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New Year's Week in Philadelphia culminates with a long holiday weekend full of non-stop fun with fireworks, parties, concerts, performances, Mummers, the NHL Winter Classic and more. (Photo credits clockwise from top left: G. Widman for GPTMC, courtesy NHL, G. Widman for GPTMC, courtesy the Kimmel Center)

It’s here. New Year’s Eve is upon us, so make sure you enjoy the final weekend of the year by closing out 2011 with a bang and ringing in 2012 with a strut.

Good thing there’s plenty going on, from a special dance party edition of After After 5 tonight at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and two fireworks shows at Penn’s Landing on New Year’s Eve to the 112th Annual Mummers Parade and, of course, the 2012 NHL Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park.

Below, our top picks for New Year’s Eve weekend:

Friday, December 30

Art After 5: New Year’s Eve dance party at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Laughing All the Way at Act II Playhouse (Fri, Sat) — Closing Day!

Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Fri, Sat) — Closing Day!

Fancy Folks: Art And Mummery at City Hall

Roundup: Our Top 10 Picks For Holiday Dates In And Around Philadelphia

Gas & Electric Arts’ Hershel And The Hanukkah Goblins (Fri, Sat) — Closing Day!

Jersey Boys at the Forrest Theatre (Fri, Sat)

Our Guide To Public Ice Skating In Philadelphia

Saturday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve

NHL Winter Classic Spectator Plaza (Sat, Sun, Mon)

Our Top Picks For New Year’s Eve Dining In Philadelphia

Our Top Picks For Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebrations

New Year’s Eve Fireworks In Philadelphia: Best Places To Watch

Our Top Picks For Alternative New Year’s Eve Celebrations

New Year’s Eve Ghost Tour

Lantern Theater Company’s Private Lives

National Constitution Center’s Winter Holiday Celebration

Kwanzaa Celebrations at the African American Museum in Philadelphia

Check out the rest of our picks for New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the long holiday weekend below…

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Penn’s Landing is once again hosting two spectacular fireworks shows this New Year’s Eve, one at 6 p.m. and one at midnight. Need suggestions for where to watch the shows? We have 14. Some of our picks are hosting special parties, some are just great vantage points for taking in the spectacular displays (for free). Check out our guide post to station yourself perfectly for the NYE 2011 celebration. Make sure to dress warmly, and it wouldn’t hurt to BYO hot cocoa. Happy New Year Philadelphia! [New Year’s Eve Fireworks guide]

We recently shared some selections for alternative New Year’s Eve celebrations, but here’s another to add to the mix.

Laurel Hill Cemetery is hosting the annual General Meade Birthday Celebration on Saturday, December 31 which will mark the 196th anniversary of the birth of General George Gordon Meade, commander of the Union Army at the Battle of Gettysburg.

A parade of Civil War re-enactors, civilians in period attire, special dignitaries and heritage groups will advance to Meade’s final resting place and memorialize his services to his nation.

A 21-gun salute and champagne toast at noon will cap off the program at graveside, and will be followed by a reception in the Cemetery Gatehouse. This year’s event holds special significance, as it commemorates the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War.

Spend your afternoon toasting to Philadelphia’s history, and the rest of the holiday toasting to the city’s future.

Laurel Hill’s General Meade Birthday Celebration
When: Saturday, December 31, noon
Where: 3822 Ridge Avenue
Cost: Free
More info: www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org

New Year's Eve in Philadelphia — Sugarhouse Casino once again presents Twice the Fireworks! Twice the Fun! Fireworks shows at 6 p.m and midnight this Saturday, December 31. Where will you watch? (Photo courtesy SugarHouse Casino)

Philadelphia’s 21st Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration, presented by SugarHouse Casino, will once again take place at Penn’s Landing with two fireworks shows at 6 p.m. and again at midnight.

Check out our guide to best spots to view the fireworks, and browse through some fun facts about the explosive celebrations, below, to get pumped for the big event!

