​Celebrate 2016

Instead of lounging around and watching the ball drop from your couch this year, treat yourself to a night on the town. Whether you’re in search of family-friendly activities, a fancy dinner for two, or an opportunity to bob your head to live music and pop champagne with friends, Charm City offers plenty of options for New Year’s Eve plans.

Family Affair

NEW YEAR’S ANNAPOLIS
City Dock, Annapolis. 3 p.m.-12 a.m. Free. 410-263-7996. Escape the city mayhem for a full day of small-town fun, with live music and two fireworks displays.

NOONTIME NEW YEAR
Port Discovery, 35 Market Pl. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Free with admission. 410-727-8120. Bundle up the little ones and enjoy an afternoon full of winter-themed crafts and games, as well as a demonstration by educational science entertainer Eric Energy. Plus, ring in 2016 with a kid-friendly countdown at noon complete with a juice and cookie toast.

MIDNIGHT NOON AT THE MARYLAND SCIENCE CENTER
Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St. 12-4 p.m. Free-$24.95. 410-685-2370. If midnight is past your bedtime, ring it in early with an afternoon of crafts, activities, and the popular children’s music band Milkshake.

CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE
Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. Times vary. $33-99. 410-783-8000. From New Year’s Eve through January 2, see this one-of-a-kind show full of acrobats, gymnasts, and contortionists.

Midnight Music

A MOBTOWN NEW YEAR FEATURING BOSLEY
The Mobtown Ballroom, 861 Washington Blvd, 8 p.m., $45. 443-699-3040. Dress to the nines, sip specialty cocktails, and dance into the wee hours at Mobtown Ballroom’s first-ever New Year’s Eve bash featuring the soulful sounds of Bosley.

THE WONDERLAND BALL
Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 9 p.m. $27.50-110. 410-244-0057. The Cris Jacobs Band takes the stage with Bawdy Shop Burlesque, Brooks Long & the Mad Dog No Good, Union Craft beer, and Pixilated Photo Booth.

BETTER OFF DEAD
The 8×10, 10 E. Cross St. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. $23. 410-625-2000. Jam to Jerry Garcia with this local Grateful Dead cover band.

THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS
Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl. 8:30 p.m. $35-55. 410-244-1131. Get in one last 2015 concert with this acoustic quintet performing its energetic brand of plucky bluegrass.

THE KINGS OF CROWNSVILLE
Germano’s Cabaret, 300 S. High St. 6 & 9 p.m. $25. 410-752-4515. Join Germano’s house band for a rollicking, horn-filled set that’ll transport you to New Orleans.

Big Blowouts

NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECTACULAR
Inner Harbor, 201 E. Pratt St. 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Free. 410-752-8632. Celebrate Baltimore-style with live music and fireworks on the water.

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT POWER PLANT LIVE
Power Plant Live, 34 Market Pl. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $85. 410-727-5483. Celebrate in style at this giant party with live music, DJs, and drinks.

BIG NIGHT BALTIMORE NEW YEAR’S EVE EXTRAVAGANZA
Baltimore Harbor Hotel, 101 W. Fayette St. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $99.99-159.00. 703-930-1655. Go big or go home at this extravagant event, with six party bands, five dance floors, and a champagne toast at midnight.

CHARM CITY COUNTDOWN: MASQUERADE BALL
Radisson Hotel North Baltimore, 2004 Greenspring Dr., Timonium. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $99-199. 410-549-5490. This Edgar Allan Poe-inspired masquerade bash cuts no corners, with its own casino, live music, and a balloon drop.

NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS CRUISE
Spirit of Baltimore, 561 Light St., 9:30 p.m.-1a.m, $139-169, 866-312-2469. Step aboard this booze cruise to enjoy panoramic views of the Inner Harbor fireworks, butlered hors d’eouvres, a dinner buffet, open bar access, and plenty of party music.

