Happy New Year 2015
Let St. Augustine inspire your New Year’s Eve celebration.
New Year’s Eve is a time for celebrating with friends and family while saying goodbye to 2014 and ushering in 2015.
New Year’s Eve or Old Year’s Night is observed on December 31, the final day of the Gregorian year, the day before New Year’s Day. New Year’s Eve is a separate observance from the observance of New Year’s Day.
New Year’s Eve is celebrated universally December 31 according to the year numbering of the CE (Common Era), or AD (Anno Domini) convention, even in non-Christian nations. Traditional and religious celebrations for e.g. the Muslim and Jewish new year, which occur on different dates, are still celebrated separately in the cultures that observe them, on the appropriate dates each year.
In modern practice, fireworks, music, alcoholic beverages and other forms of noise making is part of the New Year’s Eve celebration. New Year’s Eve is celebrated with parties and social gatherings spanning the transition of the year at midnight.
New Year celebrations are done globally and each country prides in observing the traditions of their culture. Some people feel New Year brings good luck and some pray for prosperity. Here is the New Year traditions around the World for you to explore the different customs practiced worldwide.
NationsOldestCity.com wish you a happy and prosperous year 2015
NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS IN ST. AUGUSTINE, FL
BEACH BLAST OFF 2014: Kick off 2014 in seaside style at this St. Augustine Beach event. Enjoy a blast of flavor with local food vendorsa Chili Cook0ff and fireworks at the St. Johns County Fishing Pier and Pavilion, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., in St. Augustine Beach. Hours are 2 to 10 p.m. The fireworks will begin at 8:30 p.m. Admission is free. Call 904-829-5681 or go to beachblastoff.com.
MASQUERADE AT THE STANDARD: A night of mystery and intrigue will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Dec. 31 during the 2nd Annual Masquerade at The Standard, 200 Anastasia Blvd. The night begins under the stars at an outside bar for preshow cocktails. Next, guests will be ushered inside to receive a mask and instructions for the evening’s festivities. Guests are encouraged to dress in costume, and are asked to stay masked until the midnight hour for the grand unveiling and balloon drop. Photographers will be on hand; please dress to impress. VIP and on stage seating are available by reservation. Call 904-274-2090 or go to thestandardfl.com.
ANN O’MALLEY’S PARTY: Scuttered the Bruce will perform from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. during a New Year’s Eve party at Ann O’Malley’s Irish Pub, 23 Orange St. Free party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Admission is free. Call 904-825-4040 or go to annomalleys.com.
THE GAME’S AFOOT: “The Game’s Afoot” is on stage at 7:30 p.m. at Limelight Theatre, 11 Old Mission Ave. This comedy/mystery by Ken Ludwine tells the story of Broadway star William Gillette, admired for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes. He has invited his fellow cast-members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities quickly turn dangerous. For New Year’s Eve, appetizers, champagne and dessert will be served. Cost is $50 per person for the New Year’s Eve performance. The show runs through Jan. 5. Call 904-825-1164 or go to limelight-theatre.org.
NEW YEAR’S EVE PUB CRAWL: Ring in the New Year with a visit to some St. Augustine taverns from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Enjoy tales of the city’s history mixed with traditional “pub lore,” and find out how beer is made. All premium beers, ales, wines and sangria (and some snacks) are included at each watering spot on the tour. Presented by St. Augustine City Walks, the cost is $39 per person. Reservations ar required by calling 904-825-0087 or go toStAugustineCityWalks.com.
AMERICAN LEGION EVENT: American Legion Post 37, 1 Anderson Circle, will host a prime rib dinner with party favors, a champagne toast and DJ. The event takes place from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31. Cost is $40 per person for the dinner and extras; or $20 for champagne toast and party favors. Tickets can be purchased at the post or by calling 904-824-0680. All proceeds will go to veterans programs.
TRES AT DOS: DOS Coffee & Wine, 300 San Marco Ave., will host an New Year’s Eve party with live music by the band Tres. Hours on Dec. 31 are 7 a.m. to noon and 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. No cover charge.
BALLOON DROP IN PONTE VEDRA: The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach will host a New Year’s Eve Balloon Drop from 11 to 12 p.m. at 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. Children can snap, crackle and pop in a bubble-wrap room, create a hilarious hat with eyes that wiggle or make party masks. Hundreds of balloons will drop at noon. Free to members; $5 per person or family of four for $15 for non-members. No pets or strollers please. Call 904-280-0614, ext. 203 or go to www.ccpvb.org.
CONCH HOUSE: DJ Ragamuffin will be at the Conch House, 57 Comares Ave., beginning at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31 for a New Year’s Eve celebration.
RHETT’S LIVE MUSIC: Amy Hendrickson performs at 8 p.m. at Rhett’s Piano Bar & Brasserie, 66 Hypolita St.
FLAGLER COLLEGE NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA: Ring in the New Year and celebrate 125 years of the Hotel Ponce de Leon with an evening of historic elegance. Flagler College’s New Year’s Eve Gala takes place in the Ponce de Leon Dining Hall from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Black tie or Great Gatsby Attire. The evening will include cocktail hour, dinner and dessert buffets, open bar, dancing and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $200 per person and benefit the Flagler College Scholarship Fund. Call 904-829-6481.
LIVE MUSIC
Ann O’Malley’s, 23 Orange St – Scuttered the Bruce 8:00pm No Cover, Free toast at Midnight
Arnold’s Lounge, 3912 N Ponce de Leon Blvd – Red River Band 9:00pm Tickets available at the bar ~ $15 includes Party Favors, Balloon Drop and Champagne Toast at Midnight
The British Pub, 213 Anastasia Blvd, Karaoke nightly 9pm
Café Alcazar, 25 Granada St – Rick Kuncicky (acoustic) 12pm – 3pm J.P. Henley’s, 10 Marine St – $3 Guinness Pints from 4-7pm
Jackson’s Garage Bar, 223A W. King St – Dart league night & $2 Tuesday Specials: $2 Bud Light Drafts, PBR tall boys, Miller High Life tall boys & $1 off craft drafts on tap.
Meehan’s Irish Pub, 20 Avenida Menendez – DJ (Party) 9pm
Mi Casa Café, 69 St George St – TBA 1-5pm
Milltop Tavern & Listening Room, 19.5 St George St – David Dowling (Folk) 1pm; John Dickie (Acoustic) 5pm; 2/3rds (Cover Band) 9pm
O.C. White’s, 118 Avenida Menendez, Mike Howard (acoustic folk classic rock) 6:30-10p Prince of Wales Pub, 54 Cuna St – Brent Blackshear (Acoustic) 3-7p
Spy Global Cuisine & Lounge, 21 Hypolita St – Clayton Bush (Acoustic) 3pm; Chad Alan (Acoustic) 10pm Stogie’s Cigar Bar & Listening Room, 36 Charlotte St – Side Pocket (Acoustic) 8pm
Tropical Tradewinds Lounge, 124 Charlotte St –Mark Hart 5pm, Matanzas 8:30p