New Year's Eve Guide

If you’re looking for a family friendly New Years Eve, you should check and see if there are any First Night events in your city. First Night was started in Boston in 1976 and has since spread to over 111 cities around the world.  From their web site: 

First Night seeks to foster the public’s appreciation of visual and performing arts through an innovative, diverse and high quality New Year’s Eve program which provides a shared cultural experience, accessible and affordable to all…

First Night is a community celebration of the New Year through the arts. It is an alcohol-free, public festival that marks the passage from the old year to the new with art, ritual and festivity. All First Night Celebrations are licensed by First Night International and adhere to a set of standards.

First Night Celebrations offer a wide variety of artists with a broad range of appeal. They are held in both indoor and outdoor venues in close proximity to each other. Affordable admissions Buttons provide entry to all First Night performances.

New Year’s Eve is a time for renewal and new beginnings. It is an opportunity for the community to look ahead collectively with hope and optimism and appreciate their common bonds. The name “First Night” symbolizes this look forward rather than the technically correct words, “Last Night.”

It’s a great organization and provides an alternative to many of the alcohol-inspired New Years events.  The Boston First Night is still the largest, with admission buttons costing only $15.

Sydney has one of the world’s best New Year’s Eve celebrations and now there’s even better reasons to check out the party there.

Captain Cook Cruises is offering a special two night cruise of Sydney Harbor culminating with the New Year’s Eve fireworks extravaganza.  Over three days the cruise travels around Sydney Harbour up to Watson’s Bay and the upper reaches of the Parramatta and Lane Cove Rivers. The Captain Cook’s Explorer cruises past the Opera House, Fort Denison, Government House, Tarango Zoo, the mansions of Sydney’s rich and famous and under the Harbour Bridge, all while the on-board commentator relates the sights history and any intriguing anecdotes. Day trips visit beachside Watson’s Bay and its historic naval establishments; the bustling restaurant and entertainment precinct, Darling Harbour and an early morning walk around Bradley’s Head offers glorious views from the headlands and visits the old artillery emplacements.  On New Years Eve, passengers will enjoy a spectacular New Year’s Eve Captain’s Dinner while being in the middle of Sydney Harbours amazing celebrations and fireworks display.  Prices for this unique two night cruise start from only $1080 per person twin share and include all accommodation, meals, day trips and on-board facilities.

They also offer a one night cruise if you just want to experience the fireworks.

In other Sydney New Years news, The Daily Telegraph is reporting that for the first time, the National Parks and Wildlife Service will officially open Clark, Goat and Shark islands this year to revellers. This will provide a front row seat with uninterrupted views of one of the world’s best New Year’s Eve celebrations.  The sought-after tickets will go on sale on December 1, with numbers limited to just 2000 people.  Transfers to and from the islands will be included in the ticket, expected to be $160 for adults, $105 for children and under-fives free.  The islands have no catering so visitors will need to bring their own food and drinks. Restrictions will apply to how much can be brought. More details after the jump. 

- Goat, Clark, Shark islands open for New Year’s Eve revellers [The Daily Telegraph]

Want a crazy New Year’s Eve party?  Look no further than the 4 day Hogmanay festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. EdinburghGuide.com is reporting that the Hogmanay festival has just announced it’s 4 day line up which includes chart-topping dance music act Groove Armada, a torchlight procession, a free dance party event, Family Hoog, street performances, candelight concert, film premier, triathlon and more. Now that’s what we call a party!

They report:

Over 100,000 revellers are expected to attend this year’s festival, which also includes four live music stages, each with a separate musical style.  The Waverley Stage is headlined by Glasvegas, supported by The Complete Stone Roses, Attic Lights and Broken Records.  The Scott Monument Stage brings a more Scottish flavour with the Peatbog Faeries, supported by Moishie’s Bagel, Burach and Watergaw.  The Mound Stage offers a more pop-flavoured line-up with the Great Calverto playing alongside Michelle McManus and the Concrete Jungle Collective.  The West End DJ Stage, new in 2008-2009 Hogmanay, brings DJ sets from Hot Chip, Belle & Sebastian and B-Side & the Bandit (resident DJ at Sugarbeat).

In addition, the Mound Precinct space gets kitsch this year with a new ticketed event, Boogie Wonderland, that pays homage to DISCO, showcasting 70s tribute bands including an exclusive Silent Disco, all hosted by Forth One DJ ‘Boogie.’

The full list of events is available on their site below.

- Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Reveals 4-Day New Year Party Programme [Edinburgh Guide]

photo credit: EdinburghGuide.com