Celebration of the New Year has been around for a very long time. About 4,000 years to be exact. But it hasn’t always been celebrated on January 1st. The Babylonians celebrated it in conjunction with the first day of spring…renewal and rebirth of crops. It wasn’t until the Romans took control of the calendar, that January 1st was declared to be the New Year.
Today, however, we celebrate on New Year’s eve, it’s our way of ringing in the New Year. It’s a day for exciting activities and fun time. A day of quality time for parents to spend with children, or in the absence of children-with each other, and for couples. The activities might be a traditional part of the holiday celebration or they might be something totally new. This article points out several activities that are family oriented or for couples only. Either way, they are special and will satisfy even those who are hard to please.
Start the day off with, “Holidays On St. Armands”. Take a stroll around St. Armands Circle, and enjoy the sight and sounds of the holiday. Stroll through the elegant shops and do a little after- Christmas shopping, or stop and have a lovely cup of tea or a candle-lit dinner. Don’t forget to top the day off with a lovely carriage ride around the circle. The shops will be open from 9:30 am – 8:00 pm, on New Year’s eve, so this is an activity that either the family can enjoy, or a couple looking to spend a romantic day together.
After spending the day on St. Armands, take in a play at The Florida Studio Theater. They are performing the musical, “Over the Rainbow” on New Year’s eve. This is a wonderful and colorful rendition of “The Wizard of Oz”. People who loved the Oz, will love this. It’s fun entertainment for families and a romantic delight for couples. There are two performances on New Year’s eve. One is at 2:00 pm and the other is at 7:30 pm. The matinee is $26.00 and it’s $29.00 for the evening performance .
Maybe what’s playing at the Asolo Theater on New Year’s eve would be better. They are performing the musical, “PlexiglassSlipper”. Of course this is a slightly different story about Cinderella. It has more of a comedic twist, with lots of humor, music and songs. If there are any children in the family at least six years or older, they will love this play. The only showing is a matinee, which is at 2:00 pm, but it’s still a wonderful play for couples. Take in the play at 2:00 then do something later that evening. The price is from $15 to $40, it all depends on if the seats are in the orchestra, mezzanine or balcony.
Some activities for New Year’s eve night may be a little late for children to be up and about, but not for the adults. Enjoy a romantic activity for two. Cruising Sarasota Bay on the Majestic Marina Jack II. This is an elegant mega-yacht, trimmed with polished brass, warm wood and recessed lighting. Imagine having a New Year’s eve dinner for two, surrounded by luxury, live music and spectacular night time views of Sarasota. This cruise departs at 8:30 pm and returns at 12:15. The menu is sliced Tenderloin, lump blue crab cakes, asparagus, twiced baked potatoes, salad and a dessert buffet. They haven’t listed a price, but they do take credit and debit cards.
If cruising has no appeal, there is always Mattison’s Riverside Restaurant. Mattison’s is beautiful, classy and a fine restaurant to ring in the New Year. There will be live jazz and dancing on the riverside deck and live music and dancing in the upstairs ballroom. There will also be a champagne toast at midnight, party favors, decorations, fruit and cheese, dessert and a cash bar. Anyone who comes by boat can dock, with the purchase of a ticket. The price is $25.00 and the celebration starts at 8 pm until 1 am.
Check around and see what’s happening for New Year’s eve. If there aren’t any activities – get the family to create some. It’s a fact, some cities are limited when it comes to New Year’s eve activities, and some don’t have any at all. This is the perfect opportunity to visit another city where activities and events are plentiful. Make a two-day, get-a-way vacation out of the visit. It would truly be a way for families and couples to bond, renew and bring in the New Year.
