New Years Eve in New Jersey at an Alcohol Free Venue

Celebrate New Years Eve 2011-12 in NJ at a place where events and activities have an unusual twist; they are not alcoholic dominant celebrations that New Years Eve has come to be associated with.

Many of the events are The First Night celebrations that are affordable family-friendly, alcohol free, celebrations that are nationally recognized and are held in many communities in New Jersey. They are volunteer-driven and offer parades, fireworks, entertainment, storytelling and magic shows. Pre sale tickets are usually required for these events.

New Years Eve

December 31, 2011 New Years Eve Events

Northern New Jersey

Maplewood/South Orange First Night
December 31, 2011
4:30 pm to 9:45 pm
Columbia High School
Maplewood, NJ
973-763-4778
info@firstnightmwso.org
Non-alcohol activities for kids and adults. Snacks, drinks, etc. are available all day and evening at the cafeteria. Wristbands will be available at the door for $15, or at select locations in Maplewood and South Orange for $11. Children under three get in free!

Montclair First Night
December 31, 2011
5pm to Midnight
Montclair, NJ
973-509-4915
Featuring the Big Apple Circus to Go, at Hillside School Auditorium, 54 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ
Performance times are: 5:00, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m.
at Hillside School Gymnasium: 5:30, 7:00 and 8:15 p.m.
at the Hillside School Cafeteria: 5:15, 6:45 and 8:00 p.m.
Other events at other venues include: Wild 'n Wackypopular party games; Magician Joe Fischer;Jazz House Kids, Terry's Serendipity Café; Client No.9; and Pianist Jonathan Drucker.
Tickets: $15, Big Apple Circus to Go. $5 General Admission.
Big Apple Circus to Go ticket purchase includes admission to all other performances. For online ticket sales, please visit: www.BrownPaperTickets.com

Morris County First Night
December 31, 2011
Morris County First Night is a non-alcoholic event in Morristown that takes place from 7pm-midnight. Over 400 artists and 80 performers are scheduled to attend this year's celebration. Free parking and shuttle bus service will be provided. For information: http://firstnightmorris.com/

Central New Jersey

Hogmanay Bonfire
Saturday, December 31, 2011, 6 pm to 9 pm
Brearley House
100 Meadow Road
Lawrenceville, NJ
609-895-1728
Celebrate the coming New Year with this Scottish tradition. Toss all of last year's bad memories into the fire symbolizing a clean break with all that went wrong in the old year. Free hot cocoa, cake and a concert.

Salute to Vienna New Years Concert
Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 6pm
State Theatre
New Brunswick, NJ
Alexander Steinitz, conductor (Vienna) Rebecca Nelsen, soprano (Vienna) Thomas Sigwald, tenor (Budapest) And dancers from Vienna Imperial Ballet

9th Annual Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge
January 1, 2011
Convention Hall
1300 Ocean Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
732.897.881
Looking for an unusual way to begin the New Year with a splash?
10am-12pm Check-in
12:45pm Bagpipe to Beach 1pm Plunge
1-3pm Entertainment by Brian Kirk & the Jirks. All proceeds raised will be donated to charity. Please visit www.sonsofireland.org for pre-registration or to learn more about the event or charities.

Southern New Jersey

First Night Burlington County 2012
Saturday, 31 December 2011, 5pm to 9pm
Downtown Mount Holly, NJ
A Fun, Safe, Affordable Community New Year's Eve Celebration in historic . Theme: Year of the Dragon! Venues: Historic Prison Museum/Warden's House, St. Andrew's, Masonic Lodge, Friend's Meeting, High Street Art & Framing, All-in-One Baskets, BCC Center, and Isabella's. Plus there are street performers & venders on High Street. Better downtown eateries & merchants will be open.

Fireworks On The Battleship New Jersey
Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial
62 Battleship Place
Camden, NJ 08103
866-877-6262
The overnight stay on the Battleship New Jersey has been cancelled and closed to the public this year. However, they will be open for guests to come aboard to watch the 6pm and Midnight fireworks shows.

New Years Eve Fireworks - Sea Isle
December 31 2011 - 8:00 pm

Haddenfield, NJ First Night
December 31, 2011
Haddonfield NJ 08033
856-429-4700, ext. 300
A family-oriented, alcohol-free celebration of the arts, held in Haddonfield each New Year's Eve. Festivities begin at 6:00pm. Area artists who are interested in participating on December 31, 2011 are invited to apply.

First Night Ocean City
Ocean City, NJ 08226
609-525-9300
www.firstnightocnj.com
The Coasters, one of the most colorful and popular vocal groups on the East Coast, will entertain. The rides will be open at Wonderland Pier, always a popular feature of First Night and of course there will be fireworks at midnight. The festivities continue on New Year's Day starting with a "First Day at the Beach," and a 5K Boardwalk Run.

Seaside Heights - First Night
December 31, 2011
On the boardwalk
1-800-732-7467
Fireworks at 5:30 PM
There will be entertainment, music, comedy, face painters, balloonists, and caricature portrait drawings in each of the participating arcades along the boardwalk. All attendees are required to purchase bracelets that entitle them to all entertainment, free carousel rides and entries into a drawing for two gift baskets one for children and one for adults. Bracelets will be on sale starting Friday, November 25th at the County Connection in the Ocean County Mall

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