Christmas is almost here, and that means the new year can't be too far away. Looking for something fun to do to welcome in 2016?  Here are a few ideas to get you started:

First Night Tacoma, Thursday, Dec. 31, Theater District, Downtown Tacoma, $10, www.firstnighttacoma.com.

This annual family-friendly, alcohol-free event begins with free activities all day Thursday, Dec. 31, including free admission to the Museum of Glass, free ice skate rental at the Franciscan Polar Plaza Ice Skating Rink, free admission to the Tacoma Art Museum, and free admission to the Tacoma Children's Museum. Then as the sun sets, the evening's festivities begin with a parade through the Theater District of downtown Tacoma, which is followed by an evening of music and revelry. More than 50 local artists will entertain on 10 different stages around the Theater District, and a single $10 button admits the holder to all stages, all night. There will even be an opportunity for the less inhibited to participate in the Monkey King Spectacular, an event to celebrate 2016, the year of the Monkey. To learn more about participating in the Spectacular, contact Martha at Martha@en-joyproductions.com or 206.463.0002. Tickets are available online, at most branches of Columbia Bank, and as part of a special discount room package from the Hotel Murano located at 1320 Broadway Plaza in Tacoma. To learn more about this very special deal, contact the Hotel Murano at 253.238.8000.

Some other options for ringing in the new year are listed below.

New Year's Eve Celebration, 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., Rooftop Ballroom, Landmark Convention Center, 47 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, $75, 253.272.2042, www.letitbearrangements.com.

Hosted drinks, tasty snacks and a live DJ will have you dancing in the New Year.

New Year's Bash 2016 with Revisit Steppenwolf,  6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill, 16003 Pacific Ave. S., Spanaway, $25, 253.507.7808.

Celebrate the new year with Revisit Steppenwolf, a Steppenwolf cover band that includes original members of both Steppenwolf and Pegasus. Tickets can be ordered at www.digitalrevolutionradio.com. The price includes a buffet and champagne to toast in the new year.

New Year's Eve Celebration with DBST and Eldridge Grave and the Court Supreme, 9 p.m., Rhythm and Rye, 311 Capitol Way N., Olympia, $10, 360.705.0760.

Dance in the new year with a great line-up of local bands.

New Year's Eve with Ben Union, Nolan Garrett and Cody Raymond, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., Jazzbones, 2803 6th Ave., Tacoma, $20 for reserved seating, $15 for general admission, 253.396.9169, www.jazzbones.com.

From pop to grunge to soul, this is your chance to dance the night away with some great Northwest musicians. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the music begins at 9 p.m.

New Year's Eve Celebration, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., The Brotherhood Lounge, 119 Capitol Way N., Olympia, $5 cover, 360.352.4153, www.thebrotherhoodlounge.com.

DJs Slimrock and Funk will be spinning funk and soul all night long. There will be a balloon drop at midnight and party favors for the first hundred people through the door. Half of all cover charges will be donated to Planned Parenthood.

Puttin' on the Glitz Hotel Package, Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel, 12888 188th Ave. SW, Rochester, $349, 1.800.720.1788, www.luckyeagle.com.

Cost covers a standard room at the Lucky Eagle Hotel, $25 free play in the casino, Cordon Rouge French Champagne, two souvenir flutes, and admission for two to the Fire and Ice New Year's Eve Party. Truly a New Year's Eve to remember.

New Year's Eve with Roy Wood, Jr., 7:30 p.m., Tacoma Comedy Club, 933 Market St., Tacoma, $22 for general admission, $26 VIP front row, 253.282.7203, www.tacomacomedyclub.com.

Two shows: one at 7:30 p.m. for folks 18 and over, and one at 10:30 p.m. for those 21 and over, will have you laughing all the way into 2016. The 10:30 show will include a midnight champagne toast and dancing until 2 a.m.

New Year's Eve at Great American Casino with Chapter 5, 8 p.m., Great American Casino, 10117 South Tacoma Way, Lakewood, $20, 253.396.0500, www.greatamericancasino.com.

The doors open at 8 p.m. and the concert begins at 9 p.m. Tickets available only at the door and there are no reservations. First come, first served.

New Year's Eve Celebration at the RAM, 9 p.m., all locations (see below), www.theram.com.

Tacoma: 3001 Ruston Way, 253.756.7886

Puyallup: 10403 156th St. E. #101, 253.445.1005

Puyallup: 103 35th Ave. SE, 253.841.3317

Lakewood: 10019 59th Ave., 253.584.3191

Lacey: 8100 Freedom Lane NE #C, 360.923.5900

Well drinks, house wines and 18 oz. RAM beers for just $3.50, free party favors at midnight, and the RAM's outstanding full dinner menu spell plenty of New Year's Eve fun.