If the world doesn’t end on December 21st, that's all the more reason to celebrate to really go for it on New Year’s Eve. Whether you want to see a big headlining DJ throw down to ring in the new year, or you're just in the mood for a headsy gathering of local favourites, you've got plenty of options this year.
Vancouver
W2's annual Lights party has the biggest lineup in terms of sheer numbers, with California producer Grenier (AKA DJG) alongside some of Vancouver's finest locals. Did we mention there are complimentary hors d'ouevres? If you feel like getting dressed up for New Year's, the Moonlight Ball will return this year at a TBA location with local heavyweights Librarian and Max Ulis, complete with burlesque performances and a strict black-and-white-only dress code. You could also skip the formalities and just get down to business with Seattle's Pezzner, who's headlining Nordic Trax's party at Open Studios, or see Tyler Stadius and the Subversive crew take over the ANZA Club. Finally, Blood Diamonds will perform live at The Waldorf Hotel, a multi-room party with a fortune teller and indoor ice skating show among the other attractions at the East Van hotspot.
Toronto
Canada's biggest city has some pretty big DJs lined up for this year's festivities. Toronto transplant and Chicago OG DJ Sneak will play Footwork's party along with No. 19 Music head Nitin and a smattering of other local acts. It'll be warehouse vibes at Metropolis Factory, meanwhile, as 2012's perpetually-touring artist Machinedrum plays with his fellow Berlin expat XI for a night of genre-bending dance music. Continuing with the theme of epic scale, The Guvernment will host a blowout with Transmat's Gregt Gow among the highlights, and Moskito will celebrate local talent with The Junkies and Nathan Barato.
Montreal
One of the city's most reclusive (but fascinating) artists, Akufen, will make a rare appearance at Le Bleury-Bar à Vinyle, where he's joined by fellow Montreal staples Seb Fauteux and Phil Larochelle. Stereo will continue their ongoing 13th anniversary celebrations with something a bit harder, as Drumcode signee Nicole Moudaber headlines their NYE edition. 64Hz will hold their party a TBA loft location, featuring a stellar local lineup that includes Bonus Beats and Dorobo. Or you could go to one of Montreal's most notorious party spots— Circus Afterhours—where Jay Lumen and others will hold down the House Room.
