Happy holidays! 2024 ends this week, and if you’re looking for events to ring in the new year, Howard County has you covered. From a game night to New Year’s Eve celebrations, here are seven things to do in the county for the week ending Jan. 1.

Game night

5:30 to midnight Thursday

Test your gaming skills at Myste Lounge in Laurel. The event is open to gamers of all levels and will include board games, card games and more. So grab a friend and make a few new ones while engaging in some friendly competition.

Anyone age 21 or older who is interested can reserve their spot online with a free ticket.

Winter fun sing-along

11-11:45 a.m. Friday

To really get in the winter mood, bring your little ones and head to the Miller Branch of the Howard County Library System in Ellicott City for a winter sing-along. The 45-minute event will include fun stories and songs for the entire family.

Tickets are available at the children’s desk 15 minutes before the event starts. The event is in the Avalon Room.

Menorah Lighting

6:15-7:30 p.m. Friday

Join the Oseh Shalom Synagogue in Laurel for an outdoor Menorah lighting followed by a Chinese carry-out meal. The lighting will begin promptly at 6:15 p.m.

The event is free and anyone interested can reserve a spot online.

Denim party

1-5 p.m. Saturday

Raise a glass to 2025 at the Pearl Foundation’s Dazzlin’ denim year-end day party. The nonprofit is partnering with the Iota Lambda Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated to host the event, and the funds raised will go to community programs.

The event is BYOB and tickets are $60.

Kwanzaa celebration

2-6 p.m. Saturday

For a day full of community, joy and celebration, head to the Laurel Partnership Activity Hall for the 2024 annual Kwanzaa celebration and African naming ceremony. The city of Laurel and Wilburn & Associates LLC partnered for this year’s celebration.

The theme of this year’s event is “Ujima: Together We Serve, Together We Rise.”

The celebration will honor African heritage and embrace the seven principles of Kwanzaa. There will also be performances, a fashion show, vendors and more.

Tickets are free online.

Midnight at 7

5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday

Walk through the Merriweather Symphony of Lights in Columbia for an early New Year’s Eve celebration. Fireworks start at 7 p.m. and the kids can get to bed by 10 p.m. after this family-friendly event.

This will be your last chance to walk through the festive, sparkling lights and soak in all that 2024 was for you. People are encouraged to bring chairs so they can set up along the walking course and watch the fireworks.

Tickets are $15 per person or $50 for a group of four, and children age 3 and younger get in for free.

Noon year’s eve

11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Need an early New Year’s Eve celebration for your little one? Head to the Howard County Library System’s Carroll Baldwin Hall in Savage to start 2025 on the right note, and get home with plenty of the day left for naps and early bedtime. There will be stories, dancing and a special countdown.

The event is free and open for families.