The Agenda: New Year's Eve
1. Deer Valley's Annual Torchlight Parade
Getting the party started at Deer Valley.
Image: Deer Valley Resort
Who says New Year's Eve celebrations need all be on December 31? On Friday, December 30, get bundled up and head over to Deer Valley's Snow Park Lodge for the annual family-friendly Torchlight Parade. The "red snake" will begin making its way down the Big Stick ski run on Bald Eagle Mountain, behind Snow Park Lodge, at around 6 p.m. Complimentary hot cider and cookies will be served on the Snow Park Plaza. Make a evening of it with a post-parade dinner at Deer Valley's legendary Seafood Buffet.
2. Alan Cumming at the Eccles Center
Actor, singer, author, and activist Alan Cumming performs in Park City at the Eccles Center for the Performing Arts on New Year's Eve.
Image: Park City Institute
For an off-beat, very adult evening, join the inimitable Alan Cumming for his hit live concert, Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs, with his award winning music director, Lance Horne and Eleanor Norton at Park City's largest performance venue, the Eccles Center for the Performing Arts. By all accounts, this event will be one audience members will not soon forget. Part of a New York Times review of this show's 2015 debut read: "'Have a hankie ready,' he advised early in the evening while flashing a subversive Mephistophelean grin whose message read: You know and I know that underneath our decorum, we’re all ravenous sexual beasts and hooray for that!"
3. Holy Water Buffalo and Badfeather at O.P. Rockwell
Looking to boogie your way into 2017? The Holy Water Buffalo/Badfeather double ticket booked at Park City's newest and most intimate performance venue, O.P. Rockwell, is guaranteed to keep you on your feet from start to finish.
The bros from Holy Water Buffalo are from Park City's nearby pastoral neighbor, Heber City.
Holy Water Buffalo is made up of longtime friends hailing from Heber City, Utah: Thomas Brunson, Jeff Vanderlinden, Zaz McDonald, and Steven Siggard. Their combination of jangly guitar, vocal harmony, deep bass, melodic organ, and dynamic drumming create contemporary original music with an irresistible '60s/'70s throwback back sound.
The Salt Lake City-based Badfeather is making waves in Utah and beyond.
The five-piece genre-bending Badfeather blends classic rock with subtle soul vibes, jam-band jive, a pinch of country-folk boogie, and a glimmer of post-disco funk. Their high-energy, bootie-shaking live performances and tightly crafted tunes are powered by lead singer Rick Gerber's energetic vocals and exuberant stage presence.
Combined with the intimacy of O.P. Rockwell's live performance venue (located in the heart of historic Main Street) and bar staffed with expert mixologists, this New Year's Eve double-bill is not to be missed. Get tickets while you can here.
4. IMAGINE: Remembering the Fab 4 at the Egyptian Theatre
The Egyptian Theatre has been at the center of Park City's thriving performing arts scene since the late 1800s. As such it's very apropos that on NYE 2016 this venerable venue is hosting a band that pays tribute to arguably the most influential rock and roll group ever. From their convincing Liverpudlian accents and Beatles' wit to their pointed boots and totally fab gear, seeing IMAGINE: Remembering the Fab 4 is an entertaining tongue-and-cheek step back in time to the height of Beatlmania. Showtime is 8 p.m.
5. And After-dark Snowshoe Tour and Dinner
Image: Mountain Vista Touring
Those looking to mark the end of 2016 with a low-key immersion in nature should book an evening snowshoe hike with Mountain Vista Touring. NYE options owner and head guide Alisha Niswander recommends include a foray into either Daly Canyon or along the Spiro trail. Daly is located above Main Street, offering easy post-hike access to the dozens of restaurants while the Spiro trailhead is at Park City Mountain's Silver Star base area, home to the cozy Silver Star Cafe.
And these options are just the beginning. For a peek at more NYE events--as well as happenings in and around Park City for the rest of the winter season--check out our jam-packed events calendar here. Happy New Year!!!
