Hartford’s annual New Year’s Eve blowout, also known as First Night, returns to ring in 2019 from 2 p.m. to midnight at various downtown locations within walking distance of each other.
In addition to the ice skating (until 11:30 p.m.) and carousel rides in Bushnell Park — which are presented by Winterfest and run the entire length of First Night — the 30th annual 10-hour celebration includes two dance parties before each set of fireworks, live music, comedy, a parade, fortune telling, architectural and historical tours, and even “UFO Stories.”
A timeline of events
Horse-drawn wagon rides ($3) load on and off on Trinity Street, near the carousel, from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
A choo-choo train runs from 2 to 5:30 p.m. near the ice rink.
Mary Rose DiGiovanna and James Barry perform works by Copland, Bach and Hampton on the organ at Christ Church Cathedral, 955 Main St., in two half-hour shows at 2 and 3 p.m.
A tour of the Ancient Burial Ground on Main Street will begin at 2 p.m., led by Bill Hosley.
Tours of Butler McCook House at 396 Main St. run from 2 to 5 p.m., with kids’ crafts.
“Architectural Treasures of Hartford” at 2 and 3 p.m., meeting at the Old State House, 800 Main St., and covering downtown landmarks.
Dyke Spear presents a talk tiled “UFO Stories,” from 2 to 3 p.m. at 64 Pratt St. Also at that address, jazz bands will perform from 3 to 11:30 p.m.
Fortune tellers are at the Elks Club at 34 Prospect St. from 3 to 11 p.m., for $10 for a 10-minute reading.
A Kids’ Fest will be in the State House,, from 3 to 5:30 p.m., with crafts, exhibits, costumed interpreters and tours, and face-painting from 3 to 4:30.
A craft activity making Showstopper Celebration Hats at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St., runs from 3 to 5 p.m.
Also from 3 to 5 p.m., Hartford Public Library, 500 Main St., hosts kids’ crafts.
The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch is open for walk-throughs from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Twenty-minute tours of First Church of Christ, 675 Main St., begin at 4:50 p.m. and of Christ Church Cathedral, 955 Main St., at 4:40 p.m.
There is more face painting at Center Church, 60 Gold St., from 4 to 8 p.m.
A half-hour Grand Procession led by Bob Bloom and His Drum Riders starts on Gold Street near the Carl Andre stone sculptures at 5:15 p.m.
Music will be performed at the Pump House in Bushnell Park from 6:15 to 11:45 by Bill Wallach (Celtic, bluegrass, maritime and Americana songs) and Sineti and Roys (sea songs and folk music).
Bill Hosley will lead a tour of outdoor sculptures, starting at the Atheneum, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Bill Dougal will create caricatures from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at 64 Pratt St.
The Sea Tea Improv comedy troupe will perform hour-long shows at Central Baptist Church, 457 Main St., at 7:30 and 9 p.m.
Two half-hour dance parties are on Trinity Street, near the carousel, at 5:30 and 11:30 p.m, and fireworks go off in Bushnell Park just as the dance parties end, at 6 p.m. and midnight.
All activities except fortune tellers and horse-drawn wagon rides are included in the price of a First Night wristband, which can be bought online and at local businesses. Tickets are $12 for adults, $3 for ages 3 to 15, 2 and younger free. A wristband also gains all visitors entrance to the Connecticut Science Center at the children’s general admission price (16.95). Wristbands purchased at firstnighthartford.org will arrive within 3 to 5 business days.
Wristbands can also be purchased at AAA branches in West Hartford, Avon, Cromwell, Enfield, Manchester, Plainville, Old Saybrook and Waterford; Berkshire Bank branches in Farmington, Glastonbury, Newington, Rocky Hill, Vernon, West Hartford and Windsor; the CT Transit Information Booth in State House Square; Highland Park markets in Farmington, Glastonbury, Manchester, South Windsor, Suffield, Coventry; and the Old State House in Hartford.
Visitors can park and walk around downtown or take the free Hartford Dash shuttle, which will run until 12:45 a.m., leaving every 15 minutes from the Connecticut Convention Center and taking a circular route around downtown. Discounted parking locations are at firstnighthartford.org
Other celebrations
Here are other New Year’s Eve celebrations going on in Greater Hartford. Most are 21 and older, with a couple of family events sprinkled in. Check websites for details.
