It’s countdown time again, and with 2015 on its soggy way out, the appropriate send-off is essential to pave the way for a brand new calendar year. Whether you're social, spiritual, a quaffer, a cavorter, or a curmudgeon, there's something going on in Portland beyond your planned Netflix binge. We’ve selected six different ways for you to ring in the New Year in Portland.  

Rock Out

If you want to rock in 2016 with some live music this year, you’re in the right town. Portland’s the Helio Sequence will be ending their pretty awesome 2015 (Paste Magazine called their latest, eponymous album—released in May of this year—“a euphoric, career-defining album”) with a Revolution Hall show, joined by Wild One. Meanwhile, Calexico comes to the Crystal Ballroom, with Blind Pilot AND Ages and Ages for an indie-rock group hug, while garage rocker Sallie Ford is joined by Y La Bamba at Mississippi Studios.

Release the Rhythm

Shake your booty at the old year passing at Mississippi Pizza Pub, where Virginia Lopez’s Son Cubano Quartet promise Cuban music with some steamy salsa beats. If Latin rhythms aren’t your bag, the Hawthorne Theater is hosting a Bollywood bash that includes a dance lesson, courtesy DJ Prashant. Jai ho!

Transform Yourself

One way to end your year with some, um, personal evolution is at Beloved’s InspireTruth community love fest at Portland Art Museum. Billed as a New Year’s Eve celebration AND ceremony, it’s an art-tipped, dance-tastic party with MarchFourth and Natasha Kmeto among the musical guests and Swami Prakashananda performing an ancient Tibetan ritual to help guests cut through “attachments, old patterns, and resistance.”

Here's what one attendee captured from last year's party:

Get Your Feet Wet

Local party boat the Portland Spirit is one way to ring in the new year with a certain, slant-decked swagger. This year sip your chosen sparkles to the rootsy tunes of Redwood Son.

Find the Funny Side

If crowded venues or swaying dance floors don’t appeal, an evening laughing at the shambles that is the human race might be more your bag. Step up Greg Fitzsimmons, the king of caustic who also writes for Louis C.K., in town for a New Year’s Eve special at the Helium Comedy Club on December 31.

Stuff It

Your face, that is. To put a finer point on it: There's a free midnight chocolate buffet with your name on it. Pix Patisserie will complement their fine selection of sparkling wines (400+ options thanks to Bar Vivant) with chocolate mousse, or chocolate truffle, or chocolate ice cream, or chocolate meringue—hell, even chocolate beer, if that’s your bag. It's a cacao-lovers call to arms, and all free of charge, if you purchase a drink, which, let’s face it, it’s New Year’s Eve. Have at it.