Things to do in Bloomington: New Year's Eve parties, New Year's Day hikes
It's time to celebrate the end of 2023 and Bloomington offers plenty of ways to kick off 2024, from an early countdown with kids at WonderLab, taking a stab at axe throwing or listening to your favorite band or comedian. Start your 2024 off outside by joining one of the hikes planned for early in the year.
All the fun of New Year's Eve with an earlier bedtime
You can skip the late bedtime and still celebrate the new year by taking the family to WonderLab, 308 W. Fourth St.
From 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, children can practice counting, shoot a star from a catapult, check out the glitz and glamour of glitter, make cotton candy (and learn the science behind heating sugar) and more. At 4:30 p.m. there will be a special early countdown with local band Glitter Brains.
Recommended for children up to 10 years old. Museum admission is free for members and $14 for nonmembers.
Brew Year's Eve at Switchyard Brewing Co.
Ring in the new year with a pint at Switchyard Brewing Co.'s Brew Year's Eve celebration. This all-ages affair at 419 N. Walnut St. features live music from Clark Kissick and starts at 8 p.m. Sunday.
VIP packages include a charcuterie board to nibble, reserved seating, four drinks per person and an engraved serving board to take home.
Reserve your VIP tickets, $125 for adults, $10 for under 21, at http://tinyurl.com/4rya9t7s.
Where to eat: Bloomington, Indiana restaurants open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
Give 2023 the axe at Bloomington's Axecalibur
Grab some friends, put on your party hats and wrap your fingers around an axe handle to ring in the new year. Axecalibur, 3604 E. Third St., is inviting beginners and pros to its New Year Eve party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday.
In addition to axe throwing, there will be barbecue, gellyball, redneck kurling and an art splatter activity. Beer or soda available. Score your $50 per person tickets at http://tinyurl.com/yc58ppej.
Laugh all the way to 2024 at The Comedy Attic
Mat Alano-Martin will help The Comedy Attic audiences mentally prepare for 2024 with shows at 8 p.m. Dec. 30 and 8 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31. The late show on New Year's Eve includes a champagne toast and party favors while the club counts down to midnight. Tickets range from $20 to $30. Reserve yours at https://www.comedyattic.com/events.
Be among friends at The Back Door this New Year's Eve
There will be free champagne at midnight, a packed dance floor and go-go dancers at The Back Door's New Year's Eve party.
Bar opens at 7 p.m. and the dance party that starts at 10 p.m. will go until 3 a.m. Cover is $15 cash or $17 card at the door. Part of admission will benefit the Damien Center, Indiana's oldest and largest AIDS service organization. Party is for ages 21 and older.
Eat your heart out 2023: It's a New Year's Eve dinner buffet at Eagle Pointe
You're invited to spend the last hours of 2023 at Sahm's at Eagle Pointe, 9026 E. Pointe Club Drive, in Bloomington.
Sahm's will have a dinner buffet, live music and a midnight champagne toast to ring in the new year.
Dinner buffet is offered from 7 to 10 p.m. for $28.99 per person. Make a reservation by calling 812-824-4040, ext. 3, or by email at Hello@SahmsAtEaglePointe.com.
Ring in the new year down in The Root Cellar Lounge
DJ Bongo's pop nonsense will be spinning 2024 into place starting at 10 p.m. Sunday in The Root Cellar Lounge, 108 E. Kirkwood Ave.
Party like its 1999 (or somewhere in the '90s/early 2000s) at this no cover, 21 and over good time. Champagne toast at midnight and a full-service bar available.
Busman's Holiday rings in 2024 at The Bishop
A Bloomington band that has performed throughout 2023 is back to finish the year: Busman's Holiday will perform at 9 p.m. Sunday at The Bishop, 123 S. Walnut St. Tickets for the 21-plus show are $12.
Start the new year with a trail run or walk at Fairfax State Recreation Area
The 11th annual First Day Trail Run and Walk will begin at 3:30 p.m. Monday at Fairfax State Recreation Area, 9800 S. Fairfax Road, in Bloomington at Lake Monroe. The untimed, noncompetitive run or walk has three options: a 3.7-mile, 2.9-mile, or 1.3-mile course that allows participants to ring in the new year by tapping the bell as they cross the finish line.
Advance registration is $15 per person and available online only through Dec. 30 at bit.ly/monroefirstday. Same-day registration, cash or check only, will be available at the Bay View Shelter inside Fairfax SRA from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.
All registrations include the food station with hot soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, a variety of snacks, and a ticket for the prize drawing. The first 300 people to register in advance will also receive the embroidered event patch.
Regular event updates, prize announcements, and more can be found on the Facebook event page at bit.ly/2024firstday-Monroe. There is no fee to enter the rec area during winter season. For more, call 812-837-9967 or email jvance@dnr.in.gov.
Spend first night of 2024 on a hike at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve
Spend your first night of 2024 on a lantern-lit night stroll at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve, at 3400 N. Headley Road. Be at the Griffy Lake Boathouse by 7 p.m. to get a lantern to carry along the trails.
All ages are welcome, but please leave pets at home to increase chances of wildlife watching. There are no restrooms open at the park, so plan accordingly. There may be tea and hot chocolate to share before or after the hike, as well. Send an RSVP to http://tinyurl.com/4a3upb9k if you plan to attend.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: New Year's Eve events for adults, children in Bloomington Indiana