NYE 2019 in Hartford: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Music, dancing, midnight toast, open bar and breakfast buffet. $60 to $75, depending on bar package purchased. The Russian Lady, 191 Ann Uccello St. facebook.com.
New Year’s Eve party in East Hartford: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Semi-formal to formal dinner party is presented by Greater Hartford and Pioneer Valley Churches of Christ. $60, includes dinner, music and midnight toast. Special room rate of $89 a night, which includes breakfast for two people. Holiday Inn Hartford Downtown Area, 100 East River Drive. eventbrite.com.
New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball in East Hartford: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Great Gatsby theme party with DJ, dancing, hors d’oeuvres, midnight toast. $60, $90 for couple, the price includes masks and drinks. Pre-paid tickets only. Machinist’s Hall, 357 Main St. eventbrite.com.
New Year’s Eve Gala in Rocky Hill: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Music, dancing, snacks, desserts, midnight toast. Attendees asked to dress up, but not required. $30 in advance, $35 at door. The Ballroom Project, 1275 Cromwell Ave., Suite B-11, in the Shunpike Business Center. facebook.com.
Mattabesett Canoe Club in MIddletown: New Year’s Eve cocktail party on its second floor overlooking the Connecticut River, starting at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $50 plus tax/gratuity. Hors d’oeuvres, music by Mixed Signals Band. Parties of 30 to 50 have the option to reserve the private mezzanine; fireplace seating is available for party of 15. The first floor pub features music by DJ Hybrid, champagne toast and party favors; cover is $10. 860-347-9999, canoeclubmiddletown.com.
Maneely’s New Year’s Eve Celebration in South Windsor: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. DJ, dancing, buffet dinner, open bar, midnight toast, photo booth, party favors, balloon drop, late-night breakfast. $225 per couple. Maneeley’s Banquet & Catering, 65 Rye St. maneeleys.com.
New Year’s Eve at Tiffany’s 2019 Diamond Ball in Cromwell: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Glamour-dress ball with appetizers, buffet dinner, desserts, open bar, music, dancing, selfie booths, a live stream of the Times Square ball drop, midnight toast. $389 per couple also includes overnight accommodations, early check-in and late check-out and breakfast. Courtyard by Marriott Cromwell, 4 Sebethe Drive. courtyardcromwell.com/nye.
Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley International Airport: New Year’s Eve package with an ’80s-themed celebration. The overnight package includes overnight accommodations for two, early check-in, full open bar, food stations and passed hors d’oeuvres, buffet dinner featuring an ’80’s candy dessert bar, live music and DJ entertainment live broadcast of NYE countdown from Times Square, champagne toast at midnight, late night snack, New Year’s Day brunch, and late check-out. Cost is $425 per couple (including tax and gratuity). Cocktails start at 6 p.m., with dinner and dancing from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. For details or to make a reservation, contact Catalina Huggins at 860-386-7891 or chuggins@sheratonbradley.com.
Celebrations Around the World in Bristol: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Confetti- and hat-making, noisemakers, dancing, parade, a visit from Father Time and Baby New Year. Ball drop at noon. $12, $6 members. Imagine Nation, 1 Pleasant St. imaginenation.org.
New Year’s Eve 2019 in Storrs: 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Live music, DJs, open bar, midnight buffet, prizes for best dressed, raffles, giveaways, midnight toast. $50 in advance, $70 at the door. Grille 86, 33 Wilbur Cross Way in Storrs. grille86.com
Fully Loaded New Year’s Eve Cabaret in New Haven: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Drag performances by Robin Banks, Vivienne LaFlamme, Giganta Smalls, Robin Fierce, Sinthea Sinatra, Chocolate Swirl and Loo D’Flyest Priestly. $18. Café Nine, 250 State St. cafenine.com.
Flappers & Freaks: A New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party in New Haven: 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Great Gatsby- and goth-themed party, with DJs F. Esther and Mordecai and dancing. $5. The State House, 310 State St. statehousepresents.com.
