Nottingham will be welcoming the new year with a bang, when the annual fireworks show returns to the city's castle.
After thrilling crowds for four years in a row, 2011's event was cancelled by the city council as a money-saving measure.
But, with a sponsor on board, the free event will return this New Year's Eve.
Councillor Dave Trimble, Nottingham City Council's portfolio holder for culture, leisure and communities, said: "Nottingham city skies will light up as fireworks shoot high from Nottingham Castle on New Year's Eve.
"The castle is the perfect location to hold a display due to its central position, and it sits high above Nottingham, allowing those celebrating to enjoy the display from many locations across the city.
"The best vantage point will be the surrounding area of the castle where people can come together and share in the New Year's celebration."
The event will be sponsored by the Purico Group and city businessman Professor Nat Puri said: "Head to the city centre and enjoy the new year celebrations with a fantastic fireworks display at Nottingham Castle."
For more information on upcoming events in Nottingham, visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/events.
To make sure your New Year's Eve goes with a bang, we've picked out 10 ideas for New Year's Eve celebrations:
1. All that jazz – Browns in Nottingham is offering party-goers the chance to see in 2013 or to mark the first day of the new year with a special brunch. On New Year's Eve itself there's a set menu at £59.95 plus a three-piece jazz band, bubbles and canapés at midnight. Meanwhile if you're after continuing the party into New Year's Day or just want to mark January 1 there's brunch until 4pm or classic Browns roast dinners.
Browns Nottingham, 20 Park Row, Nottingham, NG1 6GR T: 0115 958 8183
2. Gala Dinner – Hart's Restaurant is throwing a gala dinner and dance in Hart's Upstairs for £99 per person. The black-tie celebration starts with Champagne and canapés. The restaurant is next door to Hart's Hotel founded by Tim Hart and his wife, Stefa, who masterminds the interior design of the hotels and restaurant. Hart's Hotel in Nottingham which was built in 2002 on the former ramparts of Nottingham's medieval castle. Back in 1979 the couple converted a Victorian House into a country house hotel – Hambleton Hall in Rutland. Hart's Nottingham, Standard Hill, Park Row, Nottingham, NG1 6GN T: 0115 988 1900
3. Masquerade Ball or family disco – the Crowne Plaza Nottingham is catering to all tastes with two events on New Year's Eve. The Masquerade Ball starts with a glass of bubbly on arrival, then party-goers can tuck into a four-course dinner before dancing the night away. The drinks reception starts at 7pm. Cost is £57 per person or £99 per person to include overnight accommodation and breakfast. Meanwhile the family disco features a three course dinner, children's entertainer plus the music and costs £32 per person or £16 per child aged three to 12. Crowne Plaza Nottingham, Wollaton Street, Nottingham, NG1 5RH T: 0115 936 9988
4. Fireworks – say hello to 2013 with a bang as fireworks light up the sky above Nottingham Castle. The Castle Grounds will be closed but visitors can watch the free display from the city centre. The event starts at 11.45pm.Nottingham Castle, Friar Lane, off Maid Marian Way, Nottingham, NG1 6EL T: 0115 915 3700
5. Great British Street Party – a New Year's Eve event with a street party theme is planned at the Nottingham Gateway Hotel. Featuring Giant Jenga, Connect Four, yoyos, hop scotch and a disco from 10pm to 2am, there are non-resident and resident packages available. Non-residential is £43 per person; £16 10-14-year-olds, £11 seven to nine years and £6 four to six-year-olds with under four's free. Residential is £85 per person, £17 10-14 years, £12 seven to nine years, £7 four to six years and under fours free.The Nottingham Gateway Hotel, Nuthall Road, Nottingham, NG8 6AZ T: 0115 9794949
6. It's party time – a chance to dance to pop, disco, boogie, Motown and soul with a New Year's Eve Party at the Mansfield Civic Centre. Bop til you drop with the £16-a-head package which includes a buffet. The event starts at 7.30pm, buffet 8.30pm and the bar closes at 1am. The Lindhurst Rooms, Mansfield Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, T: 01623 656766.
7. Black-tie party – head for the Riverbank Bar on New Year's Eve for the Riverbank House Band – The NuSoul Revolution ¬- plus Champagne reception, world tapas finger buffet and fireworks at midnight. Tickets for non-reserved seating are £30 or VIP tickets for reserved seats are £50. Arrivals from 8ppm with the bar closing at 2am.The Riverbank Bar & Kitchen, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, NG2 2GS T: 0115 986 7960.