Production

• The fireworks shows are produced by Pyrotecnico, one of the largest producers of fireworks in America. Pyrotecnico has put on displays for The Army/Navy Game and Temple University Football and provides all of the pyrotechnics effects for The Eagles, The Phillies and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Music

• The 6 p.m. show is titled “Wishing you a Philadelphia New Year, A Salute to the Philadelphia Orchestra,” so the entire score is performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra. Musical works include: Handel’s Messiah, Dance Bacchanale from Samson and Dalila, The Nutcracker Ballet, Swan Lake: Act 1 and the William Tell Overture.

• The midnight show is titled “Party on the Delaware” and features popular hits that will have you moving and grooving. Think Auld Lang Syne (Mariah Carey), Party Rock (LMFAO), DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love (Usher), Someone Like You (Adele), We Found Love (Rihanna), Give Me Everything Tonight (Pitbull/Ne-Yo), The Edge Of Glory (Lady Gaga), Blow (Ke$ha) and This City (Patrick Stump).

Technology

• It takes about 75 hours to design and choreograph each display for December 31, 2011. After the soundtrack is finalized, a computer roadmap is designed that uses SMPTE time codes to creats a graphical display along with music via WAV files and a time source code creating the sequence of firing for the show.

• The December 31 display will use up to 10” shells and a 20-foot arc, including pyrotechnics from Europe, Italy and Asia.

• GPS Clocks are used to coordinate with KYW Newsradio 1060 and CBS 3 so all moving parts will be in sync for the big bang.

• The New Year’s Eve display uses more than 4,000 devices representing 4+ tons of net explosives and will use 5 miles of wire and cable by a crew of 10 people to set up for the shows during the 3 days prior to the show.

• Pyrotecnico uses the Pyrodigital Computer Firing System, which powers some of the world’s most prestigious displays, including the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, The Pyramids of Giza, The Sydney Bridge, The Olympic Games, Disney World, Universal Studios, Six Flags and many others.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks: Sugarhouse Casino presents Twice the Fireworks! Twice the Fun!
When: December 31, 6 p.m. and midnight. Two shows!!
Where: Delaware River Waterfront
Cost: Free
Details: www.visitphilly.com

We’ve been keeping you updated with guides to fireworks-watching, ideas for alternative NYE celebrations, family-friendly options and more. But be sure to check out Visit Philly’s comprehensive guide to New Year’s in Philadelphia for the 411 on hotel packages, NYE dinner, a special romantic itinerary and much more. From now until the day after the New Year, there’s a plethora of entertainment for families, couples, singles, sports fans, culture vultures and everyone in between to do day and night in the Philadelphia region, and Visit Philly has you covered. [Visit Philly]

Ring in 2012 with two fireworks shows on the Delaware River as SugarHouse Casino once again presents Twice the Fireworks! Twice the Fun! (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

As we’ve mentioned, Penn’s Landing is once again hosting two spectacular fireworks shows this New Year’s Eve, one at 6 p.m. and one at midnight.

Take in the 6 p.m. show and spend the rest of your night out on the town, or enjoy a special dinner in the evening and conclude your night with the traditional midnight showing.

The displays, along the Delaware River, are about 15 minutes each, set against the beautiful backdrop of the Philadelphia skyline with fun soundtracks tailored to the shows. But where exactly is the best vantage point?

Leave that to us to help you decide. Here are our top picks for fireworks-viewing spots. You can also check out Visit Philly’s guide to fireworks-watching.

• Blue Cross RiverRink: Columbus Boulevard & Market Street. Winter sports enthusiasts cam celebrate at the Blue Cross RiverRink’s New Year’s Eve Party on Ice, a family-friendly affair that boasts one of the best views of the city’s breathtaking fireworks displays over the Delaware River. Skaters can catch one of two sparkling shows during the early (5-7 p.m.) and late (11 p.m.-1 a.m.) parties. Tickets are $30 for skaters and $20 for spectators.

• Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing: Chestnut Street and Columbus Boulevard. Head to the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing for a front-row view of the fireworks backed by a synchronized soundtrack during the spectacular show.

• Race Street Pier: Race Street and Delaware Avenue. This is an amazing spot to watch but we recommend you get there early, as it’s probably going to fill up fast. Also keep in mind that alcohol, BBQ and glass containers are not permitted at the Pier.

• Village Belle: 757 S. Front Street. Get a spectacular view of the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Penn’s Landing and a delicious four-course meal at Village Belle featuring lobster bisque, strip steak and cheesecake spring rolls with raspberry sauce. Choose from two seatings: 6 p.m. ($75 per person) and 9 p.m. ($125 per person). An open bar package is available for $50 per person.

• Independence Seaport Museum: Columbus Boulevard at Walnut Street. A maritime New Year’s Eve celebration is on deck at the Independence Seaport Museum along the waterfront. Grab a complimentary party hat and noisemaker before heading outside to the second-floor terrace to watch the fireworks spectacular over the Delaware River at 6 p.m. The museum comes alive at 8:30 p.m. during the Buccaneers Ball, a swashbuckler-themed New Year’s Eve celebration with live music, drinks, dinner and dancing ending with the fireworks show at midnight.

Continue reading, below.

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Great news, hockey fans!

We got our hands on two more tickets to the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park on January 2, 2012 — and we’re giving them away to one lucky fan.

Ashley S. was the lucky winner of our first Winter Classic ticket giveaway and if you missed out on that, we have one more chance for you to win tickets to the big game

To enter, just fill out the form below by noon on December 29. You may enter once per day per email address, so enter all three days to increase your chance to win. The contest ends this Thursday. Click here for the official rules.

Good luck and GO FLYERS!

NHL Winter Classic: Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Rangers
When: January 2, 2012 at 1 p.m.
Where: Citizens Bank Park, Citizens Bank Way and Pattison Avenue
More info: www.nhl.com/winterclassic

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New Year's in Philadelphia is huge this year, with an action-packed week starting December 26 through January 2. (Photo credits clockwise from top left: G. Widman for GPTMC, courtesy National Constitution Center, courtesy Center City District, courtesy the NHL)

From the day after Christmas until the day after the New Year, December 26 through January 2, there are plenty of exciting and entertaining events and activities for families, couples, singles, sports fans, culture vultures and everyone in between to do day and night in the Philadelphia region.

Visit Philly is New Year’s central, packed with fireworks-watching tips, great hotel packages, dinner and party ideas and more.

But before you head over there, we have a brief guide to making a week out of New Year’s this year.

Three highlights from major attractions:

• National Constitution Center’s Winter Holiday Celebration: This year the National Constitution Center has got your post-Christmas holiday fun covered, as it hosts a special Winter Holiday Celebration Monday, December 26 through Saturday, December 31. During the week, the Grand Hall Lobby will be home to a bunch of great holiday-themed activities, like holiday games and crafts making, where kids will be able to decorate their own confetti crackers, New Year’s noise makers and hats.

• Franklin Institute New Year’s Week: In honor of the final week of 2011 beginning Monday, December 26, the Franklin Institute is hosting a slew of special programming. The museum is opening its popular Joel N. Bloom Observatory to the public every night during the week of December 26-30. Plus, there will be chemistry shows, dino digs and more.

• Historic Philadelphia New Year’s Week: With something for everyone, Historic Philadelphia fills the holiday week with family-friendly activities and great dates from December 26-31. See a Colonial Chocolate-making Demonstration at the Betsy Ross House, enjoy free make-and-take crafts at Liberty 360 and more.

Keep reading, below, for 8 Days And 22 Ways To Spend Philly New Year’s Week! We’ll be back tomorrow with more fun ideas for spending New Year’s Eve and Day, and other great stuff going on in the coming weeks.

New Year’s Week in Philadelphia [Visit Philly]

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Make New Year's Eve memorable with one of the city's many live concerts. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

In case you haven’t heard, New Year’s in Philadelphia is huge.

