New Year’s Rockin’ Eve

Dress up, rock out, sled with your kids, or belly laugh your way into 2022

By Ross Boissoneau | Dec. 18, 2021

New Year’s Eve 2020 was … quiet. New Year’s Eve 2021, on the other hand … ? It’s ready to rock. For those who prefer a quiet celebration with family or a few friends, more power to you. But for those looking to break out and make up for lost time, revelry is returning in full force. Here’s a look at just some of the options Up North:

ROCK OUT
Jim Hawley, vocalist and guitarist who has opened for Jimmy Buffet and the Steve Miller Band, plays the Parlor in Traverse City.

Distant Stars, a raucous foursome with one of the most charismatic frontmen in the North, rocks the Workshop Brewing house in Traverse City.

The always fun Off Beat Band plays 9pm to 2am LC Taphouse in Lake City.

A rare and special event: Pine Lake Lodge in Boyne City, will open for one night only. The Cabana Boys play from 9pm to 10:30pm, The Sleeping Gypsies from 10:45pm to 12:15am, and the two bands will jam together till 1am.

New Year’s Eve in TC wouldn’t be complete without dancing to a D.J. in the streets — or the descent of a big illuminated cherry. Gates open at 10 pm for the CherryT Ball Drop (corner of Park and Front streets); the event ends at 12:20 am, after the fireworks show. A $3 donation per person is requested, with funds donated to local charities. Partying from home? You can catch the ruby-red fruit drop live on the CherryT Ball Drop Facebook page from the comfort and warmth of your couch.

LAUGHS
The Traverse City Comedy Club hosts Dinner & Comedy (sirloin steak, baked potato and parmesean garlic asparagus; baked salmon, rice pilaf, and balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts; or grilled portabella, rice pilaf and parm-garlic asparagus) with comedians Rob Jenkins, Ella Horwedel, and headliner Mike Stanley. Chicago Reader People’s Choice poll named Stanley named "Best Chicago Stand-up Comedian" and HOUR Detroit Magazine named him "Best Detroit Comedian." See traversecitycomedyclub.com for tickets.

Studio Anatomy in Traverse City welcomes Detroit native, Los Angeles-transplant Brad Wenzel for two shows. Known for his non-sequitur style, offbeat one-liners, dry delivery, and unassuming presence, he’ll have you in stitches. www.studioanatomy.com.

ELEGANCE
Looking to dress up and do the night right? Be one of 125 attendees at Nittolo’s Masquerade Party at Nittolo’s in Lake Leelanau. You’ll dance away 2021 with Mark Randisi and the Sounds of Sinatra while enjoying unlimited champagne and appetizers, gourmet food, seafood stations, and wood-fired pizzas. Bonus: Nittolo’s can help you line up transportation services. Double bonus: The best dressed attendee will win $500. Tickets are $149 per person. (231) 954-2400

Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay is hosting a formal (black tie optional) multi-course dinner — think: oysters, lamb, craft beef and much more, each paired with BSF’s best bottles — as part of its Arcturos Dining Series. $174 per person. Blackstarfarms.com.

The Walloon Lake Inn is offering a special New Year’s Eve Surf & Turf dinner, while Hotel Walloon, just next door, is the place to gather for the traditional champagne toast at midnight.

 
FAMILY FAVORITES
Crooked Tree Arts Center in downtown Petoskey is ringing in the New Year a little differently this year — the party will be held from 6pm to 8pm, outside, on the Bidwell Plaza (corner of Division and Mitchell streets). There'll be music, entertainment, cocoa  and cookie stations, bonfire pits with s'mores kits, a DJ on the plaza, and plenty of family-friendly fun until the ball drops at 8pm. All activities and refreshments are free. ($1 donations are appreciated, however!)

Revival Center Church, 984 Plett Rd., Cadillac. Family-friendly activities all day, with sledding on Cross Hill and hot cocoa at 4pm, a soup and chili cook-off (judging begins at 6pm); a snowman-building contest (winners announced at 7pm), plus a variety of table games all evening.

The Leland Lodge hosts Winter Cheer Fest for families, and it is not only fun but free for the whole family. Party hours are “2pm til frozen,” and that’s because the sledding hill is open and awesome. You can warm up inside the lodge with food and drink specials, Painted Lady Face Painting (2pm-5pm), or singing along with The Broom Closet Boys (6pm-9:30pm)

MAKE IT A WEEKEND
Our northern resorts are rolling out the white carpet on New Year’s Eve; go for the evening or stay until 2022.

At Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, start with dinner at the Thistle Pub& Grille or the Wild Tomato. Enjoy live music from the Boone Doggies at the Vista Lounge. Or celebrate at the Family Party in Northwest Territories in the Crystal Center, which includes a dinner buffet, non-alcoholic beverages, party favors, live entertainment, and kids’ goody bags. Don’t forget the Family Glow Light and Torchlight Parades, followed by fireworks!

For the younger ones, or those young at heart, enjoy a bonfire and s’mores, zipline adventure tours, and pony rides at Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs. Then there’s the New Year’s Eve buffet, a Torchlight Parade, and fireworks. Adults can ring in 2022 at the Zoo Bar; their eye-rolling spawn can take in the Teen Party inside the Day Lodge.

Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City offers a five-course dinner with live music from 7pm to 10pm with the David Chown Trio and a cash bar in the Michigan Ballroom. Package guests 21 and older also receive one ticket to the Light Up the Night party from 9pm to 1am (also available for purchase separately) inside the Governor’s Hall, plus enjoy fireworks, dance music from DJ Ryan Rousseau, a cash bar, and hors d'oeuvres. The kids can celebrate too, with a pajama party at the Health Club. It includes a DJ, balloon games, a pool party, scavenger hunt, cookie decorating, face painting, pizza, popcorn, and dessert, plus a sparkling juice toast and balloon drop at midnight!

Treetops in Gaylord also features fun for the younger set and adults. The Family New Year's Eve Party offers fun trivia, movies, and party favors. Adults can enjoy a cash bar while youngsters have their choice of kid-friendly drinks, plus hors d'oeuvres, brownies, and cookies. An adults-only party with dueling pianos is also on the schedule. And when the clock strikes midnight, the fireworks start.

Shanty Creek in Bellaire has a host of offerings, from the Family Fun Prime Rib Dinner Show at Summit Village to dining at the Lakeview restaurant with floor-to-ceiling views of the fireworks over Summit Mountain at 11pm. At Ivan’s at Schuss Village, Funkle Jesse will keep the dance floor packed all night with pop, rock, oldies, and current hits. Rather relax? Do dinner at The River Bistro at Cedar River Village.