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Happy New Year

December 05, 2015 By Jane Hynes

Hey don’t dread it, embrace it. Below is a list of local things to do if you are feeling the NYE vibe. We’ve got the fam bam covered, too – it’s NYE for them too.

Not into making the scene? Clear some furniture, load up the playlist with funky dance tunes, invite people over – after 9pm – then you don’t have to worry about dinner. You will have to feed them once they get their groove and drink on – order a ton of breakfast sandwiches from Brick Farm and reheat in the oven. Add a few dozen doughnuts to the mix from Curiosity Doughnuts in the Stockton Market and boom, party done.

ADULTS ONLY

Dinner

Brick Farm Tavern - https://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=a318a37710a922d70dacd8ee2&id=8437adcfdc&e=43b714f57f

Agricola - https://agricolaeatery.com/newyears-eve-2015-2-2/

Salt Creek Grille - https://www.saltcreekgrilleprinceton.com/events

The Peacock Inn - https://www.peacockinn.com/dining/holidays.htm

Vidalia - https://www.vidalia.restaurant/new-years-eve.html

The Brothers Moon - https://www.brothersmoon.com/documents/NewYearsEve2016.pdf

Entertainment

New Year's Eve, New Jersey Capital Philharmonic Orchestra, Patriots Theater, War Memorial, Trenton, 609-558-2292
8 p.m., Features Shostakovich: Festive Overture, Offenbach: Suite from Gaite Parisienne; R. Strauss: Roses from the South; and Gershwin: Girl Crazy. Hosted by David Osenberg of WWFM, the Classical Network., www.capitalphilharmonic.org

Catch a Rising Star - Two Shows and a Gala, Catch a Rising Star, Hyatt Regency, 102 Carnegie Center, West Windsor, 609-987-8018
8 p.m. and 10 p.m., Early show features Uncle Floyd, $35 to $50 with two item minimum. Comedy show in the ballroom features Jerrold Benford at 8 p.m. Ballroom package begins at 6:45 p.m. with dinner, open bar, dancing, champagne toast, hats, favors, balloon, and more for $285 per couple. Dessert package begins at 9:45 p.m. and includes comedy show, dancing, champagne, and more for $85 to $99 per person. Room packages available. Prices are from 2014., www.catcharisingstar.com

Viva Tango Dance Party - Argentine Tango, Viva Tango, Suzanne Patterson Center, 45 Stockton Street, Princeton, 609-948-4448
8 p.m., No partner necessary. $15., vivatango.org

Sound Journey into the New Year 2016 with Lois Harrison at Princeton Center for Yoga & Health, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am $55 /$45 if registered by 12/15/2015 - Come join us this New Year's Eve tradition at Princeton Yoga to journey into your heart through immersion in sacred sound. We begin with guided meditation to let go of the old, then lay down for a journey into the vibrations of the gongs, Native American flutes, Himalayan singing bowls, percussion and other world instruments. We end with a guided meditation to enter 2016 filled with unconditional love and living from our heart space. Afterwards there will be a sharing of conversation, food and joy! Please bring a pot luck vegetarian appetizer or dessert to share. Princeton Center for Yoga & Health, 88 Orchard Road, Skillman, NJ 08558. 609-924-7294. princetonyoga@mindspring.com, pcyh@mindspring.com

NYE Party at The Ivy Inn – Karaoke with Rockin’Ron, 9:30pm-1:30am., 248 Nassau Street, Princeton.

Bahama Breeze's Island Junkanoo New Year's Eve Bash - Ring in 2016 island style during Bahama Breeze's Island Junkanoo New Year's Eve Bash. Live music, body painting and a tropical toast will start the New Year off right! Enjoy drink specials from 9pm until close. Address: 3535 US Highway 1, Princeton, NJ, 08540 www.bahamabreeze.com, Phone Number: (609) 799-3808

A Vaudeville New Year's Eve, Villagers Theater, 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset, 732-873-2710
7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Variety show at 7 p.m. is $20. Show at 9:30 p.m. includes the post show party with food, music, dancing, party hats, and more for $60. Performers include Kate Mochnacz, Barabara Gurskey, Stephen Belfatti, Basha Reborn, Cherylanne Jones, Eric Walby, Elizabeth Rzasa, Mark Kalet, Ana Kalet, Joe Lesky, and more. Directed by Anamaria Kalet. Party coordinated by Marie Fiorello., www.villagerstheatre.com

FAMILY FUN

For those of you who can’t make it to midnight, there are plenty of things to do with your crew to celebrate the start of 2016.

New Year’s Eve Splash at Adventure Aquarium on December 31 from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm – the perfect way to celebrate the start of 2016. Visit with favorite animals during twilight hours, dare to walk through the Shark Tunnel and end the evening with fireworks over the Delaware River. NEW! This year there's no need to reserve your spot! 2015 New Year's Eve Splash festivities are included with General Admission. Parking is complimentary for all guests. https://www.adventureaquarium.com/

New Year's Eve Countdown, Ewing Library, 61 Scotch Road, Ewing, 609-882-3130
11:30 a.m., Crafts and refreshments for all ages. Register., www.mcl.org

Countdown to 2016, Robbinsville Library, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road, Robbinsville, 609-259-2150
11:45 a.m., Crafts and a snack. Register., www.mcl.org/branches/robbr.html

Hogmanay Bonfire in Lawrenceville, 6-8pm, Celebrate the coming New Year with this Scottish tradition. Toss all of last year's bad memories into the fire. Free refreshments. https://www.thelhs.org/index.php?view=details&id=124:hogmanay-bonfire&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=53

Fireworks, Greater Lambertville and New Hope Chamber of Commerce, On the River
7 p.m., Garden State Fireworks presents the display.

Fireworks in Philadelphia - https://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/new-years-eve-fireworks/

Sesame Place - The Count’s Countdown to New Year’s Celebration Dine - https://sesameplace.com/en/langhorne/events/the-counts-countdown-to-new-years-celebration/ and New Year’s Eve Fireworks https://sesameplace.com/en/langhorne/events/new-years-fireworks/

Local Light Shows

Shady Brook Farm, 5-10pm, https://shadybrookfarm.com/holiday-light-show/

Experience the magic of more than 3 million lights illuminating acres of farmland at the Shady Brook Farm 2015 Holiday Light Show! Encounter whimsical holiday displays and familiar characters, drive through in the comfort of your own car or enjoy the show on an open air wagon ride (weather permitting), warm up with a cup of hot cocoa and and cook up some s’mores at a toasty bonfire (cocoa, marshmallows, and more treats available for purchase in the Farm Market) and visit and have your photo taken with Santa our greenhouse.

Cranbury Christmas Lights, 6:00 - 9:00pm, https://www.cranburychristmaslights.com/

Enjoy a Christmas Spectacular on Main Street, Cranbury. New Jersey and New York’s largest Christmas Tree would like you to visit! With over 46,000 light which is more than the Rockefeller Center Tree you will be amazed at the beauty of so many lights! Cranbury Christmas Lights is one of the TOP Christmas display in the USA. The display in 2015 is like a Broadway show with over 122,000 lights dancing to the music being controlled by 4,160 Channels and 25,000 feet of extension cords! Our lights will dance with the music on the following nights: November 28th, 29th, December 4th, 5th 6th and 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd, 25th, 26th, 27th, and 30th with the last night 31st. Check the website for parking information and schedules which vary from night to night.