Christmas, with all its merriment and excess, is over and just around the corner is Jan. 1, a time for reflection, for good intentions about health and moderation.
But there's plenty of time for that later -- after you've had one last 2015 blowout on New Year's Eve. If going big means for you means going out, you've got options.
Celebrations
Downtown New Year's Eve celebration and fireworks show -- The biggest party in the city is family-friendly and free -- and it's all centered around Town Square, starting at 5 p.m. and ending with Anchorage's official fireworks show at 8 p.m. There will be street performers, carnival games, food trucks, a children's ice gallery, a petting zoo on Fifth Avenue, live music from I Love Robots and Big Fat Buddha and light projections around Town Square. Adults have the option of two beer gardens, provided by Humpy's and The Avenue. There will be discounted parking for the entire evening: The Fifth Avenue garage will be $3 and the Sixth and Seventh Avenue garages are $5. New Year's Day garage parking is free. (anchoragedowntown.org, 279-5650).
Rewind 2015 party at the Hotel Captain Cook -- No better way to put a party spin on the season's requisite nostalgia than this event, where DJ Lefty will play hits from the '70s, '80s, 90s and this century. There will also be games, door prizes, a buffet and a Champagne toast at midnight in the Captain Cook Ballroom. Tickets $75 at brownpapertickets.com. (939 Fifth Ave., 276-6000)
Black tie, lingerie and toga party at Humpy's, Flattop and Sub Zero -- From 5-8 p.m. there will be a beer garden on F Street with hot drinks from SteamDot Coffee Company and a full bar, perfectly positioned to catch the fireworks show at 8 p.m. After that, you can dance till 2016 and beyond with DJ Spencer Lee at Humpy's, DJ Just Adam at Sub Zero and DJ Cross at Flattop, plus there will be party favors and a midnight Champagne toast (cover is $10 at the door). Must be 21 or over. (humpysalaska.com, 276-2337)
Crystal Ball at the Dena'ina Center -- Get gussied up for a fancy night out at the Dena'ina Center, with free party favors, music and dancing. All guests will be entered to win 100,000 Alaska Airlines miles and a David Green fur coat. Tickets $40 general admission and $80 for VIP access at ticketmaster.com (table rates available as well; call 222-2926 to reserve). From 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Dress code will be enforced (no baggy pants, T-shirts, tennis shoes or ball caps).
Ska at Williwaw -- Anchorage's newest concert venue will celebrate its first New Year's with ska band Reel Big Fish (with Nervis Rex opening). Williwaw's special dinner and show offer includes a four-course meal before the concert and rooftop access to enjoy the fireworks. $50 general admission, $60 day of and $100 dinner and a show package at williwawsocial.com.
'License to Party,' a Bond-themed New Year's at Sheraton -- If you prefer a martini and a smart tux to ring in the new year, this may be the party for you. There will be a magician, casino games, a Bond villain costume contest and appetizers (and an early breakfast). The Sheraton will even have a Daniel-Craig-as-Bond impersonator on hand. Tickets $75. More details at movin1057.com/jbnye, VIP tickets are on sale at Dooley's. (401 E. Sixth Ave., 276-8700)
'Noon year's eve' at the Anchorage Museum -- This is a special midday celebration for children. Learn about the science behind confetti cannons and make craft projects leading up to the big moment when the clock strikes noon. Price included in admission to the museum. Starts at 11 a.m. (anchoragemuseum.org, 929-9200)
The Whipsaws & Jack River Kings at Tap Root -- The Whipsaws will rock a cover set of the Drive-By Truckers' fifth and highly acclaimed studio album, "The Dirty South." Jack River Kings and special guests will also perform. Doors at 8 p.m., show starts at 9:30 p.m. Tickets $20 at the door and taprootalaska.net. Ages 21 and over. (3300 Spenard Road, 345-0282)
VivaVoom Brr-Lesque and Koot's NYE party -- VivaVoom Brr-Lesque? will present "A New Year's Tease," in which members of seven Alaska burlesque troupes will perform an "anything goes" show. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. (and you'll want to get there early to get a good seat). Tickets $25 at newyearstease2015.brownpapertickets.com. Rounding out the evening at Koot's are bands I Like Robots and The Homicidal Supermodels and DJs Gre and Just Adam. $15 cover, 21 and over.
