New Year's Eve Celebrations in Northern Virginia

Looking to make plans to ring in the New Year? Here’s a peek at celebrations planned in and around Northern Virginia and the DC metro area:

• 20th Annual First Night Alexandria: A family-friendly all-day celebration that ends with a bang -- fireworks over the Potomac River.
• First Night Vienna: This family-friendly event features food trucks, music and more, beginning at 6 p.m.
• Watch Night in Falls Church: Big Night in The Little City of Falls Church is held downtown – spanning a four block area that begins on the 100 Block of West Broad Street which is closed to traffic that evening. Live music, kid-friendly activities.

Look for lots of special menus planned at Northern Virginia restaurants for New Year’s; check ahead to be sure there is still availability; click on the links for more details:

• Carlyle Club in Old Town Alexandria: New Year’s Eve Gala with Doc Scantlin and His Imperial Palms Orchestra — dining, dancing and celebration at the fabulous Carlyle Club. Featuring a five-course meal, champagne toast at midnight, festive party favors and entertainment. Tickets are $220 per person + tax and gratuity. $75 is due at the time of reservation per ticket and the balance will be presented at the end of the evening.
• Reston’s Vinifera Bar & Bistro: Beginning at 8 p.m. Chef Bo serves up citrus roast stuffed quail, She Crab bisque, miso glazed opakapaka and much more with wine pairings. 11750 Sunrise Valley Dr., Reston; 703-234-3550; starting at $85/each; reservations required.
• Mad Fox Brewing Company in Falls Church is pulling out all the stops again this year with a special menu and Tom Principato Band. The fun begins at 8 p.m. with passed hors d’oeuvres, followed by a dinner buffet and dessert buffet. Tickets are $80. Click on the link for all the details.
• Trummer’s on Main in Clifton: Experience a feast of the senses and celebrate the coming of the new year as though you are living in the Belle Epoque (French for “Beautiful Era”) in Paris. Start at the Absinthe Bar on the main level to taste this controversial spirit served traditionally or in unique cocktails and then move upstairs for a fabulous French-inspired menu paired with French wines. Click on the link for all the details.
• L’Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls: First seating is 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., serving traditional 5-course dinner menu, ranging in price from $79 to $89 per person. Second seating is 8:45 to 9:15 p.m.
  Chef Jacques’ New Year’s Eve Gala 6-course dinner menu with party favors, music, dancing, a balloon drop and “mais oui, but of course” a champagne toast at midnight to bring in the New Year with L’Auberge Chez François family. $150 per person.
• Mount Vernon Inn at Mount Vernon will have a special menu as well as the Kevin Kline Band and a champagne toast at midnight. There are two seatings.
• Check all of the special New Year’s plans at Alexandria’s restaurants here.
• Across the Potomac, several restaurants at National Harbor also have New Year’s plans.
• The Kennedy Center Roof Terrace Restaurant is serving a special New Year’s Eve menu; your receipt will get you into the New Year’s Eve Grand Foyer party.

If you’d like Patch to add your venue’s plans to this list, please send an email with details to: maryann.barton@patch.com

PHOTO: Fireworks over the Alexandria waterfront during First Night Alexandria 2012. (Photo: Victor Wolansky) Photo courtesy of Visit Alexandria