New Year’s Eve calendar: Where to celebrate 2017

Will you stay up until midnight on Dec. 31?

If so, plenty of fun opportunities on Saturday night can help you ring in the new year.

Just as the ball drop in New York City’s Times Square is the iconic New Year’s Eve event on the East Coast, our region’s big draw is the midnight fireworks display from Seattle’s Space Needle.

According to organizers, it’s one of the most spectacular NYE fireworks displays anywhere in the United States.

You can see it from a good distance away, but you’ll have to at least get down to Seattle. If you drive, be sure to carpool and be prepared for lots of traffic heading north after the eight-minute show. Then again, you could cozy up in your recliner at home and watch the event on KING-TV, Channel 5.

The Armory at the Seattle Center has free NYE activities. Mukilteo rock band The Machine plays the Armory Stage, 8 p.m. to midnight, when you can walk outside to watch the fireworks.

Over at the International Fountain, join the Fountain of Light dance party with an electronic music and video projection show by local DJs and VJs at 10 p.m. More at www.seattlecenter.com/winterfest.

There may still be time to arrange a spot at the New Year’s Eve party at Chihuly Garden and Glass just below the Space Needle. Enjoy dinner, dancing, a champagne toast and a view of the fireworks display through the glass ceiling. Cost is $225 at www.chihulygardenandglass.com.

That’s not the only special event at the Seattle Center that takes advantage of the fireworks show.

SPECTRA 2017: New Year’s Eve Under the Arches at the Pacific Science Center offers unobstructed views of the fireworks show, music by KEXP DJs, live science demonstrations, cocktails, craft beer and selected wines beginning at 9 p.m. Cost is $80 at www.pacificsciencecenter.org/spectra.

Indulgence at the EMP Museum is another big party at the center. It offers live entertainment on three stages, 25 different bars, a live comedy theatre, and a sound and lighting system that promises, among other high-tech features, the largest LED screen in the world. At midnight, step outside to watch the fireworks before returning to the rest of the party. Cost is $89 at www.seattlebash.com.

Downtown, you can attend Seattle Symphony’s New Year’s Eve Classical Soul of Motown 9 p.m. Dec. 31, Benaroya Hall, 200 University St. Tickets are $56 to $154 at seattlesymphony.org. Capathia Jenkins and Darius de Haas will perform music by Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder and more. The post-concert party includes a glass of champagne, live music and dancing.

New Year’s Eve Gala Concert at St. James Cathedral features director Paul Thornock, organist Joseph Adam and members of the Cathedral Cantorei and Chamber Orchestra. Ring in the New Year with the music of Handel at 11 p.m. Dec. 31, St. James Cathedral, 804 Ninth Ave., Seattle. Tickets are $30. Call 206-382-4874 or go to www.stjames-cathedral.org.

Closer to home, attend the New Year’s Eve Barracuda Masquerade Ball, including party favors and champagne toast, with music by the band Heart by Heart and guitarist Randy Hansen’s Jimi Hendrix Revolution. The ball begins at 9 p.m. Dec. 31 at Capps Club, 7620 NE Bothell Way, Kenmore. Tickets are $49 at cappsclub.ticketfly.com.

In Snohomish County, The Pat Travers Band, Medicine Hat, Roger Fisher and Roni Lee are set to play for the Historic Everett Theatre’s annual New Year’s Eve concert. Doubling as a benefit for a heart transplant patient, the show begins at 8 p.m. Dec. 31, 2911 Colby Ave., Everett. Tickets are $45, $75 for couples, or $20 for teens who attend with an adult. Call 425-258-6766.

Bluewater Organic Distilling’s second annual New Year’s Eve Party features jazz, a buffet and cocktails, of course, 7 p.m. Dec. 31, Port of Everett, Waterfront Center, 1205 Craftsman Way. Tickets are $60. Call 425-404-1408 or go to www.bluewaterdistilling.com.

Read more about what is happening New Year’s Eve in local nightclubs on Page 9, but here are a few worth noting:

Angel of the Winds Casino: The Wingmen play Dec. 30 and 31 at the casino, 3438 Stoluckquamish Lane, Arlington.

Tulalip Resort Casino Canoes Cabaret: The Pop Offs, Afrodisiacs, Spazmatics, Mr. Pink perform four decades of hits on Dec. 31 at 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd., Marysville; 360-716-6000; www.tulalipresortcasino.com.

Tony V’s Garage: Alien Nation, Hard Money Saints, Devilwood play Dec. 31 at Tony V’s, 1716 Hewitt Ave., Everett.

Just over the county line in Skagit, the Conway Muse offers a New Year’s Eve Bash with Stardrums and Ladykeys, Lonnie Williams, Prozac Mountain Boys and Alki Jones. Located at 18444 Spruce St., Conway; 360-445-3000; conwaymuse.com.

If you are in a completely different mood, the Hayloft Dance Hall offers its Rockin’ New Year’s Eve, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31, starting with a fun and easy swing dance lesson, and then from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. dance your heart out in a number of styles. Cost is $40 at the door, 15320 35th Ave. W, Lynnwood.

Or you can always watch the festivities in Times Square on TV, go out on your porch, bang some pans together, yell “Happy New Year” to whoever will listen and be in bed by 9:15 p.m.

Indeed, make it a happy new year.