PARTIES TONIGHT

• PJ O'Reilly's in the city will be open and the popular venue is offering free live music from acoustic artist Matt Dent. Doors open 5pm, kitchen open from 6pm, no entry fee and open until late.
• Civic nightspot Tongue & Groove is offering all-night entertainment from Jungle Jerry, “a multi-talented master of musical manipulation.” Also at Tongue & Groove, the Chandon cocktails will be $9, a bottle of vintage Chandon will be $30 and a bottle of Moet will be $80.
• Hippo is celebrating the start of Canberra’s centenary “in truly opulent style”. The party limited to 100 people at $100 per ticket includes drinks and tapas plus music by Ashley Feraude and Kosta Ellis. Doors open at 8pm.
• MonkeyBar is throwing “a sexy Latino and R&B beach party”. Latin, party and R&B tunes will be be blended with a mixture of party favourites. Doors open at 7.30pm and entry is free before 9pm. Those bedecked in beach or party attire can enjoy drink specials.
• Novotel Canberra and One Restaurant and Bar is celebrating New Year’s Eve with a special menu and glass of sparkling wine on arrival. Two courses costs $55 and three courses costs $65. Two sittings are available: 6pm-8pm, or 8.30pm-11pm. Bookings are essential on 62455000.
• Academy nightclub will have 18+ revellers partying to the sweet sounds of Timmy Trumpet, a jazz musician turned global dance music man. Tickets cost $14.95 plus a $3 booking fee. Tickets can be bought via www.moshtix.com.au.
• The White Eagle Polish Club is dishing up some live music from 7pm tonight to 3am on January 1, 2013. Members and the general public can come along to the event that will feature the musical stylings of No Hausfrau, the Wanninashvilles and Nozl. The menu will feature Polish food and beverages, music and dancing. Entry costs $20-$30. Tickets are available from www.trybooking.com/CEXN.

FAMILY EVENTS

• Fun for everyone can be had out in Civic at New Year’s Eve in the City, which runs from this evening to 1am on January 1, 2013. At this all-ages event that kicks off at 7pm, the main stage in Civic Square is to feature two Canberra bands, Heuristic and Tuchasoul supporting main act Diesel. Garema Place will feature pumping dance music for Bass in the Place from 9pm, featuring the mixing talents of Timmy Trumpet, DJ Rawson, DJ Chris Fraser and Runamark. For those who need to get to bed early, there’ll be a fireworks show at 9pm. The midnight fireworks show with its state-of-the-art pyrotechnics will be set to a special soundtrack to ring in the new year.

SHOPPING HOURS ON NEW YEAR’S DAY

• Canberra Centre 10am- 4pm
• Westfield Belconnen CLOSED (Some department stores remain open)
• Westfield Woden CLOSED (Some department stores remain open)
• Tuggeranong Hyperdome 10am- 4pm