NOTE: Some events, such as Last Thursday on the Square, Haddon Township’s annual End-of-the-Year Celebration, have been canceled as a health precaution due to concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19/Omicron. Make sure to check on the status of your event. 

It’s almost time to attend the family-friendly First Night Celebration in Ocean City.

The popular, non-alcoholic, New Year’s Eve celebration will be held from 4 to 11:59 p.m. Dec. 31. It will feature more than 70 entertainment programs at 20 different locations in Ocean City. Plus a fireworks display will ring in the New Year at midnight.

Tavares, a Grammy-winning group, with hits including “It Only Takes a Minute," "Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel,” "Don't Take Away the Music” and "More Than a Woman" is the headliner.  

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The event will also feature rides at Wonderland Pier, ice-skating, inflatables, the Harlem Wizards, Dan Cain Mentalist, a karaoke party, magician Chad Juros, a Country Line Dance Experience and the Legacy Band. Grammy-Winning children's singer Tim Kubart and the Space Cadets are among the new acts this year.

The all-inclusive admission buttons for the event are $20.

To purchase a button or for information, call (609) 399-6111 or visit firstnightocnj.com.  

Visitors to the Battleship New Jersey will have an opportunity to view dazzling fireworks as they light up the Philadelphia skyline at 6 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. Dec. 31 and at 6 p.m. Jan. 1.

This year, visitors of all ages can look forward to experiencing New Year’s Eve fireworks on the waterfront, presented by Comcast Military, from the historic decks of Battleship New Jersey. Visitors can turn their visit to Battleship New Jersey into a full-day excursion by touring the battleship and enjoying an evening of live entertainment, food and drinks.

The ship is at 62 Battleship Place in Camden. 

Tickets are $10 for general admission and $200 for the Admiral’s VIP fireworks experience.

Parking is available near the Battleship on Clinton Street for $10.

All guests must sign a COVID-19 Waiver of Liability before boarding. Fully vaccinated guests and children younger than age 3 are not required to wear face masks but are asked to maintain social distancing during their visit.

Proceeds from all purchases will be used for the ongoing restoration of the Battleship New Jersey, a non-profit museum and memorial.

For tickets or information, call (856) 966-1652 or visit www.battleshipnewjersey.org.  

Broadway Theatre of Pitman will present a New Year’s Eve event, “Sinatra: That’s Life Concert!,” featuring Tony Sands, at 8 p.m. Dec. 31.

Sands will perform classic Sinatra tunes including "That’s Life," "Come Fly With Me," "Luck Be A Lady," "My Way," "New York New York."

Holly Faris, who opens the event, will offer a one-woman show with an assortment of celebrity impersonations and comedy.

The theater is at 43 S. Broadway in Pitman.

For tickets or information, call (856) 384-8381 or visit www.thebroadwaytheatre.org. 

Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge will host a First Day Night Hike, for adults only, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 1.

Tickets are $15 per person and advance registration is required.

The refuge is at 4 Sawmill Road in Medford.

To register or for information, call (856) 983-3329 or visit www.cedarrun.org.

For a list of some other “First Day Hikes in New Jersey,” visit www.njparksandforests.org/firstdayhikes. 

Blue Cross Riverrink Winterfest invites visitors to celebrate New Year’s Eve and view the fireworks from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 31 and from 10 p.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.

Tickets for skating sessions are sold out. But spectator tickets are available for $45.

A cash bar will be available.

The Riverrink is at 101 S. Columbus Blvd., in Philadelphia.

For tickets or information, call (215) 925-7465 or visit www.delawareriverwaterfront.com. 

Tradition continues as the Mummers Parade returns to Philadelphia for New Year’s Day.

The Mummers will march beginning at 9 a.m. Jan. 1 from Philadelphia’s City Hall south on Broad Street to Washington Avenue.

The parade, a family-friendly celebration, is free for spectators who want to set up along the route. But tickets are available for $20 for bleacher seats in special viewing and performance areas along the route.

For parade tickets or information, call (800) 537-7676 or visit www.phlvisitorcenter.com/Mummers.   

Also, the Fancy Brigade divisions will perform and compete at the Pennsylvania Convention Center at 1101 Arch St.  

The Fancy Brigade Family Show begins at 11:30 a.m. and the Fancy Brigade Finale performance begins at 5 p.m.

Tickets for this event may be purchased online at www.phlvisitorcenter.com/Mummers or in-person at the Independence Visitor Center at Sixth and Market streets. 

The Big Event Entertainment Experience will host New Year’s Eve parties on Dec. 31.

The events will feature music, bowling, future bowl light show, prizes, party favors, and more, except adjustments will be made for the sensory event.

The Big Event is at 1536 N. Kings Highway in Cherry Hill.

For reservations and information, call (856) 429-0672 or visit www.bigeventfun.com. 

Downtown Hammonton will host a New Year’s Eve Bash/Countdown to Midnight from 10 to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 31 in front of Town Hall on Central Avenue.

