New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of a new year. Everyone has a different way of marking the midnight hour. There are events near and far — for families, singles, music lovers, foodies, dancers, or people looking to benefit a cause. Have a peaceful, happy, and safe new year!
#b#In Town#/b#
Two Shows and a Gala, Catch a Rising Star, Hyatt Regency, 102 Carnegie Center, West Windsor. 8 and 10 p.m. Early show features Ryan Maher and Jerold Benford, $35 to $50 with two item minimum. Comedy show in the ballroom features Bob Nelson, Ryan Maher, Danny Broad, and Eric Potts at 10:15 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 and includes comedy show, dancing, champagne, and more for $85 to $99 per person. Room packages available. 609-987-8018. www.catcharising star.com.
New Year’s Eve Celebration, Crown of India, 660 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro. 8 p.m. Buffet and DJ. Register. $80. 609-275-5707. www.crown-of-india.com.
Dinner and Music, Salt Creek Grille, 1 Rockingham Row, Forrestal Village, Plainsboro, 9 p.m. Music by the Chuck Lambert Group. Dinner and open bar. Register. $115. Seatings at 8 and 9 p.m. 609-419-4200. www.saltcreekgrille.com. A la carte menu from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Music Two Concerts, State Theater, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. Salute to Vienna at 6 p.m. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes at 10 p.m. Fireworks at midnight. 732-246-7469. www.statetheatrenj.org.
Concert, New Jersey Capital Philharmonic Orchestra, Patriots Theater, War Memorial, Trenton. 8 p.m. An evening of light classics including Jonathan Leshnoff’s Starburst, Enescu’s Romanian Rhapsody No. 1, Strauss’ Emperor Waltz and Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess. $25 to $65. 609-558-2292. www.capitalphilharmonic.org.
Keith Franklin Jazz Quartet, Witherspoon Grill, 57 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. 6 to 10 p.m. 609-924-6011.
New Year’s Eve, Rho Waterfront, 50 Riverview Executive Park, Trenton. 8 p.m. Dinner buffet, midnight ball drop, open bar, and more. $50 to $65. 609-393-7300. www.rhowaterfront.com.
#b#On Stage#/b#
Little Women, Off-Broadstreet Theater, 5 South Greenwood Avenue, Hopewell. 7 p.m. Musical based on the life of Louisa May Alcott and her sisters. $50 includes dessert and champagne toast. 609-466-2766. www.offbroadstreet. com.
Mid-Life: The Crisis Musical, Villagers Theater, 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset. 7 and 9:30 p.m. The musical focuses on the joys of growing older. Show only, $20. Late show and gala begins at 9:30 p.m. $60 includes a post performance gala with a buffet, music, dancing, party hats, and more. 732-873-2710. www. illagerstheatre.com.
#b#Good Cause#/b#
Multimedia Light Show, Cranbury Christmas Lights, 128 North Main Street, Cranbury. 6 to 9 p.m. Last night to see the more than 120,000 lights controlled by 640 channels featuring new additions of falling lights on the house and additional lights on the mega tree. The “Shooting Fountain of Light” has 10,000 lights and a 20 foot by 20 foot wall of snowflakes has more than 25,000 lights. Park on North Main Street or on side streets. No parking directly in front of the house or across the street from the house. Free will donations for Princeton Alliance Church food bank and other charities. cranburyChristmasLights.com.
#b#Gala#/b#
Rat’s Restaurant, 126 Sculptor’s Way, Hamilton. 5:30 p.m. Choose dinner from regular menu, or a five-course tasting menu with wine ($150) or without wine ($95). Dance music begins at 8 p.m. Register. 609-584-7800. www.groundsforsculpture.org.
#b#Wellness#/b#
End of Year Yoga Class, Higher Power Yoga Studio, 439 South Warren Street, Trenton. 6 p.m. All levels. $12. 609-789-8188. www.higherpoweryoga.net.
Sound Journey into the New Year, Princeton Center for Yoga & Health, Orchard Hill Center, 88 Orchard Road, Skillman. 9 p.m. to midnight. Guided meditation followed by vibrations of the gongs, native American flutes, Himalayan singing bowls, percussion, and other world instruments. Bring a pot luck vegetarian appetizer or dessert to share. Register. $55. 609-924-7294. www.princetonrelaxercise.com.
#b#Peace Vigil#/b#
Peace Vigil for the New Year, Trenton Friends Meeting, 142 North Warren Street, Trenton. 5 p.m. to midnight. Free. 240-328-2280.
#b#For Singles#/b#
Professional and Business Singles Network, Holiday Inn, 100 Independence Way, Monmouth Junction. 7:15 p.m. Cha cha instruction followed by dance party. Meet and greet at 8 p.m. Cash bar. Singles and couples are welcome. Median age is 55. $40 includes hats, noisemakers, and more. 610-348-5544. www.PBSNinfo.com.
