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Our guide to starting 2013 off right

Honey Boo Boo, 1; Mayans 0. Despite the fears, predictions, and doomlust that hung over us for most of 2012, the world as we know it continues, and we have a 2013 full of tomorrows to look forward to. Thus, we should party. Inside this handy guide to New Year’s Eve, you can find our picks for the best goings-on around town — both in and out of the First Night umbrella. And since it’s hard to know where we’re going in these uncertain times, we’ve even included a map. From all of us here at the Globe, apocalypse-shmapocalypse, and Happy New Year!

The Big Story: First Night Boston preparations under way

First Night Boston preparations under way.

Navigating First Night

There are First Night activities throughout the day, beginning in the morning and lasting through the evening. Here’s where to find them.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/12/31/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/121230holiday0472--90x90.jpg Revelers ripe for day of fireworks and ice

First Night festivities began at 1 p.m. and culminate with fireworks at midnight over Boston Harbor.

Members of Amazing Royal Crowns (from left) J.D. Burgess, Jack Hanlon, Jason “King” Kendall, and Judd Williams.

The Amazing Royal Crowns assemble for a rockabilly reunion

“People know when you’re feeling good, and feeling good is a contagious thing,” says Lee Fields.

Lee Fields & the Expressions bring the soul to First Night
On New Year’s Eve, Tony V will be performing at the Hynes Convention Center.

New Year’s Eve is comedy’s big night

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/12/27/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/IMG_7236.jpg Preparation begins for First Night Boston

Preparations for the 37th annual First Night Boston began Wednesday, the first of many days of work for the 12-hour festival on New Year’s Eve.

Sterling Jackson, bartender at the Avery Bar at the Ritz Carlton, is ready with the champagne for New Year’s.

Toast the new year with a glass of bubbly

New Year’s Eve is sometimes derided as amateur night, an occasion for the bridge-and-tunnel crowd to indulge in overpriced caviar and bubbly.

By the Glass

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/12/15/BostonGlobe.com/Lifestyle/Images/26glass1.jpg A bevy of bubbles to toast the new year

Five sparkling wines to ring in the the new year and make party guests feel instantly welcome, all under $25.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/12/21/BostonGlobe.com/Lifestyle/Images/icemold5.jpg Mr. New Year’s Eve on making Prosecco Punch

Advice on how to punch up your party.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/12/12/BostonGlobe.com/Lifestyle/Images/suarez_26partypix_G_003.jpg A fresh look at favorite hors d’oeuvres

Small plates and nibbles popular in restaurants can be ideal hors d’oeuvres for a New Year’s Eve party.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/12/24/BostonGlobe.com/Arts/Images/The%20Thin%20Man-1518125.jpg Hollywood classics, family-friendly shorts among New Year’s Eve film screenings

Cinephiles can celebrate New Year’s Eve their own way, as First Night Boston offers plenty of film programming as part of its all-day festivities on Dec. 31.

Stages

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/12/21/BostonGlobe.com/Arts/Images/suarez_28stages(1)__003.jpg Trivial? Not for Morgan White.

Morgan White Jr. is The Man From T.R.I.V.I.A., and he’ll be entertaining during First Night at the Hynes Convention Center.

Night Watch

NEW YEAR’S EVE: NIGHT WATCH

A round-up of nightclub events for New Year’s Eve.

High Five

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/12/26/BostonGlobe.com/Arts/Images/28highfive1.jpg HIGH FIVE: Dwight & Nicole

Nicole Nelson and Dwight Ritcher play the Regattabar on New Year’s Eve.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/12/21/BostonGlobe.com/Arts/Images/28nyepop1.jpg Event picks for New Year’s Eve in Boston

A roundup of New Year’s Eve music, comedy, theater, and outdoor events around Boston.

Holiday arts preview

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/11/17/BostonGlobe.com/Arts/Images/1118_Arts-1359.jpg

Your special guide to holiday events in theater, dance, classical, pop, movies, and more.

Holiday gift ideas

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/11/22/BostonGlobe.com/Lifestyle/Images/23gCoverFinal-2283--90x90.jpg Holiday gift guide

The Globe’s complete guide on where to find the best music gifts, DVDs, books, and more. Plus, the top spots to shop around New England.

Inside Arts & Lifestyle

The “Mad Men” characters Megan and Don Draper are played by Jessica Pare and Jon Hamm.

Casual marijuana use common on TV
Golf Club at Equinox offers great Vermont views.

How New England resorts compare with The Breakers
The Royal Descendant Hetepheres, about 2440 B.C.E., limestone.

Frame by Frame

Standing in the shadow of ancient beauty

events

Boston-area to do list

fashion

The style legacy of ‘Sex and the City’

Abigail Sterling.

My Instagram: Abigail Sterling
Dave Matthews performing Saturday at the Comcast Center.

Music Review

Subdued Matthews delivers healthy variety
HBO’s “Love, Marilyn’’ tells Monroe’s story using writings by her discovered a few years ago.

Television Review

New take on Monroe, in her words
The first half of the Hilliard Ensemble’s program featured Petrarch’s “Canzoniere.” The second included three 12th-century hymns and Pérotin’s Christmas piece “Viderunt omnes.”

Music review

Hilliard Ensemble emphasizes its early repertoire
John Waters was the festival’s first Filmmaker on the Edge, in 1999, and is its “antic spirit.”

Movies

Lights, camera, P-town!

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buzzsaw

On TV, big data as fantasy
Ben Brady is an instructor for Havard’s Library Test Kitchen course and developer of Biblio, a fun, interactive research tool.

The Library Test Kitchen at Harvard