AREA TOWNS – New Year’s Eve celebrations and events are happening in towns around Hardwick for those interested in traveling to spend the evening out.
Ring in the New Year at Morrisville’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, December 31 beginning at 9 p.m. with party band, Lawless. The band includes Sarena Boland and David Price on lead vocals, John “Rip” Eckert and Kevin Lawless on guitars, Clay Britch on bass and Jesse Wakefield on drums. Admission includes food and appetizers and party favors, at 28 VFW Street, Morrisville.
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St. Johnsbury’s First Night North 2025 has booked over 175 artists to present more than 70 live shows New Year’s Eve beginning at 3 p.m. For over 30 years, the First Night North festival has featured live, family-friendly, entertainment. This year offers nine full hours of arts entertainment from 3 p.m. to midnight, Tuesday, December 31. Admission buttons are required for all events; free for preschoolers. Learn more and purchase buttons online at catamountarts.org/first–night–north/
Montpelier Alive presents what it calls a “uniquely Montpelier” New Year’s Eve event. Start New Year’s Eve with Lost Nation Theater and Shidaa Projects’ New Year’s Eve Celebration with “The Beat Goes On!” from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, an afternoon of drumming sessions ending in a collaborative performance with Montpelier entertainers. The event includes free drumming sessions for kids, a family friendly performance with drumming and dancing by Shidaa Projects troupe and musical performances by Lost Nation cast members.
Central Vermont Runners’ Annual New Year’s Eve 5K starts from Onion River Outdoors at 1 p.m. Organizers strongly recommend pre-registration online at runsignup.com/Race/VT/Montpelier/CVRNewYearsEve5K
Later in the evening, Access Cafe hosts New Year’s Portal, an alcohol free party from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at 64 Main Street. Local DJ King Crouch plays music, local foods from Taíno Kitchen, and in-house drinks and other beverages such as YesFolk Kombucha, Prophecy Chocolate, and Abracadabra Coffee.
Barr Hill will have its “Gin”-Ter Wonderland pop up bar open from 3 until 8 p.m. for cocktails and light snacks, with no reservations needed. They also feature a pre-fixe dinner paired with cocktails of your choice from its menu. There are two seatings, at 5 and 7 p.m. with limited reservations.
Dave Keller plays from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bent Nails Bistro, followed by the Nailers from 10 p.m. until the dancing stops.
Filibuster Cafe celebrates with a three-course pre fixe menu of chef-curated dishes with many wonderful choices.
Hugo’s Bar and Grill has live jazz from the Vermont Jazz Trio starting at 730 p.m. with cocktails, dessert, or a full dinner with its special New Year’s Eve a la cart and tasting menus.
Oakes and Evelyn features a three-course prix fixe menu with two seatings at 5:15 and 7:30 p.m.
Three Penny Taproom hosts a Roaring ‘20s New Year’s Eve Bash with dinner and drink specials with hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast at midnight. DJ Xav Wax plays all night. Period dress is highly encouraged,
Learn more at montpelieralive.com/nye
In Newport, Mike Goudreau plays solo at Le Belvedere Restaurant for New Years Eve overlooking Lake Memphremagog from 6 to 9 p.m. Goudreau, born in Newport, and now based in Montreal, bills himself as an americana, blues, composer, folk, jazz, rock, songwriter artist. For reservations call (802) 487-9147.
If you fancy a day of skiing capped off by the Grateful Dead, you might consider visiting Jay Peak where the year ends with Zach Nugent’s Dead Set at 9 p.m.. Zach Nugent’s Dead Set, featuring the songs of the Grateful Dead, leads in to the “countdown and subsequent merriment” at the Foeger Ballroom, Jay Peak Resort. Advance tickets are available; free for children under 7 with an adult.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
