Stepping in to 2016: New Year’s Eve at a Glance

Yes! Thank god for New Year’s Eve. If it weren’t for the World’s end-of-the-year party, our holidays would have now come to an abrupt end, and depending on how things went, perhaps it is thankfully exactly that. Maybe it was the candles of a menorah or the lights on a tree, the deep beauty of Solstice or your own meditative quiet, that delivered a moment of feeling true warmth and celebrating what’s right in the world. And just as likely, maybe the holidays revealed love’s other side, the expectations unfulfilled, an unkind reminder of what we long for.

Whatever did or didn’t happen, there is always opportunity for renewal, and if you like to share that with your friends, or perhaps even party like a rockstar, here are some goings-on about town where you can do it.


 

New Year’s Eve in Taos Ski Valley

If you’re in Taos Ski Valley, you might start your evening with dinner at The Bavarian Lodge & Restaurant (reservations required: 575-776-8020) or plan to get there after the annual Torchlight Parade and Fireworks happening at the base and beginning at 6pm. You could still have time to head down the mountain for countdown at one of Taos’ festive venues, or you can park it at Hotel St. Bernard, where Big Swing Theory will be ringing in the New Year, beginning at 8:30pm.


 

New Year’s Eve in Taos

In Taos, you’ve got some options:

Of course, you can make dinner reservations at any one of Taos’ fabulous restaurants. The Love Apple this year is hosting a New Year’s party with food and song. 575.751.0050 for more information and to make reservations.

Things pick up at Taos Mesa Brewing at 7:30pm with New Year’s Eve Variety Show! Music will be by The Dark is Light and the Noseeums, and DJ Scoobie from Albquerque. Afterwards, while Taos men will be strutting the stuff of Guise Designs in the Men’s Fashion Show, The Unstrung Pearls burlesque troupe will be taking their clothes off, in typical fashion. There’ll be firedancing out at the Pirate Ship and a Live Auction to benefit Taos Art Organization. Tickets are $12, and there’s a Parental Advisory — anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult! Because, you know, well-dressed men can be shocking.

The Adobe Bar at the Historic Taos Inn is hosting fiery bluegrass and a champagne toast at their New Year’s Eve Party with The Neighbors! The show starts at 8pm and goes until midnight.

The Town of Taos will be hosting Taos Plaza New Year’s Eve Celebration, 8-10pm. This is a family-friendly, alcohol-free event. The Mayor plans to roast a 400-pound pig and there’ll be food vendors. A movie screen will air the Times Square New Year’s Eve Countdown live from New York City at 10pm, followed by fireworks, in addition to music and a light show.

At the Sagebrush Inn, you can catch Shannon & The Southern Souls from 8pm to 11pm for a New Year’s Eve free show.

The Kyote Club will have DJ Mike’s Thursday Night Dance Party from 9-11:30pm with no cover.

At The Alley Cantina, you can catch New Year’s Eve with Katy P and The Biz, 10pm-Midnight. Bring in 2016 with funk, soul, and rock n’ roll.


 

And on January 1, I might recommend getting yourself over to Taos Mesa Brewing for Eric McFadden & Friends, 8-11pm. Tickets are $10, and he is amazing. Why not start the New Year with some fabulous music?