Everyone has their own take on New Year’s Eve celebrations. There’s the standard Times Square event if you like big crowds, loud noise, big-name celebrities, lots of confetti, and the bitter cold. Or if you prefer a more exotic fiesta, then go for a warmer, south of the border variation, where there’s plenty of cervezas dropping while people party by la playa. There’s even an option of watching a ginormous fish drop at the stroke of midnight if you’re in the Midwest. And of course, some simply prefer sitting on their couches in the quiet of their homes while watching the big ball drop on Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Starring Ryan Seacrest and People from Good Morning America That You Don’t Really Know. But if you’re in the Southeast, you know the place to be on New Year’s Eve is downtown Atlanta—a Southern-fried variation of Times Square, where, naturally, a peach drops as the seconds count down.
Held at Underground Atlanta in the heart of the Peach State capital’s downtown area, surrounded by skyscrapers, Atlanta hotels, and throngs of screaming party goers, an 800-pound, brightly lit peach descends from atop a high pole for 58 seconds before ringing in the New Year with a bevy of fireworks, confetti, and fun. It’s been an Atlanta tradition for more than 20 years now, and is an event that is televised internationally and attracts visitors from near and far—more than 100,000 last year.
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What are you doing New Year’s Eve? You didn’t forget to plan something in the midst of all the hype around that other holiday did you? Come on, it’s New Year’s Eve! It’s your chance to 
1) Explore 
2) Savor Vermont’s culinary offerings
Now that the holidays are over (minus 
From the renowned lights of 
People tend to save up their energy reserves for New Year’s Eve festivities, but in Philadelphia, the real fun begins on New Year’s Day. That’s when the 
The Mummers are comprised of five divisions of performers from the wider Philadelphia area. The Comic division, made up of clowns, floats, and traditional pageantry, lampoons modern-day political and social issues (who’s betting on Tiger Woods and Sarah Palin getting roasted this year?). An offshoot of the Comics, the Wench Brigades distinguish themselves with their scores of dudes wittily adorned in dresses. The String Band Brigades are all about music, and a lot of music it is, as a string band can average 64 pieces! Their original compositions are brought to life by string and percussive instruments, as well as accordions and glockenspiels; no brass instruments are permitted, ensuring a sound distinct from conventional parade marching bands. Ornate costumes and performances involving floats are the hallmarks of the Fancies, while the Fancy Brigade (in an ironic twist, not to be confused with the Fancies) put on mini-musicals incorporating elaborate props, precision drilling, and Broadway-style choreography. I told you the Rose Parade has nothing on the Mummers. 
Spending the holidays in Portland? It’s a great town for it. Hopefully, you’ve finished all your shopping. (If not, at this point I strongly recommend 
December 24, Noche Buena, is a special night in Mexico. Numerous traditions take place on this night in homes throughout the country – from mansions in Mexico City to simple thatch palapas in the Yucatan. While the settings may vary, the customs remain the same. You might even find some of these events taking place in 
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