Poppin’ off: From fireworks to bubbly, ideas to ensure you do the most to ring 2019 in right

It’s the countdown to the New Year’s countdown.

But as 2018 makes its way out, how will you celebrate the entrance of 2019? Before the New Year’s Day Mummers Parade, a Philadelphia tradition dating back to 1901, the city will be beaming with streamers, music and lots of champagne into the morning hours.

Everyone has a different idea of what a good night entails, so find your perfect way to start off 2019 with this New Year’s Eve guide.

FIREWORKS

SugarHouse Casino New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront

End 2018 with a bang! Showering the night’s sky with colorful lights, take in two firework shows on the waterfront. There are plenty of ticketed parties as well as free spots around the city where you can get a good view of the festive display. | 6pm & midnight. Free. 101 S. Columbus Blvd. delawareriverwaterfront.com

FAMILY

Countdown2Noon

Staying up to noon is pretty rocker for a tot! Take the little ones down to the Please Touch Museum for afternoon they will remember – well maybe, they are really young after all. The event will be hopping and bopping with live music, kids arts and crafts activities, a meet and greet with the Squiggles, two traditional New Year’s Eve ball drops and other kid-tastic fun. | Dec. 31. $5-$20. Ball drops at noon & 1pm. Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic. pleasetouchmuseum.org/event/countdown2noon/

Kids’ New Year’s Eve Countdown at Franklin Square

Forget the ball drop, it’s all about the “square” drop at Franklin Square. Kicking off with arts and crafts activities, the festivities include a kids dance party. For more New Year’s Eve dazzle, watch the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show for free. | 3-8pm. Free. Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th St. historicphiladelphia.org/franklin-square/holidays-in-franklin-square/

New Year’s Parties on Ice

If the nightclub is not your scene then skate your way from 2018 to 2019 at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. Your ticket gets you entertainment, snacks, soft drinks and a cash bar. Enjoy all that Winterfest has to offer and get a closeup view of the fireworks show, going off at two different times. | 5-8pm. 10pm-1am. $35-$45. Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Columbus Blvd. delawareriverwaterfront.com/events/new-year-s-eve-parties-on-ice

LIVE MUSIC

Low Cut Connie at the Trocadero Theatre

“Jump into the Fire,” and let’s get this party started already! Rock-and-roll out the new year with Philly’s own Low Cut Connie. Finishing up a national tour, the band is coming back home to play out 2018. | 9pm. $25 – $35. Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St. thetroc.com/event/1771311-low-cut-connie-philadelphia/

New Year’s Eve with The Philadelphia Orchestra

Even with the new year, it’s a holiday of traditions. Spend your night with Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra, listening to classical music. Travel the world through sound with a riveting musical selection at the annual New Year’s Eve concert. | 7:30pm. Prices vary. Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St. philorch.org/concert/new-years-eve-5?date=2018-12-31_19-30%20_#/

The Disco Biscuits at The Fillmore

If you are looking to dance your way into 2019 then look no further than The Fillmore. A band that sounds both groovy and yummy, you’ll be non-stop moving to trance-fusion and homegrown The Disco Biscuits. | 8pm. $65. The Fillmore, 29 E. Allen St. thefillmorephilly.com/EventDetail?tmeventid=020054FE0D252551&offerid=0

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie at Franklin Music Hall

Get down with A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie this New Year’s Eve. Watch the ball drop and the mic drop too with the American rapper at the Franklin Music Hall (cough, cough…Electric Factory). Showcasing his latest album, Hoodie SZN, the night will also feature Hardwork Movement and Pretty Girls Like Trap. | 9pm. $49.99. Franklin Music Hall, 421 N. 7th St. bowerypresents.com/shows/detail/363979-a-boogie-wit-da-hoodie

They Might Be Giants

Is there a “Birdhouse In Your Soul”? We know you “Can’t Keep Johnny Down” and you can’t keep They Might Be Giants away from the Philly stage. Promoting their new album, “I Like Fun,” the alt-rock band will be playing out 2018 with old and new hits. | 9pm. $38. Theatre of Living Arts, 334 South St. theymightbegiants.com/shows/

COMEDY

Jon Dore

Why wouldn’t you want to end 2018 and start 2019 in the same way – laughing. Let Jon Dore be your comedic guide into the new year. Dore has been on “The Half Of It,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “How To Live With Your Parents,” “Conan,” “Baroness Von Sketch Show,” “@midnight,” “Inside Amy Schumer” and “Hart of Dixie.” The late show includes party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. | 8pm, 10:30pm. $39-$64. Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com/events/26479

John Oliver

Does John Oliver really need any description or sell? Come on, it’s John Oliver! The “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” host is performing four shows at the newly redesigned The Met Philadelphia, including a show that starts at 10pm on Dec. 31. Think about it this way, you get to say you spent your New Year’s Eve with the man who gave us the Catheter Cowboy and Mr. Nutterbutter. | Dec. 30-31. 7pm, 10pm. $69.50. The Met Philadelphia, 858 N. Broad St. themetphilly.com/events/

ComedySportz New Year’s Improvin’ Eve

Why deal with the New Year’s Eve hecticness when you can participate in a zany, interactive, comedy competition? The improv ring will show how serious joking can be. The night will be BYOB and provide free pizza and drinks for fans. | 7:30pm, 10:30pm. $15-$20. CSz Philadelphia at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St. comedysportzphilly.com

Countdown Show: Last Laughs of 2018

Why settle with one act, when you can four great sets? Countdown the clock and have your last laugh at or of 2018 with comedians Paris Sashay, Phil Hanley, Helen Hong and TuRae. Make the night even more special by upgrading your ticket with a meal and drink package, all of which come with a complimentary champagne toast. | 10pm. $47. Punch Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel St. punchlinephilly.com

FOOD AND DRINK

NYE Live! Philadelphia 2019 at XFINITY Live!

