It’s almost time to say goodbye to 2013 and welcome 2014. We’ve gathered some ideas to help you celebrate, whether you want to go out or stay home.
Ball drop: Bring in the new year with family at Imagine Children’s Museum’s New Year’s Eve Nighttime Party. The event is from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 31, including a ball drop, scavenger hunt, fishing, face painting, entertainment from Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth and more. Pre-registration required. More.
Take a hike: Start off the new year with a guided walk through Washington State Parks. Fifteen parks will offer guided treks on New Year’s Day. More. If you want more ideas for stuff to outside, check out this list for families.
Symphony: Ring in 2014 with festive music from the Seattle Symphony. The New Year’s Eve program, starting at 9 p.m. Dec. 31, includes John Williams’ “Star Wars Suite,” Smetana’s “Dance of the Comedians,” Glière’s “Russian Sailor’s Dance,” Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and a jazzy Ellington-Strayhorn arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.” Then, your ticket includes the count down to midnight at a post-concert party in Benaroya Hall’s Grand Lobby. More.
Party like a scientist: Add aerial performers, planetarium and laser shows, butterflies and front-row seats to Seattle fireworks to your New Year’s Eve experience at the Pacific Science Center’s SPECTRA 2014. The event is from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. for ages 21 and older. Tickets start at $100. More.
Bars and clubs:
- The Conway Muse: 18444 Spruce and Main, Conway; 360-445-3000; www.theconwaymuse.com. New Year’s Gala with Mark Dufresne Band, and Wayne Hayton and Slim Lips Fat, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31; $25
- Engel’s Pub: 113 Fifth Ave. S., Edmonds; 425-778-2900. Dirty Rice, New Year’s Party, Dec. 31.
- The Jet Bar &Grill: 800 164th St., Mill Creek; 425-743-4593; www.jetbarandgrill.com. New Year’s Eve party with Lady Justice, Mother Ship and Atomic Ballroom, Dec. 31.
- One Eyed Jacks Roadhouse: 14019 Highway 99, Lynnwood; 425-743-5570. Aury Moore Band, Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve party; $8 in advance, $10 day of show, includes champagne toast at midnight.
- Wild Vine Bistro: 18001 Bothell-Everett Highway, Bothell; 425-877-1334; www.wildvinebistro.com. Brad Russell, New Year’s Eve party, 9 p.m. Dec. 31.
- More in our live music calendar.
Can’t make it out this New Year’s Eve? Celebrate at home and create new family traditions. Here are a few of our favorite ideas to get you started:
Countdown bags: Fill a bag with activities for each hour from noon to midnight. It will be 2014 before you know it.
- Use family photos, magazines cutouts or anything else you can think of to create a collage of memorable moments.
- Write a family letter that highlights major events of the year.
- Create noisemakers for the ball drop.
Feast: Create a signature family recipe for this New year’s Eve and more to come.
Games: Make your New Year’s Eve a night by setting up board and other game stations around your house with card tables or blankets.
Resolutions: Transform your Christmas tree into a resolution tree. While putting away your Christmas decorations, help your kids write their resolutions on note cards. Suggest family goals.
Pinata: You don’t have to go to Times Square to watch the ball drop. Create your own in the form of a pinata and fill it with games or candy. Then, let the kids takes turns breaking it open once the clock strikes midnight.
Guess: Make predictions for the year to come, then place them in a jar to open next New Year’s Eve.
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