Beer, bubbles, family fun and the Spenerds at Hard Rock -- If your little ones get cold standing around in Town Square, the ground floor of Hard Rock will have plenty to warm up to, including a hot cocoa station, ice cream sundae bar, face painting and games and crafts from 5-8 p.m. On the second floor there will be a "beer and bubbles" tasting from 8-11 p.m. Stick around past midnight with music from the Spenerds downstairs (9 p.m.-1 p.m.). Tickets to the tasting are $25-$50 at beerandbubbles.brownpapertickets.com; partying on the main floor with the Spenerds is free. (274-7625, hardrock.com/cafes/anchorage)
Party and fireworks viewing at PubHouse -- Located at the base of Inlet Tower, the PubHouse Gastropub will party till 2:30 a.m. There will be a live jazz quartet from 7-11:30 p.m., DJ Haunted Surfer from 12:30-2:30 a.m., a special menu and a Champagne toast at midnight. They'll also let everyone up to the 14th floor to take in the fireworks at 8 p.m. (1020 W. 12th Ave., 276-0110)
New Year's Eve with the Aces -- If formal parties or crowded bars aren't really your thing -- but hockey is -- you can get some ice time with your New Year's. The Alaska Aces will play Utah Grizzlies games on New Year's Eve as well as Jan. 1-2. All games start at 7:15 p.m. at the Sullivan Arena. Tickets $10-$35 at alaskaaces.com. (1600 Gambell St.)
Torchlight parade at Alyeska Resort -- In Girdwood, skiers and snowboarders will descend the mountain on New Year's Eve with torches in hand, creating a parade of lights from top to bottom. Stake out a spot near the resort's day lodge for the best view of both the procession and the fireworks that come after. Torchlight parade starts at 8:30 p.m. If you plan to make a night of it, Alyeska Resort's Pond Cafe will be serving a New Year's buffet and Seven Glaciers is featuring a prix fixe dinner, and there will be a band at the Sitzmark. (alyeskaresort.com, 800-880-3880)
DeadPhish Orchestra at Sitzmark -- DeadPhish Orchestra bills itself as "a seamless web of Phish and (Grateful Dead) to split open and melt your face!" They'll get the dancing going into the new year at the Sitzmark in Girdwood. Doors at 9 p.m., show starts at 10 p.m. Tickets $20. 21 and over.
New Year at Spenard Roadhouse -- From 10-1 a.m., Spenard Roadhouse will be open late for people to party. There will be a photo booth, party favors, a fire pit, and a special late night menu, fillet with bone marrow for $36 and a New Years Resolution cocktail at $9.50. Must be 21 or over. (www.spenardroadhouse.com, 770-7623)
Dinners
Crow's Nest: Prix fixe meal with two seatings at 5 and 8:30 p.m. $125 with no wine; $175 with wine. Call 276-6000 after 5 p.m. or 343-2228 before 5 p.m. (Hotel Captain Cook, 939 W. Fifth Ave.)
Crush Wine Bistro and Cellar: Prix fixe meal with two seatings at 6 and 9 p.m. The 6 p.m. menu is a four-course meal at $65 per person and an additional $30 with wine. The 9 p.m. menu is a six-course meal at $95 per person and an additional $35 with wine. Call 856-9197 for reservations. (343 W. Sixth Ave.)
Jens': Prix fixe meal at $85 per person. Call 561-5367 to make a reservation. (701 W. 36th Ave., jensrestaurant.com)
Kinley's Restaurant: Prix fixe meal for $65 per person with optional wine pairing for $35 per person between 5-9:45 p.m. Call 644-8953 to make a reservation. (3230 Seward Highway, kinleysrestaurant.com)
Kincaid Grill: Prix fixe meal for $80 per person, additional $40 with wine. Call 243-0507 for reservations. (6700 Jewel Lake Road, kincaidgrill.com)
Marx Brothers: Prix fixe meal at $95 per person and early seating at $120 per person. When finished with your meal, a glass of Champagne and a limo ride to your next destination is included. Call 343-6190 to make a reservation. (121 W. Seventh Ave., marxcafe.com)
South: Bottles of bubbles will be popping from 10 p.m. until 2016. No RSVP or ticket required. There will be a Louis Roederer Champagne Bar along with a special late-night menu. Bring your party favors and noisemakers and enjoy this fun and festive occasion. 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Thursday, South Restaurant and Coffeehouse, 11124 Old Seward Highway. Free admission. Drinks and food are on you. (770-9200)
Seven Glaciers Restaurant: Prix fixe meal, five courses at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood for $79 per person. Call 754-2237 to make reservations. (alyeskaresort.com/dining/seven-glaciers-restaurant.aspx)
Table 6: Live music at 8 p.m. featuring Will H. Johnson. Call 562-6000 to make a reservation. (3210 Denali St. #8, table6.net)