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Where to celebrate New Year's Eve around Seattle

By Jeffrey Totey, Special to the SeattlePI

|Updated
A group of young people celebrating New Year's Eve with a glass of champagne. 

A group of young people celebrating New Year's Eve with a glass of champagne. 

The Good Brigade/Getty Images

New Year's Eve is quickly approaching which means it's time to say goodbye to 2021 and hello to a hopefully less eventful 2022.

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If you're planning to stick around Seattle this year, there are plenty of places to ring in the new year. From fireworks shows to comedy competitions to polar bear plunges, here's where to welcome in 2022.

Best places to view midnight fireworks

T-Mobile New Year’s at the Needle
The New Year’s Eve fireworks are returning to the Space Needle this year, but there's a catch. Partnering with various multimedia studios and digital artists, this year’s show will feature exclusive special effects that can only be viewed on TV (KING 5 or KONG TV), online or on the KING 5 app.

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The show promises to be quite the spectacle, but in order to keep the community safe, the Seattle Center is encouraging everyone to “stream in the new year” from the comfort of their own home or at one of the city's viewing parties. Crowds at the Needle will not be permitted.

The Spirit of 76 Boat Yacht Cruise
Boasting two dance floors and a full bar, dress in your New Year's Eve best for this cruise. Leaving the shore from Fairview Avenue at 9 p.m., the Spirit of 76 Yacht will center itself in Lake Union for the best panoramic view of the Space Needle's fireworks show.

Bubbles & Bow Ties
This upscale, black-tie event at Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi in Bellevue promises a night of glitz and glamour with an all-inclusive dinner, burlesque and aerial dancers, a live band karaoke, premium beverages and front row seats to the fireworks show on Meydenbauer Bay.

Kids celebrate the new year.

Kids celebrate the new year.

Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images

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Best places to celebrate with the family

Lucky Strike Family New Year
Kids want to ring in the new year, but there’s no way they’ll make it to midnight. No problem. Lucky Strike in Bellevue will be counting down on East Coast time on Dec. 31. Until 9 p.m., families can enjoy bowling, arcade packages, face painting, balloon artists, cotton candy art, special guest performers, a dance party and more. The party begins at 5 p.m. Kids age 5 and under get in free.

Family Neon NYE at Forum Social House
Forum Social House in Bellevue is offering two hours of fun beginning at 5 p.m. The night includes DJs, dancing, miniature golf, ping pong, foosball, party favors, a cider toast and a New Year's Eve countdown balloon drop at 7 p.m.

ComedySportz: Comedy for Everyone
Located at the Atlas Theatre, ComedySportz is a family-friendly improv comedy competition that pits two teams of comedians against each other in a variety of theater games. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

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Indulgence 2020 New Year's Eve Bash at MoPop comedy show. Photo by Alabastro Photography.

Indulgence 2020 New Year's Eve Bash at MoPop comedy show. Photo by Alabastro Photography.

Alan Alabastro/Alabastro Photography

Best places for adults to party

Indulgence New Year’s Eve Bash
MoPOP offers a perfect location to party as they have room for over 1,500 guests and plenty of room to move around. Starting at 8:30 p.m., enjoy dancing to top 40 hits and laughing with nationally recognized comedians. Access to the museum exhibits and party favors included.

New Year’s Eve at the Smith Tower
“Bust out your diamonds, pearls and everything sparkly” for this 1920s-themed party at the Smith Tower. All tickets include a five-course plated dinner, two standard cocktails, a bottle of Bollinger Champagne, a photo booth, music, party favors and a midnight toast. Festivities begin at 7 p.m.

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Triple Door New Year’s Eve Party
Joey Jewell's Sinatra at the Sands and Jim Kerl’s Swingin’ Sixties Orchestra will be providing the entertainment at this year’s party at the Triple Door. With shows at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., dinner packages include appetizers, an entrée, dessert, party favors and a glass of bubbly. Countdown packages include the same minus the entrée.

Cirque du Bollywood NYE
Wicked Karma hosts this festive extravaganza at Emerald City Trapeze Arts. Beginning at 8 p.m., the party will be complete with a large dance floor, DJ Gabbar playing a mix of Bollywood music, aerial circus performers, full bars, complimentary appetizers (9-11 p.m.), party favors and a digital photo booth.

NYE 2022 at Forum Social House
The largest party of the year at Forum Social House in Bellevue will feature dancing with music by LA’s Steve Dub in the Rockwell Sound Lounge, mini-golf, a Topgolf swing suite, specialty cocktails and tasty bites. Doors open at 9 p.m.

Rize
This adults-only event at Lucky Strike in Bellevue will feature two dance floors, bowling, a large arcade, cocktails and a late-night menu of snacks. Doors open at 10 p.m.

