Friday, December 30
The Party Starts Early
What: New Year’s Eve Eve Celebration
When: 8 p.m.-12 a.m.
Where: Urban Forage Winery & Cider House, 3016 E. Lake St., Minneapolis
Celebrate 2017 a day early, on Urban Forage’s one-year anniversary. Their event space will soon be turning into a taproom, and they will be asking for customers’ help in the color palate. A $10 entry fee gets customers appetizers, two drinks, and live music, plus special pricing on bottles, and the debut of a brand new wine. Early partygoers will receive hot mulled cider, on the house. Tickets can be purchased online. urbanforagewinery.com
Walking in a…
What: Gingerbread Wonderland
When: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Where: Norway House, 913 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis
Walk through the Norway House’s exhibition featuring Twin Cities landmarks made entirely out of gingerbread, from U.S. Bank Stadium to the James J. Hill House, to the State Capitol. Pastry chefs and bakers from Crave Catering and Sweet Retreat will craft all gingerbread creations. Kids 12 and under are free, and tickets are just $5 for adults. norwayhouse.org
Saturday, December 31
Have a Ball
What: Betty Danger’s New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball
When: 9 p.m.- 1 a.m.
Where: Betty Danger’s Country Club, 2501 Marshall St. NE, Minneapolis
Don your best gown or tux, and mask, for an elaborate celebration to ring in 2017. Tickets include three cocktails, an ’80s dance party with DJ Jan Marshke and She’s in Parties, sleigh rides in the sky, their rooftop Winter Wonderland, a champagne toast, and plenty of Hors D’oeuvres. Tickets can be purchased online.
Raise a Pint
What: A Very Surly New Year’s Eve
When: 5 p.m.- 12 a.m.
Where: Brewer’s Table at Surly Brewing Co., 520 Malcom Ave. SE, Minneapolis
Ring in the New Year with a five-course dinner and expert beer pairings, plus an exclusive champagne inspired beer, available only on New Year’s Eve. Enjoy an amouse bouch pickle plate, chilled seafood, Caesar salad, coulotte steak, and banana cream pie, plus limited edition pours of six Surly favorites. Reservations can be purchased online. surlybrewing.com
Sunday, January 1
Happy Zoo Year!
What: Noon Year at Como Zoo
When: 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Where: Como Zoo, 1225 Estabrook Dr., St. Paul
A New Year’s celebration just for kids who slept through the ball drop. Enjoy a kid’s dance party, contests, prizes, craft making, special animal enrichment, and hundreds of beach balls dropping at noon. comozooconservatory.org
A Tribute to Fitzgerald
What: FitzFirst@Four
When: 4 p.m.
Where: Common Good Books, 38 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul
Participate in a monthly discussion, held on the first Sunday of every month, dedicated to St. Paul native F. Scott Fitzgerald. This month’s installment will be looking at The Crack Up essays, penned in 1935, ten years after The Great Gatsby. The discussion will be led by historian Laura Iandola, and is free for anyone who wants to participate. thefriends.org
