I’m looking for references in novels, movies, etc., to New Year’s parties as an important part of character’s lives – either as someplace where people have fun, or look forward to, or a setting for something important, romantic, dramatic, etc.
The only reference I’m coming up with off the top of my head is the New Year’s party at the end of When Harry Met Sally, where the couple finally gets together.
Sunset Boulevard & RENT both have New Years parties.
After the Thin Man takes place on New Year’s. There’s a murder.
The Poseidon in The Poseidon Adventure overturns on New Year’s. That is pretty important to the characters.
The original Ocean’s Eleven with the Rat Pack has the boys robbing 5 Las Vegas casinos at the stroke of midnight while the rest of the patrons are busy with their New Year’s partying.
Godfather II: where Michael kisses Freido and tells him “you broke my heart”
also, IIRC, Less Than Zero has a New Year’s Eve party scene with a prophetically wasted Robert Downey Jr.