There’s a certain irony to desperately wanting to see a year out the door, yet not being able to properly celebrate its departure.
Still, there are plenty of options for bidding good riddance to this ridiculous year. Here’s a mix of virtual and in-person ways to spend New Year’s Eve and, at last, welcome 2021.
Get decked out for the New Year’s Eve International Virtual Global Gala. Would-be jetsetters, this one’s for you: Hop from country to country Zoom room to Zoom room, perhaps showing off your Caribbean dancing skills or belting out traditional Romanian songs. (They’re very festive.) Activities throughout the evening include trivia, karaoke, and a scavenger hunt, with something special promised for the singles ready to mingle. (9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.; $15-$45.)
Make it Brew Year’s Eve at Old Town Pour House. If you’d rather not dine outside and shiver into the New Year, celebrate the big night with this Gaithersburg restaurant’s chef’s specials to-go. Options include filet medallions served with sides like bleu cheese mashed potatoes; Cajun linguine; and short ribs paired with creamy grits. (212 Ellington Blvd. Gaithersburg. Specials $14-$28.)
Celebrate el Año Nuevo with Blend 111. This Vienna restaurant is offering a celebratory, a la carte Spanish menu to go. Dishes – which will be fully cooked but need to be reheated — include albondigas (Spanish meatballs), paella de mariscos (a seafood paella), basque cheesecake, and a bottle of cava. Adios, 2020. (111 Church St NW Suite 101, Vienna. Starts at $120 for a two-person serving.)
Order in from DC To-GoGo. This delivery platform – launched in May by the owners of Ivy and Coney – has created a special New Year’s Eve store. Pre-order from an impressive selection of local restaurants and bars, perhaps opting for a charcuterie gift basket from La Jambe ($60) or three cocktails courtesy of Reliable Tavern ($99; up to 15 servings).
De-stress at the U.S. National Arboretum. Head into 2021 at your most relaxed and refreshed. Trained guides will lead three hour-long forest bathing sessions at the sprawling park, teaching attendees how to present in nature in a way that promotes health benefits. Each walk will conclude with a tea ceremony, featuring pandemic-friendly pre-packaged snacks. (3501 New York Avenue NE.; 9 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.; Starting at $35.)
Go out with a bang. The 27th annual Symphony of Lights at Merriweather Post Pavilion looks a little different this year, with safety measures like timed-entry, social distancing, and mandatory masks. But the 300,000-plus lights continue to dazzle, and Dec. 31 is the last day to admire them. Stroll through the oversized light displays starting at 5 p.m., and stick around for fireworks at 6. (10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. $15.)
Take the family to First Night Alexandria. For nearly 30 years, First Night Alexandra has offered a carefully curated selection of family-friendly entertainment and cultural activities. Even a pandemic can’t stop its organizers: A drive-in concert experience offers a packed line-up, with cover bands, comedy, and plenty of dance music. There’s an early show at 6:30 p.m., and a late-night version at 9:30 p.m. If you’d rather not leave the couch, grab a virtual ticket and catch the whole thing from afar. (5001 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria. The drive-in concert is $60-$75/vehicle, and the virtual entertainment experience is $20/link.)
End the year with new art. The Thrifty Teacher – a secondhand store in Lanham, Maryland, that specializes in educational materials – is throwing a (virtual) painting party. An elementary school teacher will guide kids as they recreate a festive painting, with story time during breaks. Register at least a week in advance to receive all materials, including a 9×12 canvas and paint brushes, in the mail. (6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; $25 plus $12 shipping.)
Set your intentions for 2021. Yoga District, which pivoted to a robust lineup of virtual classes at the beginning of the pandemic, has a few sessions scheduled for New Year’s Eve. Sign up for “Moon Flow and Midnight Meditation at Home.” As the clock ticks down, spend 90 minutes setting your intentions for the next year and doing a renewal meditation. (10 p.m., $30)
