The Peabody New Year’s Eve Party
149 Union Ave.
For a night with an upscale touch, celebrate New Year’s Eve at the historic Peabody Hotel.  Festivities will feature live music on three stages, including music from Lord T & Eloise and Gabby Johnson, and a balloon drop at midnight.  The cost is $35 per person, and partygoers must be at least 21.  For more details, call 901-529-4000.


Memphis Bop Club New Year’s Eve Bash
Marriott Hotel
2625 Thousands Oaks Blvd.
Dance the night away with a nod to times gone by.  For $45 you’ll get a night of dancing, featuring bop, shag, swing, and come country, party favors, champagne to toast the New Year, and a delectable breakfast at 1:00 a.m.  And, if you need a place to crash after all that dancing, you can book a room at the Marriott for $79.


Senses New Year’s Eve Extravaganza
2866 Poplar Ave.
This Memphis hot spot will cater to a range of tastes for its fifth annual New Year’s bash..  DJ Cody Rogers and Will Host will have the tunes pumping in the main room while a VJ from Mark Anderson Television will show an assortment of classic and contemporary music videos in the Orange and Ultra Lounges.  And, for those who prefer their New Year’s revelry more subdued, the Martini Lounge Bar will serve as the “chill out” room.  Guests will also have a shot at winning $1000 in “Senses Cash.”


Countdown on Beale
Needless to say, Beale Street will be the epicenter of New Year’s Eve celebration in Memphis, with live music at Handy Park as well as in a number of the bars and clubs on the street.  On top of that, there will be a champagne toast and fireworks. 

Of course, Beale Street won’t be the only place rocking New Year’s Eve.  There’s already a ton of shows lined up across the city: http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/MusicEvents?StartDate=2008-12-31


New Year’s Eve Zoo Snooze
Are you looking for a child-friendly environment for your kids to get in on the New Year’s celebration?  Then what could be cooler than a night at the Memphis Zoo?  The Zoo Snooze will give kids ages 6-12 the chance to go on a nighttime safari, get a sneak peek at the preparation of the animals’ meals, enjoy a host of snacks, games, and activities.   The event runs from 6:30 pm. to 10:00 a.m.



New Year’s at Noon at the Children’s Museum of Memphis
2525 Central Ave.
If you’re kids aren’t night owls, don’t sweat it, just take them to the Children’s Museum to ring in 2009 early from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  After receiving their “passports,” kids will get a glimpse of New Year’s customs and celebrations from across the globe.  The event culminates with a march to Time’s Square and the much-anticipated “goody toss.”  All the day’s activities are included in regular admission.

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2008 AutoZone Liberty Bowl
335 South Hollywood St.
The holiday excitement doesn’t end with the last of New Year’s Eve streamers and balloons have fallen.  For college football fans, the holiday season means bowl season—34 bowl games, culminating with the BCS Championship on January 8th.  Catch some of the bowl season excitement in person here in Memphis on January 2nd at the 2008 AutoZone Liberty Bowl.  This year’s 50th Anniversary game pits the East Carolina Pirates against the Kentucky Wildcats.  East Carolina, a familiar Conference USA foe to Memphis fans, enters the game with a 9-4 record on the heels of a 27-24 victory over Tulsa in the CUSA Championship.  At 6-6, Kentucky doesn’t carry the same momentum into the game, having lost four of its last five regular season games.  But with the time off leading up to the Liberty Bowl, the SEC battle-tested Wildcats will likely prove a formidable opponent for the Pirates.

Jason Middlekauff