Farewell to the old with Last Night and Lakes Region events

WOLFEBORO — In February or March, as the new year is just starting, Linda Murray and her committee assess an event that Lakes Regioners look forward to each Dec. 31: Last Night Wolfeboro.

Last Night takes place on New Year’s Eve, Sunday, Dec. 31, with events during the day, ending with 6 p.m. fireworks over Wolfeboro Bay. Planning the New Year’s event is a big job that Murray, who chairs the special events committee that presents Last Night, enjoys. 

The event began years ago when Wolfeboro’s Economic Development Committee heard from local businesses that they wanted special events to bring in visitors. It made sense to offer a family-oriented New Year’s Eve with daytime activities for all ages. 

Murray, a selectboard member in Wolfeboro for many years, understands what visitors to Last Night might want to see and do on New Year’s Eve day, from music, puppetry, games for children, ice skating, food and more. 

After the event, Murray and her committee form an idea for the following year’s Last Night, and by May or June, they begin to contact groups as they outline the upcoming New Year’s Eve lineup of events. 

“By September or October, we have monthly meetings, and in November and December, our meetings are weekly, and we focus on fundraising to meet Last Night expenses,” adds Murray.

As chair of the special events committee, Murray has a chance to help choose events and entertainers that appeal to all ages.

“I can’t say I have a favorite event; I love everything about Last Night because I enjoy seeing families have fun together,” she says.

Last Night will offer events galore on New Year’s Eve day, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Great Hall in Wolfeboro Town Hall at 84 S. Main St. with games and crafts; C3Brix - LEGO fun; the Maker’s Mill smoothie bike; displays/games by Kingswood Youth Center; Wolfeboro Fire Department; Girl Scout Troop 2271 offering snacks and a light lunch for purchase; and Yum Yum Shop gingerbread decorating. A popular Wildlife Encounter live animal show is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and is a favorite event for youngsters.

An escape room by The Resistance from the Kingswood Regional High School robotics team runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wolfeboro Train Station at 32 Central Ave. in Wolfeboro.

Ice skating will be available at Brewster’s outdoor rink (behind Anderson Hall) from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. A waiver and helmet are required; bring your skates. The inclement weather site will be at the Pop Whalen Arena at 390 Pine Hill Road in Wolfeboro from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Also at Brewster Academy at 1 and 2:15 p.m. will be bingo sessions in Estabrook Hall, hosted by the Wolfeboro Lions Club. 

Family events will occur at the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro at 115 S. Main St. At 1 p.m. Just Bob + Marrla will present a puppet show, and there will also be stories and songs, followed at 2:30 p.m. by folk band Peter Heimlich and the Unusual Suspects, sponsored by the Wolfeboro Senior Citizen’s Club. Further FCCW events will include The Carolyn Ramsay Band at 4:30 p.m. 

At 6 p.m. fireworks will happen over Wolfeboro Bay. The bad weather alternate fireworks day will be Dec. 30 at 6 p.m. An inclement weather announcement will be posted on the Last Night Wolfeboro Facebook page and Wolfeboro Town website (wolfeboronh.us). 

Elsewhere in the Lakes Region, those who want to celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day have many choices. The Colonial Theatre in Laconia has scheduled a Broadway New Year’s Eve Bash from 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2024. The evening will feature karaoke, trivia, a photo booth, social bingo and more, ending with dancing into 2024. For details, visit coloniallaconia.com.

Tunney Mountain Resort, located at 151 Tunney Mountain Road in Plymouth, will hold a New Year’s Eve celebration and fireworks event on Dec. 31 from 6 to 11:30 p.m. The night will offer dancing, food, fireworks (at 10:30 p.m.), a dessert bar, a DJ performance, champagne toast and more. Visit skitenney.com.

The Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith will feature a play on the classic story "Cinderella" with a twist. The final show takes place on Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. and is geared for all ages. Visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.

Jazz music comes to Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery in Meredith on Dec. 31. The event will offer dinner and a show featuring jazz/torch singer Ashley Warwick at 7 p.m. with a champagne toast, dessert and door prizes. Visit hermitwoods.com.

Giuseppe’s Pizzeria & Ristorante celebrates New Year’s Eve with dinner and piano music by Bob Kroepel; request your favorite songs from a catalog of tunes. Giuseppe’s is located at Mill Falls in Meredith. For information, visit giuseppesnh.com.

A New Year’s Eve party is scheduled for Dec. 31 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Tower Hill Tavern in Weirs Beach. Celebrate with resident DJ Kadence and join in the midnight countdown to 2024. Visit towerhilltavern.com.

Head to Franklin for First Day Franklin from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 1. Kayakers are invited to Trestle Park to run the rapids on the Winnipesaukee River. Spectators can see the kayakers and plungers take on the river. A greeting area with hot chili and soups will be located at the warming tent. Visit franklinnh.org for details.