What are you doing for New Year’s? I’ll go ahead and tell you right now that it doesn’t freaking matter. After December 21st, you are going to be flitting around in a mysterious gaseous post-Mayan haze consisting of microscopic remnants of Jupiter, ice chips and the faint memory of your old dog spot.

I don’t know how it is going to end. But here are a couple of my more brillant theories:

• An army of tiny dinosaurs will rise up from cracks in the earth and breathe fire until we run out of freon.
• A solitary expressionless clown will simultaneously patrol the streets of every major city until we are creeped to death.
• The Russians might set off the dynamite they’ve installed every 5 feet along the entirety of the Chinese border, causing the Asian sub-continent to fall into the sea.

And let’s face it, after China falls, the repercussions are unpredictable.

But really how it all ends I haven’t a clue. What I do know is that if you like celebrating New Year’s, I hope you did it last year cause you are late to the party my friend. If, however, talking about celebrating New Year’s in Huntsville is your thing, I can admonish you a trifle longer.

A Very Social Holiday

Growing up, there was always a magic to New Year’s Eve. All my parents’ friends would come over and bring their kids and we’d get to stay up until midnight and watch Dick Clark narrate images from Times Square and eat cookies all night. It always seemed like the entire world was united in something for just a few hours before everyone had to go back to doing all the stuff you have to do everyday.

NYE is at its heart a social holiday, a time to reach out and hug your friends and be thankful for a good year.

So, what should we do on New Year’s? The New Year is all about your opportunity to make this year better than the last. Such a quest is best taken and most easily accomplished a day at a time, and the first day should not commence with you sleeping. After all, you’ll have plenty of time to sleep after the Mayans get bored of setting future calendar dates.

Let’s Talk Huntsville NYE Options

Whether you are a planner or a float with the river person, where you are going to be on January 1 2013 at 12:00 AM is important.

For those of you who run to a different beat, on New Year’s Eve morning some crazy people are organizing and I’m told running 50 kilometers through the three mile loop at the Huntsville Cross Country Running Park. While I support the adoption of the metric system to measure distances and the effects of gravity, I will nonetheless be failing to participate in this event. Good luck to you if you try.

Very important note: There is an 8 hour cut off time–Really, there are humans who have to be told to stop running a three mile loop after 8 hours? Ok. Maybe the end of the world really is near.

Anyway, those of you with little human animals will want to celebrate 12 hours early at Sci-Quest. An educational look at the passage of time plus sparkly art (OVE’s Digital Media Wizrad Larkin and queen of all things sparkly just might drop by!) and an apple juice toast will make this a creative and fun learning time.

Every bar downtown is stocked up with Korbel and Mumm’s, and all the local bands are playing paying gigs. As required adornment, sharp suits, glittery dresses and FM Shoes (ask me offline) represent your chance to say goodbye to your tacky Christmas sweater and show off your Gangnam ride.

You know where all the bars are, and if you need to find out ahead of time, just go downtown on the 21st and look for all the Bama sweatshirts standing out in the street hollering ROLLTIDE like they are doing the invading aliens a favor. When you’ve found that spot, walk 100 yards down the street, just out of ear shot, and that is your NYE spot.

For a complete list see below, but one cool thing I’d suggest is the Downtown Forty-Seven’s Ball Drop at Big Spring Park, complete with Tinsel Trail and wrought with fireworks.

And the Holiday Inn Downtown has room packages for those of you who choose to leave your keys at home. We all appreciate that choice.

Happy New Year!

–Kinzer

Event Details

Note: All events on 12/31/2012

Event: Recover from the Holiday’s 50k

About: Recover From The Holidays is an old fashion, no-frills, low-cost 50Km run at the Huntsville Cross Country Running Park. This 3 mile loop course features 3500′ of elevation change over 31 miles and with weather always a factor, this race is no walk in the park.

Start Time: 8am
Location: Huntsville Country Club Running Park
Advanced Registration Required: Call Christy Scott at 256-508-1925

Event: New Years Eve at Noon

About: Bring your little to Sci-Quest for a rockin’ fun-filled New Year’s Eve party with all of the traditions of a grown-up celebration made child friendly. Traditions include the passage of time with sparkly art projects and all kinds of science fun! And at noon, everyone will enjoy an apple juice toast and make hats and shakers. It’s a great way for your family to enjoy New Year’s festivities, all before bedtime!

Time: 10am-12pm
Location: Sci-Quest, Hands on Science Center
Cost: Event is included with general admission
Find Sci-Quest on Facebook
Visit the Sci-Quest Website

Zumba Dance Party!

About: Before you hit the town, join Athletic Club Alabama for a fun New Year’s Eve Zumba dance party at their new South Huntsville Location. Zumba is a fusion of Latin and international music and dance themes creating a dynamic, exciting and energizing workout. You probably won’t not even realize you’re exercising with the party-like atmosphere!

Time: 10-11am
Location: Athletic Club Alabama, South Huntsville location
Cost: $5 for non-members
No RSVP  needed. Just drop in!
Find Athletic Club Alabama on Facebook
Visit the Athletic Club Alabama website

Event: Grill 29 NYE Bash

About: Join Grille 29 for an unforgettable celebration that includes complimentary beverages, free-flowing champagne, an hors d’oeuvres buffet, DJ Pauli G, music and dancing all night, party favors and fun, fun, fun!
Note: this is a strictly 21 and up event.

