Forward Weekend! and be automatically entered to grab two tickets to the Holiday Festival of Lights, which runs until Jan. 4.

Walk it out
Wander in and out of the boutiques and art galleries on Broad Street in the "First Fridays on Broad" walk from 5 to 7 p.m. Whether you’re looking for some wall decorations or you’re an art neophyte, you’re invited to mingle with artisans and fellow art lovers at this monthly event. Galleries will be featuring all kinds of work from local and faraway artists such as Angela Hall and Rebecca Johnston. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be provided. For more information, call 843-722-1944.

Take the plunge
What better way to jump-start the new year than by taking a dip in the chilly Atlantic? Two polar bear groups are taking the dive at 2 p.m. Thursday, one at Sullivan’s Island and one at Folly Beach. At Sullivan’s Island, the Dunleavy family organizes the event, which benefits the Special Olympics. Snapper Jack’s on Folly hosts the plunge there to benefit the Lowcountry Food Bank. Crazy costumes are encouraged. There is no charge, but donations to the causes are gladly accepted. For more information about the Sullivan’s Island dip, call 843-883-9646. For more information about the Folly Beach plunge, call 843-588-2362.

Running start
Get the New Year off to a healthy start at the Resolution Run Saturday. The 5K run/walk hosted by Trident United Way starts at 9 a.m. at Riley Park and winds through Hampton Park and The Citadel. Afterward, stay awhile and enjoy some music, food and entertainment. Registration is $25; children ages 7 to 15 pay their age in dollars; there's no charge for kids younger than 7. The cost includes a long-sleeved T-shirt and timing chip. Registration the day of the race begins at 7 a.m. For more information or to register, call 843-740-9000 or go online.

Celebrate in style
People seeking a highly styled New Year’s Eve have plenty of choices. The Grand Ball at the S.C. Aquarium offers a splashy entrance into 2009 with a black tie/cocktail-attired fete. $125 a ticket gets you an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and music from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Or head over to the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium for the second annual Club NY event that will have a New York nightclub feel with DJs, salsa dancing and break dancing. A $100 ticket includes an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast. The party is from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. (Pictured is last year’s celebration at the Gaillard)

Nosh the night away
If you cater more to your palate than to your dancing shoes, splurge on a festive dinner at one of several restaurants offering special menus and seatings for New Year’s Eve. Tristan will have a three-course dinner for $100, and Cru Cafe will feature a five-course dinner with two seatings for $40 to $85. Muse is offering a three-course dinner for $50, and Coco’s Cafe will have three seatings and an a la carte menu. McCrady’s (left) will have a variety of seatings and tasting menus for $55 to $90.

Start early
For a family-friendly way to celebrate New Year’s Eve, head to Marion Square for a citywide celebration. It starts at 4 p.m. and goes until 10:30 p.m. Watch all kinds of musical performances, including classical, gospel and jazz, and see comedy improv acts and African dancing. Face painting, arts and crafts and balloon art will entertain the kids, and food vendors will fill up the park to add to the celebration. There is no charge to attend. For more information, call 843-724-7305.

Sit back and relax
The Kids Movie Marathon at the Sewee Visitor Center continues into the new year. Wednesday will feature 30-minute movies on Seashores and Weather, and Friday will feature Bird Brained and Butterfly and Moth. Kids with animal inklings will enjoy the Alligator and Crocodile and Ape movies Saturday. The movies start at 10 a.m. and are ideal for kids ages 4 to 10. There's no charge to watch. The center is at 5821 U.S. Highway 17 N. in Awendaw. For more information or directions, call 843-928-3368.

Micro- and macro-level art
Artist Leigh Ann Davis incorporates microscopic observations into a larger picture of vast biological landscapes to create unique mixed-media abstractions on panel. Her work will be on window exhibit at The Meeting Place in North Charleston beginning at 9 a.m. Friday and going through February. While you're there, browse more than 60 photographic entries for the Keep North Charleston Beautiful "Beautiful Places" contest earlier this year. For more information, go online or call 843-745-1087.

Step out
Feel inspired to try something new in the new year? How about learning the tango or the quickstep? The Ballroom Dance Club has one-hour group lessons from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Saturday and the first Friday of the month. Afterward until 11 p.m., the dancing spirit continues with a dance party. Snacks and soft drinks are included. Tickets are $8 and $5 for students. The club is at 1632 Ashley Hall Road in West Ashley. For more information, go online or call 843-832-6937.

Try a taste
Gather a bunch of friends or just bring your significant other for a night of wine tastings around Charleston. In Good Taste in West Ashley hosts informal wine events Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 2 to 4 p.m. for $1. For more information, call 843-763-5597. Or head over to Amuse on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard for Wine Lover’s Happy Hour with five flights of wine for $5. Happy hour runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call 843-573-8778. On Daniel Island, enjoy a Saturday Wine Tasting at Laura Alberts Tasteful Options. For more information, call 843-881-4711.

Eastside Surfblog
Longtime surfer Grady Johnson, SC Biz News group publisher and CEO, has launched a new blog about surfing along the shores east of the Cooper. Check out the latest entry here, drop him a note ... or, better yet, go surf!

Coming soon:
Path to Rediscovery retreat: Jan. 16-18 at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island. Enjoy a weekend getaway full of cooking demonstrations, spa treatments and book signings. Tickets: $625-$735 for the weekend, $45-$289 for a day. For more information, call 1-800-654-2924.

Painters of the American Life: Through March 22 at the Gibbes Museum of Art. This exhibit traces the work of eight American artists through the 20th century. Tickets: $9, $5 for children. For more information, call 843-722-2706.

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town: Through the entire month of January, get one-time admission to 37 area attractions and discounts at 24 restaurants. Passes are $20 for individuals and $50 for a family of four. Call 843-853-8000 to learn more.