Here’s how to plan a Happy New Year’s Eve in Chandigarh

At Malt and Co at The Piccadily, Sufi band Arrz will usher in a soulful evening, while Nawab Wajir will be playing golden oldies. Here, there’s also a TV party, where you can see yourself live on FTV. If you want to sit under the stars, and welcome the New Year outdoors, the Brooklyn Central has a heated outdoor courtyard, with party props, a festive menu, select music and a surprise at 12 midnight.

For those in a Punjabi mood —Malkit Singh will be performing at Chandigarh Club, while ‘Big Bangers’ Money Aujla, B Maestro and Stylish Singh along with Sufi sensation Manak Ali will be performing at Chandigarh Press Club. At the Bella Vista, there is a liquid buffet, with many hotels and restaurants offering taxis and cars for you to go back home safe. The JW Marriott has perfect getaway options such as a grand event at the ballroom, a two-night stay in a luxury room, and a sumptuous spread. And if you won’t be stepping out, and enjoying a quaint evening with friends and a bonfire at home, many restaurants have home delivery deals for the special night.

The Back Room in Sector 34 has a line-up of artists to bring in 2016, and Carpe Diem promises an eventful evening. For those who want to be part of some community efforts, NGO SabTera Foundation will be taking its underprivileged children for a gala picnic. Helping Hands, another NGO, will visit Prabh Aasra on January 1 with woollens, blankets and medicines. The students of Vatsal Chaya Trust will visit the The Open Hand on January 1, and also watch some children’s films by INTACH. Meanwhile, the members of the Chandigarh Creative Cinema Circle will be holding a closed private screening of films, as a tribute to the poet and cultural activist Vidrohi who resided under a tree for three decades on the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus. The award-winning film, ‘Main Tumhara Kavi Hoon’, was made on him in 2011 by Gwalior-based Nitin Pamnani. Theatre director Chakresh Kumar has planned a treat for audiences on December 31, as the members of his group Alankar Theatre, will gather at various markets, and involve the public in their work.

“We will begin with an actor dropping a coin or note, and another actor stepping in to claim it. The argument will involve the public, and bring forth new dialogues, with the actors quietly stepping out of the scene, and watching the public play a part,’’ smiles Kumar.

It’s a new year, and it demands a new calendar — Nitin Rai Chaudhary’s NRC Calendar’s 4th instalment. Chaudhary, founder of #PhotoTravelExplore, has featured Tosh in Himachal Pradesh over the 12 months. The calendar has 12 pictures clicked from travelling to Tosh twice in different weathers.

At the city park in Sector 68, Mohali, the artists of New Theatre will involve people in dance, painting, yoga, meditation and a cultural programme from 1 to 5 pm on December 31.

If yoga and meditation are your way of welcoming the new year, then there is an evening of asanas, pranayam and meditation sessions by Yogananda in Sector 10. The spas of the city, too, have some off-beat deals for you to sit back and relax and look at 2016 with a brand-new perspective. Have a safe New Year’s Eve.