5 dry(ish) ways to cheers the New Year

Also: WBUR's best photos of 2023; a special year-in-review news quiz [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  December 26, 2023 ❄️ Last call: Tell us a little about yourself in this [very brief survey](. Good Morning Boston, Welcome to our special, end-of-year WBUR newsletter! We've got our year-in-review features, events to check out next month and other tips to make the most of the New England winter. But let's start with some dry suggestions for New Year's Eve weekend. If you're not interested in raising a glass to toast 2024, you might be wondering where to find events that don't center around alcohol on New Year's Eve. Of course, [there's First Night]( Boston's own ([dry]( New Year's Eve event open to all ages. But across the city and into the suburbs, there are a few unconventional celebrations that also offer the same fun with none of the booze. From a funny double feature to a relaxing evening flow, here are five dry ways to ring in the new year. [Zoo Lights at the Stone Zoo]( Friday, Dec. 29 - Sunday, Jan. 7 Hosted at the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, Zoo Lights will feature dazzling light displays illustrating the Yukon Creek, an area that’s home to cold weather creatures like Canada lynx, reindeer and arctic foxes. Visitors can enjoy the Zoo Lights from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. now through Jan. 7. Zoo Lights' musical soundtrack is surely quieter than fireworks, but for those who might be sensory sensitive, there's a toned-down night on Jan. 3. Tickets range from $12-16, with pricing depending on the date of the visit. [New Year's Eve Queer and Trans Hiking Fell-ows]( Sunday, Dec. 31 Reflect on the year past and make some new LGBTQ+ pals when you join Friends of the Fells for a free hike on New Year’s Eve morning. This is a moderately difficult hike — with the potential for icy trails depending on the weather — but it will end with beautiful views of the Boston skyline. Be sure to register in advance. The hike is free and meant for members LGBTQ+ community (and their pets, so long as they’re leashed). [Yappy New Year at Park-9]( Sunday, Dec. 31 Speaking of dogs, [Park-9 Dog Bar in Everett]( will host a “Yappy New Year” party on New Year’s Eve for dogs and their owners. They’ll celebrate the new year twice: Once at 7 p.m. (midnight GMT in London) and once at midnight for the official ball drop in New York City. (Sorry pups, [not that kind of ball drop]( This is not a dry event, but it does center around doggies instead of alcohol. Park-9 welcomes all kinds of party animals — there's no cover charge, and you don’t even need a dog to go (but like many things, it’s probably better with a dog). [Midnight Yoga at JP Centre Yoga]( Sunday, Dec. 31 What do you want to be doing when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve? Sure, you could watch fireworks or fall fast asleep a little early — or you could do some relaxing, reflective yoga. This teacher-led session will start at 10:15 p.m. at JP Centre Yoga and end a few minutes past midnight. Tickets are $40, but the studio offers scaled pricing and optional discounts, too. ['Pee-Wee's Big Adventure']( and ['True Stories']( at The Brattle Sunday, Dec. 31 Before 2024 arrives, go back to the 1980s at Cambridge's Brattle Theatre. The Brattle will host a double feature of "[Pee-Wee's Big Adventure]( and David Byrne's "True Stories" on New Year's Eve (in 35mm format, for the film buffs out there). These two quirky comedies bring on the laughs, making for a truly happy start to the year. Double feature tickets are $16. P.S. — This year we covered everything from the unveiling of a new monument on Boston Common to the 250th anniversary of an iconic act of rebellion. It's time to take our special year-in-review [Boston News Quiz.]( Hanna Ali Associate Producer, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  WBUR's Year In Review [add health story, cut 1, lets keep to 5 because of size constraints, it was clipping] [The photos that helped us tell the stories of 2023]( Here's a look back at the photographs that best helped us tell the stories of 2023. [Read more.]( [The photos that helped us tell the stories of 2023]( Here's a look back at the photographs that best helped us tell the stories of 2023. [Read more.]( [Here are WBUR’s top local health stories of 2023]( These stories of 2023 drew in lots of readers and listeners like you, and their implications are sure to last into the new year, and likely beyond. [Read more.]( [Here are WBUR’s top local health stories of 2023]( These stories of 2023 drew in lots of readers and listeners like you, and their implications are sure to last into the new year, and likely beyond. [Read more.]