The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4,000 years ago.

Many have traditions they follow on New Year's Eve.

Those traditions include anything from wearing a particular piece of clothing, eating a particular food or celebrating at home or at a particular place.

Below is a list of a few events around our area where you can ring in 2007:

New Years Eve Party Package

Omni Houston Westside Hotel

Omni Houston Westside Hotel

13210 Katy Freeway

Ring in the New Year with the Omni Houston Westside Hotel. You can dance to the tunes of a live band, enjoy a buffet reception, a champagne toast at midnight and then stay the night.

http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/HoustonWestside/SpecialOffers/NewYearsEvePartyPackage.aspx

Price: $259 per night

Keith & Margo’s Murder Mystery Texas

Double Tree Hotel

400 Dallas St.

http://www.murdermysterytexas.com/home.html

If mysteries are your forte you can get hands on experience here. The New Year’s Eve package includes dinner, mystery and champagne at midnight.

MMT

Price: $279 (couple for basic package)

Hyatt Regency Houston New Year’s Eve

1200 Louisiana Street

http://houstonregency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp?icamp-hyattregencyhoustonredirect

The event that begins at 7 New Years Eve spans four floors and includes food (Prime rib buffet), four beverage coupons per person, live music, dancing, and the now-famous balloon drop.

NY Eve at Main Street Theater

Chelsea Market, 4617 Montrose Blvd.

http://www.mainstreettheater.com

Ring in the New Year with champagne, sweets for the sweet, song and dance, and a visit to a wacky little place called Urinetown!

Main Street Theater

Ticket price: $75

Last Comic Standing NY Eve

The Houston Improv

7620 Katy Frwy

Winner of NBC’s hot reality series, “Last Comic Standing,” comedian John Heffron has become the comic to watch and love. Show starts at 9 p.m.

NY Eve at the Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

705 Main St at Capitol.

http://www.beerknurd.com/

Ring in the New Year with a champagne toast and live music.

Price: $10 cover at the door

Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark

http://www.schlitterbahn.com/gal/wasserfest-rates-2006.asp

Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark

You can splash, soak, and slide year-round at the first indoor, climate-controlled waterpark in Texas. Play in the waves on a man-made beach or relax in a hot tub, all in climate-controlled comfort .

Ticket Price: $25.59 Adult, $20.99 (child)

New Year's Eve at The Balinese Room

2107 Seawall

http://www.texasexplorer.net/BalineseRoom.htm

The event features music by Eden Brent and Down to Earth. A ticket will gain you entry into the event and a cold snack buffet, party favors, and champagne at midnight.

The Houston Zoo

1513 N. MacGregor

http://www.houstonzoo.org/index.asp?resultaction=displayEventsByDay&page_ID=26&strdate=12/31/2006

Spend NY Eve day at the zoo. Learn in an ever-changing program with different interactive animal filled activities. The door opens at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m.

Ticket prices: $5 to $8.50