Weekend Adventure: On the road for New Year’s Eve

Nothing beats the excitement of ushering in a new year. It’s a moment when you want to be in good company in a memorable place.

Here are a few within driving distance of the Charlotte area that are sure to get your new year off to a festive start.

Annapolis, Md.

Susan Campbell Park, City Dock; festivities begin at 3 p.m. Dec. 31. The city welcomes 2016 with entertainment for the entire family under a heated tent. Festivities include two sets of fireworks over the Annapolis harbor. The Radio City Band takes over the stage in the countdown from 9 p.m. until midnight. Recognized as Annapolis’ “best party band,” the group will take a trip down memory lane. Free. Distance: 6.5 hours. Details: www.visitannapolis.org.

Richmond, Va.

VCU Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St., 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Dec. 31-Jan.1 The RVA NYE event moves indoors to Virginia Commonwealth University’s state-of-the-art Siegel Center (capacity: 6,000). This dance party features music from Gent & Jawns, Mass FX and DJs Doddie Braza and Hoody. Tickets are $20/advance, $30 at the door. Distance: 4.5 hours. The event is for 21 and older. Details: www.rvanye.co.

Greensboro

Avett Brothers concert, Greensboro Coliseum, 8:30 p.m. Dec 31. The Avett Brothers, one of North Carolina’s favorite traditional folk/rock bands, combine bluegrass, country, punk, pop melodies, folk, rock, honky-tonk and ragtime to produce a novel and creative sound. The event promises to be a magical celebration with 20,000 fans singing along to match the band’s crazed energy onstage. Opening act: Asleep at the Wheel. Distance: 90 minutes. Get tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.

Durham

Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave., starting at 8 p.m. Dec. 31. Head here for live music and time travel. The band JFK Jr. will perform hits from the Reagan through Clinton years. Guests are encouraged to dress era-appropriately – or for the future. The Time Machine event includes a champagne toast as well as snacks for the early birds. Tickets are $15. Distance: 2 hours 15 minutes. Details: www.motorcomusic.com/event.

Columbia

Famously Hot New Year with singer Lauryn Hill, on downtown Columbia’s Main Street; Hill goes on at 10:30 p.m. and will play until the countdown for 2016. FHNY is a free, outdoor street celebration that draws a diverse, all-ages crowd (28,000 people last year) from all over the nation to downtown Columbia. The headliner this year is a multiple Grammy-winner for her breakout album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” Distance: 90 minutes. Details: www.famouslyhotnewyear.com.

Jacksonville, Fla.

Downtown Jacksonville Riverfront, 8 p.m.-midnight, Dec. 31: Say goodbye to 2015 with more than 100,000 of your new best friends gathered on the beautiful St. Johns River to ring in the new year with live music, food trucks, performances and great fireworks. Any spot along the riverwalk is a good one to watch the fireworks launched from the middle of the river on two barges. The show is free. Distance: 5 hours 40 minutes. Details: www.makeascenedowntown.com.

This story was originally published December 25, 2015 at 5:49 AM with the headline "Weekend Adventure: On the road for New Year’s Eve."