Whether you prefer a quiet dinner or a night of dancing to ring in the new year, Mid-Missouri has New Year's Eve events for every one.
First Night's theme is "The Night is Young." The Columbia event kicks off with a 5K Run/ Walk at 4 p.m. in front of Cyclextreme, 19 S. 6th St. Tickets for First Night can be purchased in advance for $8 or $10 at the door. Children 7 and under get in free.
Special features of this year's event are performances by the band Davis, Miller, May, an Acoustic Americana Trio. The trio was recently voted "Best Instrumentalist in Nashville" by the Nashville Scene Newspaper's Best of Nashville 2012 Reader's Poll. One performance is from 8:45-9:30 p.m. at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts and 10:30-11:15 p.m. at the United Methodist Church Auditorium.
The night concludes with a grand finale and procession that begins at 11:30 p.m. in front of the Missouri Theatre and ends at the courthouse square in time for midnight fireworks.
Jefferson City has some New Year's Eve events that will last into the new year.
Capitol City CORK and Provisions is hosting a New Year's Eve Prixe Fixe Wine Dinner. Reservations can be made by calling 823-4850. The dinner is $80 per person and includes 8 p.m. wine pairings and a midnight champagne toast.
Truman Hotel will host a special-menu dinner at its restaurant, Bingham's, from 5-10 p.m. For a night of music and dancing, Prison Brews is hosting the band Faded Youth!, which will sing music from the '50s, '60s and '70s. The evening starts at 9 p.m.
The Capital Ritz Dance Studio and Banquet Center will host a New Year's Eve buffet and dance with music from the band Anhayla's Dream. The evening starts at 6:45 p.m. and tickets are $35.
The G2 Gallery is housing Kayla and Tanea's New Year's Eve Bash. The event, which will feature live music, begins at 9 p.m. and is $10 a person.