There are two sets of spectacular free fireworks, one at 6 p.m. and one at midnight, in addition to the annual Mummer’s Parade on New Year’s Day and, this year, the NHL Winter Classic: Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Rangers outdoors at Citizens Bank Park. (Psst: we’re giving away tickets; enter here.)

There are plenty of New Year’s Eve dinner options and party picks. But if you’re looking for something more unexpected, more unique, we have some choices for you, as well.

Our top picks for alternative New Year’s Eve celebrations, below:

• Free at the Kimmel: Sing in the New Year!: Starting at 5:30 p.m., enjoy festive and tuneful chamber works by Vaughan Williams, Handel, Poulenc, Philadelphia’s own Andrea Clearfield and more. Wolfgang Puck will provide Peppermint Martinis, Snowflake Martinis, Pigs in a Blanket and Candy Cane Cocoa, something for everyone in the family.

• Philadelphia Orchestra New Year’s Eve Concert: Watch Philly’s favorite orchestra perform at 7:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Head out to Commonwealth Plaza afterwards to enjoy free music and treats (see above). Tickets start at $39.

• 2nd annual New Years Eve Yards Beer Dinner at Kennett: Expect a nice, intimate evening of Yards beers paired with Kennett’s delicious fare. There will be two special beers making an appearance that night: Olde Bartholomew barleywine, and the very limited Yardbird Abbey Dubbel. 4 courses for $65.

• Bistro Romano’s Mystery Dinner Theatre: Here’s your chance to partake in a unique and exciting theatrical production. The cast sets the stage for intrigue, murder and mayhem. The audience holds the key to unlock the mystery and uncover the conspiracy, all while enjoying a four-course meal. Who knows? You could be the murderer! $42.95 (Dinner $32.95 and Show Admission $10) per person. Price includes show, four course dinner and hors d’oeuvre reception in the piano lounge prior to the performance.

Many more options, below.

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Make planning easy with one of the bonus-packed New Year's Eve hotel packages available this year. (Photo courtesy Philadelphia Marriott Downtown)

This year you can celebrate the New Year in Philadelphia and save, thanks to some great hotel packages.

First of all, be sure to take a look at the Philly Overnight® Hotel Package, which snags you two nights accommodations, free hotel parking (a $75+ value at most Center City hotels) and a With Love teddy bear.

In addition to the extremely popular Philly Overnight, Visit Philly has a fleshed-out guide to New Year’s Eve hotel packages — helpful if you’re visiting from out of town, assuredly, but also if you’re local and looking to make the holiday extra-special or just avoid having to designate a driver for the evening.

We’ve selected a few top picks; then head over to Visit Philly for the full guide.

For the Fun-Loving Family

• Marriott Courtyard Downtown: Starting at $338, get a two night stay, two tickets to MummersFest and a backstage tour of the Mummers Fancy Brigade Family Finale at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on January 1. Available for arrival on December 30 or 31.

For the Chic Couple

• Sofitel: Starting at $450, get upgraded accommodations for December 31, valet parking, two tickets to the Philadelphia Orchestra New Year’s Eve Concert, a pre-performance cocktail served with complimentary amuse bouche in Liberte, breakfast for two served at Chez Collette and late check-out on Sunday.

For the Pair Craving A Weekend Getaway

• Crowne Plaza Philadelphia West: A little farther removed from the city proper, the Crowne Plaza is offering, starting at just $179, overnight accommodations, a $50 gift certificate to Avenue Grill plus breakfast for two (so you hardly have to leave your room), drop-off shuttle service to the Mummer’s Parade and late check-out at 2 p.m. Plus, you can add on Friday or Sunday night for just $79.

For the History Buffs

• Comfort Inn Downtown/Historic Area: Want to be close to the action? The fireworks take place at Penn’s Landing, plus you’ll be right in the thick of Philadelphia’s most richly historic quarter. Starting at $219, get overnight accommodations for up to four per room, Deluxe Continental Breakfast and valet parking.