Few venues are as entwined with Phish’s history as Madison Square Garden. In light of their upcoming New Year’s Eve run, it is as good of a time as ever to look back on what has become of Phish at the Garden, as the band prepares to eclipse the 30-show mark at The World’s Most Famous Arena. Here are ten great moments from Phish’s New Year’s runs at Madison Square Garden.

December 30, 1994: “Wilson”

All the history Phish carved out at The Garden over the years had to start somewhere. Phish’s first MSG show came on December 30, 1994 as they embarked on their first New Year’s run in New York. Opening the show with a memorable “Wilson,” not even a beach ball to the face could quell Trey Anastasio’s exuberance as the chants of “Wilson” rung out through the arena. This particular version can be found on the A Live One release and is widely regarded as one of the most memorable versions of “Wilson” ever played.

December 31, 1995: Phish Time Factory, Collective Soul, and Controversy

What more is there to say about 12/31/95 that hasn’t already been said? One of the best Phish shows ever, period. The band closed out one of their best years ever musically with a show that many point to as the pique performance of the first era of their career. The opening segment of “Punch You in the Eye,” “The Sloth,” “Reba,” “Squirming Coil,” and “Maze” certainly set the tone for the evening. If that wasn’t enough to wet your appetite, Phish delivered the most iconic “Colonel Forbin’s Ascent” > “Fly Famous Mockingbird” in their history. One that featured the story of the Phish Time Factory, Phish’s own personal time press. The band used their Time Factory to go back to 1993 for a take on Collective Soul’s “Shine” which featured Phish lyricist Tom Marshall on vocals.

As far as the rest of the show, you know how it goes. Did Drowned contain a “Fire on the Mountain” tease? Is that the propaganda of the hopeful? The debate rages on almost twenty years later, and will continue for twenty years more. Also of note, December 31, 1995 features the last appearance of “Axilla (Part II)” as the song went away in favor of “Axilla” from Hoist. Listen to the official release for all the highlights.

December 29, 1997: “Crossroads”

The 1997 New Year’s run still remains one of the most highly regarded runs in Phish history. The band came in riding the momentum of one of their most creative musical years and delivered three memorable nights at The Garden. The first of those featured a cover of Eric Clapton’s “Crossroads” as well as a masterful five-song second set including nearly 45-minutes of “Down with Disease” and “David Bowie” as well as a “Possum” (yes, it was once cool to like “Possum”) featuring Otis Redding’s “I Can’t Turn You Loose” infused into the jam. A ’97 staple, “Tube” stretched it’s legs once again with a 10+ minute version. When you hear fans talk about the Tube’s of old, this is what they’re talking about. That, and of course the stunning 12/7/97 version.

December 30, 1997: Sneakin’ Sally Returns

Most Phish fans will tell you that December 30th has a certain aura to it. Known as the night the band will take their “anything is possible” mantra to the next level. That belief began on this night. Opening with the first “Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley” of the 1990’s (919 shows per Phish.net) the tone was set almost immediately. Sally’s work wasn’t quite done this evening, as she would also appear in the encore for “Carini” -> “Black-Eyed Katy” (early version of “Moma Dance”)-> “Sneakin’ Sally” > “Frankenstein” to close the unusually long show. “Harpua” made it’s first appearance during the run and included another sit in from Tom Marshall on the Phish debut of The Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).” After all of this, the 12/30 legend was born.

December 31, 1998: “1999”

It was indeed time to party like it was 1999 as Phish opened their final show of 1998 with this Prince classic. If you know anything about the Prince Empire, then you know there is no chance of a video becoming available of this performance. Regardless, “1999” remains a killer opener to a New Year’s show. The dancers who joined the band on stage were a nice touch, as well.

December 31, 2002: The Return

That sound you hear as Phish takes the stage after the first hiatus is an entire fan base exhaling. Returning to the stage after a year off is daunting enough for a band, but to do it on New Year’s Eve in the biggest venue on the planet is on another level entirely. Phish opened the “2.0” era in thrilling fashion, debuting the likes of “Waves,” “Seven Below” and “Walls of the Cave” during the three set show.

December 31, 2010: “Meatstick”

2002 would serve as the band’s last New Year’s Eve party at MSG until 2010, where they returned after breaking up in 2004 and reuniting in 2009. The annual gag at midnight reprised the flying hot dog from New Year’s ’94 in Boston, where the band flew over the crowd in a hot dog. Seriously. They did it again sixteen years later as a part of a huge production based around “Meatstick” featuring dancers of different nationalities.

January 1, 2011: One/One/Eleven

Never missing an opportunity at symmetry, it was only natural Phish played a show on January 1, 2011. 1/1/11. This show was Phish’s first on January 1, and featured a tribute to The Garden (“Round Room”) as well as a fiery “Walk Away” and “Walls of the Cave.” The 1/1 show contained the right amount of laid back jamming and humor one would need after a demanding NYE show, as excellent versions of “Twist,” “Simple” and “Makisupa Policeman” proved.

December 31, 2011: “Steam”

In 2011 it was newcomer “Steam,” which debuted earlier that year at Blossom Music Center, that stole the show as Phish’s third year back on stage came to an end. As steam filled the arena, “crowd members” found themselves suspended in the air while the band played into “Auld Lang Syne.” The gag continued into the next song, “Down with Disease” as Trey and Mike ascended on risers during the show. This show also features a stellar “Light” with Page hopping on the theremin.

December 31, 2012: “Garden Party”

Returning to the same venue for New Year’s Eve three years in a row should bring about a certain amount of repetitiveness. For Phish, that is just a challenge to push the limit of their capabilities. The 2012 run was just that, as fans saw the band throw a full-on Garden Party with a golf-themed set to begin the new year. The hijinks began with “Kung” as actors literally staged a runaway golf cart marathon while the band jammed on “Chalk Dust Torture” into “Auld Lang Syne.” Keeping with the golf theme, Phish worked in “Sand,” “Wedge,” “Lawn Boy” and a debut of “Fly Like an Eagle.”

Out of all the memorable moments from the evening, none topped what closed the show. As Page McConnell, decked out in a jacket and wielding a golf club, belted out the first full cover of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” since 12/31/03, where the band played an instrumental version.