It’s time to say goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024. Whether your idea of ringing in the New Year involves a fun time with the kids or dancing away into the wee hours of the morning, here are a few suggestions for a New Year’s Eve that will include plenty of music. Unless otherwise noted, all events mentioned occur on Sunday, Dec. 31.

Let’s start by looking at events suitable for the entire family, including First Night celebrations. Let’s begin by talking about Starry Starry Night in Orange, which takes place on Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m. Presented by the Orange Revitalization Partnership and entirely run by volunteers, this is a free event funded by cultural grants and donations from local businesses and individuals.

Now in its 27th year, this year’s event will feature 16 performers playing at seven locations throughout downtown Orange.

Enjoy the talents of many fine local musicians at Starry Starry Night, including the folk rock of the Dave Bulley Band and the classic sounds of The Can Collectors. You can also take in The Terryriffics, serving up a funky take on popular songs, and Jukebox Jake that lives up to the name as he plays favorite tunes from the ’50s and ’60s. Julie Bouchard & Steph Parker, The Glovers, Alley Music, Sweet Euphoria and Ryan Hood Entertainment are also part of the lineup.

Most 45-minute musical performances are held twice, but a few are only held once. Space at each location is limited, so arrive a few minutes early if you have a favorite artist you don’t want to miss. Music wraps up by 10 p.m. for the fireworks and Parade of Stars. For a schedule of performance times and locations, visit starrystarrynight.org.

If you want a bigger version of Starry Starry Night, head to Northampton and take in the 39th edition of First Night Northampton. Presented by the Northampton Arts Council and Greenfield Savings Bank, it is a 12-hour, family-friendly, citywide New Year’s Eve party that begins at noon. First Night Northampton features hundreds of performances in 23 downtown Northampton venues. In addition, there are fireworks and a parade, and it all wraps up with a traditional ball-raising from the roof of the Hotel Northampton at midnight.

With so many performers, First Night Northampton provides a great glimpse into our local music scene as it presents all genres of music: folk, bluegrass, rock and so on. Musicians from Franklin County, ranging from Wildcat O’Halloran of Sunderland to Tracy Grammer from Greenfield, are solidly represented among the many performers.

Another aspect of First Night Northampton that I like is that you can purchase a daytime events-only button, which will appeal to those with children. And there is some fantastic music happening during the afternoon hours, including the bluegrass of Poor Monroe, who will be in at the Parlor Room, and the father-daughter punk rockers, The Rocking Puppies, from Greenfield, will be tearing it up at Bishop’s Lounge.

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You can also check out Love Crumbs (trio), led by Michael Dubuque of Greenfield, at the A.P.E. Gallery. The band has enjoyed a great year, having signed to Gala Records, where its music has found a growing audience. There are a couple of shows geared toward a young audience. Carrie Ferguson will be on hand with her Grumpytime Club band at Edwards Church, and The Nields will perform a family show at First Churches Sanctuary — and that’s just a portion of the daytime music events.

Afternoon shows wrap up at 6 p.m. in time for the fireworks at 6:15 p.m. Music begins again at 7 p.m., and the schedule is jam-packed with shows by The Gaslight Tinkers, Mary Lambert, Spouse, Gentle Hen, TapRoots, Mal Devisa, Soul Magnets and enough acts to fill the page.

You can purchase First Night Northampton buttons at all Greenfield Savings Bank branches and World Eye Bookshop in Greenfield. Buttons that are good all day and evening are $16 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for kids or $20 on the day of the event. Day-only buttons, good until 6 p.m., are $10. For more information, visit firstnightnorthampton.org.

While we are talking about family-friendly events, The Rendezvous in Turners Falls is once again hosting a special New Year’s celebration for kids that will run from 7 to 9 p.m. This party will feature a kid-friendly DJ who will take requests and a countdown to the New Year at 8:30 p.m. (Hey, it will be midnight somewhere!) Costumes are encouraged. The best part is that this is all free. And don’t worry, the ‘Voo’ will host its usual adults-only New Year’s party later on in the evening.

If you are looking for dinner and dancing, consider heading to the Shelburne Falls Pub and Brew (formerly the Sweetheart Restaurant). The pub is offering two different buffets at different times and prices. You can dance to the rockin’ sounds of Lakeside Drive, with special guest Dayna Webber. Music begins at 9 p.m. and there is a $15 cover for the music only. Call 413-489-3358 for more information about the meal and reservations.

If you are looking for a night out but want to be home in time to watch the ball drop at Times Square from the comfort of your couch, head to Hitchcock Brewing Co. in Bernardston and check out its New Year’s Eve party, which will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Chick ’n’ Wire will be on hand to ignite the dance floor with a selection of southern rock tunes. This can be your home early party or your first stop of the night, whatever works. There is no cover charge. Truck Dining Haul will be on hand to provide food. There will be a toast at 9 p.m.

If you want to dance your way into 2024 to the driving music of a DJ, you may want to be at 10 Forward in Greenfield. The venue will have dancing to DJ sets by VNRBLE, Bux Wild and DJ Hello. Pre-sale tickets for $20 include free champagne at midnight. Tickets are available ahead of time on Eventbrite, and are $10 to $20 sliding scale at the door. Masks are always appreciated. Elevator access is available through the Mesa Verde foyer.

The Rendezvous in Turners Falls will have DJ Mental Drift on hand for the portion of its celebration geared toward adults, which begins at 9 p.m. Fancy clothes and costumes are welcome.

If you don’t like going out on New Year’s Eve, but want to celebrate on New Year’s Eve Eve, the always popular roots-rockers The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow will be at Berkshire East Mountain Resort in Charlemont on Saturday, Dec. 30, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. for the “not New Year’s Eve Party.” Since most of the band members are from the hilltowns of Franklin County, it makes sense that they love playing at Berkshire East. This past year was good for the Treaty as they played many great shows and released the live album, “Late Night, Laid Back.”

This show will be held on the main floor of the lodge. Food and beverage service will be available for purchase throughout the evening. Tickets are $15 and are available at berkshireeast.com. Advance tickets are recommended.

The Shea Theater Arts Center will be dark on New Year’s Eve but is having a party on Saturday at 8 p.m. with Grateful Dead tribute band Wolfman Jack and Jatoba, a group of bluegrass jammers from Brattleboro, Vermont. This show is for all ages. Tickets are $20 in advance at sheatheater.org and $25 the day of the show.

If you want to party for a good cause, head to Deja Brew Cafe & Pub in Wendell and groove to the classic rock music of The Shadow Twisters. Music will begin at 8 p.m. At this party, they will be collecting money to support The Kids on the Bridge, a children’s charity founded and primarily supported by the band’s friend and former bandmate Kevin Sysyn in his adopted homeland of Cambodia. They will ring in New Year’s in Rio de Janeiro with a countdown and Auld Lang Syne at 10 p.m. (midnight Brazil time) for those who want an early evening. Then, do it all again at midnight for those who want to party all night! No cover.

Happy New Year!

Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at soundslocal@yahoo.com.