With New Year’s Eve just around the corner, it’s time to start making plans to ring in 2014 in the Nation’s Capital. If you’re attending some sort of house party that’s great (it’s often a less-complicated option), but if you’re looking to go out in order to ring in the New Year, take a look at the variety of suggested events that Eventful Capital has carefully picked out for you.
If you’re on a tight budget and/or want to stay away from the bar scene, but still wish to go out, you can dress warm and make your way over to Sparks for the now-annual Sparks Street Promenade New Year’s Eve. This free family-friendly event will feature lots of entertainment including live performances by Loon Choir, The Cardboard Crowns, DJ sets by 8BarZ and Kiwi, latin dancers, drinks, a dance party and none other than Canadian hip-hop artist K-Os. Be part of the action and follow the fun on Twitter with the hashtag #CapitalCountdown.
Another free family-friendly event is Rick Chiarelli’s Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration. This alcohol-free event, which takes place at Ben Franklin Place in Nepean will include ice skating, sleigh rides, games, dancing, singing and the only place in the city to see fireworks to ring in the new year.
If you want to go clubbing on New Year’s Eve, The Drink is once again holding its Big Apple NYE celebration to bring a tast of New York to Ottawa for the night. Tickets to this event include party favours, champagne and surprises. If this is your type of party, click on the poster below for everything you need to know.
If you want to dance the night away to electronic dance music on December 31, you definitely want to be at the Midway Family Fun Center for RoughCrew Entertainment’s A Rough Resolution V.2 featuring 2 floors and 3 rooms of music and an impressive roster of DJs playing the best in dubstep, drum n bass, breaks, psytrance and more. The party starts at 8pm and doesn’t stop til 8am. Part of the proceeds from this event will go to the Ottawa Humane Society. 
After a successful first edition, the Manifesting Magic crew presents the second NYE Butterfly Masquerade Ball at the Rideau Curling Club. Artists, musicians, DJs and dancers from the Ottawa region’s diverse and vibrant arts and cultural scene are joining forces for another special night aligning the elements of fire, water, earth, and air to feature four distinct spaces that aim to meet diverse tastes and desires. The lower level will feature the fire space hosting some of Ottawa’s funkiest DJs to keep you grooving and an exotic hookah lounge where you can sit back and relax. The water space will offer a midnight buffet full of aromatic and mouth-watering delights. As for the upper level, it’ll hold the earth space where there will be live performances by distinguished musicians and talented dancers. The air space will be a place of spontaneous play and socialization featuring some of Ottawa’s finest multimedia and body artists.
If you want to party in style with a thousand other people this NYE, hit up the Marriott Hotel for the What Happens in Vegas…New Year’s Eve Party + Casino organized by Starfish Events. Dubbed Ottawa’s biggest NYE party, the event will feature music by DJ Ray Ray and a Casino atop the 29th revolving floor with panoramic views of the city giving you a chance to win 14 prizes including a Las Vegas Trip for 2.
Barrymore’s Music Hall is throwing its annual New Year’s Eve party with DJ Law playing the best in 80s, 90s and Top 40s hits. Tickets include party favors, bubbles for the midnight countdown, hors d’oeuvres and more. If this is the type of celebration that you’re looking for, click below for tickets and more info. 
Oh you fancy huh? The 5th Annual Glitz & Glam NYE 2014 party is happening at Mansion Nightclub featuring a red carpet, professional photography, party favours, a variety of VIP booth options to choose from and music by DJ Ilon. 
If you want to celebrate NYE in your best 1920s attire, you should definitely attend the The Gatsby New Year’s Ball taking place at the the former Grand Union Railway Station, today’s Government Conference Centre. Part of the proceeds from this 800-guest event will go to the Caring and Sharing Exchange charity.
For a smaller scale dance party, head over to Babylon to celebrate the new year with Ottawa’s Silkken Laumann as the DJ trio releases its debut full-length album “Not Forever Enough”. Tickets include hors d’oeuvres and midnight snacks by The Gouda Life and Harrow, a limited edition album cover print + download, visuals by Hard Science, door prizes courtesy of Antique Skate Shop and midnight bubbly. 
Djs Hobo & Sweetcheeks of Kitchen Party are teaming up with Eric Roberts of TIMEKODE and Ceremony and DJ LambRabbit to put on the ultimate dance party at Mugshots to ring in 2014. The celebration will include delicious homemade snacks, drink deals, and complimentary champagne at midnight.
As per usual tradition, the Mercury Lounge presents its Masquerade Ball with 3 levels of grooving, soulful sounds and fun entertainment. Music will be provided by resident DJs Balu, Dusty, Lance Baptiste, Trevor Walker, and Jeff Dougler including a special live midnight set and toast by Slim Moore and live drumming by Dr. Lee and Jesse Matthews. Masks are a must! For details, click on the poster below. 
For those who want to ring in 2014 with electronic dance music, be sure to hit up the massive EY Centre for a rave-like party featuring state of the art light and sound technology and and a New York-inspired ball drop at midnight. More info soon to follow via the organizers’ official website.
In Wakefield, Ottawa’s favorite soulsters The Hornettes will be celebrating the new year in style at the Blacksheep Inn with a live performance that’s sure to get you dancing all night. The event is black-tie optional so be sure to dress to impress if you attend.
Over on the Gatineau side, the Mackenzie Rhythm Section will provide the funk to keep you on your feet throughout the festivities with a live show at the Gainsbourg Bistro. NYE revellers can opt for a dinner and live performance or they can choose to attend the show only and get some midnight bubbly. 
Over at the Petit Chicago in the Old Hull sector of Gatineau, wear your best plaid and dance the night away to traditional Quebec folk music and Top 40 hits with Les AMIBANDIS, Partners in Crime. Bubbles for all at midnight!
If you’re looking for a cheap open bar party, the Où Quoi! in Hull has got you covered with a $40 ($60 at the door) all-you-can-drink New Year’s Eve dance party. Music will be provided by the Fau Mardi crew so with this winning formula you know it’ll be a guaranteed good time.
Whatever you decide to do for New Year’s Eve, Eventful Capital wishes you tons of fun surrounded by people you love and cherish to ring in 2014. Enjoy the celebrations to the fullest and be sure to make the necessary arrangements to get home safely. Cheers!
