New Year’s denotes a time of resolution making, parties, and hopes for an improved new year. In Annapolis, New Year’s means celebrating with friends, family, and activities at one of the city’s most beloved and popular places: City Dock. It doesn’t matter if you resolve to keep your resolution this year or evade the whole New Year’s resolution scene altogether, attending the free celebration at City Dock is a promise you should keep and is quite easy to for that matter.
Activities
As an inclusive and entertaining city, the New Year’s celebration in Annapolis features fun for all ages and budgets. The kids’ activities kick off at 3 p.m. with crafts and other entertainment provided by Chesapeake Children’s Museum. One activity hosted by Chesapeake Children’s Museum runs from 3 to 7 p.m. and is all about reusing materials used every day for new purposes. Kids can make hats and other wearable items from materials they have long looked over. Face painting by the “Face Paint Lady” is also available from 3 to 7 p.m. At 4:30 p.m., kids can take their painted faces and repurposed outfits to Jack Julius’ magic show. The local magician entertains with tricks for his third consecutive New Year’s celebration, meaning that the magic will be inspiring and perfected.
Adult entertainment comes in the form of a limbo contest (though kids can try their hand it this too) and three musical performances. The limbo contest is set to the beat of Caribbean music–an ironic twist considering the location and time of year, but fun nonetheless. Test your flexibility and moves at the contest from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The fireworks at 7:30 p.m. mark the intermission of the night, if you will. Watch these for free from anywhere downtown.
After the fireworks, two musical groups bring participants of the New Year’s bash closer to 2013. First, Walking Sticks performs at 8 p.m. At 10 p.m., Radio City plays current and past music.
The second set of fireworks go off at midnight and continue into the next year. These fireworks, along with the aforementioned activities are free and open to all.
Parking
Parking downtown can be tedious and a bit time-consuming especially on holidays like New Year’s Eve, but arriving early and utilizing the parking garages, Circulator, eCruiser, and carpooling can help. The Hillman Garage is located off Main Street, but you will take Duke of Gloucester Street to get to the garage. Because of its close proximity to City Dock, this garage will most likely fill up first. If that happens, head to Gott’s Garage on Northwest Street. Knighton Garage at 1A Colonial Avenue and Park Place Garage at 5 Park Place are also parking options. Brave souls can also try the parking lot at City Dock, but beware: it fills up quick!
The Circulator travels between the four garages downtown and drops off guests at each one. This service operates on ten minute intervals. The eCruiser will pick up anyone in Annapolis. Call dispatch at 443-481-2422 or 443-497-4769 and wait for the yellow bus. There are more tips and information concerning downtown parking at https://www.annapolis.com/parking-pride-annapolis/.
Celebrate the new year with Annapolis and resolve to be a resident or visitor of the city for years to come.
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