You'll find New Year's Eve in Baltimore anchored again down at the Inner Harbor, where the big celebration is being billed as the "Ports America New Year's Eve Spectacular." It all begins at 9 p.m. in and around the Harbor Amphitheatre Wednesday, Dec. 31 and continues on until the last rocket's red glare fades away sometime around 12:30 a.m.

This year musical headliners will be Baltimore favorites the All Mighty Senators, who will go on at 9 p.m. The other fireworks display of note will start at midnight, again courtesy of Zambelli Fireworks Internationale. Admission is free. For information, call 1-877-BALTIMORE or go to www.promotionandarts.com.

The Maryland Science Center (601 Light St.) will offer a family-friendly alternative Year's Eve celebration earlier in the day called "Midnight Noon." The activities run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and include performances by the children's band Milkshake (11:30 a.m.), a countdown to noon and a "ball drop," followed by a show by the Blue Sky Puppeater. All events are free with paid admission. Call 410-685-5225.

The annual Big Night Baltimore again will be spread across multiple fronts at the new Hilton Baltimore (401 West Pratt St.) from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at this over-21 event requires stylish dress and will feature music by local favorites Fools & Horses, Jimmie's Chicken Shack and Hotspur. For tickets, which run $99-$169, go to www.bignightbaltimore.com.

A closer view of the fireworks is afforded from the deck of the USS Constellation (301 Pratt St.), where the seventh annual New Year's Eve party will be held 10 p.m.-1 a.m. On the bill will be a special menu by Charles Levine Caterers, plus tours of the boat and cannon firings. Tickets here run $75 general, $25 for children; reservations are required. Call 410-539-1797.

Centerstage will be singing in the new year with live jazz standards by the Quiet Duo immediately following the Dec. 31st performance of "Caroline, or Change." Theater-goers can also enjoy a complementary champagne toast and food. A cash bar will be available. Anyone who orders tickets to the show and after-party using the code "2009" will get $10 off the ticket price. Call 410-332-0033 or go to www.centerstage.org.

Blasts in Baltimore

The Mahoney Brothers will again bring their Fab Four tribute, "Long Live the Beatles" to the Recher Theatre (Towson, 410-337-7178) this New Year's Eve. The ticket price of $25 includes the 8 p.m. show, a buffet meal and champagne toast.

Baltimore's 8X10 Club will feature 3 Fifths, Mad Sweet Pangs and an open bar at its early New Year's celebration, which starts at 8 p.m. The Rebirth Brass Band will headline the late event, beginning at 3 a.m. Admission is $25 for the late show. For further details, call 410-625-8000.

The "party rock" cover band Faded Image will play the Hard Rock Café (601 E. Pratt St., 410-347-ROCK), which launches its New Year's party at 9 p.m. Admission is $100 in advance (and $125 after Dec. 26). Included in the package is an open bar, light fare and a champagne toast.

The Grateful Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra will recreate Dead sets from New Year's Eve parties gone by starting at 8 p.m., at the Rams Head Live! (20 Market Place, 410-244-1131). Admission to this all-ages show is $59 in advance, $79 at the door.

The Joe DiCaro Band will again kick out the jazz at the Rusty Scupper Inner Harbor (410-727-3678), 9 p.m.-1 a.m. The restaurant's "New Year's Eve Extravaganza" includes a four-course dinner and complementary champagne. Cost is $99 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Both dance and music will be on the bill at the Ottobar (2549 N. Howard St., 410-662-0069). Starting at 10 p.m., the local troupe the Gilded Lily Burlesque and the American Music Jamboree will offer an evening of dance and music featuring the Country Devils, Whale Show, LaBianca and Cold Cold Heartbreakers. Admission is $10 ($20 for all-you-can-drink).

Popular Baltimore musician Ben Sherman will play electric jazz guitar along with a three-piece band at the 13th Floor of the Belvedere (1 E. Chase St., 410-347-0888), 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Admission is $100 per person, which includes a gourmet cocktail dinner and open bar. The jazz quarter Lovecraft can be heard starting at 9:30 p.m. at Phillips Harborplace (301 Light St., 410-685-6600).

Angelo Cammarata and the Rat Pack will blend jazz and rock starting around 9:30 p.m. at An Poitin Stil (Timonium, 410-560-7900).

In Fells Point, local favorites Frank Florence and Ed Lauer will return to play another New Year's Eve show at the Horse You Came In On (1626 Thames St., 410-327-8111), starting 9:30 p.m. At the Cat's Eye Pub (1730 Thames St., 410-276-9866), the Skyla Burrell Blues Band will take the stage around 10 p.m. and the music will end sometime after 3 a.m. The new wave and alternative rock cover band That's What She Said will play at the Waterfront Hotel (1710 Thames Street, 410-537-5055) starting at 10 p.m.

