New Year's Eve in Salt Lake City

EVE, a three-day New Year festival presented by the SLC Downtown Alliance, will include fine arts performances, live local music, dance parties, ski and snowboard competitions, DJs, film screenings, laser shows, art installations, kids activities, storytelling and a spectacular midnight fireworks show Dec. 31. Activities take place throughout the downtown area, most in the Salt Palace or on West Temple Street between 100 and 200 South.

Dec. 29, 30 and 31, 2011

See website for event schedule and ticket prices

Desert Star Playhouse presents their holiday parody Christmas Vacation: The Bi-Polar Express Friday, Dec. 31 at 11:30 a.m., plus 2, 6 and 8:30 p.m., so you can see the play and still ring in the new year somewhere else.

4861 South State Street
Murray, UT 84107
801-266-2600, 801-266-7610

Tickets $8.95-$17.95

The Grizzlies host the Bakersfield Condors in the Maverik Center Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, at 6:05 p.m.

3200 South Decker Lake Drive (2200 W.)
801-988-8888

Tickets $8-$30

A Utah premiere by Tony Award winning author Ken Ludwig - a murder mystery comedy set 1936 in a country mansion on the Connecticut River. Is it the Inspector, the actor, the fiance, the sweet young thing or the aged mother? A playful way to giggle in the New Year!

Hale Centre Theatre's New Year's Eve party includes pre-show entertainment beginning at 9:30 p.m., Born Yesterday beginning at 10 p.m., midnight noisemakers and balloon drop, hors d'ouvres and desserts.

Friday, Dec. 31, 9:30 p.m.

3333 S. Decker Lake Dr. (2200 W.)
801-984-9000

Tickets $41

If you want to dance in the new year, SmithsTix and TicketCake are your connection for tickets to concerts, clubs and dance parties throughout the Salt Lake area, including parties at The Depot, The Rail The Venue, Bar Deluxe and Downstairs (Park City).

Smithstix

Ticket Cake

As you are transported to the glam and glitz of Old Hollywood, ring in the New Year with fun, food, and friends. It will be an Affair to Remember. Multiple activities including dancing, games, film, food and drink, plus an overnight stay at the hotel.

Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

480 Wakara Way
800-228-9290

$154-$214 per couple

Tucanos New Year's Eve Party starts at 10 p.m. and goes until next year! Tucanos includes everything to make the night fun and memorable - assorted appetizers, desserts, entertainment, favors, non-alcoholic drinks, and even the tax and gratuity.

Tucanos Brazilian Grill

162 South 400 West
Salt Lake City, UT
801-456-2550

$19.95 per person, kids under 12 $5.95

Little America's New Year party theme is Casablanca, with live music and entertainment. Tickets also include a gourmet dinner featuring rack of lamb, prime rib, chicken breast wellington, shrimp, snow crab claws, oysters and more.

Single tickets start at $110, and lodging packages are also available.

Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, 8 p.m.-1 a.m.

500 South Main Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
801-596-5966

Jenna Kim Jones: Jenna Kim Jones is a comedian and devoted tweeter with adoring fans all over the internet. She has appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, sung numerous commercial jingles and performs regularly at some of New York City's best comedy club.

Friday and Saturday, Dec. 30-31, 7 and 9 p.m.

Wiseguys Trolley Square
505 S. 600 E.
801-532-5233

Tickets $10, ages 18+

Heath Harrison: Heath is a special kind of person. He grew up a small fat child in a little town called Twin Falls Idaho. While his childhood haunts him in his dreams, it also makes people laugh in colleges and comedy clubs all over.

Wiseguys Ogden
269 Historic 25th St. in Ogden
801-622-5588

Friday and Saturday, Dec. 30-31, 7 and 9 p.m.

Tickets $10, all ages

The Salt Lake Tribune's music critic David Berger recommends Heartless Bastards at The State Room and Little Big Town at the Eccles Center in Park City as two of Utah's best music events for New Year's Eve.

The State Room

Eccles Performing Arts Center Park City