Thursday, December 28, 2006

Maybe it's because our own New Year's Eve will be about as innocent as they come (we're getting a head start on our resolution to temper our terrible naughtiness), but we cannot stop thinking that there must be ways to enjoy the holiday without a tux, regrettable midnight kiss or hangover.

Indeed, there are family-centric First Night festivals and other New Year's Eve eve nts across the region that are smoke- and drink-free good times. It is a Sunday night, after all.

Alexandria's First Night celebration splits live performances, fireworks and other entertainment among venues across the city; your pass is a badge that gets you into all of them. Highlights include Bill Kirchen at the Torpedo Factory all night and a cappella troupe the Stairwells, who cap the whole thing off at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Throughout Old Town and Del Ray. 6 p.m.-midnight. $15; 12 and younger free. Badges available at http://www.firstnightalexandria.org through Saturday, and at various venues Sunday. 703-838-5005.

Fairfax City shuts downtown for its First Fairfax bash, another family event with a lot more children's programming, including puppet and magic shows, a bonfire and ice-skating rink, as well as swing music and comedy performances. And unlike many of the parties around town, this one's free. 6 p.m.-midnight. Main Street and University Drive, Old Town Fairfax City. 703-385-7850.

It's going to feel like 1959 and not 2007 at the swinging New Year's Eve at the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo Park, where Blair Carman and the Belleview Boys will rip through tunes by Hank Williams, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis while dancers toss one another around till 2006 is a memory. (Oh, and it might be 1959 in the ballroom, but it's Prohibition rules: No smoking or drinking allowed.) $20. Come at 8 p.m. for a dance lesson; dancing 9-midnight. 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. 301-492-6229.

It's a bit of a drive, but First Night Annapolis offers a chance to party on the waterfront. Now 16 years old, the day-long bash attracted more than 10,000 people last year with its children's programming (2-5 p.m.) and adult entertainment (6 p.m.-12:30 a.m.). In all, about 40 venues including Maryland Hall, St. John's College and City Dock will buzz with magic shows, jazz, steel drums and theater performances, before it all ends in a blaze of fireworks. $10-$22; free, 5 and younger. Shuttle service from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Rowe Boulevard and Farragut Road, Annapolis. 410-268-8553 or see http://www.firstnightannapolis.org for map and schedule.

-- Lavanya Ramanathan