First Night Alexandria!

Celebrate New Year's Eve at First Night Alexandria

Come to First Night Alexandria on December 31, the largest family-friendly and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve event in the region! First Night Alexandria is a mega mix of live musical acts and entertainment with 100 performances at 18 indoor venues throughout Old Town Alexandria. Swing, Argentinean tango, Cajun, rock, blues, jazz, and entertainment for kids, are just some of the acts ringing in the New Year. Along with these performances, enjoy a comedy magic show, interactive kids’ activities, the all-ages, brain-teasing Fun Hunt, and the grand finale, where the 6,000 balls will drop on revelers at midnight as laser lights crisscross the sky and club music moves people to dance and sing on the lawn of the George Washington Masonic Memorial!Your ticket for the event is a First Night badge, which gives you access to all entertainment and activities at spots around Old Town. This year’s First Night headquarters is the Durant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron Street, just blocks from King Street Metro Station.

Start your New Year’s Eve fun in the afternoon with the Third Annual First Night Fun Huntbetween 1 and 4:30 p.m. The scavenger-style hunt uses puzzles and clues to take teams to sites around Old Town. Families can also take part in new crafty afternoon activities from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N. Union St.), which is providing free art projects. Starting at 7 p.m., with your First Night badge and schedule in hand, stroll Alexandria’s charming historic streets among venues, or hop on and off the free King Street Trolley to catch your favorite acts. Check out fabulous entertainment at venues including the Torpedo Factory Art Center, the Little Theatre of Alexandria, historic Christ Church, and the Lyceum. Museums, public buildings, and even retail shops are turned into performance venues to showcase incredible regional and national talent.

A First Night badge, which costs $20, gives you access to all entertainment and activities taking place at locations throughout Old Town. Children 12 and under are free! Go towww.FirstNightAlexandria.org for the complete schedule of shows and activities and to buy admission badges. Explore dining options and plan your visit to Alexandria atwww.VisitAlexandriaVA.com.

City of Alexandria Announces Schedule of Services for the New Year’s Day Holiday

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

All City of Alexandria government offices will be closed on Monday, January 2, 2012, in observance of the New Year’s Day holiday.

Refuse Collection: Residential refuse and recycling will not be collected on January 1. Collection services will be delayed by one day during the week of January 1. Christmas trees may be set out at the curb for recycling collection on Saturday, January 14, and Saturday, January 21. The Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling Collection site is open on December 31 and closed on January 2.

Parking: On January 1-2, the Alexandria Police Department will suspend enforcement of parking restrictions at metered spaces, as well as time restrictions in residential permit parking districts and other areas with signed parking time limits.

Health Facilities: The Alexandria Health Department (4480 King St.), the Casey Health Center (1200 N. Howard St.), and the Teen Wellness Center at T.C. Williams High School (3330 King St.) will be closed on January 2.

Hotlines: All emergency hotlines operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including the child protective services hotline at 703.746.5800; the domestic violence hotline, 703.746.4911; theemergency services for mental health or substance abuse crisis hotline, 703.746.3401; and the sexual assault hotline, 703.683.7273.

Libraries: All Alexandria Library branches will be closed on Sunday, January 1, and Monday, January 2.

Recreation Centers: On December 31, all Alexandria recreation centers will be open during their regular business hours. All City of Alexandria recreation centers will be closed on January 1. Chinquapin Recreation Center will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., all neighborhood recreations centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Lee Center will be closed on January 2.

Schools: The Alexandria City Public Schools are closed through January 1, reopening January 2.

State Offices: The General District Court, Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, the Circuit Court, and the DMV Office (2681 Mill Rd.) will be closed on January 2.

Transit: DASH bus service will operate on a Saturday schedule on December 31. DASH bus service will not be operating on January 1. DASH bus service is operating on a Sunday schedule on January 2.

Trolley: On December 31, the King Street Trolley will operate on an extended schedule until 1 a.m. to provide transportation for the First Night Alexandria event. The King Street trolley will operate on a normal schedule on January 1-2.