There will be no shortage of fun ways for Londoners to ring in 2019 with dozens of New Year's Eve celebrations planned in the city, the biggest of which will take place in Victoria Park.
More than 15,000 people are expected to converge on the park on Monday night for the Start.ca New Year’s Eve in the Park festivities.
"We have programming that starts at 7 p.m. and is geared to kids and families of all ages," said Marcus Plowright, chair of the organizing committee. "There will be the Amabile Choir and The Magen Boys performing. We have two stages and music going non-stop for that period of time. We also have princesses and superheros that are wandering through the crowd filling the kids with lots of fun."
Free hot chocolate and mittens will be handed out before the kid’s fireworks display at 9 p.m.
As the little ones head home to bed, the evening shifts gears and will be offering up an array of musical acts for the adults in the crowd. Award winning party band Swagger takes the stage at 9:30 p.m. The group is known for its high-energy shows and covers of popular pop, rock, and country hits. The group was named the 2017 fan favourite at the Forest City London Music Awards and has been nominated in the same catagory this year.
Sagger's performance will be followed by the London Music Awards’ Rap Pack and the London Music Awards’ Allstars. The Rap Pack includes J.R. Fillion, Sum 01, Ashley Weisbeck, and DJ Alex Ven. The Allstar lineup includes Sarina Haggarty, Darla Stratton, Denise Pelley, Paul Aitken, Kate Channer, Tanya Lovell, Greigg Fraser, Scotty Bollert, and Brent Jones.
Multi-award winning trio M.A.D! is also slated to take to the stage. Since forming in 2017, the alternative metal band won London’s Got Talent and has opened for Sloan.
"Our focus is on local talent. We really want to stress we are doing our best to include as many local performers as possible. But we do it in such a way that everyone recognizes the music and has a great time," said Plowright.
The New Year's Eve celebration wraps up with a fireworks display from the rooftop of city hall at the stroke of midnight.
"As you approach midnight and the crowd builds the park becomes very much like a Time Square environment where there are thousands of people feeding off one another, the music is fantastic, the performers are fantastic, there is a light show and fireworks... These are your neighbours, your friends, your London family that are all coming together to celebrate the new year," said Plowright.
While the weather won't be as frigid as last year when the temperature dropped below minus 20 C, Plowright recommends anyone coming to the park dress according to the conditions. Environment Canada is calling for clouds, a 40 per cent chance of flurries and a low of 0 C on Monday night.
The annual outdoor celebration is a free event.
Numerous other establishments throughout London are also hosting New Year's Eve bashes. The London Music Club at 470 Colborne St. will have a show and dance featuring Pete Denomme and the club's Allstar band starting at 8 p.m. There will be a hot and cold buffet and a Champagne toast at midnight. Cost $65 per person.
The Marconi Club at 120 Clarke Rd. is having a Masquerade Ball. Doors open at 8 p.m. Cost $40 per person.
Wolfeman DJ will provide the entertainment at the German Canadian Club's celebration at 1 Cove Rd. The night will include a light buffet, party favours and a Champagne toast at midnight. Cost $50 per person.
The London Club at 177 Queens Ave. is offering a four-course dinner and dance starting at 6:30 p.m. Cost $100 per person or $35 per person for the dance only.
The Delta Armouries at 325 Dundas St. is also holding a lavish dinner and dance. Cost $105 per person.
Revellers can take in some harness racing at the Western Fair District Raceway. The evening includes the Auld Lang Syne Pace and Auld Lang Syne Trot, music and dancing in the Carousel Room and a Champagne toast at the Top of the Fair at midnight. Tickets range from $65.99 to $69.99 per person.
Those looking for something a little more low key can head to the Victory Legion Branch at 311 Oakland Ave. for a classic country dance party. The London Knights are in action at Budweiser Gardens. They will play the Sarnia Sting at 4 p.m.
Earlier in the day, the London Children's Museum on Wharncliffe Road will host its family New Year's countdown from 9:30 a.m to noon and at 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The London Transit Commission is again offering free bus rides on New Year's Eve from 8 p.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Tuesday. Drivers will also be able to park for free in 19 city-owned parking lots in the downtown, Richmond Row and Old East between midnight and 1 p.m. New Year’s Day.