( [Cognoscenti's best stories of 2023]( We published hundreds of essays and commentaries in 2023. These are the pieces that attracted the most readers, and took up the most space in our hearts and brains. [Read more.]( [Cognoscenti's best stories of 2023]( We published hundreds of essays and commentaries in 2023. These are the pieces that attracted the most readers, and took up the most space in our hearts and brains. [Read more.]( [The bestselling books of 2023, according to 3 Greater Boston bookstores]( From Matthew Desmond's "Poverty By America" to Zadie Smith's "The Fraud," Brookline Booksmith, Harvard Book Store and Papercuts share the bestselling titles from the year. [Read more.]( [The bestselling books of 2023, according to 3 Greater Boston bookstores]( From Matthew Desmond's "Poverty By America" to Zadie Smith's "The Fraud," Brookline Booksmith, Harvard Book Store and Papercuts share the bestselling titles from the year. [Read more.]( [These artists share what inspired them in 2023]( As we reflect on the year, and all of the moments that brought us joy, we checked in with a group of folks that have inspired us at WBUR: members of The Makers and ARTery 25 cohorts. They share the art that inspired them this year. [Read more.]( [These artists share what inspired them in 2023]( As we reflect on the year, and all of the moments that brought us joy, we checked in with a group of folks that have inspired us at WBUR: members of The Makers and ARTery 25 cohorts. They share the art that inspired them this year. [Read more.]( 🔎 Field Guide To Boston - We asked our readers to suggest some New Year's resolutions for Boston. We honestly thought the responses would be mostly silly — i.e. [less rats on trains]( [more Taylor Swift sightings]( — but were pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful ideas residents had to see real growth and improvement across the city. [Check out the collection here.]( - Chilly weather doesn't have to keep you in the house. From skating and snowshoeing to bookshops and hot cocoa, here are some [tips for thriving during a Boston winter.]( - Looking for something to do with family in town? Show them one of these [11 cool spots to catch Massachusetts' rich history in real life](. - If you're heading to a New Year's celebration and want to bring a treat, shop where the professionals go. We asked some of the top local bakers to give us recommendations for [where they get their favorite baked goods and what they order](. - Go deeper: Discover how Bova's Bakery (mentioned at the top of that aforementioned list)[makes their beloved Florentine cannoli.](  Coming Up @ CitySpace - Jan. 4 | Real Self Care: How to redefine wellness in the new year with Dr. Pooja Lakshmin: The new year is a time when many open up new gym memberships or pick try a juice cleanse in an effort to 'start anew'. But is all the effort (and money) really worth it? Women's mental health specialist Dr. Pooja Lakshmin talks about how we can redefine personal wellness and self care. [Tickets range from $5-$25.]( - Jan. 8 | Cultivating a curious palate for kids with Cooking For Levi's Jack Zhang: The Curated Cuisine series returns with Jack Zhang, a stay-at-home dad, chef and foodie whose Instagram page "Cooking For Levi" has provided inspired dishes for parents of picky eaters. He'll be discussing his new book, "Cultivating a Curious Palette." [Tickets range from $5-$25.]( - Jan. 26 and 27 | Jack the Whipper (with a guest appearance by Ses Carny): Former WBUR midday host-turned-circus performer Jack Lepiarz, aka "Jacques ze Whipper," brings back his mix of stand-up comedy and whip-cracking circus tricks, with a guest appearance by Lepiarz' longtime performing partner Ses Carny. [General admission tickets are $35.]( - Jan. 29 | Field Trip: Boxing Night: We'll be transforming the theater into a gym for a boxing-inspired full body workout led by the folks from Rumble Boxing. The music will be bumping during this 45-minute session. [Tickets are $15.]( 🎟️ See the complete winter CitySpace lineup [here.](  Tell Me Something Good [Weird, wild and wonderful stories of joy from 2023]( Let's face it: the news in 2023 was often a grind, confronting us with war, tragedy and controversies. But there were also incredible moments of hope, kindness and joy. [Read more.]( [Weird, wild and wonderful stories of joy from 2023]( Let's face it: the news in 2023 was often a grind, confronting us with war, tragedy and controversies. But there were also incredible moments of hope, kindness and joy. [Read more.]( Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [Time to layer up.]( 😎 Forward to a friend. 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