Judy and Barbra’s Boozy New Year’s Eve: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Drag performers Summer Orlando and Barbra Joan Streetsand perform. $5. 168 York Street Café in New Haven. facebook.com
New Year’s Eve Ball in Portland: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Music, open bar, four-course dinner, party favors, midnight toast. $260 per couple. Hotel and shuttle package also available. Saint Clements Castle, 1931 Portland-Cobalt Road. stclementsevents.com.
New Year’s Eve Celebration in Middlefield: 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dinner, DJ, dancing, midnight toast, late-night snack, cash bar. $59. Fire at the Ridge at Powder Ridge Park, 99 Powder Hill Road. fireattheridge.com.
New Year’s Eve dinner and dancing in Bristol: 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Buffet dinner, dancing to live music by the Chaparrals, noisemakers, hats, streamers. BYO beverage for the midnight toast. $40. New England Carousel Museum, 95 Riverside Ave. thecarouselmuseum.org.
New Year’s Eve Celebration in Westbrook: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Four-course dinner, open bar, hors d’oeuvres, Motown music by Le’Mixx and lounge classics by Nick Fradiani Sr., midnight toast. $149. Overnight packages available. Water’s Edge Resort and Spa, 1525 Boston Post Road. watersedgeresortandspa.com.
New Year’s Eve gala in Old Saybrook: 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Black tie-optional party with hors d’oeuvres, raw bar, specialty stations, sit-down dinner, open bar, midnight toast, music by the Cartells. $149.95. Overnight package available. Saybrook Point Inn & Spa, 2 Bridge St. saybrook.com.
New Year’s Eve Ski and Torchlight Parade in New Hartford: 8 a.m. to midnight. Torchlight parade at midnight, night lift tickets extended to 11:30 p.m. for no extra charge. Lift tickets are $38, $34 junior, $18 6 and younger. Parental consent required for those younger than 18 who want to participate in the Torchlight Parade. Ski Sundown, 126 Ratlum Road. skisundown.com.
Black and White Ball in Mystic: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Black and white attire requested. Music by The Boston Premier Band, dancing, catered food, drinks, appearance by two African penguins, midnight toast. Evening benefits the aquarium’s Mission Programs. $125. Mystic Aquarium, 55 Coogan Blvd. mysticaquarium.org.
Noon Year’s Eve in Norwalk: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. DJ music, dancing, bubbleologist, magician, comics, jugglers. $24.95, $22.95 senior, $17.95 children. Admission includes one IMAX movie. Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, 10 North Water St. maritimeaquarium.org.
At the casinos
Foxwoods (350 Trolley Line Blvd., in Mashantucket): The High Rollers party is in the bowling alley from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., with music by DJ Cardona and a midnight toast. Admission is $20. In the Hard Rock Café, Hard Rockin’ New Year’s Eve will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with music, dancing and a midnight toast. Admission is $30 but pricier VIP tables are available. A midnight balloon drop will be held in the rotunda of the Grand Pequot Tower. foxwoods.com.
Mohegan Sun (1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., in Uncasville): Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville will close its doors forever after a party from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with music by Explicit and a midnight margarita toast. Admission is free. Countdown Finale will be in the shopping area from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. with music by DJae Mêlée, fireworks, The J.A.T. Dancers and a midnight countdown. Admission is free and all ages are welcome, but minors must be with an adult. The Lansdowne Irish Pub & Music House party has music by The Pogs, party favors and a midnight toast. Admission is $30. DJ Tom Macari will preside over a party in the Avalon from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., which will have a midnight toast. Admission is $75. DJ Joe Moore presides in the Vista lounge from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Admission is $60 in advance, $100 at the door. Uncas Ballroom will host a party from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. with music by DJ Crooked and DJ Neva from Skam Artist, an open bar, a midnight toast and a breakfast buffet. Admission is $100. mohegansun.com.
MGM Springfield (One MGM Way in Springfield): In The Armory, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., a black-tie party will have live music, hors d’oeuvres, food stations, an open bar, a 27-foot-wide TV showing the Times Square ball drop and a midnight toast. Admission is $200. In the Commonwealth bar, a “Vintage New Year’s Eve” is from 10 p.m. to 2 p.m. will have DJ music, hors d’oeuvres, an open bar and a midnight toast. Admission starts at $150 and is higher for specialty service. mgmspringfield.com.
