Our gig guide will put some sparkle into NEW YEAR

From fantastic festivals to big name acts, thrills and spills, it’s the night to get out and party like it’s 2019...

YOU could keep things simple with some Jools Holland on the telly, an open fire and a tipple or two of your choice.

Or, you could start as you mean to go on in 2019 and really put some muscle into your New Year’s celebrations.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year (well, after the week we’ve just had), but if you’re going to do it right, and with your loved ones in tow, it’s an occasion that requires forethought.

Brave the madding crowds without a plan in place and your evening is destined to go a bit pear-shaped. Yet opt out entirely, and there’s a strong chance that the dreaded FOMO will eventually hit. If you’re of the persuasion that hitting the tiles with a plan is the way forward, we have no shortage of suggestions. NEW YEAR’S FESTIVAL, DUBLIN December 31 & January 1 Ticket prices vary TAKING place in the city centre over two days, five massive, familyfriendly events look set to rock the capital.

As Dublin’s iconic Custom House becomes the centre of festivities, you’ll be blown away by worldclass performers at the Liffey Lights Midnight Moment (6pm or 11.30pm, free, but tickets need to be booked in advance).

Here, high-flying aerial and aquatic performers take over accompanied by a dazzling light show featuring over 100 aqua beams and spotlights.

Elsewhere at the festival, you could do worse than ring in the new year with some Irish rock royalty: Gavin James celebrated a great year and heads up the bill at the 3Countdown Concert (with support from Hudson Taylor , Wild Youth and Inhaler), before the lighting of The Spire takes place at midnight.

Tickets for the 3Countdown Concert (which include admission to the Liffey Lights Midnight Moment) are up to €29.90, but many events in the festival are free. See nyfdublin.com for the lowdown. WILD LIGHTS Dublin Zoo, daily until January 7. Tickets are €20 (adults) or €15 (children) THROUGHOUT December, the spectacular Wild Lights show has been thrilling zoo visitors of all ages. Using giant illuminated sculptures and intricately-crafted silk lanterns, exotic animals are brought to life like never before. After you’ve been left speechless by Chinese performers putting on a showstopping display, revellers can cosy up with delicious bites and warm drinks at the Chinese craft market. See dublinzoo.ie for details on how to book. NYE RACING, PUNCHESTOWN December 31. Tickets €15. BY now a much-loved tradition, the New Year’s Eve Countdown has the sense of occasion that most race meets evoke, with a few extras thrown in for the time of year that’s in it.

Locals and families alike enjoy mulled wine and mince pies, as well as some of the most exciting race action around.

For €79 per person, race-goers can access the trackside venues, the grandstand and bookmakers, and enjoy a four-course lunch. The first race starts just after midday. See punchestown.com for details. POLLY & THE MAGIC LAMP Runs until January 6 at the Olympia Theatre, Dublin A contempory riff on the childhood classic Aladdin, the Olympia’s annual Christmas panto is a long held Dublin tradition that rarely fails to disappoint.

This year’s all-star line-up includes DWTS alumni Erin McGregor and Jake Carter, James Patrice, Fair City actor Ryan Andrews and West End star Rob Andrews. Tickets cost from €17-37. See

olympia.ie for booking information. TURNING PIRATE NYE MIXTAPE Vicar Street, Dublin, December 31, tickets €36 IF you’d like to celebrate with the cream of Irish music doing what they do best, here’s your chance. Booka Brass, Wallis Bird, Cathy Davey, Richie Egan (Jape & The Redneck Manifesto), Gavin Glass and I Have A Tribe will be pulling out the stops with an evening of songs and surprise collaborations. Expect some of the world’s best-loved party tunes and a few asyet-unannounced surprises to boot. See vicarstreet.com for tickets and information. HOTHOUSE FLOWERS Cork Opera House, Cork city. December 31, Tickets €29.50 Not for nothing are Hothouse Flowers one of Ireland’s most enduring rock bands. This year, they celebrated 30 years since the release of their