8. New Year break – Eastwood Hall, which is set in 26 acres of grounds, has put together a New Year package including overnight accommodation, full English breakfast and New Year's Eve Gala Dinner. The December 31 party features a Champagne and canapés reception, six-course dinner, half bottle of Champagne per person at midnight plus bacon rolls at 1am. Cost is £118.50 per person. Tickets excluding accommodation are £79 per person. Eastwood Hall, Eastwood, Nottingham, NG16 3SS T: 01773 532532
9. Best of British – Oceana's New Year's Eve party has the Best Of British as a theme. And if it isn't snowing outside, it will be inside as the countdown to 2013 features falling snow and confetti cannons. With six rooms featuring a range of music from dance anthems from 2012 to pop and party tunes, tickets are on sale now priced at £12.Oceana Nottingham, Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 3BB T: 08452 932861
10. Beat the queue – The Forum is offering the chance to queue jump and have a bottle of bubbly for £20 a ticket for its New Year's Eve party. It says: "Expect great party atmosphere, expect great music, expect great drinks prices, expect one big party." One hundred early bird tickets at £10 are available with the standard ticket price £15. Doors open at 10.30pm and the music plays until 3am.The Forum, The Cornerhouse, Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4AA T: 0115 9474 761
2. Gala Dinner – Hart's Restaurant is throwing a gala dinner and dance in Hart's Upstairs for £99 per person. The black-tie celebration starts with Champagne and canapés. The restaurant is next door to Hart's Hotel founded by Tim Hart and his wife, Stefa, who masterminds the interior design of the hotels and restaurant. Hart's Hotel in Nottingham which was built in 2002 on the former ramparts of Nottingham's medieval castle. Back in 1979 the couple converted a Victorian House into a country house hotel – Hambleton Hall in Rutland. Hart's Nottingham, Standard Hill, Park Row, Nottingham, NG1 6GN T: 0115 988 1900
3. Masquerade Ball or family disco – the Crowne Plaza Nottingham is catering to all tastes with two events on New Year's Eve. The Masquerade Ball starts with a glass of bubbly on arrival, then party-goers can tuck into a four-course dinner before dancing the night away. The drinks reception starts at 7pm. Cost is £57 per person or £99 per person to include overnight accommodation and breakfast. Meanwhile the family disco features a three course dinner, children's entertainer plus the music and costs £32 per person or £16 per child aged three to 12. Crowne Plaza Nottingham, Wollaton Street, Nottingham, NG1 5RH T: 0115 936 9988
4. Fireworks – say hello to 2013 with a bang as fireworks light up the sky above Nottingham Castle. The Castle Grounds will be closed but visitors can watch the free display from the city centre. The event starts at 11.45pm.Nottingham Castle, Friar Lane, off Maid Marian Way, Nottingham, NG1 6EL T: 0115 915 3700
5. Great British Street Party – a New Year's Eve event with a street party theme is planned at the Nottingham Gateway Hotel. Featuring Giant Jenga, Connect Four, yoyos, hop scotch and a disco from 10pm to 2am, there are non-resident and resident packages available. Non-residential is £43 per person; £16 10-14-year-olds, £11 seven to nine years and £6 four to six-year-olds with under four's free. Residential is £85 per person, £17 10-14 years, £12 seven to nine years, £7 four to six years and under fours free.The Nottingham Gateway Hotel, Nuthall Road, Nottingham, NG8 6AZ T: 0115 9794949
6. It's party time – a chance to dance to pop, disco, boogie, Motown and soul with a New Year's Eve Party at the Mansfield Civic Centre. Bop til you drop with the £16-a-head package which includes a buffet. The event starts at 7.30pm, buffet 8.30pm and the bar closes at 1am. The Lindhurst Rooms, Mansfield Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, T: 01623 656766.
7. Black-tie party – head for the Riverbank Bar on New Year's Eve for the Riverbank House Band – The NuSoul Revolution ¬- plus Champagne reception, world tapas finger buffet and fireworks at midnight. Tickets for non-reserved seating are £30 or VIP tickets for reserved seats are £50. Arrivals from 8ppm with the bar closing at 2am.The Riverbank Bar & Kitchen, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, NG2 2GS T: 0115 986 7960.
8. New Year break – Eastwood Hall, which is set in 26 acres of grounds, has put together a New Year package including overnight accommodation, full English breakfast and New Year's Eve Gala Dinner. The December 31 party features a Champagne and canapés reception, six-course dinner, half bottle of Champagne per person at midnight plus bacon rolls at 1am. Cost is £118.50 per person. Tickets excluding accommodation are £79 per person. Eastwood Hall, Eastwood, Nottingham, NG16 3SS T: 01773 532532
9. Best of British – Oceana's New Year's Eve party has the Best Of British as a theme. And if it isn't snowing outside, it will be inside as the countdown to 2013 features falling snow and confetti cannons. With six rooms featuring a range of music from dance anthems from 2012 to pop and party tunes, tickets are on sale now priced at £12.Oceana Nottingham, Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 3BB T: 08452 932861
10. Beat the queue – The Forum is offering the chance to queue jump and have a bottle of bubbly for £20 a ticket for its New Year's Eve party. It says: "Expect great party atmosphere, expect great music, expect great drinks prices, expect one big party." One hundred early bird tickets at £10 are available with the standard ticket price £15. Doors open at 10.30pm and the music plays until 3am.The Forum, The Cornerhouse, Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4AA T: 0115 9474 761
