First Night Annapolis, 3 p.m.-midnight, Dec. 31, Downtown Annapolis, (410) 268-8553, website. The capital city is converting into an unending theater stage with hundreds of performances throughout downtown. A great New Year’s opportunity for the entire family, the extravaganza ends with a waterfront fireworks display at midnight.
Joe Byrd Quintet, 9 p.m. Dec. 31, Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center at Montgomery College, Rockville Campus, (301)279-5301, $48-$50. The band will be grooving the night away to the cool sounds of the late Charlie Byrd. Count down to midnight while reveling in the music of one of the country’s greatest jazz legends—while enjoying Champagne and hors d’oeuvres, natch.
New Year’s Eve Deck Party, 10 p.m. Dec. 31, USS Constellation, Inner Harbor, (410) 539-1797, $75, members $60. Hop aboard da deluxe boat and enjoy the Harbor fireworks while sipping Champagne and nibbling on catered tasties. There will be giveaways, a plentiful selection of spirits and beverages, and the occasional cannon firing to pull you out of that haze so frequently visited the end of the year.
New Year’s Eve Spectacular, 9 p.m.-midnight, Inner Harbor, (877) 225-8466, website, free baby. Make it Baltimore’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve this year. Albeit sans Dick Clark, B-more promises loads of live entertainment with a glittering fireworks display and a ton of kids taking shots with their phone cameras—so much better than guns. Cheers to you Baltimore and 2006.
