Uptown Charlotte an Alcohol-Free Way to Hail New Year

Patrick Schneider

The world may not have ended but the year almost certainly will, and the city of Charlotte is ready to welcome the next with a celebration friendly for families rather than beer companies. Complete with children's entertainment, evening festivities, an ice skating rink and of course the new year's countdown, Charlotte is ready to bring in the new year with a bang.

Charlotte Center City Partners at Uptown Charlotte will host a full night of activities Dec. 31 for those who wish to celebrate the start of 2013 without alcoholic toasts.

First Night Charlotte is an alcohol-free celebration of the new year. Its goal is to advance the public’s appreciation of visual and performing arts through accessible, affordable and shared cultural experiences. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy local dining before the Queen Charlotte crown is raised to ring in 2013.

Artists, dancers, singers, circus performers and scientists entertain the crowd in uptown Charlotte.