butler-Sheehan School of Irish Dance, and fire dancers Other events include the annual Utica Police Department/Utica Fire Department Chili Cook-Off, as well as ice carving demonstrations, aerialists and food from local vendors.

Musical acts scheduled to appear at this year’s party include local bands Simple Props and Soul Injection, plus other live acts. New to the party this season will be a bonfire for revelers to keep warm as the clock ticks toward midnight. As always, the sky over the city will light up with fireworks to ring in 2024.

The party will also serve as a sendoff to Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri, as he will hand off the title of Utica Mayor to mayor-elect Mike Galime at the stroke of midnight.

“Bank of Utica New Year’s Eve, like the City of Utica, continues to grow and exceed expectations,” Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri said in a statement. “This year’s event will feature more than it ever has, and as always, it’ll showcase all of the beauty in our downtown. Always at the front of the show is the respect for our Police and Fire Departments that are truly heroes and the best in the state. It’s a fitting way for me to spend my last day in office.”

The New Year’s Eve festivities will begin at 7 pm and run through midnight on Sunday, December 31.