Foodie Fun

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT AZUMI
Azumi, 725 Aliceanna St., 4 p.m.-2 a.m. $85-220. 443-220-0477. Snag a harbor side seat and watch the blasting fireworks from this modern Harbor East spot that is celebrating with a fancy prix-fixe by chef Eiji Takaese. Dishes listed on the special menu range from rock shrimp tempura and clam miso to king salmon teriyaki and wagyu New York strip steak.

NEW YEAR’S AT B&O AMERICAN BRASSERIE
B&O American Brasserie, 2 N. Charles St. Thurs. 5 p.m., Fri. 8a.m.-2:30 p.m. A la carte pricing. 443-692-6172. If you’re already anticipating a harsh hangover on New Year’s Day, B&O has got you covered. Not only will the restaurant be serving a la carte dinner service with complimentary champagne on New Year’s Eve, but it will also feature a brunch complete with greasy grub and bottomless mimosas on New Year’s Day.

CELEBRATION ON THE WATER AT BOATHOUSE CANTON
Boathouse Canton, 2809 Boston St., 8 p.m.-1 a.m., $125-150, 410-773-9795. This dockside destination is throwing an all-inclusive party featuring passed hors d’eouvres, food stations, beer, wine, cocktails, and, of course, a champagne toast at midnight. Local rockers Three Flights Up will provide the soundtrack for the soiree by playing ’80s and ’90s covers all night long.

NEW YEAR’S PARTY AT BOND STREET SOCIAL AND BARCOCINA
Bond Street Social and Barcocina, 901S. Bond St. and 1621 Thames St., 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $40, 443-449-6234. Grab some friends and hop back and forth between these sister Fells Point bars to snack on hors d’eouvres, down drinks, and get down to live music.

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION AT PAZO
Pazo, 1425 Aliceanna St., 5-11 p.m., $79-119, 410-534-7296. Ring in 2016 with a Tuscan feast at this fun Fells Point lounge. Indulge in a three-course fixed menu during early dinner seating before hitting the town, or stick around Pazo to celebrate with party favors, sparkling champagne, Balkan dancing, and live music spun by DJ Chris Brooks.

NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER AND LOUNGE PARTY AT WIT & WISDOM
Wit & Wisdom, 200 International Drive, 7p.m.-2 a.m., $40-250, 410-576-5800. Chef Zack Mills is whipping up a nine-course tasting menu at this trendy tavern, offering diners dishes like oysters on the half shell, roasted duck, and slow-cooked bison short ribs. If you’ve already made dinner plans, you can still head over to Wit & Wisdom’s lounge party until 2 a.m. to catch the fireworks and dance the night away.

CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE AT LA CUCHARA
La Cuchara, 3600 Clipper Mill Road, 5 p.m.-12 a.m. Last seating at 10:45 p.m. $125. 443-708-3838. lacucharabaltimore.com. Chef Ben Lefenfeld is whipping up a festive five-course prix-fixe at this Woodberry spot to ring in 2016. Special dishes to be offered on New Year’s Eve include grilled corn cakes with caviar and crème fraiche, charred octopus, Wagyu New York strip steak, and sticky toffee pudding with brandied prune ice cream. Plus, in keeping with La Cuchara’s Spanish vibe, there will be plenty of Cava to go around at midnight.

NEW YEAR’S DAY BRUNCH AT NACHO MAMA’S
Nacho Mama’s, 2907 O’Donnell St., 9 a.m., A la carte pricing. 410-675-0898, mamasmd.com. If you’re in search of a hangover helper, head over to this Canton haunt on New Year’s Day to chow down on greasy eats like egg tostadas, chorizo fritatas, and breakfast quesadillas. For every two brunch entrees ordered on New Year’s Day, guests will receive a free pitcher of bacon salt-rimmed bloody marys or mimosas.

NEW YEAR’S EVE ROOFTOP PARTY AT SLAINTE
Slainte Irish Pub and Restaurant, 1700 Thames St., 9 p.m.-1 a.m., $80, 410-563-6600, slaintepub.com Bundle up and make your way up to the rooftop deck at this Fells Point pub to pop champagne, enjoy a gourmet buffet, and take in killer views of fireworks blasting over the harbor.