The biggest night of the year is almost here. From family-friendly fun to glitzy galas, here are 10 things you can do on New Year’s Eve.
WASHINGTON — The biggest night of the year is almost here. From family-friendly fun to glitzy galas, here are 10 things you can do on New Year’s Eve.
Go HealthyThe evening doesn’t have to be full of booze and buttery hors d’oeuvres. Start 2017 off on the right foot by placing one in front of the other at the Fairfax Four Miler twilight run at 6 p.m. At Dock 5 above Union Market, reflect on the past year and renew with a yoga class 6:30–8:30 p.m.
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Go FamilyIf you prefer to ring in the new year with loved ones of all ages, there are plenty of options in the D.C. area. Alexandria’s First Night celebration includes everything from live music to a “Battle of the Local Stars” and magic shows. The daylong event concludes with fireworks over the Potomac River at midnight. Winchester, Virginia; Annapolis, Maryland; Columbia, Maryland; and Vienna, Virginia,host similar events.
The Maryland Science Center on Baltimore’s Inner harbor opens at 10 a.m. for Midnight Noon, during which kids can enjoy activities and a ball drop before bed time.
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Go GlitzyNew Year’s Eve is the perfect excuse to dust off the tux and go lux.
A “Black Tie New Year’s Eve Gala” at The Marriott Wardman Park features an open bar, a variety of bands in multiple ballrooms and an optional three-course dinner. The New Year’s Eve International Gala at the Omni Shoreham features cirque performers, live bands, an open bar and visits from D.C. sports mascots. And The Gaylord Hotel at National Harbor’s Big Night gala features 15 themed party areas, five dance floors and live music.
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Rock OutSpoon rocks the 9:30 Club for New Year’s Eve; The Lincoln Theater has White Ford Bronco. Bonerama and New Orleans Suspects take the stage at The Hamilton, while Rock & Roll Hotel has several names on its calendar for Dec. 31.
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Wine & DineIf the big galas aren’t your thing, perhaps a big meal is? Most restaurants in D.C. are taking reservations for New Year’s Eve. If you want to try something new and special, check out one of the area’s Michelin-starred restaurants. Brabo in Alexandria will have a five-course prix fixe menu Sunday, while D.C.’s Zentan will offer sake and a la carte specials. At Urbana, you can enjoy “a special menu of modern Italian dishes.”
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“Brew Year”
Visit a local brewery (or brew bar) on New Year’s Eve — and leave with a little something for the evening’s festivities. The tasting rooms at D.C. Brau, Atlas Brew Works and 3 Stars Brewing Company are among those that will be open during the day.
(AP)
AP
Go LowkeyIf your preference is a cold beer and a good burger, skip the fancy prix fixe menus and head to a neighborhood restaurant or sports bar. What you would have spent on a Rent the Runway bill and a surging Uber across town, you can put toward a nice night out in 2017.
(AP)
AP
Go AwayThe three-day New Year’s weekend offers a good opportunity for a road trip. Hole up at a bed-and-breakfast in the nearby Shenandoah Valley or spend the holiday in The City That Never Sleeps. Philadelphia is just a few hours drive (or train ride) from D.C., and direct flights from Reagan National Airport to Charleston make a last-minute weekend in low country totally doable.
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Thinkstock
Stay In Avoid the crowds and host an intimate cocktail party at your place. Or, if you prefer to be alone, get reacquainted with your Netflix. Paste Magazine recently released a list of 75 streamable shows that are perfect for binge watching.
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