Bigger is better at XFINITY Live! Five bars and clubs, you’ll be sending off 2018 with a bang. The night will include an all-inclusive food and beverage package, live entertainment, dancing, a Silent Disco and a midnight ball-drop celebration paired with a champagne toast. | 9pm. $120, general admission. Xfinity Live!, 1100 Pattison Ave. ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1767413?utm_source=district&utm_medium=Facebook-unpaid

NYE at Barclay Prime

If you want your New Year’s Eve to be on the boujee side and you have the cash to burn, why not try what they’re offering at Barclay Prime. Nosh on Kobe Beef sliders, rib-eyes, a butter-poached lobster and a cheesesteak valued at $120. There’s a DJ, other entertainment and a complimentary sparkling toast at midnight.| Barclay Prime, 237 S. 18th St. barclayprime.com/

New Year’s Eve at The Crystal Tea Room

It’s the last day of the year, might as well live it up with extravagance. From a five-hour open bar to complimentary party favors, a buffet-style dining with a carving station to dessert, your New Year’s plans will be made at the Crystal Tea Room. But if that weren’t enough, the party will also have live music, body painters, hoop dancers and more. | 9pm. $129, general admission. Crystal Tea Room, 100 E. Penn Square. nyephilly.com/the-crystal-tea-room-new-years-eve-event-in-philadelphia

14th Annual Celebrity Style New Year’s Eve Fireworks Gala

Ring in the new year with the 14th Annual Celebrity Style New Year’s Eve Fireworks Gala at the Pyramid Club. Get a great view of the city and fireworks from 500 feet up. The Penthouse chic gala includes a five-hour open bar, hors d’oeuvres, buffet stations, desserts, party favors, coat check and champagne toast at midnight. Plus, you get discounted parking and stay at the Sonesta Hotel Philadelphia if you don’t want to drive home after the party. | 9pm-2am. $145 – $160. Pyramid Club, 52nd FL, 1735 Market St. eventbrite.com/e/14th-annual-celebrity-style-new-years-eve-fireworks-gala-tickets-49853056835

Midnight From the Top NYE 2019

Get gussied up and welcome the new year in style. Party the night away from 57 floors up at One Liberty Observation Deck and have a great view of the midnight fireworks.  Partnering with Craft Concepts Group, enjoy a five-hour open bar and hors d’oeuvres. | 9pm-2am. $175, general admission. One Liberty Observation Deck, 1650 Market St. midnight-from-the-top-nye-2019.ticketleap.com/midnightfromthetopnye2019/

Tinsel Winter Wonderland New Year’s Eve 2019

If you are a themey kind of partier then step into the winter wonderland that is Tinsel. The festive pop-up bar will have a five-hour open bar, hor d’oeuvres, DJ and a lot more. | 9pm-2am. $85. Tinsel, 116 S. 12th St. tinselnye2019.ticketleap.com/tinselwonderlandnye2019/

Rumour

Clubbers, you’re already about the nightlife. Come for what you know best – DJs and dancing. Playing Top 40, Hip Hop, House and Mash Ups, you’ll be in your element. Plus, there is a five-hour bar and complimentary champagne toast at the countdown to 2019. | 9pm. $99, general admission. Rumour, 1500 Sansom St. nyephilly.com/rumor-new-years-eve-event-in-philadelphia

PARTY HOPPING

Crawl ‘Til The Ball Drops

5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Where will you be when the ball drops? At this bar crawl, you could be at Fox & Hound, Pulse, Tabu Lounge & Sports Bar, Misconduct tavern and McGlinchey’s Bar. With food and drink specials along the way, you’ll have access to different party scenes around the city. | Registration time: 5-10pm. $10. Registration place: Fox & Hound, 1501 Spruce St. barcrawls.com/philadelphia/newyearseve

Philadelphia All Access NYE Party Pass

Too ancy to just choose one party? No worries, put indecision on your New Year’s resolution list and indulge that fickleness with the Party Pass. Let the night lead you to venues that include Cinder, Finn McCool’s, Bru Craft & Wurst, and Recess. Each place features a five-hour open bar for your drinking pleasure. | 9pm-2am. $89-$99.Starting points vary. newyearsevecentral.com/philadelphia/philadelphia-all-access-nye-party-pass-new-years-eve

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    Kerith Gabriel is the former editor-in-chief at Philadelphia Weekly but somehow hasn’t figured out that means he doesn’t have to write nearly as much. As a routine contributor, journalism has been in his blood since his beginnings as a sports writer over a decade ago for the Philadelphia Daily News.

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