When it comes to where to ring in 2020, Londoners can choose from dozens of New Year's Eve celebrations throughout the city.
The largest of the free events to mark the new year will be held in Victoria Park. The annual New Year's bash in the downtown greenspace begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and is expected to draw more than 15,000 people.
The festivities will include outdoor skating, live music performances by local artists at the band shell, and two fireworks displays - one at 9 p.m. for families with small children and another at midnight. Free hot chocolate will be handed out before the first fireworks display.
The night's entertainment lineup includes electro-swing band Tell It To Sweeney, The Thinking Caps, Ill at Will, and the Sweet Adelines. The Forest City London Music Awards All-Stars will close out the night, performing Canadian hit songs from the 1980s to the present day.
Those heading to the outdoor event will want to bundle up. Environment Canada is calling for clouds, a 40 per cent chance of flurries, and a low of -5 C on Tuesday night.
Other family-friendly New Year's Eve bashes taking place in London include the New Year's Eve Hoopla at Storybook Gardens from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The evening will feature stargazing, a pizza dinner, and an early new year countdown. Cost ranges from $13.50 to $15 per person.
The London Children's Museum is hosting a Family New Year's Countdown from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The festivities will feature traditions from around the world. Cost ranges from $6 to $11.
For the adults, the London Music Club at 470 Colborne St. is hosting a night of live music. The evening will include hot and cold buffet, a Champagne toast, party favours, and dancing. The cost is $65 per person.
Wolfeman DJ will provide the entertainment at the German Canadian Club’s celebration at 1 Cove Rd. The night will include a light buffet, party favours and a Champagne toast at midnight. Cost is $50 per person.
The Delta Armouries at 325 Dundas St. is holding a lavish dinner and dance from 5:30 p.m. to midnight. Cost $110 per person.
The Raceway at the Western Fair District is offering revellers an evening of harness racing. The night includes the Auld Lang Syne Pace and Auld Lang Syne Trot, music and dancing in the Carousel Room and a Champagne toast at the Top of the Fair at midnight. Tickets range from $65.99 to $69.99 per person and require a reservation.
The London Music Hall at 185 Queens Ave. is offering Londoner a chance to say goodbye to 2019 with a combination of top 40 hits, hip hop and sing-alongs. There will also be a Champagne toast at midnight and a confetti blast. Doors open at 9 p.m. General admission is $45.11 per person.
The Old East 765 Bar & Grill at 765 Dundas Street is having a vampire masquerade ball. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. Cost is $5 at the door.
The Imperio Banquet Hall at 109 Falcon street is hosting a Latin Tropical New Year's Eve Dance from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The night features the Orlando Valencia Latin Element Dance Band and DJ Gambino. Cost $50 per person.
The Four Points by Sheraton London at 1150 Wellington Road South's formal New Year's Eve party kicks off at 7 p.m. and continues until 2 a.m. It will include music from DJ Royce, a buffet dinner, a late-night pizza bar, party favours, and a Champagne toast at midnight. Cost $100 per person.
The London Transit Commission is again offering free bus rides on New Year’s Eve starting at 8 p.m. Select routes will operate until 1 a.m. Wednesday. Special New Year’s Eve bus schedules can be found by clicking here.
