14 New Year's Eve parties to ring in 2017

As the holiday hubbub swirls and you focus on gifts, gatherings and why exactly Aunt Maria insists on Christmas dinner at 3 p.m., we've been busy researching ways to alleviate some of that seasonal stress.

One idea is to head down to Wilmington's Riverfront for New Year's Eve, which will host a 9 p.m. fireworks show with the viewing party held at the Riverfront Rink on Justison Street. It's been dubbed The Riverfront Fire and Ice Celebration and Constitution Yards Beer Garden at the rink will stay open for the midnight ball drop.

And if you want a nightclub atmosphere, head into downtown to Bobbi Rhians Executive Lounge (302 N Market St.) where they are hosting a "silent soiree" -- their version of a silent disco with patrons listening to music on headphones. It costs $20-$30 for the 9 p.m. party.

We've compiled a list of parties across the state before the arrival of 2017, ranging from Noon Year's Eve bashes for children to booze-fueled nighttime adult romps.

So take a deep breath. It will all be over soon. Until then, daydream about blowing off some stream and make some merry plans as 2016 takes its last gasp.

Friday, Dec. 23, Mad-Sweet Pangs at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington. 8 p.m. If you've missed the psychedelic folk/jam stylings of Mad-Sweet Pangs, then this is their Christmas present to you. The band, which last played in May, now has two members living in California and Hawaii, so gigs are scarce. But with everyone home for the holidays, the quartet that started in Newark will once again take over the downstairs Queen stage and this time the show will be split between originals and songs of The Beatles. Wilmington reggaeact Spokey Speaky opens. $15-$17.

Friday, Dec. 23, Ugly Christmas Sweater Party with Weekday Warriors at 1984, 2511 W. Fourth St., Wilmington. 8 p.m. You know you have one. And this is the night for it to come out. 1984's arcade games, coldbeer and live music will be teamed with God awful Christmas sweaters for this party. Fresh from releasing their new album, "Uppers Downers & All Arounders," Newark's Weekday Warriors (hip hop/funk/rock) will headline with opening sets by Pygmy Hippo and Soundsylvania. Best part? If you wear a sweater, you get $1 off every draft beer in the house. There will also be cookies to help lure Santa to the bar. $5

Saturday, Dec. 24, Deck the Halls Xmas Eve party at Oddity Bar, 500 Greenhill Ave., Wilmington. 8 p.m. Whether your family lives far away or you don't celebrate Christmas, the family at Oddity Bar will be there for you Christmas Eve. The doors open at 5 p.m. for happy hour followed by bartender Devo and co-owner Andrea splitting DJ duties for the night starting at 8. Free.   

Monday, Dec. 26, SPUN XMAS party with Spontaneous Underground at Nomad Bar, 905 N. Orange St., Wilmington, 9 p.m. For the 11th year in a row, Jimmy Dunstan will lead his veteran Wilmington jazz/funk/electronic hybrid through a concert timed to the holidays. The trio will do the December show at Nomad for the first time -- a winning neighborhood playhouse that regularly features live original music. As a bonus, stand-out Wilmington guitarist E Shawn Qaissaunee will join the band.Spunge will DJ between sets. Free.

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTIES AND CONCERTS

10 a.m. New Year's Rockin' Noon at Delaware Children's Museum, 550 Justison St., Wilmington. At the same site where scores celebrated New Year's Eve at the old Kahunaville over the years, a slightly tamer party is set for this year. Children will count down to noon with bags of confetti and noisemakers just like the adults get to do 12 hours later. Wilmington-based We Kids Rock will also perform at the event, which runs until 3 p.m. $8.75.

11 p.m. Noon's Year Eve at the Brandywine Zoo, 1001 N. Park Dr., Wilmington. A similar mid-day party for the little ones will be held at the zoo in Brandywine Park. It will offer games and crafts before a countdown and sparkling cider toast at noon. $5 for 3 and older. Free for members.

