Thrifty Thurston Finds New Year’s Eve Celebrations For The Whole Family

0 Shares

 

By Denise Baggett

When we were little, every New Year’s Eve, my sister and I would struggle to stay up until midnight so we could run around the house in our nightgowns banging pots and pans together. Simple as that ritual was, I still remember the excitement. You can probably beat that tradition by making a few of your own.

New Year’s Eve is about reflecting on what we’ve accomplished and endured in the past year, and it’s about getting psyched up to fulfil our dreams in the future. No doubt you and your family have moments to reflect on and much to celebrate. Teaching our kids how to celebrate is golden.

There are a handful of colorful local celebrations in Thurston County for families this New Year’s.

Families with youngers will have a blast at Noon Year’s events at the new Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia and Jumping Jacks in Lacey. Come enjoy games, noise makers, 12’oclock count-downs, and bouncy, jubilant fun for all.

Then head home for a family party. Dress up or don pajamas. Break out the board games and photo albums. Eat finger foods. Bake a special cake. Mix a sparkling punch. Put on your favourite music and dance until the kids are tuckered. And what the heck, feel free to break out the pots and pans and make some late-night noise, it’s New Year’s Eve!

Those with teens and tweens might want to take in the positive jams at the New Year’s Unity Music Festival at Timberland High School,where you can celebrate New Year’s Eve for free, in a safe, family-friendly, and alcohol-free environment.

Over seventeen professional recording artists from across the country will be on stage at this event. The artists are inspirational, offering messages of hope and love. There will be music of all genres, ranging from rock, hip hop, alternative, urban, gospel, and contemporary, along with dance teams and much more. Donations will be collected to help the homeless teens of Olympia as well the athletics department of Timberline High School.

And on New Year’s day, why not take the whole gang and head on down to Long Lake, brrr!  (Photos from last year can be found here.)

Check out the details of these celebrations bellow and Happy 2013!

Noon Year’s Eve at the Hands On Children’s Museum

Monday, December 31, from 10am–3pm

414 Jefferson St NE, Olympia, WA 98501

For advance registration (strongly recommended), call 360.956.0818 or visit www.hocm.org.

Special Event Admission:
$12 for child members
$15 for child nonmembers
$4 for each accompanying adult

Noon New Year’s Eve at Jumping Jacks in Lacey

Monday, December 31, from 11am–4pm

422 Carpenter Rd SE, Lacey, WA 98503
For more information, call (360) 413-5867 or visit www.newjumpingjacks.com.

Admission: Free

The Polar Bear Plunge at Long Lake is a popular family event for New Year’s Day.

The New Year’s Unity Music Festival at Timberland High School

Monday, December 31, doors open at 5:00pm; event time is 6:00pm–12:30am.

6120 Mullen Road SE, Olympia, WA 98503

This event is a free event for the community and surrounding areas.  For more information, visit the event’s website.

Polar Bear Plunge 2013 in Lacey

Tuesday January 1, event starts at noon; the plunge is at 1:00pm.

Long Lake Park, 2790 Carpenter Rd SE, Lacey, WA.

Admission: Free

Thrifty Thurston highlights inexpensive family fun in Thurston County.  The weekly series focuses on family-friendly activities throughout our community.  If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com.  For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia and the surrounding area, click here.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
0 Shares