What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?

Here’s Your Guide to Welcoming 2016!

Dec. 18, 2015

1. CherryT Ball Drop

Traverse City Fusing TC’s favorite export and the word charity, this is a party with a cause. It collects non-perishable food items for those less fortunate and allows the city’s festive folk to gather downtown for some late-night winter holiday fun, complete with music and a Jumbotron screen. An illuminated giant cherry drops at midnight accompanied by fireworks, but as their website says, this is one crowded party, so get there early if you want to grab a prime spot.

WHERE: The intersection of Front and Park streets, downtown Traverse City

WHEN: 10:30pm–midnight

COST: Suggested donation is $3 or three non-perishable food items

2. Real Magic Featuring Ben Whiting

Traverse City Count down those fidgety hours between dinner and the CherryT Ball Drop with world renowned illusionist Ben Whiting, taking the stage at the City Opera House for two shows on New Year’s Eve: one at 6:30pm and one at 9pm. His brand new show, Real Magic, combines magic and mind reading in a festive holiday atmosphere. The show is suitable for all ages and all proceeds benefit Michael’s Place, a local nonprofit organization that serves grieving individuals and families. It’s world-class entertainment for a good cause.

WHERE: City Opera House, Traverse City

WHEN: Two shows: 6:30pm and 9pm

COST: $10–30/ticket at cityoperahouse.org or (231) 941-8082

3. Governors’ Hall New Year’s Eve Party

Acme Last year it was all about the "˜80s; this year, the theme is vintage Hollywood at Grand Traverse Resort’s annual New Year’s bash, complete with three different levels of fun depending on how long you plan to party.

Local musicians Miriam Pico and David Chown will start the festivities as the opening act; things will really get moving as the night progresses with more live music from The Texas Gypsies, who blend jazz, swing, rockabilly and blues for your New Years’ fun.

WHERE: Grand Traverse Resort, Acme

WHEN: Beginning at 6pm

COST: $30 for party only; $75 for dinner and party; complete overnight Take the Elevator Home packages start at $278 via mynorthtickets.com or (800) 236-1577

4. New Year’s Eve at the Arts Center

Petoskey The ball drops early at the Petoskey party (they like to call it "Midnight at 9") to keep this New Year’s event family-friendly, but there’s still plenty to do on this fun-filled evening. Artistic and alcohol-free, Petoskey’s activities include loads of workshops in dance, art and theater, all on the same block of Mitchell Street, plus live music from Blissfest, refreshments and more, all leading up to the big ball drop. Participate or just watch this New Year’s Eve – it’s up to you!

WHERE: Crooked Tree Arts Center, the Carnegie Building and Petoskey District Library, Mitchell Street in downtown Petoskey

WHEN: 5–9pm

COST: Adults $7, students $3 at crookedtree. org or (231) 347-4337

5. New Year’s Eve Bridge Drop

Charlevoix If you don’t have a ball, you’ve got to find something else to drop. Why not a drawbridge? That’s the philosophy behind Charlevoix’s downtown New Year’s celebration. A snowman-making contest, plus a fire pit for s’mores will be offered in Bridge Park, with a big New Year’s Eve fireworks show at 9pm. Drop by one of the downtown restaurants for Bridge Drop food specials and entertainment, and then walk down to watch the bridge itself drop at midnight.

WHERE: Bridge Park, downtown Charlevoix

WHEN: Activities start at 1pm; event closes at 2am

COST: Free to watch (food/beverages for purchase)