The heavy metal/hard rock cover band Deadlock performs at the Fish Head Cantina (4802 Benson Ave., 410-247-2474) in Arbutus 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Admission is $45 and includes an all-you-can-eat-and-drink buffet. In nearby Halethorpe, the oldies band the Esquires can be heard 9 p.m.-1 a.m., at the American Legion #195 (2603 Virginia Ave.). Admission is $35.

Howard highlights

Columbia's Sonoma's Bar & Grille (Owen Brown Village Center, 410-381-7220) will ring in 2009 with a performance by the classic rock cover band Misspent Youth starting 9:30 p.m. Tickets of $15 (in advance; $20 at the door) include a breakfast buffet and a midnight champagne toast.

Another classic rock cover band, Voyager, will play songs by bands such as Journey, Cheap Trick and Pink Floyd, starting 9 p.m. at Michael's Pub (Columbia, 410-290-7878). The $10 cover charge also includes a champagne toast and music by DJ Richie Rich.

Mark Leary of the Unity Reggae Band will play the Second Chance Saloon (5888 Robert Oliver Place, 443-545-5844) starting 10 p.m. The Oakland Mills venue will also be offering special New Orleans dishes and complementary champagne at midnight.

The Baltimore-based rock quartet Starcrush will mix covers and originals starting at 9:30 p.m. at Nottingham's (Columbia, 410-290-0077). Admission is $5. The Columbia Ale House (Columbia, 410-730-7221) hasn't announced what band will be playing, but will have a New Year's package available for $15.

Would-be singers can get the chance to get on stage with Bill & Gayle with U Sing It Karaoke, which will be the main attraction starting 10 p.m., at Champps (Columbia Mall, 443-367-0333).

In downtown Ellicott City, the Baltimore Celtic rock trio Bow Street 7 will perform at the Judge's Bench (410-465-3497), starting 9:30 p.m.

The top-40 cover band the Klassix will return to the Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center (Ellicott City, 410-423-0813) starting at 9 p.m. and running until 2 a.m. Tickets here run $135 per person, and include a midnight breakfast buffet and a champagne toast.

Capital celebrations

In the state's capital, the annual New Year's Annapolis will showcase a handful of pop and classical acts in downtown venues. Headliners playing at the City Dock include Milkshake (5 p.m.) and the funkadelic tribute band Clones of Funk (8 p.m.). Other performers include the Annapolis Chorale, jazz-blues guitarist Rob Levit and the three winners of the high school battle of the bands contest, Choice, Kramer and Nelson and Mount Weather.

The city will also feature two fireworks celebrations: one for kids at 7:30 p.m. and an adult one at midnight. Admission is $10 until Dec. 25 and $15 after that ($40 V.I.P passes are also available and include parking). For complete details, go to www.newyearsannapolis.com

Also in Annapolis, Howard County-based blues and boogie woogie pianist Deanna Bogart will perform at the Rams Head On Stage (33 West St., 410-268-4545). Jazz guitarist Todd Bauchspies opens the evening, which starts around 7 p.m. Tickets run $109, plus tax and gratuity.

Down in the nation's capital, the 12th annual Downtown Countdown D.C. will feature three headline acts when it moves back to the Grand Hyatt at Metro Center (1000 H Street NW). Showcased will be the alternative DC band Gonzo's Nose (9 p.m.), the acoustic indie Pat McGee Band (10:30 p.m.) and New Orleans rocker Cowboy Mouth (12:30 a.m.). The event will be hosted by popular DC 101-FM morning personality Elliot Segal and also feature comedy acts. Tickets for this 21-and-older event start at $129 and can be bought through Ticketmaster (202-397-SEAT).

Washington's Big Night, D.C. takes place 9 p.m.-2 a.m., at the Gaylord National Resort (201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD). This 21+ event will feature regional favorites Carbon Leaf, Flip Like Wilson and Mr. Greengenes, among other acts. Tickets run $129.99 (www.bignightdc.com).

The Kennedy Center will continue its New Year's Eve tradition of featuring conductor Murry Sidlin and members of the National Symphony Orchestra (starting 8:30 p.m.). Tickets run $50-$90. The Grammy Award-winning ensemble New York Voices and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band will perform at the annual Jazz New Year's at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., in the Terrace Theater. Tickets are $65. Call 202-416-8555.

The Birchmere (Alexandria, Va., 703-549-7500) will again host the Seldom Scene & Good Deale Bluegrass Band featuring Mike Auldridge starting at 8 p.m. The Virginia/Maryland bluegrass duo of Moondi Klein & Jimmy Gaudreau opens that show. Admission is $39.50.

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