Celebrate the New Year close to home

Des Plaines hosts New Year's Eve on the Plaza

7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 to 12:30 a.m., headquartered at Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St. Free trolley rides to "off site" events.

Trolley stops:

1. Library Plaza East.

2. Des Plaines History Center, 781 Pearson St.: Crafts for kids; win local restaurant gift certificates; 7:30-11 p.m.

3. St. Mary Church, 795 Center St.: Bingo, with prizes, 7:30-11 p.m. Cards given to the first 250 at 7 p.m. when doors open at St. Mary. All adults over 21 welcome; but event has seniors in mind.

4. Metropolitan Square - free parking in the garage.

5. Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St. Doors open at 7 p.m. Face painting and "Twister the Clown" 7:30-11 p.m.; at 7:30 p.m. Ronald McDonald gives free cheeseburger coupons to the first 150. "Circus Boy" performs at 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.

6. First United Methodist Church, 668 Graceland Ave.: Compete in "family karaoke" to win gift certificates. Doors open 7 p.m.

7. Library: Live entertainment 7:45-10:30 p.m. with band Route 66. Winners of the summer Idol competition perform at about 9 p.m. Appetizers served 7:30-10 p.m. while they last.

• Bowling: Limit 64 bowlers for each time slot, 7:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. (first-come basis) at Sim's Bowl, 1555 Ellinwood St. Get tickets at the library.

• Free horse drawn carriage rides (Library Plaza west lot)

Approaching midnight

• Midnight countdown and diamond drop in Library Plaza beginning at 11:15 p.m. Confetti cannons, electronic fireworks, grand prize drawings (at 11:30 p.m.), music and pyrotechnics until 12:30 a.m.

• Raffles: Get free tickets inside library. Drawings begin at 11:15 p.m. on the Plaza (winners must be present).

• A large screen will project the New York New Year's Eve celebration at 11 p.m.

Elk Grove Village New Year's Party

3-6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31 at The Pavilion, 1000 Wellington Ave. Decorate your own masquerade mask, dance, ride on the carousel, play in Jumps n' Jiggles, and swim at the Pavilion Aquatic Center. Tickets at the Pavilion and the Al Hattendorf Center. Admission: $5 when purchased by Dec. 30; $8 Dec. 31. (847) 437-9494.

Hoffman Estates: New Year's Eve Fun Skate

Hoffman Estates Park District Event, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 31 at Hoffman Estates Park District Community Center & Ice Arena, 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates.

Wheeling New Year's Eve at Chevy Chase

7 p.m. Dec. 31-1 a.m. Jan. 1 at Chevy Chase Country Club, 1000 N. Milwaukee Ave. Dancing to the Falconaires, a 20-piece big band. Dining and dancing package is $110 a person and includes cocktail, buffet dinner, open bar, champagne toast and a balloon-drop at midnight. Dancing-only option is $50 per person and includes open bar, champagne toast and balloon-drop. (847) 465-2311 for advance registration.

For the young ones

New Year's Eve celebration, 11 a.m.-noon Dec. 31, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Best for ages 5-10; a craft, game, New Year's resolutions and noisemakers. Registration required. (847) 459-4100 or www.indiantrailslibrary.org.