Closing out 2014, there are plenty of opportunities to welcome the New Year in the Port City. Both family-friendly and adult-only celebrations are available, according to the Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) website.

The Island of Lights New Year’s Eve Countdown Party from 8:30 p.m. until midnight is held every year, alternating between Carolina and Kure beaches, said Frances Massey, president of the Island of Lights organization.

An impressive fireworks display follows the lowering of a giant beach ball to welcome in the New Year at midnight. The free, family-friendly event takes place this year at the Kure Beach fishing pier.

At least 2,000 people attend the New Year’s celebration from as far away as California, Massey said. Bleachers are set up by the town of Kure Beach, and the party in Oceanfront Park features a DJ and dancing.

“The Island of Lights organization is in its 24th year, with at least 20 years of the New Year’s Eve event,” she said.

The first New Year’s countdown was very small, Massey recalled.

“It grows every year. The first beach ball was made with PVC pipe and chicken wire. The kids thought there was candy in it and tore it apart in 30 minutes,” she said.

Now there is a more sophisticated ball that arrives on the Carolina Beach firefighters’ ladder truck and is dropped at midnight. The ball comes apart in eight pieces, to store until the next year.

The Island of Lights organization includes about 40 members. Judy Blough, chairwoman of the New Year’s event, and 15 committee members put the event together, organizers said.

“It brings a lot of people here, and that was one of our goals back when we started – bringing visitors in the winter. We couldn’t do it without our businesses, our community members and our towns,” Massey said.

Hotels benefit from all the New Year’s Eve activities.

Amy Johnson, area director of sales for Courtyard Carolina Beach by Marriott Hotel, said in the five years she has been with the company, the hotel has always filled up for New Year’s.

Since Jan. 1 is in the middle of the week this year, she expects families will come a few days early or stay after the events to make a getaway.

Maureen Donovan, director of sales and marketing for the Holiday Inn Resort at Wrightsville Beach, said they typically see an increase in reservations for New Year’s Eve after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Many families plan brief getaways to ring in the New Year at the beach based on weather forecasts.

For boat cruisers, the New Year’s Eve Winner Party Boat Cruise from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. will include a champagne toast at midnight, dessert and party favors.

The night aboard the Royal Princess II ends with viewing the fireworks display. Reservations are required.

The New Year’s Eve Celebration on North Carolina’s largest riverboat, the Henrietta III, starts downtown at the end of Market Street where guests board. The party will include a buffet of heavy hor d’oeuvres, entertainment, party favors and a champagne toast, going on until 1:30 a.m., according to the CVB website.

For the young crowd, The New Year’s Noon Countdown at the Children’s Museum, 116 Orange St., from 10 a.m to noon gives adults a chance to focus on the kids before heading out for the evening. A toast to 2015 with juice, then creative activities like making a party crown, streamer sticks, glittery slime and more will keep them busy.

Visitors can take in a play, New Year’s Eve: Une Soiree Cabaret!, at TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St., a cabaret with two showings at 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. A three-course meal, champagne toast at midnight and party favors offer guests a cozy indoor option for celebration.

Or go all in at the New Year’s Eve Gala at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St., beginning at 7 p.m. Dinner, drinks, dessert and a live Broadway production by City Stage, plus a DJ, dancing and a champagne toast take the celebration into 2015.

If a nice dinner is what you want before the party, Le Catalan Café, 224 S. Water St. offers Midnight in Paris at 6 p.m. It includes a three course French menu and glass of bubbly, plus “cotillions”.