While Christmas for many people is a time to stay at home and spend time with close friends and family members, New Year's Eve is the time to go out and party.
This year, several locations are hosting events sure to prompt Greenwood residents to dust off their dancing shoes.
Probably the largest New Year's Eve party in town is at The Alluvian, which hosts an annual gathering that draws crowds of hundreds.
"The Alluvian New Year's Eve Party has become an annual tradition in Greenwood as well as throughout the entire Delta," said Steffany Ward, communications manager for the Viking Hospitality Group.
The 21 and up event will begin with drinks in the lobby at 3 p.m. and will continue through until midnight.
Entertainment will include Charles Buchanan and Danny Abraham in the lobby lounge and Pryor Buford Graeber and the Tombstones and featured group The SoulSations in the party tent.
Guests will be treated to a variety of hors d'oeuvres and also are invited to try The Alluvian's signature 2009 drink, The Midnightini. At midnight, complimentary champagne and party foods will be passed around.
The Alluvian also is offering special hotel packages for the event, which include in-room champagne, two free drinks during happy hour and bloody marys and mimosas with breakfast on New Year's Day.
Tickets to The Alluvian New Year's Eve Party are $60 per person and dress is fashionable/festive.
For more information, call 453-2114 or visit www.alluviannewyearseve.com.
Out in Carrollton the Carroll County Market will host New Year's festivities of its own featuring music from Jimbo Mathus and the Tri-State Coalition.
"It's kind of country-rock-blues-funk," said Greg Jones, co-owner and manager of the venue.
The Carroll County Market will be serving its full menu from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. before the band starts playing, and from 9 p.m. until midnight guests will be treated to complimentary champagne and hors d'oeuvres.
The restaurant serves beer and has a "bring your own bottle" policy for wine and liquor.
Jones said they also are planning to have an outdoor fireworks presentation at midnight. Tickets to the party are $35, but the fireworks will be open to the community.
As for the dress code, Jones said it's nothing fancy.
"Our place is really casual. It's not black tie or anything like that, but most people get dressed up for New Year's," he said.
For more information, call 237-1133 or visit www.carrollcountymarket.com.
For those looking for a more formal way to spend their evening, Yianni's is offering a four-course dinner with wine pairings in conjunction with Gallo Winery.
The event will include a cocktail hour from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., the single-seating wine dinner from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and entertainment from the Eden Brent Band from 9 p.m. until midnight.
Yianni's owner and head chef Ryan Halloway said this isn't the first wine dinner they have hosted, but it's the first time they've done it on New Year's Eve.
Halloway said a representative from Gallo will be on hand to introduce and discuss the wine with each course. The courses will include corn and crab bisque, an antipasto plate, filet mignon and white chocolate bread pudding.
"It'll be a presentation between us and Gallo Winery," Halloway said.
Tickets are $85 plus tax and gratuity, and should be purchased by Tuesday. In addition to the food, wine and entertainment, the price also includes a complimentary shuttle service at midnight.
For more information, call 455-6789.
The Greenwood Country Club also is hosting a New Year's Eve party for members and their guests.
The bar and cocktail buffet will open at 6 p.m., and guests will be entertained by the Curb Service Band and the Curvettes from 8:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.
Champagne will be passed around at midnight.
Melanie Gregg, office assistant at the Greenwood Country Club, said they are looking forward to the event.
"We've got a lot of people coming," Gregg said.
Tickets are $60 per person, including limousine transportation from the party, and attire is semi-formal.
