Kids will create hats and noisemakers, decorate giant numbers and count down to the new year at noon at Port Discovery Children’s Museum’s fourth annual “Noontime New Year: An International Celebration,” featuring Italy. The official countdown, led by Maryland Public Television’s Bob the Vid Tech, will begin promptly at 11:59:50 a.m. At the stroke of noon, families will ring in the new year with a milk and cookies toast and confetti toss. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free with museum admission of $11.75 for ages 2 and up. Port Discovery Children’s Museum, 35 Market Place, Baltimore. www.portdiscovery.org
WHO’S IN TOWN
Psychedelic rock jam band Dark Star Orchestra re-creates a Grateful Dead set list from New Year’s celebrations of the past at tonight’s Cosmic New Year’s Eve at Rams Head Live downtown. Festivities include a champagne toast, finger foods and party favors. 7 p.m. $79. Rams Head Live, 20 Market Place, Baltimore. www.ramsheadlive.com
MUSIC
Head to The 8×10 early for sets by Mad Sweet Pangs and Three Fifths. Or, head to the afterparty with New Orleans’ joyous musical ensemble Rebirth Brass Band. 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. (Rebirth Brass Band). Various prices. The 8×10, 10 E. Cross St., Baltimore. 410-625-2000; www.the8x10.com
Deanna Bogart Band fire up the stage on the last night of the year with Todd Bauchspies. Tickets include appetizers, a gourmet buffet dinner, dessert and a champagne toast at the stroke of midnight. 6:45 p.m. $109 (plus tax, fees and gratuity). Rams Head OnStage, 33 West St., Annapolis. 410-268-4545; www.ramsheadonstage.com
Head to the Ottobar for a night of dance and music featuring The Country Devils, Whale Show La Bianca, Cold Cold Heartbreakers and more. Burlesque and cocktails await! 10 p.m. $10 general admission; $20 all-you-can-drink admission. The Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St., Baltimore. www.theottobar.com
ART
The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts and the City of Baltimore’s second annual Baltimore Sculpture Project is great for out-of-town guests. Show them the city while checking out various outdoor sculptures throughout downtown: McKeldin Square Sculpture Park in the Inner Harbor, the Artscape Festival site on Mt. Royal Avenue near the Maryland Institute College of Art, Preston Gardens on St. Paul Place, the Baltimore Convention Center, and the Station North and Highlandtown Arts & Entertainment Districts. For more information, visit www.highlandtownarts.com/park.html
Before you liven up the night, spend the day with the dead. The special dead, that is. Discover the secrets of one of the Walters Art Museum’s most important works of medieval art in the new exhibit “The Special Dead: Exploring the Medieval Cult of Saints.” What awaits you is Christian cult relics from late antiquity to the end of the Middle Ages and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today to Sunday; The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., Baltimore. 410-547-9000; www.thewalters.org
EVENTS
James Joyce Irish Pub hosts New Years Eve with great food and live music. Reserve a spot this morning for a delicious three-course meal, champagne toast and live music by the band Someone Else. 7 p.m. $43 plus tax and tip. James Joyce Irish Pub and Restaurant, 616 S. President St., Baltimore. 410-727-5107; www.thejamesjoycepub.com
Toast the new year at the USS Constellation New Year’s Eve Deck Party, and watch the fireworks high above the Inner Harbor explode. A special twilight menu will be served with local ale, wine, mulled cider, and coffee. Proceeds benefit the Museum’s education programs and restoration projects. Call to reserve your spot now. 8 p.m. $60 to $75. Pier One at the Inner Harbor, 301 E. Pratt St., Baltimore. 410-539-1797
DJ Xclusive and DJ RobCee spin tunes till the clock strikes 12, while guests nibble on gourmet hors d’oeuvres. A champagne toast (Moet for VIPs) kicks off 2009. 8 p.m. $40 to $60. Mosaic Lounge 34 Market Place, Baltimore. 410-262-8713; www.mosaic-lounge.com
Baltimore’s funky jam band All Mighty Senators rock Ports America free New Year’s Eve Spectacular. Dress warmly and watch the fireworks at midnight sparkle and sizzle. 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Free. Inner Harbor at Light and Pratt streets, Baltimore. 410-332-4191
