Like most other holidays this year, New Year’s Eve will be different — no huge crowds, no fireworks along Alexandria’s waterfront. Here’s how to still have fun saying goodbye to a year that can’t end quickly enough for most people.
First Night Alexandria
Residents and visitors can load up their cars and celebrate the arrival of 2021 on Dec. 31 at 5001 Eisenhower Ave. in the West End of Alexandria with a drive-in concert experience of pre-recorded music and comedy projected on the big screen. OR, stay home and enjoy the concert from the comfort and warmth of your living room. Access to the virtual link is $20. Buy tickets at firstnightalexandria.org/buy-tickets-2021.
Make It a Game Night
Alexandria-based Escape Notice Games just released Stolen at Sea, a mystery game set in the 1920s. Sift through maps, old books and photographs to rescue a priceless jewel of antiquity in this challenging, high stakes puzzle quest. You can order it here from Made in ALX. In addition, consider active games like charades (there are plenty of word generators online) or Pictionary. There are Zoom-friendly versions of Cards Against Humanity and other games well-suited for remote play, too.
Make It a Movie Night
Pop some popcorn and hit up Netflix. While we didn’t see many movies in actual movie theaters this year, a lot of great work came out. Some of the leading contenders for Oscar nominations are available through streaming. Here’s a list to get started.
Watch the Ball Drop
New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2021 will be on, and the big crystal ball in Times Square will drop — just without the huge crowds of the past.
(Hint: Want the kids to go to bed early? Netflix has a kids’ countdown that you can run any time. Push those clocks forward and enjoy some peace and quiet.)
Start Cooking
Even if you had a good year in 2020, there are a lot of foods that some people believe bring good luck — and will help you have an even better 2021.
They include: black-eyed peas or lentils (luck), spinach (or other dark greens symbolizing money), pork (pigs push forward when looking for food), fish (forward movement), long noodles (prosperity) and circular baked goods (symbolizing the year coming full circle).
Or, just focus on the chocolate and champagne.
However you celebrate, have a happy new year!
