Party favors: Events to help ring in the new year in style

Ready to move past 2011 and celebrate a fresh year on the horizon?

Yeah, we are, too.

If you want to do something a little more exciting than watching Kathy Griffin eviscerate Anderson Cooper in Times Square on CNN, and if you're not up for rocking in another year with Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest, there are many, many celebrations on both sides of the Bay where you can raise a glass and celebrate a new page in the calendar.

Be safe.

NEW YEAR'S EVENTS

Dance into 2012: "Caliente," a Bay-area band, will play ballroom, tango, swing, salsa and rock; 7:30 p.m. Saturday; $22; Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Blvd. South, Gulfport; (727) 893-1070

First Night St. Pete 2012: A family-friendly celebration with fireworks, live music, entertainment, dancing, games and art; 5 p.m. Saturday; free to $12; multiple venues in downtown St. Petersburg; (727) 823-8906

New Year's Extravaganza: Fritzy Bros. One Man Circus will perform throughout the day, from 2 to 10 p.m.; face and body painting from 1 to 9 p.m.; main stage band Shotgun Justice will perform from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m. and midnight Saturday; St. Pete Pier, 800 Second Ave. N.E., St Petersburg; (727) 821-6443

New Year's Eve Gala: John Timpanelli Supper Club will pay tribute to songwriters. Dinner and show with party favors, Champagne toast and dancing; 7:30 p.m. Saturday; $50; The Quality Inn, 5316 U.S. Highway 19, New Port Richey; (727) 379-6557 or (727) 326-2374

Swingin' the New Year: Swing Time and Swing Gang will host a celebration with music, dancing, midnight countdown and balloon drop; 7 p.m. Saturday; $18.99 to $23; St. Petersburg Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N., St. Petersburg; (813) 579-4645

New Year's Dinner: Carmel Café & Wine Bar will offer a select menu of Mod Med dishes and wine pairings to welcome the New Year; 9 p.m. Saturday; $35 to $75; Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar, 14306 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 265-1415; or 2548 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater; (727) 724-4228

Laugh In 2012 With Michael Palascak: Palascak is the winner of HBO's "Lucky 21" competition and Comedy Central's "Open Mic Fight: Chicago." Party favors, Champagne toast, music and dancing after the show, and a complimentary continental breakfast; shows at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday; $60-$65; Side Splitters Comedy Club, 12938 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; (813) 960-1197

New Year's Eve Disco: Featuring Gloria Gaynor, Sister Sledge and Maxine Nightingale singing their hits "I Will Survive" and "We are Family." Champagne toast at midnight and pre- and post-party in the atrium; 8 p.m. Saturday; $75 to $150; Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg; (727) 892-5720

New Year's Eve: The TradeWinds is "Rockin' in the Midnight Hour" with festivities, food and performances by the Greg Billings Band; 9 p.m. Saturday; $99; TradeWinds Island Grand, 5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach; (727) 367-6461

New Year's Eve with Pat Travers Band: Ring in the New Year with the classic rock artist Pat Travers and special guests Sean Chambers and The Jimmy Griswold Band; 8 p.m. Saturday; $35 to $40; Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive, Largo; (727) 587-6793

New Year's Eve at Busch Gardens: Countdown to 2012 with rides, musical entertainment and fireworks; 9 a.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday; $71.99 to $79.99; Busch Gardens, 10001 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa; (888) 800-5447

New Year's Eve Party and Fireworks Boat Cruise: Ring in the New Year at the Florida Aquarium by celebrating Aqua-Eve. The celebration includes live music and complimentary food and wine. At midnight there will be a fireworks display and Champagne toast. Attire is downtown chic or black tie; 9 p.m. Saturday; $90 to $100; The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa; (813) 273-4000

Noon Year's Eve: Ring in the New Year family-style at the annual Noon Year's Eve daytime celebration with Radio Disney AM 1380, games, arts and crafts. Noisemakers, hats and a juice toast with countdown at noon; 9:30 a.m. Saturday; cost is zoo admission; Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa; (813) 935-8552

Rooftop Eve: Celebrate in an outdoor ballroom overlooking the Tampa Bay skyline; entertainment by The Flats and DJ Papi. Proceeds from the event benefit Heartbeat International; 9 p.m. Saturday; $100 to $250; Hyde Park Village Rooftop, 1610 W. Swann Ave., Tampa; (813) 299-0636

Isley Brothers New Year's Eve Concert: The Pentatonix from NBC's "The Sing-Off," and Stormbringer will open for the Isley Brothers in concert; 8 p.m. Saturday; $131.50; The Club at Treasure Island, 400 Treasure Island Causeway, Treasure Island; (727) 367-4511

The Cowhead Show: Celebrate the New Year with "The Cowhead Show" hosted by comedian Gary Cannon and performances by Pitbull Toddler and Paper Stanleys; 9 p.m. Saturday; $25; The Ritz Ybor, 503 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; (813) 247-2555

New Year at The Pier: Santata and the Rock 'n' Chair Band will perform; 1 p.m. Sunday; St. Pete Pier, 800 Second Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg; (727) 821-6164

- Jessica Balanza