Published: December 17, 2024
By: Sanonna Al Taweel
The end of the year always seems to go by quickly and find itself filled to the brim with holiday preparations and events. It can be hard to enjoy the last bit of the year, especially amid an overwhelmingly busy schedule. These tips and tricks will help you plan a restful New Year’s celebration so that your family can stay in the moment, reflect on the year’s experiences, and ring in the new year stress-free.
Decide Your New Year’s Eve Approach
Is your family excited to be out and about, soaking in the New Year’s dazzling introduction at a community event? Or would you prefer a calm evening at home, making the most of family time through intentional activities? Whichever route you choose, New Year’s Eve is a wonderful opportunity to have fun together.
Reflect and Look Forward
Gather everyone together before the evening’s events and talk about the year you’ve all had: its ups and downs, favorite memories, and proud achievements. Think about what stood out to you from the year, and brainstorm ways to make this next year even better. Do you all want to explore more? Start a new creative hobby? Cook together? Come up with your top five ideas and put them in a visible place in your home so that everyone can remember what they are and make them happen.
Plan for a Fun and Safe Evening
Community New Year’s Eve celebrations can draw large crowds, making traffic heavy and parking hard to find. If you decide to attend an event, make sure you get there early and be aware of traffic around you. If you’re bringing young children along, bring some activities like coloring sheets to keep them occupied on the way there. Dress for the Birmingham weather– wear layers & check the radar for rain or cold temperatures!
Create a New Tradition
New Year’s Day is the perfect chance to try something new and create a tradition for the years to come. Try a new walking trail, make a special treat, or volunteer for a local organization. There are endless ways to make the first day of the year a special one.
Birmingham New Year’s Eve Spotlight
Livest in the 205 Presents Galactic Garden New Year’s Eve Party
Dec. 31, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Kick off the New Year with this fun NYE celebration. Get dressed up and dance the night away with live music while enjoying food and beverage vendors and talented mixed-media artists!
Elysian Gardens (101 40th Street South, Birmingham). elysiangardensbham.com
New Year’s Eve: A Viennese Celebration
Dec. 31, 6 p.m.
Alabama Symphony Orchestra brings the spirit of Vienna to Birmingham in this New Year’s Eve concert filled with lively waltzes, operatic highlights, and festive marches.
UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Concert Hall. alabamasymphony.org
Zoo Year’s Eve
Dec. 31, 1–3 p.m. and 5–7 p.m.
Start your celebration early with Birmingham Zoo’s New Year’s Eve celebration, where 2025 starts with a NYE drop at 2 p.m. Enjoy the daytime celebration 1–3 p.m. in the main plaza or once the sun sets from 5–7 p.m. with the other NYE drop at 6 p.m. No additional costs outside of zoo admission or Glow Wild admission.
Birmingham Zoo. birminghamzoo.com