New Year's Eve Celebrations in the St. Louis Area

Ring in 2007 with a New Year's celebration in the St Louis, Missouri area. There are several events scheduled that will make your night memorable. From fireworks displays to a Medieval parade, there is an amazing list of events that you can attend. There will be something for everyone and every age group to celebrate the New Year.

First Night - St. Louis 2006 will take place on Sunday, December 31, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. to midnight. You can celebrate New Year's Eve at First Night, which is billed as St Louis' annual visual and performing arts festival in Grand Center. The celebration starts with a parade that afternoon. There will be other festivities, performances and fireworks from 5:30 to midnight.

According to sponsors, this year's theme is "Red, Hot Camelot.". Costumed "knights and ladies" will lead the parade, you can add a "magical wish" for the new year on a 30 foot puppet dragon, "catapult" a regret from 2006, "twist and joust" in the street, see "dancing dragons" come to life out of 30 tons of sand, search for the artful "grail", and enjoy the more than 75 performances and activities. Adults get in for $8.00, children age 6 to 12 for $4.00 and children under 5 are free.

FirstNight Springfield will be held on Sunday, December 31st starting at 7 pm and ending at midnight in downtown Springfield. This is an alcohol-free, family oriented New Year's Eve celebration of the arts. More than 40 groups will perform and you can pick from a dozen different venues. Music, theatre, dance, comedy, and magic are some of the scheduled acts. The grand finale is in Jordan Valley Park with fireworks at midnight. Admission is $7 per person, children age 0 to 3 get in free, and you may buy a $25 family four-pack ticket. For more information, please phone 417-831-6200.

First Night Columbia 2007 takes place December 31st in downtown Columbia. More than 75 performances are scheduled plus activities and art at 15 different locations downtown and on the Stephens College campus. Music will include jazz, dueling pianos, dancing (old-time, Irish, Cajun, swing, ballroom), rock, children's performers, bluegrass, Irish, storytelling, rhythm and blues, film, fiddling, magic and more. A venue is planned just for teens. You can make a mask, crown or noisemaker at the Children's Art Area; participate in the 5K Run/Walk at 4 p.m., carry a giant puppet or shake a noisemaker in the Processions; or ride on a carriage through downtown Columbia.

A Children's Procession at 9:15 p.m. will end with a fireworks display. At 11:30 p.m., two People's Procession will lead the crowd to the finale at the Boone County Courthouse Square. There will be a pyroball countdown and stunning fireworks at midnight.

Pick any one of these New Year's celebrations and events to attend and you'll be sure to make a memory for years to come. Resolve to have some fun. Whatever you decide to do to say good bye to 2006 and welcome in 2007, have a safe and Happy New Year.