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