{"id":2208609,"date":"2025-12-22T14:54:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T14:54:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2208609"},"modified":"2025-12-22T14:54:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T14:54:07","slug":"live-wire-a-sampling-of-off-the-beaten-track-new-years-eve-celebrations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/live-wire-a-sampling-of-off-the-beaten-track-new-years-eve-celebrations\/","title":{"rendered":"Live Wire: A sampling of off-the-beaten-track New Year\u2019s Eve celebrations"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As we head to close out another year, even a brief look at various local venues shows that Western Massachusetts has no shortage of ways to ring in 2026.<\/p>\n

While the two main hubs of activity are Springfield\u2019s and Northampton\u2019s First Night celebrations (covered elsewhere by colleagues), today\u2019s column will take a look at various other ways to rock (or sing, swing or salsa) in the New Year across the region on Dec. 31.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with one of the bigger shows, which will take place at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls<\/a>: Roots of Creation\u2019s new project, \u201cGrateful Dub\u201d \u2013 a reggae-infused tribute to Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead.<\/p>\n

The album blends the band\u2019s longtime love for reggae-dub style music and the Grateful Dead, New Year\u2019s Eve show full of reggae and dub- and the music of The Grateful Dead. The record debuted at No. 1 on the Reggae Billboard charts and features guest performances by Stephen Marley, G. Love, and Melvin Seals, among many others. <\/p>\n

The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $35 for seats and $25 for standing room. Tickets can be purchased online at showclix.com\/event\/shea-grateful-dub-nye25<\/a>. The Shea Theater Arts Center is at 71 Avenue A.<\/p>\n

For a more traditional but still off-the-beaten track type of New Year\u2019s Eve, fans of Irish culture might want to check out West Springfield\u2019s Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub<\/a> at the Irish Cultural Center. <\/p>\n

The celebration starts a bit early, at 5 p.m., as part of the festivities will accommodate the five-hour time difference so partygoers here can watch a live broadcast of the ball drop in Dublin, Ireland at 7 p.m. local time. Before that, a buffet-style meal will be served, with Jimmy McArdle, an original member of the Irish folk band The Bards, and Jerry Murphy, Holyoke\u2019s renowned accordion player, providing Irish music and entertainment from 6 to 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $65 for ICC patrons and $70 for the general public. The cost includes the buffet, entertainment and a complimentary champagne toast. Advance tickets are required; tickets are non-refundable. Order tickets by calling 413-342-4358 or visiting the Trinity Pub, located at 429 Morgan Road, in person. <\/p>\n

There are also plenty of smaller celebrations that might suit you better:<\/p>\n