debut album, People. Earlier in the year, they honoured their busking roots with a handful of well-received gigs on Dublin’s Henry Street, O’Connell Street and Grafton Street. Trust us when we say that with their arsenal of hits, these rock greats know how to get a party started. See corkoperahouse.ie for booking information. NATHAN CARTER INEC, Killarney, Co. Kerry, December 31, tickets from €32.90-€35 COUNTRY star Carter was such a resounding hit in the kingdom for New Yea’s Eve last year that he is set to make a triumphant return to the INEC to ring in another New Year. Fans will find themselves in fine company, not least because the Liverpool heartthrob will be joined by Sharon Shannon. In short, expect to celebrate with a night of rousing country anthems and barnstorming trad. See inec.ie for more information. HERMITAGE GREEN AND THE O’MALLEYS Dolans, Limerick, December 31, tickets €20/€10 IT’S only fitting that Limerick’s favourite musical sons, Hermitage Green, will be raising the roof on the city’s bestloved venue this New Year’s Eve.

They’ve continued a smooth glide into the big leagues this year, and it’s expected that 2019 will be an even greater year for them.

Meanwhile local heroes The O’Malleys return to Upstairs at Dolans’ for their infamous New Year’s Eve party. CORK ON ICE Runs until Jan 27 at Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Cork, tickets from €14 (1 adult) or €13 (1 child, peak hours). AT this 800sqm ice-rink, more than 500,000 skaters have cut their teeth (not literally, fortunately) on the rink over the last ten years.

Whether you’re a novice, or more comfortable on your blades, everyone is catered for. There’s also a separate rink for kids aged three to ten, which is always supervised, while the penguin club will help your little ones find their ice legs. The rink runs until January 27, and similar events will be held in Blanchardstown, Waterford and Mullingar too. See iceskating.ie for information. JACK L’S NYE XTRAVAGANZA The Everyman, Cork, December 31, tickets €30 WITH his first album in five years, Magic Days, making great strides, the much-loved troubadour returns to the Everyman in Cork with his unforgettable voice and stage presence. If Big Band revelry is your thing, Jack L’s show is not to be missed. MASQUERADE BALL The Rowing Club, Woodquay, Galway, December 31, tickets €27.30 (incl. booking fee) IF you’d like to ring in the New Year with a side order of serious sexiness, this classic Masquerade Ball is just the ticket. Expect to be serenaded by a jazz trio on arrival and handed complimentary prosecco – after that, the night will only get better.

Formal/black tie is heavily encouraged, given the night that’s in it.

And really, what more excuse do you need to ramp up the glamour? Tickets for the night can be found on eventbrite.ie. NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE ROISIN DUBH Dominic Street, Galway, December 31, tickets €25 THE Roisin Dubh rarely disappoints when it comes to a roofraising gig, and their New Year’s Eve offering is proof of that.

Le Boom bring the noise alongside Paddy Hanna, Kneecap and Bob Skeleton. A perfect sampler of the best in new Irish music in the City of the Tribes.

See roisindubh.net for details on how to book. FUNDERLAND Runs until January 4 at the RDS, Dublin, (admission is €3 for an eight-hour stay, but attractions need to be purchased. Alternatively, buy an allinclusive POP wristband for €33.50, or €94 for family of four). WITH an outdoor ice rink, a Christmas market and indoor and outdoor attractions, there’s something for everyone in the family at this perennial festive staple.

All the old favourites will be there too along with the Funderland Loop, Ireland’s only looping roller coaster. Strictly for those without hangovers. See funderland.com for information. NYE PARTY AT WRIGHTS Swords, Dublin, December 31, tickets €21.54 (€317.04 for penthouse table bookings, via eventbrite.ie) AND now for something completely different: billed as the country’s biggest NYE party, Wrights of Swords will be counting down to a new year with a special Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

Expect top DJs, fancy dress and a sheer spectacle. No better place to fall down the rabbit hole and into 2019. Tickets for the night can be bought in advance at eventbrite.ie