Sci-Fi Syndicate LLC

11/13/2025

Are you a sci-fi fan? Are you looking for something fun to do on New Year’s Eve? Yes? You’re in luck! You’re invited to Shiny New Year 2026. This our fourth year for our Greater Philadelphia Area New Year’s Eve party, although we’ve previously had attendees from 10 states across the country. There’ll be dinner, dancing, mingling with other sci-fi fans, raffles, and all sorts of shenanigans as we aim to misbehave. Invite a friend! The more the merrier!

While the event is co-hosted by the Pennsylvania Browncoats and inspired by the “Shindig” episode of the beloved space western Firefly, Sci-Fi Syndicate LLC is committed to hosting events that appeal to fans across multiple fandoms. If you choose to attend Shiny New Year 2026, we encourage you to let your geek flag fly and wear anything that celebrates a fandom that is special to you.

This event is a fictional space cruise on the Reliance-class Shiny New Year star liner. There is no dress code for this cruise, but guests are encouraged to come as fancy as their wardrobe budgets allow. Modern formal and semi-formal attire, especially cocktail and black-tie, are always appropriate. But this is also a great opportunity to break out that sci-fi-inspired uniform, costume, or cosplay. This year’s theme is Bounty Hunters and that opens up a universe of possibilities.

RSVP to our Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/803251495559033

Get more information and buy your membership at our website:
https://shinynewyear.com/

Shiny New Year shirts and other shiny tees can be ordered from our webstore:
https://pennsylvania-browncoats.creator-spring.com/

12/14/2024

Many people have been asking me what they should wear to Shiny New Year 2025. My general guidance is that modern formal and semi-formal attire, especially cocktail and black-tie, are always appropriate. Outfits with Western and/or Asian themes add a delightful twist. Costumes inspired from across the ’Verse are next level and usually admired by all attendees. And this year, come as a space pirate, airship pirate, a pirate from the high seas, or any other pirate you can imagine!

See photos and post below for more!

Send a message to learn more

11/22/2024

The passengers and crew of the Reliance-class* star liner Shiny New Year were happily celebrating the holidays when they were rudely interrupted by an unprovoked attack from the Scarab-class* assault craft The Gauntlet. Captain Ironfist ordered his privateers to fire a warning shot across Shiny New Year's portside before disabling her with an EMP blast. Captain Blackthorne sounded the alarm warning passengers to brace for being boarded... by SPACE PIRATES!

This sets the scene for Shiny New Year 2025, a fictional space cruise and real-world New Year's Eve party inspired by the "Shindig" episode of short-lived, but beloved, TV series "Firefly". Come to this fancy dinner/dance decked out in your favorite sci-fi-inspired attire, a semi-formal outfit from Earth-that-was, or even dress as a pirate from anywhere in time and space! You decide!

Registration is live on www.shinynewyear.com . Registration includes hors d’oeuvres, choice of plated entrée, snacks, access to the cash bar, and a champagne toast at midnight. It also covers ballroom rental, decorations, registration materials, and entertainment. Act now as the registration price increases on December 1st.

You can also make hotel reservations and acquire merchandise such as event t-shirts through the website. RSVP at Shiny New Year 2025 Facebook to for event updates and to chat with other attendees.

*Space ship designs and renders by Sean Kennedy.

11/15/2024

Shiny New Year is not just a Firefly/space-themed New Year's Eve dinner and dance, it's the name of the fictional Reliance-class* liner/courier we pretend to cruise on each year. Shiny New Year is 100 meters long and sleeps up to 100 passengers. Amenities include a ballroom, small casino, gym, sauna, and an infirmary we hope to never use, but...

WARNING - PIRATE ACTIVITY DETECTED IN SECTOR - WARNING!

For the past 2 years, Shiny New Year has traveled from 31 December to 1 January unharassed by Alliance jackboots and viscous Reavers. However, long range scanners have picked up a Scarab-class* assault craft on an intercept course. Rumors on the Cortex warn of a ship of the same class called The Gauntlet helmed by a shadowy character known only as Captain Ironfist and his crew of alleged smugglers, brigands, and PIRATES!

For Shiny New Year 2025 you get to choose! Do you register as a passenger on our luxury cruise, or sign up to crash the party as an infamous PIRATE? You decide! All attendees have a choice of plated dinner, cash bar, DJ spinning tunes from across time and space, and a champagne toast at midnight!

Check out our website for more information, to register, and book your hotel room! Space may be limitless, but seats for this event are limited. REGISTER NOW!

https://shinynewyear.com/

More updates to follow!

*Spaceship designs and renders by Sean Kennedy

12/24/2023

48+ hour warning. Registration for Shiny New Year 2024 closes at midnight on December 26. This is your last chance to join fellow sci-fi fans for a New Year's Eve shindig this year.

We'll be announcing the location and dates of Browncoat Ball 2025 a Shiny New Year. Follow Browncoat Ball for the announcement in January.

Register for Shiny New Year at the event website:

Ring in the New Year with a party in Philadelphia, PA! There will be plated dinners, dancing, mid-evening snacks, and a champagne toast when we cross-over the interstellar date line.

12/20/2023

Many people have been asking me what they should wear to Shiny New Year 2024. My general guidance is that modern formal and semi-formal attire, especially cocktail and black-tie, are always appropriate. Outfits with Western and/or Asian themes add a delightful twist. Costumes inspired from across the ’Verse are next level and usually admired by all attendees. Thanks to Regina Barry, Paul W Harbord, Sheila Erespe, Patti Carter, and Susanna Reilly for these photos.

Kass McGann of Reconstructing History wrote two informative articles for the Browncoat Ball website that provide good guidance.

No-Sew Browncoat Ball Costuming: https://browncoatball.com/2021/guides/no-sew-browncoat-ball-costuming/

Dress Like a Companion without Sewing: https://browncoatball.com/2021/guides/dress-like-a-companion-without-sewing/

What about Browncoat Ball 2024? We’ll be making an announcement at Shiny New Year 2024. Join us! https://shinynewyear.com/