Jackson Free Press

If you haven't already made plans for the final countdown to 2016, here are some local New Year's Eve events to celebrate in style. Add others at jfp.ms/nye2015.

Noon Year's Eve

The Mississippi Children's Museum (2145 Museum Blvd., 601-981-5469) blasts off into 2016 this year with the Noon Year's Eve celebration Thursday, Dec. 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids can dance with Mr. Snowman, hear music from blues legend and Mississippi Musicians Hall of Famer Vasti Jackson, and celebrate the new year with a confetti rocket launch at noon.

In celebration of the lunar new year and the museum's visiting exhibit, "Hello From Japan!," Noon Year's Eve will also have Japanese storytelling and rice noise-makers. Children will cover the "wishing tree" with their wishes and fill a rocket with their new year's resolutions.

The Noon Year's Eve celebration is included with regular admission to the museum, which will be open for the remainder of the day until 5 p.m. The museum will be closed New Year's Day. For more information about Noon Year's Eve, visit mississippichildrensmuseum.com.

Town of Livingston's New Year's Eve Party

The Town of Livingston in Madison will ring in the new year with a five-course progressive dinner at all of Livingston's restaurants. The dinner is $250 and seatings take place at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Diners will start at the Farmer's Table Cooking School (1030 Market St., Flora, 601-506-6821), where they will enjoy hors d'oeurves from chef Matthew Sheeter and a sparkling wine drink. From there, diners can choose to go to either The County Seat (115 Livingston Church Road, Flora, 601-906-6864) or The Gathering at Livingston Mercantile (106 Livingston Church Road, Flora, 601-667-4282) for the first two courses, then move over to the other restaurant for their entree and dessert. Diners get a different menu at each restaurant depending on where they decide to go first.

A ticket to the dinner also includes admission to a street party with a full bar featuring live music by the Southern Komfort Brass Band, as well as a Champagne toast at midnight. Tickets for just the party are $25. Livingston will have cars for hire available to take people home at the end of the night.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 601-667-4282 or email [email protected].

Shucker's Oyster Bar's New Year's Eve Party

Shucker's Oyster Bar (116 Conestoga Road, Ridgeland, 601-853-0105) kicks off its New Year's Eve celebration at 6 p.m. with a party with party favors, a Champagne toast at midnight and free transportation by the Shucker's Shuttle available at the end of the night. Faze 4 will be performing inside from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Brian Jones performs on the outdoor deck from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets are $15 per person. For more information, visit shuckersontherez.com.

"The Black & White Affair" New Year's Celebration

Blue South Entertainment and Embellished Events host "The Black & White Affair" New Year's Celebration at the Hilton Garden Inn (235 W. Capitol St.) and Union Station (300 W. Capitol St.). The party will feature music, hors d'oeurves, a cash bar and a Champagne toast at midnight. Tickets in advance are $50 for individuals and $75 for couples. Tickets purchased at the door are $60 for individuals and $100 for couples. Advance tickets can be purchased at eventbrite.com or by calling 601-201-7284.

The Detectives at Kismet's Restaurant & Catering

On New Year's Eve, The Detectives Mystery Dinner Theatre will do a performance of its play, "Gridiron," at Kismet's Restaurant & Catering (315 Crossgates Blvd., Brandon, 601-825-8380). The Detectives are an interactive comedic theater group that puts on shows in which guests enjoy a meal while actors are amongst the audience. As the story of each performance unfolds, a member of the cast unexpectedly dies an untimely death. It's then up to the audience members to work together with other members of their table to determine the guilty party, motive and how they did it. The table that solves the mystery wins a prize at the end of the show.

"Gridiron" tells the story of the grand opening of a sports restaurant by the same name that former NFL great named Chad Lewis owns. The story also stars Lewis' seedy business partner and various ex-wives.

Kismet's is offering a three-course meal for guests to enjoy as they watch the show, featuring a house or Caesar salad appetizer, prime rib with twice-baked potatoes, catfish strips with crawfish Julie sauce served over rice pilaf, a beef and lamb gyro platter, grilled portabella mushrooms, and more, as well as several dessert options.

Tickets are $39, and the show starts at 7 p.m. For more information, call The Detectives at 601-937-1752 or 601-291-7444 or Kismet's at 601-825-8380.

The Final Countdown at the Regency Hotel

Rob Ford Productions hosts "The Final Countdown" from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. in the Martini Room at the Regency Hotel (400 Greymont St., 601-969-2141). The event features complimentary shots while supplies last, a Champagne toast at midnight, and live music from DJ Perfection and Ron ThaDJ.