Time: 10:00pm- 01:30am
Location: Grille 29
Cost: $65 per person (Note tax and gratuity not included)
Advanced Registration Required: Call Troy at 256-604-7415 or 256-489-9470 to make your reservation
Find Grille 29 on Facebook
Visit the Grill 29 website

Event: New Year’s Eve Celebration @ Downtown Holiday Inn

About: If you’re looking to celebrate NYE in downtown Huntsville then the Holiday Inn has several options. First there’s the all-inclusive packages that includes an overnight stay at the holiday Inn (plus extended checkout), continental breakfast, midnight champagne toast, admission to several parties on site, and more! They also have an option that is paty only and  includes admission to the onsite parties (plus party favors!) and a midnight champagne toast. For complete details on all your options, click here.

Start times, cost and reservation requirements will vary depending on your package. For complete details, click here.

Event: New Year’s Eve Gala

About: Ring in the New Year by supporting Huntsville and Madison County’s only not-for-profit hospice, Hospice Family Care. This year their New Year’s Eve Gala will feature entertainent from the physician-made band Junctional Rhythm, a fun champagne toast at midnight and all kinds of fun NYE party items! Plus you can choose from two different tickets – one for the dinner and the party (you arrive at 7pm) and one for the party (you arrive at 9pm).

Time: With dinner- 7pm; Party only- 9pm
Location: VBC North Hall
Cost: With dinner- $100; Party only- $50
Reservations: Call Elizabeth Webb at 256-534-6383
Like Hospice Family Care on Facebook
Visit the Hopsice Family Care website

Event: New Year’s – The American Way

About: Bring in the New Year the American Way by joining the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and their guests, the U.S. Army Materiel Command Band, on New Year’s Eve. Expect fun surprises and great American music for attendees!

Time: 7:30-9:30pm
Location: Marck C. Smith Concert Hall at the VBC
Cost: Varies. Visit the HSO website for more information
Like HSO on Facebook
Visit the HSO website

Event: Terramé New Years Eve Ball Drop

About: Huntsville’s Official New Year’s Eve Ball Drop is at Big Spring Park with a spectacular fireworks show in downtown Huntsville. This year there will be a t-shirt sale to promote, bring awareness and raise money for Operation Green Team. We will also be supporting other organizations that will offer events downtown on New Year’s Eve including The Huntsville Museum of Art, the Downtown Forty-Seven, The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and Hospice Family Care. Each of these organizations will receive some of the proceeds from the t-shirt sales as well.

Time: 8pm-12am
Location: Big Spring Park

Event: New Years Eve with Sugar Stems, The Porcharitas & Really Loud Hambugers

About: For a fantastic New Years Night in Huntsville, join Vertical House Records for an incredible show with Sugar Stems, The Porcharitas, and Really Loud Hamburgers for only $7.

Time: 9pm-12:30am
Location: Vertical House Records at Lowe Mill
Cost: $7

Event: Annual Ball Drop at Life Church

About: Gather with family and friends to welcome 2013 at the 1st Annual Ball Drop in Downtown Dodge. This night of celebration includes free food, free giant blow spud for the kiddies, and a midnight count-down featuring an eight foot wide ball covered with clear LED lights and plenty more.

Time: 10:30pm-12am
Location: Life Church (exit 299)
471 Alabama Highway 69 South, Hanceville, AL 35077.

The Bars:

Location: Sammy T’s
Event Details: The biggest and best New Year’s Eve Bash is Always at Sammy T’s!!! DJ Keibot and DJ Josh P with one of the best light shows around. This will be a night to remember. Reserve your tickets now! Call 256-508-4703 for info on reserving a VIP section. Doors open at 8 pm. So get there early to avoid the line.

Location: Amendment XXI
Event Details: Enjoy New Year’s Eve downtown without fighting the crowds at Amendment XXI’s upstairs loft for a night to remember. Together with Homegrown Huntsville, they’ve planned a night to remember and one that is only available to the first 60 people to RSVP. Grab a group of friends and reserve your VIP booth today and bring in the new year like a star!

Location: FUBAR
Event Details: Drink Specials, Give Aways, $3,000 Balloon Drop and Much Much More!! Doors open at 7:00pm.

Location: Humphrey’s
Band Playing: Black Eyed Susan

Location: Jefferson Street Pub
Band Playing: Swinging Dixie

Location: Black Water Hatties
Band Playing: Rocket City Jazz Orchestra

Location: Diamonds
Band Playing: Thad & Co.

Location: Lone Goose Saloon
Band Playing: FATSO. No cover charge and complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

Location: Black Water Hatties
Band Playing: Rocket City Jazz Orchestra

Other Important Information

• Last day for Galaxy of Lights drive through at Huntsville Botanical Garden
• Other day/night time events to check out:
  • Tinsel Trail
  • Ice Skating in the Park

Something missing? Is there a NYE event we missed? Add it to the Our Valley Events calendar here. Not sure if your event is a good fit for our website? Visit our event submission guidelines here.