Ring in 2022 around Eastern Iowa with these New Year’s Eve parties, family events

For old times’ sake, 2021 seems like a year when auld acquaintance should be forgot — not the “people” acquaintances, but according to the lyrics attributed to Scottish poet Robert Burns, auld lang syne, or the old times past.

Since the pandemic still is upon us, we’ll take a cup of kindness here, whether it’s at a restaurant, venue or Noon Year’s Eve celebration. It’s a pretty safe bet that your favorite eatery will be offering dinner specials, but don’t wait too long for reservations, or you might miss out.

Here are some of the parties and family events happening around Eastern Iowa.

Parties

Queen's Night: Goodbye 2021, 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 30, NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids; $50 to $150 tables. Local queens Lexi Belle, Kimmy Blaque, Roxie Mess and Myla Jade say farewell to the roller coaster of 2021. Tickets include admission to the show, one drink ticket, and hors d'oeuvres; eventbrite.com/d/ia--cedar-rapids/new-years-eve-parties/

Black Tie Party: 6 p.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1, Little Lights on the Lane, 2 Ember Lane, West Branch; $75 to $100, includes welcome drink, Champagne toast at midnight, three-course meal, complimentary shuttle (pick up and drop off at Iowa River Landing), Triple Threat DJ, photo booth, Tarot reading, Black Jack table, eventbrite.com/d/ia--cedar-rapids/new-years-eve-parties/

Happy Blue Year: Bob Dorr’s Iowa Music Revue, 7 p.m. Dec. 31 to 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1, Waterloo Center for the Arts, 225 Commercial St., Waterloo; $35 advance, $45 door, includes light snacks, cake and midnight Champagne toast; waterloocenterforthearts.org/happy-blue-year-tickets-on-sale-now/

Parde en Blanc: New Year’s Eve Party Featuring The Trophy Dads, 7 p.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1, Palmer House Stable, 200 E. Main St., Solon; $95, includes appetizers, beef brisket, two drink tickets, bonfire, Champagne toasts, courtesy shuttle ride home; eventbrite.com/d/ia--cedar-rapids/new-years-eve-parties/

Pork Tornadoes: Concert benefiting No Foot Too Small, 7 p.m. Dec. 31 to 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1, Bella Sala Event Center, 205 S. Park Rd. Suite B, Tiffin; $40 to $125, with opening acts Alizabeth Von Presley and Stevey Ertl; eventbrite.com/d/ia--cedar-rapids/new-years-eve-parties/

Q Casino: Party at the Q Casino,1855 Greyhound Park Rd., Dubuque; free events include live music by Kings of Radio in the Q Showroom and TJ “the DJ” Wernimont in the upper casino; cash giveaways 7 to 11 p.m., free party favors, photo booth, showroom balloon drop, midnight Champagne toast on the casino floor; qcasinoandhotel.com/entertainment/new-years-eve-bash

Taboo New Year’s Eve Party: 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31 to 2 a.m. Jan. 1, Taboo Nightclub Lounge, 415 Third St. SE, Suite 001, Cedar Rapids; $30 general admission to $1,000; eventbrite.com/d/ia--cedar-rapids/new-years-eve-parties/

Family fun

Countdown Celebration: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 31, Iowa Children's Museum, inside Coral Ridge Mall, 1451 Coral Ridge Ave., Coralville; $9. Ring in the new year all day long, as the museum celebrates 2022 arriving across the world with hourly countdowns from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. No need to stop the play or gather in a large crowd: Noisemakers, balloons and other celebratory items will be distributed each hour for a museum-wide countdown over the speaker system. Also create a party hat, take a selfie in the photo station, and complete a countdown scavenger hunt. All activities included with regular museum admission, and free for members. The museum will close after the 4 p.m. countdown. theicm.org/event/countdown-celebration/

Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 31, PlayStation, 200 Collins Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids; $24.99. All day access, no time limits to the play maze and climbing walls. Price includes $10 game card, refillable drink cup, free game of lazer maze and a goody bag. Event features prize giveaways throughout the day, live DJ and family friendly games; grip socks required (not included with admission). theplaystation.com/special-events/kids-new-years-eve-party-play-station/

New Year's Scavenger Hunt: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 31, Children’s Room, Coralville Public Library, 1401 Fifth St., Coralville; free admission. Drop-in and find items to take home and ring in the New Year. coralvillepubliclibrary.org/event/new-years-scavenger-hunt

Spanish Bilingual Family Storytime: Celebrate the New Year: 10:30 a.m. Dec. 31, Meeting Room A, Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St., Iowa City. Stories, songs, dancing, rhymes and movement activities in Spanish and English.

Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com