Tickets are $15 or $75 to $150 for VIP tickets. All guests must wear formal attire. For Details or VIP Reservations, contact Rob Ford at 601-572-1825 or email [email protected]. Discounted pre-sale tickets are available for purchase through evenbrite.com.

New Year's Dinner at The Strawberry Cafe

The Strawberry Cafe (107 Depot Drive, Madison, 601-856-3822) will host a special New Year's dinner featuring starter options of smoked tuna dip, Champagne and lobster bisque, and strawberry and chocolate salad, and main courses that include a 6-ounce beef filet or stuffed snapper. Dessert is cranberry-and-white chocolate bread pudding.

The dinner is $95 per couple and also includes wine pairings available at $34 per couple. For more information, call 601-856-3822.

New Year's Eve at BRAVO!

In year's past, BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111) has done a seated New Year's Eve dinner; however, this year, the restaurant will open at 4:30 p.m. for normal service, which will have several specials. Reservations are not necessary. BRAVO! will seat guests on arrival.

Hal & Mal's Krystal Ball

Hal & Mal's (200 S. Commerce St., 601-948-0888) will host its annual New Year's Eve bash and "catfish drop." The Krystal Ball features music from DJ Rozz and Nu Ajc. The party begins at 8 p.m. and will include drink specials. The cost of admission is $50 per couple.

Martin's Restaurant & Lounge's New Year's Eve Blowout

For New Year's Eve, Martin's Restaurant & Bar (214 S. State St., 601-354-9712) will host its annual year-end concert event. This year, the lineup features the Cedric Burnside Project, whose frontman is the Grammy Award-nominated grandson of blues legend R.L. Burnside. The party begins at 10 p.m. For more information, visit martinslounge.net.

New Year's Eve with U.S

On New Year's Eve, The Band U.S will perform a cover set of the musicians' favorite 1980s hits for party-goers at South Street Live (110 E. South St.). The event is from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

One Block East's New Year's Eve Bash

This year, One Block East (642 Tombigbee St., 601-944-0203) is hosting the New Year's Eve Bash, featuring music from DJ Money Hungry, drink specials, individual Champagne bottles for the midnight toast and a balloon drop. The event begins at 9 p.m. Admission is $10. For more information, find One Block East on Facebook.

2016 NYE Ladies Night

This New Year's Eve, Ole Tavern on George Street (416 George St., 601-960-2700) will ring in the new year with a special ladies' night event. DJ Reign will play some music for the evening, and the bar will have Champagne toasts at midnight. The event begins at 9 p.m., admission is $15 per person, and women drink for free.

Pop's Saloon's NYE Party

Pop's Saloon (2636 S. Gallatin St., 601-961-4747) will host a New Year's Eve party with music from Burnham Road. The event will also feature a balloon drop, free party favors and food, and a free bottle of Champagne per table. Advance tickets are $15, and tickets are $20 at the door. For more information, find Pop's Saloon on Facebook.

ISH Grill & Bar's New Year's Eve Party

ISH Grill & Bar (5105 Interstate 55 N., 769-257-5204) hosts a party that features performances from the Press Play 601 Band and DJ Phingaprint. The event will also have free party favors and a Champagne toast at midnight.

VIP booths are available for $250 and include admission for five people, special parking and a complimentary bottle of Champagne. The restaurant opens at 4 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, visit ishgrillandbar.com.

WonderLust's New Year's Eve Bash

Jackson's newest LGBT bar, WonderLust (3911 Northview Drive, 337-378-9003), is also throwing a party to celebrate in the new year. The event includes a performance from DJ Mykie G. The event also features a Champagne toast at midnight and begins at 9 p.m.

The Penguin's New Year's Eve Celebration

The Penguin (1100 John R. Lynch St., 769-251-5222) will host an evening with music from Clinton Babers II, a complimentary mini-buffet and a Champagne toast. The event begins at 9 p.m, and admission is $20 per person. For more information, visit thepenguinms.com.

Saltine's NYE Shellebration

Saltine (622 Duling Ave., 601-982-2899) will be offering a special New Year's Eve menu, featuring a shellfish tower, Jonah crab claws, lobster scampi, striped bass en papillote and more. The options are available a la carte or as a five-course tasting menu for $75. For more information, visit saltinerestaurant.com.