The event will feature music, the giant blueberry drop and fireworks at midnight.

Hammonton’s restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries will be open prior to the event so visitors may enjoy a bite to eat and a drink.

For information, visit Downtown Hammonton on Facebook.

Cancer Support Community New Jersey at Gilda’s Club announced that the 2022 Atlantic City Polar Bear Plunge will be held on New Year’s Day on the beach in front of Landshark Bar & Grill at Resorts Hotel & Casino. 

This is the 30th anniversary for the Atlantic City Polar Bear Plunge, and the first year the event will be hosted by CSCNJ. 

The plunge will take place at noon on the beach.  Participants may register in person beginning at 10 a.m. inside of the Landshark Bar & Grill, and are invited back inside for the after party immediately following the plunge. 

The cost to plunge is $25, includes a commemorative T-shirt. 

All proceeds benefit CSCNJ’s mission to ensure that no one faces cancer alone. 

To register or for information, call (609) 926-2699 or visit https://bit.ly/32sMajs.

Information is also available by calling (609) 926-9266 or emailing Jessica@cscnj.org.

Ocean City invites you to celebrate First Day at the Beach, Jan. 1, with a run, plunge and shopping.

The Boardwalk Run, a 5K, starts at 1 p.m. in front of the Ocean City Music Pier. Race-day registration begins at 11 a.m. at the Music Pier at Moorlyn Terrace. Winter hats will be given to everyone who pre-registers and while supplies last. Entry fee is $30 by Dec. 30 or $35 on race day. For information, visit www.ocnj.us/race-events.

The First Plunge starts at 2 p.m. on the beach adjacent to the Music Pier, on the Eighth Street side. Participants should register inside the Music Pier before heading to the beach. Registration is free, but all participants must sign a waiver. First Day At The Beach shirts will be on sale at the Music Pier.

Visitors can also enjoy an all-day shopping extravaganza with discounts at stores on Asbury Avenue and the boardwalk from 5th to 14th Streets.

Plus, free horse-drawn carriage rides will be available from noon to 3 p.m. Board at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.

For information, visit www.ocnj.us.

RK Sports Promotions will host a Sports Card & Collectibles Show from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 1 at the Town Inn.

The show will feature more than 40 tables with old and new sports cards, comic books, starting line-ups, MacFarlane figures, non-sports cards, Magic The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, supplies, unopened wax packs and boxes, autographed memorabilia, sets, posters and more.

The Inn is at 1083 Route 206 North in Bordentown. 

For information, visit www.rksportspromotions.com.       

Enjoy family time at Penn Museum’s Winter Break from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 29 and 30.

Families are invited to visit new galleries and travel the world with exciting tours from the museum’s Global Guides. Enjoy art making, games, storytime and up-close artifact explorations.

Receive a free small hot chocolate or coffee in the café from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., while supplies last.

Also, bring your gently used clothing to help those in need. The museum will collect donations for Project HOME, www.projecthome.org/donate-clothing, and The Wardrobe, careerwardrobe.org/get-involved/clothing-donations, on Dec. 29 and 30. Visit their websites to learn which items are most needed. Visitors who donate will receive a buy one, get one free coupon to return to the museum between Jan. 1 and June 30.

The museum is at 3260 South St., in Philadelphia.

For tickets or information, call (215 898-4000 or visit penn.museum.

A Longwood Christmas will showcase the beautiful contrast of fire and ice and will run through Jan. 9.

Inside it will feature towering trees, flickering lanterns, a refreshing waterway and more. Outdoors there will be a spectacular display, including 500,000 lights, dancing fountains, firepits, a Garden Railway, a café, beer garden and more.

Longwood is at 1001 Longwood Road in Kennett Square, Pa. 

For tickets or information, call (610) 388-1000 or visit longwoodgardens.org. 

Philadelphia Zoo will host LumiNature presented by Chase on select dates through Jan. 9.

The zoo will be transformed into a winter wonderland with lights, nature, sounds, performance artists, seasonal treats, selfie stations and more.

Tickets are $25 for ages 12 and older, $20 for ages 2 to 11 and free for age 1 and younger. Parking is $17. Discounts are available for members.

Tickets are limited and must be purchased online.

The zoo is at 3400 W. Girard Ave., in Philadelphia.

For tickets or information, call (215) 243-1100 or visit philadelphiazoo.org/luminature.

Storybook Land’s Christmas Fantasy with Lights will continue through Dec. 30. Hours are from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy the lights, rides and treats from the snack bars.

Tickets, available online only, are $26.95 for ages 2 and older.

Storybook Land is at 6415 Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township.

For tickets or information, call (609) 646-0103 or visit www.storybookland.com.

VisitSouthJersey.com contributed to this report. Send event information and community news items to lvoit@gannett.com. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription to The Daily Journal/ Courier Post/ Burlington County Times.