Reaching the final month of the year means dedicating most of our time to visiting with friends and family, preparing for various holiday celebrations, and thinking ahead to what the next year will bring. With a higher-than-usual load in our day-to-day lives, it is easy for one of the biggest nights of the year to sneak up and catch us unprepared!

Have you selected the perfect spot to sing Auld Lang Syne as the clock strikes midnight? 

If you are lucky enough to live in a Harbinger Homes neighborhood, then you are only minutes away from multiple New Year’s Eve events. Options are available throughout the day, making it possible for all ages to participate in this annual turning of the calendar year. 

Looking for an early start? 

• Kid’s Museum in Chapel Hill will host a celebration for younger celebrants from 10 am-2 pm. Make your way to the Treehouse by noon to see the non-traditional ball drop. This event is included with admission.
• First Night Raleigh is back this year with two drops of the acorn. The first will be just for kids, starting with an early afternoon celebration. While details aren’t quite official yet, they will be soon!

For a late-night welcome to 2023, there is something for everyone across the Triangle:

• Raleigh Union Station will host the 10th Annual 2023 New Year’s Eve Celebration. The adults-only party (21 and over) starts at 9 pm and will include multiple bands and DJs. 
• North Raleigh Hilton kicks off North Carolina’s New Year’s Eve Extravaganza at 9:30 pm. The hotel is offering discount rooms for those who wish to stay overnight and the event will include three unique hip-hop DJs.
• First Night Raleigh’s second acorn drop will take place at the traditional strike of midnight following performances covering more than 20 downtown blocks. Check back for details!
• North Carolina's Museum of Natural Sciences will be celebrating in style with a black-tie optional event that will include a formal dinner, an open bar, and plenty of late-night snacks.
• Flying Bull Beer Company in Durham will treat guests to a performance by Graham’s Number, a local folk band.

Can’t wait to get 2023 fit? Why not start on the 31st?

• Pure Vida Studio in Cary will offer two yoga classes on December 31st, starting at 11 am and 1 pm. This is a great opportunity to relax before a night of fun and to try out a new resolution.
• Run into the New Year in Apex with back-to-back 2k’s. The first, a 2.022k will start at 11 pm on New Year’s Eve and the second, a 2.023k will begin at 12:15 am on New Year’s Day! This free event, hosted by the Keller Williams Legacy Office, begins at 9 pm with football, games, snack, and more. 

If staying home is your preference, here are some fun ideas to entertain the whole family on New Year’s Eve. 

• Netflix offers a number of New Year’s Eve countdown options so you can ring in New Year’s with your kids and still get them to bed at a desirable time. 
• With the mild winters in North Carolina, temperatures may be perfect for an outdoor movie. Grab some blankets, pillows, and favorite snacks, and watch a family-friendly movie. Add a fire pit and s’mores to the fun if it’s a little chilly outside. 
• Another fun way to pass the time on New Year’s is with games that kids and adults can enjoy together. We recommend Scattergories, Beat the Parents, or Kids vs. Parents. 
• There are also many craft ideas that the family can all create and enjoy together. The options are endless, from DIY New Year’s Eve balls to noise-makers. Directions for creating these items are easily found online.

Wherever your New Year’s Eve takes you, leave time to reflect on both the highlights of 2022 and those moments that required perseverance. While we often talk about putting that last year behind us, as the famed song Auld Lang Syne says, it is equally important to fondly remember the time spent - good or bad.