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Seattle New Year’s Celebration 2022
Put on your best 1920s attire and enjoy this multi-room experience at Gatsby’s Penthouse. Beginning at 9 p.m., enjoy premium prepaid drinks, complimentary hors d'oeuvres, top Seattle DJs, casino games and prizes, party favors and one big New Year's Eve countdown.

New Year’s Eve at the Roller Disco
Rock it old school at the Southgate Roller Rink. “Grove and glide” as resident Supernova DJs spin disco classics and nu-disco favorites from the center of the rink. Admission includes skate rental. Doors open at 8 p.m.

Anime Masquerade
Ring in 2022 with Sonicboombox’s first annual New Year's Eve party at SPIN. The theme for the night is “anime masquerade,” so you’ll want to dress to impress in cosplay. The party includes a live DJ, drink specials, dancing, ping pong and a complimentary toast at midnight.

Polish New Year's Eve
You won’t leave hungry at this New Year's Eve event hosted by the Polish Home Association. Enjoy a traditional Polish dinner with five hot courses, ten choices of appetizers and dessert stations prepared by Kamila Kanczugowski from Sebi's Bistro. The night continues with dancing, drinks, talks, even more food and a champagne toast. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

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LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Dave Chappelle performs at The Imagine Ball Honoring Serena Williams Benefitting Imagine LA Presented By John Terzian & Val Vogt on September 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Imagine LA)

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Dave Chappelle performs at The Imagine Ball Honoring Serena Williams Benefitting Imagine LA Presented By John Terzian & Val Vogt on September 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Imagine LA)

Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Imagine LA

Best places for a good laugh

Dave Chappelle and Friends
Climate Pledge Arena will be ringing in the new year with Dave Chappelle and a few friends beginning at 9 p.m. At the request of the artist, this will be a smartwatch and phone-free experience.

Andy Hayes and Rosebud Baker
Laughs Comedy Club and Restaurant will present two doubleheader shows at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. with comedians Andy Hayes and Rosebud Baker. Tickets include party favors and a champagne toast.

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Xtreme New Year’s Theatresports Party
Unexpected Productions is offering a night of comedy, camaraderie, some champagne and even a few gifts on New Year's Eve. The night will feature 20 improvisers split into four teams battling out for your laughs before the big ball drops at midnight. Doors open at 9 p.m.

Blue Year’s Eve
ComedySportz normally offers family-friendly shows, but this 10 p.m. showing will, for better or worse, offer a night of “bawdy, outrageous comedy.” The show will finish up in time to countdown at midnight with a toast of champagne, music and dancing. If this isn’t really your thing, you might prefer the tamer show at 7:30 p.m.

Central Cinema in Seattle

Central Cinema in Seattle

Central Cinema/Yelp.com

Best places to participate with a movie

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"The Room" NYE Edition
In their NYE tradition, Central Cinema will be showing “The Room,” one of the worst movies ever made. Written, directed and starring Tommy Wiseau, this is a must-see if you enjoy bad movies. Movie starts at 7:30 p.m.

Moulin Rouge New Year's Eve Sing-along
If you are a fan of this Baz Luhrmann musical, you’ll enjoy singing your heart out at this show. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the SIFF Cinema Uptown theater, this showing comes complete with free bling rings and a Moulin-inspired music video countdown.

Hundreds of brave souls dove into a frigid Lake Washington to kick off the new year during the 18th annual Matthews Beach Polar Plunge, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020.
Hundreds of brave souls dove into a frigid Lake Washington to kick off the new year during the 18th annual Matthews Beach Polar Plunge, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com

Best places to take a polar bear plunge

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Note: All plunges are planned for January 1, 2022.

CNW Resolution Run & Polar Bear Dive
Held at Magnuson Park in Seattle, participants will sprint through a 5k run with a choice to stay dry or take a detour for a quick dip in Lake Washington before completing the run. Believe it or not, roughly 60% of all runners choose to splash about a bit. After-run festivities include a beer garden, free chili, coffee, hot chocolate and more. The fun run begins at 10:30 a.m.

Renton Polar Bear Plunge
It’s free to participate in this freezing dip in Lake Washington, but you need to sign up ahead of time. Plunges will be held at 9 and 10 a.m.

Lake Sammamish State Park Polar Plunge
Beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Sunset Beach on Lake Sammamish, this plunge is quite the celebration with music and merriment. The first 180 registered participants will not only receive a souvenir campfire mug, but also a hand warmer and a coupon for a cup of Ivar’s clam chowder. Costumes are encouraged.

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Lacy Polar Bear Plunge
Meet up at noon at Long Lake Park to prepare yourself for the polar plunge at 1 p.m.

Jeffrey Totey is a freelance entertainment and pop culture writer for the SeattlePI.