March 28, 2024

New Year's Up North: A 2015 Guide

Dec. 27, 2014

A wealth of New Year’s Eve choices – from special restaurant offerings to private parties – await the merrymaker this holiday season. We highlight a few of the bigger events around the region where you can don a glittery hat and usher in 2015.

Cherry T Ball Drop

TRAVERSE CITY

A play on the word charity and Traverse City’s famed cherry crop, the CherryT Ball Drop is "three great parties, one great purpose," collecting non-perishable food items and raising funds for the Father Fred Foundation, Meals on Wheels and Child and Family Services. Enjoy music from Northern DJ Connection and an interactive jumbotron showcasing NYE selfies and text messages from the crowd all night long. At midnight, feast your eyes on the dropping of the 6-foot illuminated cherry with fireworks to follow. Two additional events featuring the magic of Ben Whiting–at the Opera House and the Park Place Hotel –round out the trio of parties.

WHERE: The intersection of Front and Park streets in downtown TC

WHEN: 10:30pm-midnight

COST: Suggested donation of at least $3 or non-perishable food items

Magic For Humans

TRAVERSE CITY

At this family-friendly show, you won’t find dancing showgirls or cheesy jokes, just one human performing some of the world’s most exciting magic right before your eyes at the City Opera House. Described by "Artview Magazine" as "better than Copperfield," Ben Whiting has performed his unique brand of sleight-of-hand magic across the United States and in over 15 counties. At Magic for Humans, you’ll feel like a kid without being treated like a child. All proceeds benefit CherryT Ball Drop charities.

WHERE: City Opera House

WHEN: Doors open at 6:15pm. The show begins at 7pm

COST: Ticket prices begin at $10. Visit cityoperahouse.org or cherrytballdrop.com for tickets and information.

Magic @ Midnight

TRAVERSE CITY

Spend your New Year’s Eve with magician and mind-reader Ben Whiting, whose Magic of the Mind at Midnight show is the centerpiece of this one-of-a-kind event at the top of the Park Place Hotel. The party features hors d’oeuvres, drinks, music, dancing and a 45-minute world premiere mentalism performance. You’ll have the best view of the Cherry Drop in town. Proceeds benefit CherryT Ball Drop charities.

WHERE: The Park Place Hotel, 300 East State Street, Traverse City

WHEN: Starting at 9:30pm

COST: $125 per person/$200 per couple (limited availability). Call 800-836-0717 or visit mynorthtickets.com for tickets.

Governors’ Hall New Year’s Eve Party

ACME

The Grand Traverse Resort’s annual festivities begin at 6pm and are available in three different versions, depending on how much you want to party. This year’s theme is "The "˜80s," featuring live "˜80s tunes from The Spazmatics, so you’d better buy some Aqua- Net and neon legwarmers while you still can.

WHERE: Grand Traverse Resort

WHEN: Starting at 6pm

COST: $25 for the party only or $75 for dinner and the party. Complete overnight packages start at $152.85 via 800-236-1577 or mynorthtickets.com

2nd Annual Modern Day Masquerade: A New Year’s Eve Ball

CHARLEVOIX

Dress up in your finery and add an exotic mask to be part of this fancy masquerade party on the wintry grounds of Castle Farms. Appetizers, drinks and music will be provided (you’ll have to do the dancing yourself), plus a photo booth, prizes for best masks, fire spinning by Magik Mike and the traditional unmasking when the clock chimes at midnight.

WHERE: Castle Farms, 5052 M-66 in Charlevoix

WHEN: 9pm - 1am

COST: $45 per person in advance by calling 231-237-0884 or online at shop.castlefarms. com. Masks can also be purchased at the door.

New Year’s Eve at the Arts Center

PETOSKEY As a family-friendly event, the ball drops early (they call it "Midnight at 9"), but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do. An alcohol-free, artistic event, the festivities include performances and workshops in dance, art and theater all under one roof, plus music, refreshments and more. You can wander from one event to the next until it’s ball drop time.

WHERE: Crooked Tree Arts Center and Carnegie buildings, Mitchell Street in downtown Petoskey

WHEN: 5pm - 9pm

COST: Adults $7, students $3 by visiting crookedtree.org or calling 231-347-4337.

Crystal Mountain New Year’s Eve Bash

THOMPSONVILLE

Reservations are required for Crystal Mountain’s main event in the Northwest Territories banquet room, a high-energy festivity that includes the "Bash Buffet" with hors d’oeuvres, entrees, and a dessert station. To burn off all of that food, you can dance all night to DJ CDX spinning the tunes, and of course there are those famed fireworks over the mountain’s ski hill.

WHERE: 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive

WHEN: 6pm-1am

COST: Bash: $35 per adult/$19 per kid - Frozen Family Fun $15 per kid and one adult (additional adults $5)

Shanty Creek New Year’s Eve

BELLAIRE

Start your new year’s eve with a little exercise, all the better to counteract all that champagne you’ll drink later - skiing is free at Summit Mountain from 6:30 to 11 pm, with fireworks at midnight. Three villages at Shanty Creek offer three New Year’s Eve options, from Ivan’s rockin’ adults-only party to all-ages dueling pianos in the Grand Ballroom, and kids’ events in the Bellaire Room.

WHERE: 5780 Shanty Creek Road

WHEN: 6:30pm-1am

COST: varies; cover charge at Ivan’s

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