Looking for something fun to do on New Year’s on a budget, see the list below for fun things to do without having to empty your wallet at the same time.
- For outside fun visit the Lebanon Hills Regional Park for its annual New Year’s Eve in the Wild program, December 31 from 5-8 p.m. Visitors will be able to enjoy candlelight hiking, snowshoeing, ice skating, sledding on a lit hill, bonfires, live animals, storytelling, magic and a ball drop. Admission is $10/per person, tickets at the door only. Ages 5 and younger are FREE. Bring your own sled, ice skates and snowshoes. Snowshoe rental will also be available (ending at 7 p.m.). FREE parking is available onsite or at Woodcrest church (525 Cliff Road) with a FREE shuttle to and from the event.
- Celebrate with kids at Como Zoo’s Noon Year’s Party. The event has become so popular, it’s being done twice – on December 31 and January 1 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Como Zoo Visitor’s Center. Join in for dancing, music, fun, games, craft making, animal enrichment, giveaways and a countdown to noon with hundreds of beach balls dropped from the ceiling. Admission at Como Zoo is FREE – but donations are always welcome.
- For family comedic fun, ring in the New Year at the Bryant Lake Bowl with The Big Baby’s New Year’s Eve Show, with performances at 5 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $14 or $12 in advance with Fringe button. Kids 12 and under are $8.
- For a night of dancing, check out First Avenue’s New Year’s Eve Danceteria, starting 8:00 p.m., December 31. Tickets $5 in advance through December 24, $10 December 25-30, $20 day of show. Age 18 and older. FREE Psychic Medium and Tarot Readings.
- For a night of swing, check out the Withrow Ballroom and Event Center to host Saints of Swing, a 22 piece big band, tickets $25, 8 – midnight, includes appetizers, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.
- Celebrate outside with the family a the Silverwood Park New Year’s Eve Celebration, create a festive hat, visit the family photo booth and roast marshmallows, $5/person, registration required (2500 County Road E, St. Anthony).
- For a change of pace, take in the night sky with a candlelight walk. Head to Fort Snelling for the annual New Year’s Eve Candlelight Walk, 4 – 8 p.m, December 31. Hike miles of candlelit trails and warm up along the way at roaring bonfires where you can toast marshmallows. Cost is $5 for a daily vehicle permit.
- Celebrate the New Year’s Day by relaxing to the annual viewing of “Holiday Inn” at the Heights Theater in Columbia Heights, 1:30 p.m. Tickets $8/person. This show will sell out – reserve your tickets early.
