Here's what's happening on New Year's Eve in Northern Ontario

New Year's Eve celebrations will kick off today in various northern Ontario communities as people say farewell to 2024, and look forward to 2025.

Sudbury

In the Sudbury are community of Coniston, an industrial park and a local company will host the 'Light Up the Night' New Year's Eve Celebration. The event runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a 20-minute fireworks show at 6 p.m., food trucks, music, bonfires and activities for the entire family.

"We also have local food vendors, sledding hills and bonfires. It's just a big community event for folks to come and celebrate the new year," said Danielle Hrechka, of the steel fabrication company, Lopes Limited.

"We'll have Beavertails on site, One More Bite Bakery with a selection of desserts, and Caramel Kitchen offering chocolates and caramel-dipped apples."

Parking on-site costs $5, with proceeds donated to the Coniston Food Bank.

As well, Science North will host a New Year's Eve Family Fun Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The science museum will feature holiday-themed workshops, and the day will conclude with a traditional confetti countdown in the lobby. All floors of the centre will remain open.

Sault Ste. Marie

The City of Sault Ste. Marie is celebrating its inaugural 'New Year's Eve Puck Drop' at the Downtown Plaza on Dec. 31.

"This year we decided to do a puck drop after it was proposed by one of our council members, who thought it would be a great idea to host a downtown event like those in other communities," said Jari Philegas with the City of Sault Ste. Marie.

"It wasn't initially a puck drop. We voted between a ball and a puck, and we decided on a puck, based on public input."

A large illuminated puck will be suspended about 80 feet above the Downtown Plaza. It will drop twice, once at 8 p.m. for families with young children and again at midnight for those staying later.

"The puck was built by our public works department in the welding shop. So it's a city-owned puck, I guess you could say," said Philegas.

The event will include live children's performances by local favourites Fun and Funner and Shari Tallon. Golden Scoundrels and ABBA Soo will perform later in the evening. The Downtown Plaza skating rink will be open until midnight, weather permitting.

"It's a completely free event. Everyone can show up as they please," Philegas said.

Visitors can buy food and  beverages at the event., and a free raffle will take place after midnight, with the prize being a pair of tickets to a Toronto Maple Leafs game on Feb. 22 in Toronto.

For those interested in fireworks, Searchmont Resort, located 45 minutes from Sault Ste. Marie, will host a New Year's Eve event from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The evening includes a Poutine Bar from 10:45 p.m. to 11:45 p.m., with fireworks ringing in the new year at midnight.

North Bay

The Families First Committee and the City of North Bay will celebrate for the 30th year with a New Year's Eve event at Memorial Gardens and Thomson Park from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The annual event offers fun, family-friendly activities, including live shows, arts and crafts, skating with the local junior hockey team, the North Bay Battalion and it will also feature North Bay's 100th Anniversary Photo Booth. A fireworks display will conclude the festivities at 9 p.m.

The event is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the North Bay Food Bank, said Families First Committee Chair, Wendy Prieur.

"It's not a prerequisite, but if people are able to donate, that would be great," she said, adding the event is supported by sponsors and volunteers.

Thunder Bay

The Loch Lomond Ski Area in Thunder Bay will host a New Year's Eve party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Dec. 31. The event includes drinks, music, a toast and a DJ performance. Tickets cost $10 and are available on the ski area's website.

A fireworks display over the chalet at midnight will cap off the evening.