Do Something: Ring in the New Year

There are plenty of events taking place this weekend across the region

People around the world will ring in the New Year this weekend and there will be no shortage of events taking place across the Philadelphia region. Don’t have plans yet? Then check out some of these activities taking place around the area.

Around South Jersey

· Cherry Hill’s youngest residents who are excited for the New Year but can’t stay up until midnight can celebrate at the Cherry Hill Public Library on Saturday afternoon. The library will host its annual New Years Eve at noon event beginning at 11:45 a.m. The littlest library goers can enjoy unstructured play, group dancing, and New Year’s merrymaking. There will be a countdown just before noon, when the New Year will be celebrated. The event is free and open to the public.

· A New Year’s tradition continues in Haddonfield on Saturday as the borough hosts its First Night celebration. The festival will take place in downtown Haddonfield from 6 p.m. until midnight on Saturday. It is a family-oriented, alcohol-free event featuring entertainment, including magic, music, comedy, dance and theater for audiences of all ages. Admittance to First Night Haddonfield requires a $15 First Night button which is available online and at button outlets. For more information, visit www.firstnighthaddonfield.org.

· Residents can view New Year’s Eve fireworks along the Delaware River from the Battleship New Jersey. The Battleship will open at 4 p.m. for the 6 p.m. fireworks show and 10 p.m. for the midnight fireworks show. There will be music, concessions and bar service. Guests will also have a chance to fire the five-inch gun at the conclusion of each show. The cost is $10 per person. Battleship members are admitted for free. Visit www.battleshipnewjersey.org to purchase tickets.

At the Jersey Shore

• Celebrate the New Year in Ocean City on Saturday at First Night. Activities will take place all across town beginning at 4 p.m. and ending with fireworks at midnight. The event includes a slew of entertainment and activities, including inflatables, rides, ice skating and more. Buttons for First Night cost $20 per person. To purchase a button or view full list of entertainment and activities, visit www.firstnightoceancitynj.com.
• There will also be fireworks in another shore town, as Tropicana Atlantic City will host New Year’s Eve fireworks on Saturday night. Beginning at 9 p.m., all are invited down to the boardwalk near Tropicana to enjoy a spectacular fireworks display accompanied by a live broadcast of the countdown at Times Square. For more information, visit www.tropicana.net/events/new-years-eve-fireworks.

In Philadelphia

• There will be two chances to enjoy New Year’s Eve fireworks along the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River Waterfront on Saturday. Families looking to celebrate the New Year early on Saturday can enjoy the first firework show beginning at 6 p.m. There will be a second fireworks show beginning at the stroke of midnight along the waterfront. Each of the shows last approximately 15 minutes. For more information, including viewing spots and where to park, visit www.delawareriverwaterfront.com.
• A New Year’s tradition will take place on Sunday as the Philadelphia Mummers Parade marches down Broad Street. Thousands of participants from more than 40 organized clubs will march in the parade wearing elaborate costumes. There will also be plenty of over-the-top floats, pageantry and music. The parade begins at 9 a.m. at Philadelphia City Hall and will march down Broad Street to Washington Avenue. For more information or to purchase bleacher seating tickets, visit www.phlvisitorcenter.com/philadelphia-mummers.