Arts & Culture

​Ringing in 2015

The best New Year's Eve events, from concerts to restaurants to boat rides, and more.

Don’t fall asleep on your couch again this year. Life’s short. Get out there. Baltimore is an incredible town, especially on New Year’s Eve, with the Inner Harbor and the fireworks and the city’s little, twinkling lights. Whatever your style, here are some ways to go out with the old and in with the new on this special night.

Go Big or Go Home

DOWNTOWN COUNTDOWN
Pratt Street Ale House, 206 W. Pratt St. 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. $99-139. This big bash boasts open bars, a massive midnight balloon drop, and five party floors with live, local music.

CHARM CITY COUNTDOWN: MOULIN ROUGE
N. Baltimore Plaza Hotel, 2004 Greenspring Dr., Timonium. 9 p.m-2 a.m. $99-219+. 410-549-5707. Go big or go home at this Moulin Rouge mega-party with open bars, party zones, and a balloon drop.

NYE LIVE!
Power Plant Live, 34 Market Pl. 8 p.m. $95-115. 410-727-5483. This celebratory shebang gives you access to multiple bars, DJ sets, laser shows, and a screening of the Times Square ball drop.

LORD BALTIMORE HOTEL NEW YEAR’S EVE PACKAGE
The Lord Baltimore Hotel, 20 W. Baltimore St., $349+, 410-539-8400. This lavish hotel is offering a Charm City NYE Dinner Package that includes overnight accommodations for two, a four course dinner with included wine pairings at the hotel’s restaurant The French Kitchen, party favors, free parking, and late checkout on New Years Day.

BIG NIGHT BALTIMORE NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA
The Baltimore Harbor Hotel, 101 W. Fayette St., 9 p.m.- 2 a.m. $104-$209. Eight different bands and DJ’s will be featured at this massive event spanning 4 dance floors and multiple party rooms. All inclusive drinks and food are included with the price of admission.

Portside Party

BALTIMORE SPIRIT CRUISE
Inner Harbor. 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $159.90-219.90. 866-312-2469. This party boat features an open bar, dinner buffet, and midnight countdown, with spectacular views of the Inner Harbor fireworks display.

BALTIMORE NYE SPECTACULAR
Inner Harbor, Harborplace Amphitheater, 201 E. Pratt St. 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Free. 410-752-8632. Say sayonara to 2014 with a night of local bands and breathtaking views of the Inner Harbor and its festive fireworks over the open water.

THE BLACK EYED SUSAN NEW YEARS EVE CRUISE
Baltimore Marine Center, 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m., $150, 410-342-6960. Step aboard this elegant booze cruise and enjoy a panoramic view of the blasting fireworks and all inclusive drinks, hors d’eouvres, a dinner buffet, and a Viennese dessert reception.

Midnight Music

PAPADOSIO
Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl. 9 p.m. $32.50-60. 410-244-1131. For a more psychedelic celebration, Rams Head hosts progressive jam band Papadosio and Baltimore’s own Electric Love Machine, with aerial performers and visual art to boot.

J. RODDY WALSTON & THE BUSINESS
Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 9 p.m. $25.50-80.50. 410-244-0057. Union Craft Brewing presents this beloved local Southern rock band and more, while the bar stays open “as long as we want.”

CARA KELLY & THE TELL TALE ON NYE
The 8×10, 10 E. Cross St. 8 p.m. $20-25. 410-625-2000. This Baltimore sextet performs its badass brand of roots rock and soul in Fed Hill, with midnight champagne, followed by a till-sunrise show by The Charm City Funk Brigade.

BALLYHOO!
MaGerk’s Pub & Grille, 120 S. Bond St, Bel Air, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $15. 410-638-7701. Sip $3 Miller Lite, Bud Light, and Yuengling drafts and throw back $5 Fireball shots while listening to this Maryland-based punk and reggae band that has previously opened for 311 and Slightly Stoopid.

Foodie Fun

RUSTY SCUPPER NEW YEAR’S EVE EXTRAVAGANZA
Rusty Scupper Restaurant and Bar, 402 Key Hwy. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $100-120. 410-727-3678. Enjoy a four-course dinner, dancing, midnight champagne toast, and beautiful Inner Harbor views from the crab shack’s outdoor deck.

RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH B&O AMERICAN BRASSERIE
B&O American Brasserie, 2 N. Charles St. Wed. 6, 8, & 10 p.m. Thurs. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. $65-120. 443-692-6172. Enjoy a three- or five-course dinner to kick off the New Year and, the next day, enjoy a hangover brunch complete with greasy food and bottomless drinks.

AGGIO: AN EXCLUSIVE NEW YEAR’S EVE EXPERIENCE
Aggio, 614 Water St. 5, 7, & 9 p.m. $125-200. 410-528-0200. Whether you chose a three-course dinner, six-course tasting menu, or VIP experience, ring in 2015 in style with a fancy feast and all-access pass to Power Plant Live’s NYE party.

CUNNINGHAM’S NEW YEAR’S EVE 2014
Cunningham’s, 1 Olympic Place, Towson, 5 p.m., $69-$104. 410-339-7730. Ring in the New Year at one of the hottest restaurants in town. A special four course pre-fixe menu prepared by Chef Jason Lear combined with an optional wine pairing will be the highlight of this festive feast, but an a la carte menu will also be available.

NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER AND LOUNGE PARTY AT WIT & WISDOM
Four Seasons Baltimore, 200 International Drive, 5 & 8 p.m., $89-$160. 410-576-5800. Pop champagne and count down to 2015 at this trendy tavern with panoramic harbor side views of the blasting fireworks. Enjoy a three course pre-fixe menu before hitting the town by making a reservation for the first seating, or reserve your spot for the second seating that will include a five course tasting menu and a champagne toast at midnight. Wit & Wisdom will also be hosting a lounge party with DJ entertainment until 2 a.m. Admission is $20 for guests who do not dine in the restaurant.

Family Affair

SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS
Symphony Woods, Columbia. 5-8 p.m. $15. 410-740-7666. “Midnight at 7” is a fun-filled, family gathering in the festively illuminated Symphony Woods with food, live music, a bonfire, and early fireworks at 7 p.m.

NEW YEAR’S ANNAPOLIS
City Dock, Annapolis. 3 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Free. Downtown Annapolis will set the stage for an evening of family fun, with a big heated tent, two fireworks displays, and local party band Radio City.

MIDNIGHT NOON
Maryland Science Center, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free with admission. 410-685-5225. Enjoy making party hats, snow globes, and noisemakers with the entire family at this event where the ball drops at noon, instead of midnight. Grammy nominated kids band Milkshake will hit the stage at 11:30 a.m. to get the countdown started.

NOONTIME NEW YEAR: HOLIDAY HOEDOWN!
Port Discovery, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free with admission. 410-727-8120. Dress up the kids in cowboy attire or their favorite costume and enjoy a day full of hoedown-themed New Years programs including a noon countdown followed by a milk and cookie toast.