7 p.m., DJ Smoky and New Year's Eve party at The Starboard, 2009 Del. 1, Dewey Beach. The good news first: The Starboard's iconic New Year's Eve bash will once again involve professional party-starter DJ Smoky in the booth, a seafood buffet and more. The bad news? The $35 tickets recently sold out. So if you want to get in, you better have some major dirt on owner Monty or you'll be begging for extras on social media like everyone else.

8 p.m., Universal Funk Order at the Gild Hall. 2126 The Highway, Arden. With the Arden All-Starrs taking the year off from their annual New Year's Eve gig in Arden, organizers have turned to one of the state's most energetic bands -- the horn-fueled Universal Funk Order. Expect a bustling dance floor at this potluck celebration. It's $25 and includes beer, wine and soda. $20 for members. 

8 p.m., Rage On at Argilla Brewing Co. at Pietro's Pizza, 2667 Kirkwood Highway, Milltown. The pizza oven might be shaking toward the end of this high-voltage New Year's Eve show as Pennsylvania-based Rage Against the Machine tribute act Rage On teams up with Kennett Square rockers Band of Brothers and Offguardians. With "Bulls on Parade" celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, why not sing your lungs out to usher in 2017? A special four-course holiday meal will be available for purchase. Free.

STORY: Now what? Things to do New Year's Day

8 p.m., Urban Shaman Attack at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington. Wilmington's own jazz fusion four-piece will be joined by saxophonist Ron Sutton Jr. at this upstairs show. Philadelphia's The Late Saints, led by one-time Delaware resident Jacopo De Nicola, will open. $20-$25. 

9 p.m., Love Seed Mama Jump at The Rusty Rudder, 113 Dickinson St., Dewey Beach. As is tradition, the bayside venue will re-open its doors only months after its closing party for this big winter bash. Love Seed will close out their 25th year alongside fellow acts JJ Rupp, The Loop and The Jump Off. DJs Scooter and Andrew Hugh will spin between sets. $100.

9 p.m., Lower Case Blues at Crooked Hammock Brewery, 16989 Kings Highway, near Lewes. When Crooked Hammock tried their first keg drop last year, many of the customers were too, uh, happy after midnight to properly taste the one-time-only holiday brew. This year, the first 100 people will leave with a bottle of the good stuff. Expect quite the party with local favorites Lower Case Blues shredding on stage surrounded by food stations and party people. Eastern Shore country singer Clifford Keith will also perform. $125.

9 p.m., New Year's Eve Heavy Metal Blowout at Bar XII, 1706 Philadelphia Pike, Holly Oak. Count Bar XII among those who thought 2016 totally sucked. The former Mojo 13 will put 2016 to rest with a thunderous show with four metal and hard rock acts: Violence in Ascension, Rapid Intake and Arsonist Choir -- all from New Castle -- will be joined by Newark-based Ascension Drive. Rawk! $5.

10 p.m., The Bullets at Home Grown Cafe, 126 E. Main St., Newark. Delaware's rockabilly kings will bring the swing to Main Street for New Year's Eve. The time-tested trio will mix originals with their deep catalog of covers from all genres, like their rockabilly version of the Foo Fighters'  "Learn to Fly" or The Who's "Love, Reign o'er Me." Free.

10 p.m., Sidepiece at Trolley Square Oyster House, 1707 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington. Acoustic covers duo Sidepiece -- EJ Pappas and Andre Santosa -- will be the designated party-starters on this heated outdoor deck in the heart of Trolley Square. While 2016 was a bummer for some, Pappas had a pretty awesome moment this year -- he bumped into Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl in Dewey Beach and snagged a photo with the former Nirvana drummer. Free.

10 p.m., Man About a Horse, Dogfish Head brewpub, 320 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach. Dogfish's long line of beers will be the star of this party. A "vintage-centric" line-up of 10 different beers from Dogfish's 21 years will be available, along with some hard-to-find bottles. Man About a Horse will bring its Philly-style bluegrass to the stage followed by an Olde School Barleywine toast at midnight. Free.

Contact Ryan Cormier of The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier), Twitter (@ryancormier) and Instagram (@ryancormier).