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By Michael Balderston, Katie Bianco, Holly Gambrell and Stefanie Gans
Family time with First Night
For the past few years, we’ve hosted New Year’s Eve at our house with a home-cooked meal, kids playing in the family room and the TV countdown to the ball drop on in the background. But we’re Old Town-adjacent and we always hear the fireworks from First Night go off at midnight. This year, instead of running onto my front porch and craning my neck to see them, we’re going to bundle up and head out. The family-friendly event doesn’t just feature fireworks though. It’s a full-on celebration with an evening of live entertainment in Old Town’s museums, hotels, shops and more. We may not make it to midnight, but at least this year we’ll finally take part in this treasured Old Town tradition. -KB // firstnightalexandria.org, tickets $35, children under 12 and active duty military free
Ringing in the new year like it’s 1999
Trying to get everyone in a friend group to decide on New Year’s Eve plans can be a hassle. Luckily this year, my crew and I didn’t have any problem choosing which party we want to attend for tonight’s festivities. As ’90s kids, we get easily nostalgic about music, TV shows and fashion trends from that era. Punch Bowl Social is throwing a rad New Year’s Eve party (starting at 9 p.m.) with a 1990s theme. You can catch me bowling, playing pingpong and drinking the night away with the special punch they’ll be serving. Cheers to 2019! – HG // Punch Bowl Social: 4238 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1180, Arlington; no cover charge
Island brunch on New Year’s Day
Leisurely brunch during a magical non-work day in the middle of the week has me flocking toward a Kalua pig breakfast burrito with eggs, cheese, tator tots and pineapple hot sauce from the new (and half-Hawaiian) chef Jonathan Till at Evening Star Cafe. -SG // Evening Star Cafe: 2000 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Trying not to fall on the ice
After the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s, the hectic holiday season is pretty much over. With no more ugly sweater parties or gift shopping to take care of, I want to actually enjoy some of the fun things that winter has to offer before I start longing for spring. Something I haven’t done in a few years is go ice skating, but fortunately for me there are plenty of opportunities with local outdoor rinks. Hopefully, the rust in my skating ability will go away quickly and I won’t fall flat on my face, or rear. –MB // Outdoor ice rinks are in Manassas, Marshall, Reston and Arlington; prices vary
