Fredericksburg New Year's Events: 2018 Guide

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Love it or hate it, New Year’s Eve arrives Sunday, and it'll be accompanied by continued bitter cold with lows around 15 and highs only in the 20s. Whether you plan to ring in 2018 at your favorite restaurant, at a buzzing party with friends or simply plopped in front of the TV, we’ve got you covered.

So prepare to pop the bubbly, come up with some resolutions you actually can stick to and get ready to celebrate the new year. Check out the updated listings below of New Year’s celebrations and events for 2017 in and near Fredericksburg if want to go out, and also check out television programming that may make you want to stay home.

If you want to go out:

Ring In The New Year At The Silk Mill
Dec 31 @ 8:00 pm – 12:30 am

Celebrate New Year’s at The Silk Mill! Enjoy live music from The 919, a 6 piece variety band that will be sure to keep you on the dance floor all night! Dinner will be provided in the form of food stations including Asian Creation, Meat Carving, Southern Food, Seafood, and a Charcuterie table. Vegetarian options available. Have fun in the photo booth and take home a 2018 New Year’s Eve picture souvenir. New Year’s Eve countdown and celebration with balloon drop, champagne toast, hats and noisemakers. Ticket price-$189 plus tax. To book tickets and reserve seating please call 540-371-5666. Tables can be reserved for groups of 8 or more. This event sells out quickly, tickets must be purchased in advance. All tickets are “will call.” Limited B&B rooms available and can be booked online through our website. (540) 371-5666
innkeeperfci1@aol.com
1707 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg VA 22401
http://www.innattheoldesilkmill.com

Family Fun Night @ Riverfront Park
Dec 31 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm CANCELLED

(Because of expected temperatures in the teens and gusting winds, Downtown 31's New Year's Eve Family Fun Night at Riverfront Park has been cancelled, the city announced Friday in a statement).

FREE Admission, Families welcome! Please note: Streets closures are from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM on Sunday, December 31, 2018 and include the 600 and 700 blocks of Sophia Street, the 100 block of Charlotte Street, the zero block of Hanover Street and the northbound lane of 800 block of Sophia Street.

• Live Music and Entertainment
• Kids’ Games & Events
• Teen Area & DJ
• Gryoscope and Bounce Castle
• Food Vendors, Raffles & Prizes

PLUS, Early Countdown and Ping Pong Ball Drop at 9:00pm.

Family Fun Night is sponsored by Cox Communications and Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Events
Info: (540) 372-1086 or fredprpf@fredericksburgva.gov

Highmark Brewery NYE Pre-Game | 6-9PM
Enjoy local craft beer, live music from Bucktones (rock steady reggae), and food from local favorite, Juan More Taco Food Truck! There is no cover for this event. Please note, this event ends at 9pm, not midnight (hence “pre-game”).

The YMCA Village 5K & Kids 1 Miler | 3pm- 7pm

End 2017 on a healthy note! Join the Ron Rosner family YMCA at the Merchants Sq Pavilion at Spotsylvania Courthouse Village for some fun timed runs!

Potomac Point Winery Midnight in Paris | 9pm-1am
This year, Potomac Point Winery is taking us to Paris! “Envision bistro lights, Eiffel tower views and French cuisine. Throughout the evening, we will serve a selection of light hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and of course a selection delectable wine and beer. Come join us for a night of dancing, celebration and memories to last a lifetime!”

Cool Cow Comedy Presents New Year’s Eve | 6pm - 8:30pm | Courtyard Marriott ( Downtown Fredericksburg)
What better way to start 2018 than with laughter? Ticket price includes two drink tickets! The Marriott will sell additional beer and wine, as well as limited food options at the show. This is a 21 and up event.

New Year’s Eve With The Kingbolts | 9pm - 12am
The Kenmore Inn is bringing in the New Year with local rock band, The Kingbolts. Enjoy great food, music and cocktails! Tickets include light hors d'oeuvres and Midnight Champagne toast
The Kenmore Inn will be serving dinner from 5:30-9:00pm, on the main floor.

Dancing Under The City Lights NYE Dance Party | 8pm - 12:30am
Join Strictly Ballroom in bringing in 2018 dancing! Enjoy a Swing Dance lesson, Hors D'oeuvres, Social Dancing, and the Traditional Midnight Toast!

Riverside Theater’s New Year’s Eve Gala | 6pm -1am
Enjoy dinner, the show, appetizers, dancing, a DJ, and of course a champagne toast at midnight! Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents a live original musical experience inspired by, “warm memories of Christmases spent with loved ones, and joyous gatherings of family and friends. Special festive bonus numbers for New Year’s Eve include “Auld Lang Sine,” “The Best is Yet to Come,” and “Happy Days are Here Again.”

First Night Alexandria

This annual New Year's Eve bash takes over Old Town Alexandria featuring performances, music and dancing all day long. Attendees can get in on festivities all over the city, with more than 150 performances at 23 indoor venues, a children's carnival at Mount Vernon Recreation Center, live music, children's face painting an afternoon's Ninth Annual Fun Hunt with activities for families and pets, and more games. As the New Year approaches, dancing in the street begins at the east end of King Street at 10 p.m. The celebration will culminate with a stunning fireworks finale over the Potomac River at midnight.
When: Sunday, Dec. 31, from 2 p.m. to midnight
Afternoon activities: 2-5 p.m. including the Ninth Annual Fun Hunt
Performances: 7 p.m.-midnight
Fireworks: Midnight
Where: Performances and activities: at venues around Old Town Alexandria and one at Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Avenue)
Midnight fireworks: Potomac River waterfront at the foot of King Street

Admission: $20 November 1-December 10; $30 December 11-31. Buy tickets here.

Big Night DC: The DC Area's Largest New Year's Eve Extravaganza. Gaylord National Resort and Conference Center, National Harbor. Themed party areas encompassing the ballroom complex of the resort. Mardi Gras, Vegas Casino Lounge, ShamrockFest Stage, Retro - Best of 70's, 80's & 90's dance tunes, Electronica Club, Hip Hop Club Room, Karaoke Zone, VIP Lounges, open bar and more.

We'll be adding new events to this post as they pop up, so be sure to check back periodically. And let us know if you know of an event you'd like to add.

If you want to stay in, these are the top two live television specials. 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.

Image via City of Fredericksburg