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It’s a ‘go’: 10 ways to do New Year’s Eve

Rachel Nania | rnania@wtop.com

December 27, 2017, 1:40 AM

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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.

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Go Healthy The 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.   (Thinkstock)
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A girl getting make applied, for children Carnival.
Go Family If 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.   (Thinkstock)
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Go Glitzy New 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. (Thinkstock)
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Waiter serving a glass of sparkling white wine
Go Themed Be your best Bond at the 16th Annual International Spy Gala on New Year’s Eve at the Washington Plaza Hotel. Expect costumes, live music, and plenty of food and booze. Georgetown’s Malmaison is hosting a “Midnight in Paris” party, and the Ten Tigers Parlour is going 90s for its New Year’s Eve bash. For an even older school experience, check out the Roaring ’20s “Gatsby Room” party at the Satellite Room. Another option: Go incognito to the 13th Annual Masquerade Ball at MXDC Cocina Mexicana.   (Thinkstock)
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Audience with hands raised at a music festival and lights streaming down from above the stage. Soft focus, blurred movement.
Rock Out Spoon 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.   (Thinkstock)
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Friend clinking glasses above dinner table
Wine & Dine If 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.”   (Thinkstock)
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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)
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A hamburger is ready to serve at Elevation Burger, in Potomac, Md., Wednesday, June 23, 2010. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Go Lowkey If 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)
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With increasingly fewer complimentary upgrades for elite frequent fliers, you may wonder whether it's possible to climb to a higher cabin class without paying a sky-high premium. (Thinkstock)
Go Away The 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.     (Thinkstock)
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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.   (AP)
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A girl getting make applied, for children Carnival.
Waiter serving a glass of sparkling white wine
Audience with hands raised at a music festival and lights streaming down from above the stage. Soft focus, blurred movement.
Friend clinking glasses above dinner table
A hamburger is ready to serve at Elevation Burger, in Potomac, Md., Wednesday, June 23, 2010. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
With increasingly fewer complimentary upgrades for elite frequent fliers, you may wonder whether it's possible to climb to a higher cabin class without paying a sky-high premium. (Thinkstock)

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