By Mary Sisk
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — What are you doing for New Year’s Eve? If your answer was nothing, keep reading.
We gathered 14 things to do in the Rockford area this weekend that range from children’s activities to grown-up celebrations and events for people of all ages.
Here are 14 ideas for things to do, but you can always find more on our events page.
More news: Each month’s most-read Rock River Current stories in 2022
Is your New Year’s resolution to watch more hockey?
Then you’re in luck: The Rockford IceHogs are playing the Chicago Wolves on Saturday at BMO Center, 300 Elm St.
The Hogs also face-off against the Grand Rapids Griffins at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the BMO Center. That game features the Alpine Hammy hat giveaway.
Quick facts
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28; 4 p.m, Saturday, Dec. 31
Tickets: Click here
Celebrate the new year on the riverfront
A New Year’s Eve Celebration at Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront Hotel is happening Saturday.
The evening will include a buffet, live entertainment and drinks. Reservations are required.
Quick facts
Where: Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront & Rockford Conference Center, 416 S. Main St., Rockford
When: 7:00 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 31
Tickets: Click here
Related: How to get a free safe ride home on New Year’s Eve in Winnebago County
Love bowling or maybe just winning gift cards?
Cosmic Bowl New Year’s Eve Party at Park Lanes happens Saturday.
The evening will includes 3.5 hours of unlimited bowling and gift card giveaways.
Quick facts
Where: Park Lanes Bowling Center, 5318 N. Second St., Loves Park.
When: 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 31
More info: Click here
Slide down the Snow Park
Snow Park at Alpine Hills opens for the season on Wednesday.
“As soon as the first flurries fall, we get calls asking about an opening date, so we are thrilled to be able to see everyone on the hill again,” Braden Hacker, manager of Snow Park at Alpine Hills, said in a news release. “The snow park provides a fun and convenient opportunity for many to enjoy winter. The terrain hill will not be open yet as we will need to make
more snow for all the features so unfortunately snowboarders and skiers must wait a little bit longer.”
Quick facts
Where: Snow Park at Alpine Hills, 4402 Larson Ave., Rockford
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Jan. 1; 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays starting Jan. 4; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays after Jan. 4.
More information: alpinehillsadventure.com; Snow park conditions: 815-889-2001; Main line: 815-966-8737
See ancient animals and Earth
Art of the Earth: Dire Wolves shows participants visual representations of the ancient Earth and animals and teaches them how to draw it.
This 60-minute paleo art class on Friday is $24 for nonmember adults, $22 for nonmember youths and $5 for members at the Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St.
Quick facts
Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 11 a.m. to noon or 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, Dec. 30
Tickets: Click here
Do you really miss leg warmers? Celebrate NYE 80s style
New Year’s Eve 80s Bash at Rockford Casino happens Saturday starting at 10 p.m. at Rockford Casino: A Hard Rock Opening Act, 610 N. Bell School Road.
Attendees can come in 80s attire or not, and there is no cover charge.
Where: Rockford Casino: A Hard Rock Opening Act, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford
When: 10 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21
More information: Click here
Related: Rockford Casino marks 1-year anniversary with event that honors veterans and best customers
Is midnight a bit too late for your kids?
No worries! Take them to the Discovery Center Museum to celebrate New Year’s early.
The event will include a countdown, party hats, confetti and more excitement for your little ones.
Where: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
When: Noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 31
More information and tickets: Click here
Getting some skating in before the year ends
Go ice skating at Frosty Fridays public skate session from 7-9 p.m. Friday at Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park.
Admission is $8, which includes skate rental. This event reoccurs every Friday.
Quick facts
Where: Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park
When: 7-9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 30
More info and tickets: Click here
Go see the lights
The All Aglow holiday light display will be lit all weekend and available for your viewing at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St.
The lights are on from dusk until dawn, but the park closes at 10 p.m. Admission is free, though donations are accepted.
Quick facts
Where: Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford
When: Open daily, but park closes at 10 p.m.
More info: Click here
Start the new year prehistorically
The Holocene Holiday event happens from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday at Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St.
The day will include multiple events focused on the animals of the Ice Age. Some of the interactive stations that will be at the event are Ice Age Survivors, Pleistocene Plants and more.
Quick Facts
Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St.
When: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 30
More info and tickets: Click here
Even more lights
The annual Illuminated: A Lighted Garden Experience event reoccurs 5-8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday at Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road.
The event includes numerous light displays, pizza from Woodfire, various food trucks, and live carolers on Fridays and Saturdays.
Admission is free for Premium Gardens members, free for children 5 and under, $11 for adults, $10 for seniors, $9 for students and military.
Quick facts
Where: Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road
When: Open everyday this week from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
More info: Click here
Big fan of trains and Rockford history?
The Sinnissippi Station Model Train Exhibit is a reoccurring event, open from noon-8 p.m. this Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. 3 p.m. Sunday at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St.
The exhibit features nine structures modeled after Rockford landmarks, as well as other historical structures.
Quick facts
Where: Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St.
When: Reoccurs daily
More info: Click here
Celebrate New Years Eve at the Olympic Tavern
Try the Olympic Tavern New Year’s Eve menu and celebrate the holiday starting at 4 p.m. Saturday.
There will also be a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, special drinks for the event and more.
Quick facts
Where: The Olympic Tavern, 2327 N. Main St.
When: 4:00 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 31
More info: Click here
Go ice skating on synthetic polymer
Enjoy indoor skating on synthetic polymer, crafts and more fun from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St. You don’t even need skates. The setup allows for you to “skate” the synthetic ice in socks.
Admission is $10 public; free to members and children ages 1 and younger.
Quick facts
Where: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Reoccurring through Dec. 30.
More info: Click here
This article is by Mary Sisk. Email her at msisk@rockrivercurrent.com or follow her on Instagram at @maryrrcurrent