In 2001, the Berkshire Museum began a New Year’s Eve tradition in the daytime.
It was known as the "Ugly Bug Ball," where kids could dress in costumes and count down to 12 noon instead of midnight to ring in the new year at a decent hour with their families.
"It was something that the audience was asking for," said Craig Langlois, Berkshire Museum’s education and public program manager. "New Year’s Eve always seemed to have a very adult presence. We wanted to do something in Berkshire County to let kids take on and celebrate."
In more recent years, the event has incorporated other themes from pirates to comedy to outer space. This year, after hamming it up for a sold-out crowd in 2010, Boston-based magician David Hall will return to the museum Monday with his magical bunny, Hocus.
In keeping with tradition, the Berkshire Museum will also offer audiences a countdown to noon and a reception in the ballroom-like Crane Room --apropos to the current Festival of Trees: Myths and Magic exhibit.
If magic isn’t your thing, here’s a list of family-friendly happenings and places to visit at a decent hour on New Year’s Eve day:
In Pittsfield Š
The Gladys Allen Brigham Center will be open for regular youth programs and care. Call 413-442-5174 for details.
The Pittsfield Family YMCA will be open until 6 p.m. Child care closes at 3 p.m.
The Berkshire
Bousquet Ski Area will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Lift ticket prices and packages vary.
The Beacon Cinema will show some movies suitable for families with children including "Monsters Inc." (rated G) and other PG-level films. Visit www.thebeaconcinema.com or call 413-358-4780 for showtimes and tickets.
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In North Adams Š
The Mass MoCA and Kidspace galleries will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kidspace will offer a vacation art workshop (ages 4 and up) from 9 to 11 a.m., $10. A snack will be provided. Registration is required by calling 413-664-4481, ext. 8131, or emailing kidspace@massmoca.org. A general Mass MoCA tour will start at 2 p.m. Museum general admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students, $5 for youths ages 6 to 16, free for children ages 5 and under.
The Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink will offer public ice skating from noon to 1:50 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for children, $1 for seniors. Skate rentals are $4 per pair.
The North Adams Movieplex 8 also will screen "Monsters Inc." and other PG-level films in 3D. Visit www.northadamsmovieplex.com or call 413-663-6300 for showtimes and ticket info.
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In Hancock Š
Jiminy Peak opens at 8:30 a.m. Its annual New Year’s Eve Celebration will begin shortly after the ski lifts close at 10 p.m., and includes the Torchlight parade that will wind down the mountain, a fireworks display, then watching the ball drop on screen at the resort’s Christiansen’s Tavern. Lift tickets and other package pricing varies.
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In Lanesborough Š
Regal Cinemas Berkshire Mall 10 will screen "Monsters Inc." and other PG-level films in 3D. Check Fandango.com or call 413-499-3600 for showtimes and ticket info.
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In Williamstown Š
The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Exhibitions include "Clark Remix," "Kidspace @ the Clark: Lions and Tigers and Museums, Oh My!," "Giselle’s Remix: A uCurate Exhibition from the perspective of an 11-year-old," "Backstories" and registration for "Race to the Remix."
Images Cinema will be screening "Lincoln" (PG-13) at 4:30 p.m. General admission is $10, $8 for students and seniors.
The Williamstown Youth Center will hold December Vacation Camp from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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