Tonight we're gonna party like it's 2012

A quick guide to what is going on in Savannah for New Year's Eve

Before you ask, yes, there will be fireworks over the Savannah River on New Year's Eve. Anyone planning to be on River Street Saturday evening should try looking into the sky at 11:59 p.m. The ‘works are going to be hard to miss.

Would it surprise you to learn that Tybee Island's New Year's Eve fireworks display is the best-attended annual event out there?

Sure, there are probably a few stragglers on the island still looking for Miley Cyrus (that was so 2009, people), and the October Piratefest gets the most attention and media coverage (and moves the most alcohol).

But shiver me timbers and swash me buckle, thousands gather on Tybee every Dec. 31 for the area's largest pyrotechnical show. It starts at midnight, it's free (of course), and you're welcome to watch from the pier, the pavilion, the beach, or the sidewalk outside any of the fine wining ‘n' dining establishments in the immediate vicinity.

That is, if you can find a parking space.

Auld lang songs

Should you want to find out what bands are playing where on New Year's Eve, our weekly Soundboard section contains the most thorough listing in Savannah.

However, there's a lot of information there (those pesky other six days of the week, for example). So here's a bare-bones, pick ‘n choose rundown of the music scheduled in local nightclubs on the biggest party night of the year:


Liquid Ginger plays ‘80s-style rock ‘n' roll and rock-solid originals at Wild Wing Café; Live Wire Music Hall's got up-and-coming Savannah rockers Listen 2 Three; Outstanding rockabilly quartet Crazy Man Crazy shares a bill at the Wormhole with the psych-rock outfit Sinister Moustache; Bad Justice rings out the old at the Boiler Room (a new club, at 302 Williamson St., next to Savannah Smiles); the Eric Culberson Band plays the Warehouse, on River Street; the Fletcher Trio is at Retro on Congress. Look for smooth R&B and funky delights from A Nickel Bag of Funk at Tantra Lounge. The bluesy Jon Lee & the Canebrakes are onstage at Isaac's on Drayton.

At the Tybee Island Social Club, Bottles & Cans and the Train Wrecks will alternate sets; the electronica bandThumbprint has got you covered at Huc-a-Poos Bites & Booze.

Hip hop DJ Basik Lee - a charter member of Dope Sandwich - is spinning at Congress Street Social Club, while DJs also take center stage at the Jinx's New Year's Eve Dance Party. DJ Jake the Snake has the tables at Hang Fire.

Are you plungeworthy?

Meanwhile, back on Tybee Island, the New Year will be welcomed, traditionally, with the annual Polar Plunge: At 11:45 a.m. on New Year's Day, you can yell, scream, act crazy and run into the ocean. Or you can run into the ocean first, then yell and scream when you hit that chilly water. Costumes are encouraged, but remember, it's a family event.

There's a new twist this year: Plungers are invited to help Tybee get into the Guinness Book of World Records as "The Largest Gathering of People Wearing Swim Caps." The previous record - 546 people - was set last July in Osaka, Japan.

Here's how it works: For a $25 registration fee, participants get an official Tybee Polar Plunge latex swim cap and a long-sleeve Tybee Polar Plunge T-shirt. All proceeds will go towards the restoration of the Tybee Post Theater.

Those who would prefer to avoid the water altogether are welcome to register, get the cap and T-shirt, be a part of the Guinness effort, and stay dry. It's your call.

Similarly, if you want to plunge, you can do that without registering for the world record contest.

Advance registration and/or pick-up of swim cap and T-shirt is available on Saturday from 1-4 p.m. at the Tybrisa Roundabout. The on-site Guinness registration table, by the pier entrance, opens at 9 a.m. Sunday.