Family fun for the new year
Happy New Year's Eve! Fortunately, you don't have to keep the kids up until midnight to mark the dawning of 2010, because local museums like Port Discovery and the Maryland Science Center will have their own parties around noon. New Year's Annapolis is also known for family-friendliness, with activities for kids starting at 3 p.m.
Here's the short list of fun stuff for the new year celebration and throughout the weekend:
Thursday, Dec. 31:
Midnight Noon: Celebrate at the Maryland Science Center with face painting, kids' band Milkshake, crafts, and a puppet show, with special activities starting at 10 a.m. Free with science center admission.
Noontime New Year: Ring in the new year at noon with MPT's Bob Heck at Port Discovery (see photo). Cultural activities are planned.
New Year's Annapolis offers activities for kids beginning at 3 p.m., with fireworks as early as 7:30 p.m. (and at midnight, too). Here's the children's activities schedule.
Friday, Jan. 1:
Big Gunpowder Falls Hike: If your family is full of able hikers, you might celebrate the New Year with the Mountain Club of Maryland, which will hike for six miles beside Big Gunpowder Falls. Some elevation and water crossings. Call 410-663-9797 for information.
Saturday, Jan. 2:
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker: The snowstorm right before Christmas means rescheduled performances of this holiday classic, which will be performed at the Lyric Opera House Saturday 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m and Sunday 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets prices range from $24.50 to $84.50 and may be purchased at the Lyric box office, by phone at 410-547-SEAT or online. If you purchased tickets for the canceled shows, you can bring those original tickets to the corresponding rescheduled performance for admission.
Oh, Ethiopia! is the theme of drop-in art activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Walters Art Museum. Free.
Sunday, Jan. 3:
381 Days: This exhibit about the historic 1955 Montgomery bus boycott incorporates photographs, political cartoons, fine art, illustrations and an 8-minute audiovisual program to help explain the cultural significance of the event. Open from noon to 5 p.m. at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. Admission is $6-$8. Call 410-263-1800 or go to africanamericanculture.org.
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