Haddonfield New Year's Eve Events: 2018 Guide

HADDONFIELD, NJ — Love it or hate it, New Year’s Eve is happening again this year. Whether you plan to ring in 2018 at your favorite restaurant, a buzzing party with your friends, or all cozied up in front of the TV, we’ve got you covered.

So pop the bubbly, come up with some resolutions you can actually stick to and get ready to celebrate the New Year. Check out town-by-town listings below of New Year’s celebrations and events for 2017 in and near Haddonfield if you’re one to want to go out, plus a look at what television programming may make you want to stay in.

If you want to go out:

Haddonfield's First Night Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary on Sunday Night, Dec. 31

First Night Haddonfield is a family-oriented, alcohol-free New Year’s Eve festival featuring stimulating entertainment including magic, music, comedy, dance and theater for audiences of all ages from children and families to teens and seniors. Dramatic fireworks, 15 stunning venues and a kidzone highlight the festivities.

Headlining the bill, for the first time ever at a First Night, are The Duprees, celebrated around the world for their unique interpretations of classic love songs. "You Belong to Me," "Have You Heard," and others were instant hits that still bring audiences to their feet. The Duprees will present two 60-minute shows in the Presbyterian Church.

Returning by popular demand for the third year in a row, The Trammps will have the audience dancing in the aisles of the middle school auditorium. The Grammy Award-winning icons of the '70s "Disco Inferno" scene will present two 60-minute shows.

A Celtic vocal group has always been a standing-room-only feature of First Night. This year the four Diver sisters from County Donegal in Ireland, known worldwide as The Screaming Orphans, will blend old-school pop songs with their unique take on traditional Irish music. Get in line early for two 60-minute shows in the middle school auditorium.

Galumpha! combines stunning acrobatics, striking visual effects, physical comedy, and inventive choreography to create a sensory feast of images ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime. Scheduled for two 45-minute shows in the high school auditorium and sponsored by Archer Law, Galumpha! will appeal to audiences of all ages.

Most First Night performances take place at a dozen venues along Kings Highway, from the high school to the Methodist Church. Just off the highway, the Comcast-sponsored KidZone (for youngsters to age 8) will occupy the all-purpose room and gymnasium at the Middle School.

A block away, the Markeim Arts Center will offer Crafts for Kids in the early part of the evening against a backdrop of two exhibits – "Faces of Haddonfield" and the annual Art Educators show.

Young children might not be able to stay awake until midnight to ring in the New Year, but most will want to be on Kings Highway for First Night's spectacular fireworks show, sponsored by Subaru. Elvis tribute artist Mark Reno will start the countdown at 8:45 p.m., and the rockets will fly at 9 p.m. on the dot.

Admission buttons for First Night are still just $15 and are required for all but babes-in-arms. A family four-pack is available for $40 until Christmas. (A great stocking-stuffer!) Buttons may be purchased online, at the Information Center (2 Kings Court), and at other outlets around the town. Full details of the 30+ performances, 15 venues, and button outlets are online, at www.FirstNightHaddonfield.org.

We’ll be adding new events to this post as they pop up, so be sure to check back as the big day nears!

If you want to stay in:

If your idea of the perfect New Year’s Eve is curling up on the couch with a hot toddy and watching the countdown in your pajamas, you’re in luck. These are the top two live TV specials people are already talking about. Here’s a peek so you can you can plan accordingly:

“New Year’s Eve Live” With Anderson Cooper And Andy Cohen
Where to catch it: CNN
Why you should watch: For the first time ever, Anderson Cooper will host CNN’s annual New Year’s Eve Live special with none other than “Watch What Happens Live” host Andy Cohen. As these two are best friends in real life, you can expect tons witty banter and hilarious moments from the pair. The Bravo mogul will replace Cooper’s former co-host Kathy Griffin, whom CNN fired after her controversial Donald Trump photoshoot.

“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2018” Hosted by Ryan Seacrest
Where to catch it: ABC
Why you should watch: Remember last year’s infamous Mariah Carey mic incident? Yes, it happened on Seacrest’s watch. So if that’s any indication, this could be a good one to tune-in to. And even if there aren’t any crazy celebrity snafus, you can count on crazy views of Time Square packed with people, as well as awesome musical performances.

Patch file photo