Windsor-Essex gets ready to party for New Year’s Eve

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The partying starts at noon and goes to the break of dawn.

Windsor-Essex is gearing up to celebrate with dozens of New Year’s Eve events across the region on Sunday, ranging from the merry to the macabre.

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There will be several family-friendly options, a party that starts at lunchtime with a 6 p.m. ball drop, and all-night after-party that will stretch well into the first day of 2024.

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Kim Murphy and Julianna Masney — Party City employees Kim Murphy, left, and Julianna Masney, get into the New Year’s Eve spirit early at the well-stocked store off Division Road. Photo by Trevor Wilhelm /Windsor Star

The family-friendly fun will include LaSalle’s New Year’s Eve Drive-In Fireworks, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex. Fireworks will be launched from behind the outdoor pavilion and will be visible from any parking lot on site, so spectators can stay warm and cozy in their cars.

There will also be New Year’s Eve fireworks at Kingsville Arena starting at 7 p.m.

Families in Windsor can enjoy two hours of free public skating and swimming, along with some tasty goodies, starting at 6 p.m. at the WFCU Centre.

Various ongoing holiday light shows, such as Bright Lights Windsor, Amherstburg River Lights, Lasalle Holiday Lights and Heritage Nights, and Kingsville Fantasy of Lights will welcome visitors again on the last night of 2023.

For something more adult-oriented, Phog Lounge, Riverside Sportsmen Club, Fionn MacCool’s, Ariius Nightclub at Caesar’s Windsor, Panache Ultra Lounge & Restaurant, Vito’s Pizzeria, 29 Park, Harrow’s Daisy & Co., and Wineology Kingsville are all among local places hosting events.

The Caboto Club, Ciociaro Club, and Fogolar Furlan are all hosting New Year’s Eve galas boasting decadent dinners, midnight toasts, and late-night bites.

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The NYE Party at the Barbershop Bar on Howard Avenue will be “a night of mystery and mayhem” with a Sweeney Todd-themed celebration. Partiers are encouraged to dress in their Victorian best.

Disco Inferno on Ouellette Avenue will host the “shagadelic” Goldmember New Year’s Eve Party for anybody into old-school boogie, right down to the LED disco dance floor and 40 mirror balls.

Lavender Promotions and Koko Starr present MMXXIV, A LGBTQIA2S NYE Dance Party, with DJ Josh Karmin and special performances by Koko Starr and Zsa Zsa, at the Windsor Sportsman Club.

Many other nighttime bashes will help party people in Windsor-Essex usher in 2024 with style.

For those who like to get things going early, River’s Edge Tap & Table is hosting a Noon New Year’s Eve Party for $50 per person. Running from 12 to 8 p.m., it includes a buffet, live band, and a 6 p.m. ball drop.

For the real party warriors, the Day Zero New Year’s Eve event starting at 9 p.m. will push the celebration “until at least 5 a.m.” with a laser show and 14 artists including house and techno DJs.

Go to visitwindsoressex.com for more details about New Year’s Eve events, pricing, and how to get tickets if required.

twilhelm@postmedia.com