Ringing in the New Year with a bang, or a band

As we prepare to say farewell to 2018 and hello to 2019, there are many, many events across southcentral Alaska to ring in the New Year. Here are some of the public celebrations and large gatherings going on to ring in the New Year.

5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Anchorage Towne Square

Enjoy live music from H3 Hawaiian Reggae Band, DJ Spencer Lee, carnival games, a beer and wine garden, food trucks and fireworks. Fireworks will be shot from the top of the Linney Pacillo Parking Garage.

EasyPark will provide special event rate parking for the evening, extending through the morning of Jan. 1.

A number of streets near Town Square Park will be closed on New Year's Eve during the time of the fireworks and other events.

The closures downtown will be as follows:

5th Ave. from G Street to E Street

6th Ave. from G Street to E Street

E Street from 5th Ave. to 6th Ave.

F Street from 6th Ave. to 7th Ave.

E Street from 6th Ave. to 7th Ave.

7th Ave. from F Street to E Street

8 – 9 p.m. Wonderland Park

6 – 8 p.m. Lions Park

Free event, food trucks, live music.

11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Loussac Library

Countdown to 12 Noon with dancing and other fun. A balloon drop and DJ Spencer Lee will be at this family-friendly event.

9 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Alyeska Resort, Girdwood

The Torchlight Parade consists of volunteer skiers and snowboarders in a procession down the slope. Immediately afterward, fireworks will illuminate the sky for a finale show.

Free and open to the public. Best viewing is at the Daylodge base area.

9:00 Torchlight parade, 9:30 p.m. fireworks

6 – 9 p.m. Alaska Pacific University

The final Anchorage race of 2018 – Music, lights and an awesome course will ring in the new year. Five unique light and music experiences on a near-5K run through the trails and APU campus. Starts and ends at the Atwood Center.

7 p.m. La Potato 3300 Spenard Rd.

$80 gets you a coursed meal with drink pairings and a ticket to the Pamyua show afterward.

Dinner/no show and no dinner/show are also options. Champagne toast included with the show.

9 p.m. – 12 a.m. South restaurant

Dinner menu available until 10 p.m. Select tapas until midnight. Photo booth, S’mores on the patio and a toast at midnight.

8 p.m. – 1 a.m. Alaska Native Heritage Center

BWRRC is back to promote and raise money for their charitable mission to bring video and music recording technology to rural Alaskan communities. The band will begin by 10 p.m. and will play well into the new year.

This concert will fund a return to Tyonek, Alaska where the band played and helped document the senior prom last year, and to digitize a collection of Cu’pik language gospel songs from Nunivak Island.

Full bar, food concessions and multiple areas for dancing.

Tickets start at $16.29 on Eventbrite

9 p.m. – 1 a.m. Humpy’s Great Alaskan Ale House

Chill Factor re-emerges with a new line up. Join them at Humpy’s to ring in 2019 with a massive party featuring all of their best songs.

10 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. – Alaska Experience Theater – 333 W. 4th Ave. Suite 207

Featuring DatKidShawn, Dig Sista and DaPips for Bass House, Breaks and Electro-Swing. $15 in advance, $20 regular.

9 p.m. – 1 a.m. – Matanuska Brewing Company – 2830 C Street, Anchorage

Ring in the New Year with SKA band Nervis Rex and celebrate Matanuska Brewing Company’s grand opening. No cover charge.

9 p.m. – 1 a.m. Hard Rock Cafe

Dress to impress and dance the night away with H3 Hawaii Reggae Band. $10 cover includes champagne toast at midnight and party favors.

9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. Williwaw

Grab your 80s clothes and dance the night away. Balloon drop at midnight. $15 in advance, $20 day-of, $75 VIP includes second floor and roof access, sparklers, party favors and neon bracelets and more swag/food and champagne. Cover starts at 7 p.m. 21 and up.

8 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. Mad Myrna’s

Dance all night long with DJ Lloyds Noize, eat Texas BBQ from The Back Porch food truck and enjoy the last drag show of the year with the Friday Night Divas. Doors open at 8, dancing starts at 9 and the Divas take the stage at 10. Champagne toast at midnight. 21 and over. $5 cover.