There are no major New Year’s celebrations planned in central Maine. But that’s not to say there’s nothing to do.
So whether you’re ready for a night of revelry, fun with your family or even an early night in, chances are there’s an event for you.
Here’s a sampling of what’s going on in the Waterville and Augusta areas on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
DANCE ALL NIGHT
The Augusta Civic Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a community dance party on New Year’s Eve, featuring music from DJ Mike Davis, hors d’oeuvres, party favors and more. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the party wraps up after midnight. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance. For more information, go to augustaciviccenter.org/events.
In Waterville, celebrate “Another Year Bites the Dust” at O’Briens Event Center. A $5 cover gets you in for a night of live music with Absolute Zero from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Accommodations for the night are available at the neighboring Best Western hotel. For more information, go to O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Restaurant’s page on Facebook.
And if singing your heart out — and perhaps starting 2024 having lost your voice — sounds like your idea of a good way to wrap up 2023, head to the Two Cent Pub in Winslow for karaoke from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday night. For more information, go to The Two Cent Pub’s page on Facebook.
TJ’s Classic Billiards in Waterville, Bloomfield’s Tavern in Skowhegan and Le Club Calumet in Augusta, among dozens of other bars and restaurants, are also hosting festivities to ring in the New Year.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
Families can also find something to do together across central Maine. The Albert Church Brown Memorial Library in China Village is hosting a Family Game Night on New Year’s Eve from 4 to 7 p.m. Games and snacks are provided, or bring your own to share. For more information, go to chinalibrary.org.
Grab your skates and head to one of many local ice skating rinks. With high temperatures forecasted to just barely go above freezing in central Maine until Tuesday, there’s a good chance that many towns could have their rinks up and running. If not, head to the Maine Ice Vault in Hallowell on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day from 12:10 to 2:10 p.m. for public skating. Tickets are $7.25 per person and must be purchased online; skate rentals are available. For more information, go to maineicevault.com.
Or, load up the car and head to Auburn for the city’s fifth annual New Year’s Eve celebration from 3 to 9 p.m. Featured this year is a new aerial drone show, alongside food, drink and music. For more information, go to newyearsauburn.com.
GET OUTSIDE
Start the year off with an adventure outdoors and head out to discover a new part of Maine. (Or shake off that New Year’s Day hangover with some fresh air.) Maine’s state parks are hosting their annual first-day hikes on Monday. Guided and self-guided hikes will be held at several parks across the state, including Camden Hills State Park, Mount Blue State Park and Holbrook Island Sanctuary.
“The event, known for its commitment to promoting healthy, active lifestyles, is a perfect opportunity for individuals and families to embrace nature and create lasting memories,” the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry said in a news release.
Monday’s temperatures are forecasted to be cold, only reaching the low 30s, but it will be mostly sunny for much of the state, according to the National Weather Service. For more information, go to maine.gov/dacf/first-day-hikes.
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