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 happy and safe new year!
Classical Music
Salute to Vienna, State Theater, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, 732-246-7469. www.statetheatrenj.org. The Strauss Symphony of America with conductor Christian Schulz. $67 to $107. Fireworks at midnight. 6 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Concert, New Jersey Capital Philharmonic, Patriots Theater, War Memorial, Trenton, 877-987-6487. www.capitalphilharmonic.org. “Spellbound Concerto” featuring Gabriela Imreh on piano, plus works by Bernstein, Liszt, Strauss, and more. Conducted by Daniel Spalding. Mano Divina performs on the theremin, an electronic instrument played without the artist making physical contact with it. Register. $25 to $65. 8 p.m.
Jazz & Blues
Mediterra, 29 Hulfish Street, Princeton, 609-252-9680. www.terramomo.com. Latin jazz band begins at 9 p.m. Four-course dinner menu and a toast of prosecco, $75. Optional wine pairing available. Register. 8 p.m.
Italian Bistro Lounge, 441 Raritan Avenue, Highland Park, 732-640-1959. www.johnbiancullimusic.com. Four course dinner, music by the Warren Vache Quartet, champagne, and more. Register. $75. 8:30 p.m.
Live Music
Keith Franklin Jazz Group, Witherspoon Grill, 57 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-6011. 6:30 to 10 p.m.
Madame’s Back, The Rrazz Room, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope, PA, 888-596-1027. www.therrazzroom.com. $45 to $75. 7:30 p.m.
Bob Egan, Bowman’s Tavern, 1600 River Road, New Hope, PA, 215-862-2972. www.bowmanstavernrestaurant.com. Open mic and sing-a-long night. 8 p.m.
Salt Creek Grille, One Rockingham Row, Forrestal Village, Plainsboro, 609-419-4200. Four course menu, open bar, and music from Meg Hanson, champagne toast, and party favors. Register. $125. Dinner from a la carte menu available from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Open bar in the lounge begins at 9:30 p.m., $60. 8 p.m.
Villa Laura Ristorante, 365 Spotswood-Englishtown Road, Monroe, 732-723-9091. www.villalaurarestaurant.com. Three course dinner, live music. Register. $49.95. 9 p.m.
Station Bar and Grill, 2625 Route 130 South, Cranbury, 609-655-5550. stationbarandgrill.com. Entertainment, champagne, hors d’oeuvres, and midnight buffet. No cover. 10 p.m.
Tavern on the Lake, 101 Main Street, Hightstown, 609-426-9345. www.tavernonthelake.net. Music by Whiskey Fueled, drink specials, champagne toast. No cover. 10 p.m.
Pop Music
Ciro’s Ristorante, 301 Buckelew Avenue, Monroe, 732-521-1800. Dinner, dancing, live music, noise makers, and more. Register. 8 p.m.
Temple B’nai Shalom, Fern and Old Stage roads, East Brunswick, 732-319-8481. Cocktails, hot and cold appetizers, Turkish grill buffet, dessert, Turkish tea, and more. David Lawrence presents a mind reading and illusionist show. Ed Goldberg presents contemporary American dance music. BYOB. Register. $75. 8 p.m.
On Stage
The Musical of Musicals, Villagers Theater, 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset, 732-873-2710. www.villagerstheatre.com. Parody musical about musicals. $20 for early show. $55 for 9:30 p.m. show includes a post performance gala with a hot buffet, drinks, dessert, midnight toast, dancing, entertainment, and more. 7 and 9:30 p.m.
Dancing
Party and Dance, Central Jersey Dance Society, Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton, 609-945-1883. www.centraljerseydance.org. Dancing and refreshments (no alcohol). DJ Lou Becerra. $20. E-mail noname@centraljerseydance.org for information. 8:30 p.m.
Milonga, Viva Tango, Suzanne Patterson Center, 45 Stockton Street, Princeton, 609-948-4448. vivatango.org. Music by Maurizio Najt, dancing, food, champagne. Black tie optional. Register. $25 to $35. 9 p.m.
Good Causes
Multimedia Light Show, Cranbury Christmas Lights, 128 North Main Street, Cranbury. cranburyChristmasLights.com. More than 100,000 lights controlled by 640 channels. Park on North Main Street or on side streets. No parking directly in front of the house or across the street from the house. Dress for the weather. This is the last night. Free will donations for Princeton Alliance Church food bank in Plainsboro and other charities in the area. 6 to 9 p.m.
Benefit Galas
Gala, Rosas Restaurant, Nottingham Ballroom, 200 Mercer Street, Hamilton, 609-585-2461. rosasrestaurantandcatering.com. Music, DJ Lou Costa, dancing, and more. Benefit for the Mercer County chapter of the Sunshine Foundation, the organization benefiting chronically ill and terminally ill children and their families. Register. $85; $160 per couple. 7:30 p.m.
Comedy
Jeff Norris, Catch a Rising Star, Hyatt Regency, 102 Carnegie Center, West Windsor, 609-987-8018. www.catcharisingstar.com. Register. 8 p.m. show is in the club, $35 with two item minimum. 10 p.m. show is in the junior ballroom. $55 includes show, champagne toast, DJ, dancing, and live remote from Times Square. 8 and 10 p.m.
Bonfire
Hogmanay New Year’s Eve Bonfire, Lawrence Historical Society, Brearley House, Meadow Lane, Lawrenceville, 609-895-1728. www.thelhs.org. Revelers of all ages gather in the Maidenhead Great Meadow to light up the night with a traditional Scottish New Year’s Eve bonfire. The ancient tradition celebrates a clean break from all that had been bad in the old year. Hot cocoa, cake, and music follow indoors at the Brearley House. Free. Park at the office complex south of Meadow Road. 6 p.m.
Food & Dining
Rat’s Restaurant, 126 Sculptor’s Way, Hamilton, 609-584-7800. Choose dinner from regular menu, or a five-course tasting menu with wine ($150) or without wine ($95). Champagne toast at midnight. Dance music begins at 8 p.m. Register. 5 p.m.
Brothers Moon, 7 West Broad Street, Hopewell, 609-333-1330. Five-course dinner. BYOB. Register. $95. 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Under the Moon, 201 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown, 609-291-8301. Five course prixe fix dinner with a glass of champagne. $55. 6 p.m.
Singles
Party, Professional and Business Singles Network, Holiday Inn, 100 Independence Way, Monmouth Junction, 610-384-5544. www.PBSNinfo.com. Meet and greet followed by a dance party and social with DJ Bill. Cha cha lessons. Songs from the 1960s to the present. Noisemakers and tiaras for all. For ages 40 to 60 plus. Cash bar. Menu available to 11 p.m. Register or walk in. $35 to $40. 7:45 p.m.
Dance Party, Steppin’ Out Singles, LaQuinta Inn, 60 Cottontail Lane, Somerset, 862-397-4723. steppinoutsingles.com. Buffet, champagne toast, hats, noisemakers, and music in the grand ballroom. $50. 8 p.m.
Socials
Crown of India, 660 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro, 609-275-5707. www.crown-of-india.com. Buffet and DJ. Register. $75 to $85. 8 p.m.
Murder Mystery Party, Congregation Etz Chaim, 11 Cornell Avenue, Monroe, 732-331-0074. Chinese buffet, dessert table, champagne toast, and mixers. Bring your own bottle. Register. $25. 9 p.m.
