New Year's Eve fun

You can join thousands of other Middle Tennesseans — and people from around the country — in Nashville for the annual Music City New Year's Eve Bash on Broadway, featuring headline performer Lynyrd Skynyrd.


The free downtown street event kicks off at 7 p.m. today on First Avenue and Broadway, with live performances from numerous bands, and culminates with the dropping of a 15-foot tall red music note.


The "Music Drop" will trigger a fireworks display and confetti cannons after its 115 descent in the seconds prior to midnight.


For those sticking around Rutherford County, there are ample local venues where you and friends can ring in the new year right.


In Providence, there's always Bright Night in Providence. They've got an evening of celebration including poetry, comedy, a food court, skating, discounted tickets to a masquerade ball, music, storytelling, theatre (stationary and roaming) and dancing. Tickets are available day-of and online, $15 before Dec. 31, $20 after (kids and seniors $15).


In East Greenwich, the Greenwich Hotel is planning a year's end celebration coinciding with their regular Open Mic night. There's no cover, a free grand buffet, champagne toast, party hats and noise makers, according to the hotel's facebook post.


In Narragansett, head down to the Village Inn for a family-friendly New Year's event to benefit LINKS. Enjoy a blackout bash for the adults while the kids enjoy a neon PJ party in a separate room. Learn more here.


In Woonsocket, revelers can turn to Chan's where the Fat City Band will perform during their New Year's Eve Bash with dinner buffet, entertainment, hats & noise makers, champagne toast at midnight and dancing.


City Side also has a celebration planned with What Matters providing music for their festivities from 8 p.m. till 1 a.m.


In Cranston, you can watch the ball drop at Mardi Gras nightclub on Oaklawn Avenue for New Year festivities. The nightclub is throwing a bash featuring a Champagne toast, DJs, live music by AC/DC Tribute Dirty Deeds, Godsmack tribute Voodoo and Good Ol Boys. Along with the music comes a complimentary grand buffet at 7 p.m. and prizes including a 32-inch flat screen TV, Bruins tickets and a snow board. Cover is $20.


Or, stop by Rhodes on the Pawtuxet for a New Year’s Eve Ballroom Gala. Join Randy Deats and Kathy S. Jean for dancing, music, a seated buffet in the historic 15,000 square foot ballroom. It also includes a show by Nikolai Pilipenchuk and Natalia Skorikova, the 2011 World Professional 10-Dance Champions.