On New Year's Eve in Boston, locals and visitors revel in the possibilities of the months to come. From ball drops to fireworks to First Night activities, every locale rings in the new year a little differently. As part of NewYearsQuest -- a MapQuest guide to the best New Year's Eve sights and sounds in the U.S. and in major cities around the world -- here are three recommended events for New Year's Eve 2011 in Boston.

Boston New Year's Eve Events Map

Boston's First Night Festival Of The Arts

Bostonians have many accomplishments to be proud of, and First Night USA is one of them. The New Year’s Eve arts festival -- celebrated in more than 75 cities across America -- started in Boston in 1976 with artists who were inspired by community spirit. The work of 1,000 performance and exhibit artists is displayed throughout downtown Boston from 1 p.m. to midnight on Dec. 31. Families can visit the Hynes Convention Center for a Family Festival, watch the Grand Procession down Boylston Street and take in meticulously designed ice sculptures around the city. Guests can also purchase tickets to a variety of performances, including gospel singer Mavis Staples, punk rockers the New York Dolls, storyteller Mike Daisey, jazz guitarist Julian Lage and the midnight-fireworks cruise on Boston Harbor. All headline events cost $35 apiece.

First Night Boston, 36 Bromfield St., Boston, MA 02108

Boston New Year's Eve Cruise

Revelers can ring in the new year in style, and on the water, with a New Year’s Eve cruise on the Marika Yacht at Rowes Wharf. More expensive than the First Night-produced midnight-fireworks cruise, this ride offers guests (in optional black-tie attire) the chance to dine on fancy hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour, and then, later, a full buffet dinner. Main-course options include chicken Marsala or roast pork loin, and dessert is a chocolate mousse. The $135 ticket also includes brilliant views of fireworks displays, a premium open bar with champagne and dancing to music selected by a professional disc jockey. The cruise begins at 8 p.m. and docks at 12:30 a.m. Guests must be 21 years or older.

Marika Yacht Cruise, 60 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110

Timeless 2012 -- A Bond Evening

If you want your New Year's Eve revelry to be shaken, not stirred, get yourself to the Timeless 2012 -- A Bond Evening. This red-carpet, Old Hollywood-themed event -- inspired by James Bond -- is intended for the 21- to 35-year-old set and features disc jockeys who would be at home in any of the various international cities that were James Bond's playground. The music includes pop, Euro house, Arabic house, hip-hop and top 40 music. Tickets range in price from $70 for a general-admission ticket to $450 for a VIP table for four in the general-admission area. Appetizers include food fit for Bond himself: marinated octopus, tuna tartare, goat-cheese barbajuans, chicken tikka, mushroom samosas and mini pastries. Men suit up as James Bond, and women can dress as sexy spies in ball gowns. A portion of the proceeds benefits The Home for Little Wanderers charity.

Marriott Courtyard, 275 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02116

New Year's Eve In Boston: Video

View the spectacular ice sculptures on display during First Night Boston.

Did we miss a Boston New Year's Eve event? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

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