Ring in 2015 with celebrations down the shore

Shore season seems like a distant memory at this point, but they're still kicking it and prepping for an eventful 2015. Say sayonara to the year that was by the oceanside on Wednesday, Dec. 31.

From 4 p.m. until midnight, locations all throughout Ocean City, N.J. host a variety of family-friendly entertainment for First Night. Expect ice-skating, rides and pony rides at the town's high school stadium or a performance from the Trammps at the Music Pier. The evening concludes with a grand fireworks show at midnight. Take a look at the entire lineup of excitement.

Bring the kids to Sea Isle City for their family-friendly event. An early-evening affair, running from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the city's Municipal Gym (4501 Park Rd., Sea Isle City), the celebration features food, dancing and other family activities. Bundle up and get to the beach at JFK Blvd. for a sandy fireworks show at 8 p.m.

Spend the last night of 2014 poolside. The Pool After Dark at Harrah's (777 Harrah's Blvd., Atlantic City) opens its doors at 8 p.m. for a two-hour open bar from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and music from a trio of DJs: Jae T, Eddie Edge and Johnny B.

How does a five-hour open bar at the Chelsea Hotel (111 S. Chelsea Ave., Atlantic City) sound? Set to the beats of a DJ, coat check and champagne toast at midnight, this luxe A.C. event begins at 9 p.m.

Two of our favorite "D" words — dinner and dancing — are on the docket at Dogfish Bar & Grill  (100 E. Taylor Ave., Wildwood) for NYE. Starting at 9 p.m., get your fill on four courses of seafood then round out the evening with dance music, party favors and champagne toast at midnight.

This isn't the Victorian Cape May you might be familiar with. The Boiler Room at Congress Hall (200 Congress Place, Cape May) throws it down with live music, appetizers and all the 2015 accessories you'd ever need starting at 9 p.m.

If contemporary dance music makes your skin crawl, Boogie Nights at the Tropicana (2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City) will be where it's at this New Year's Eve. With disco jams, two-hour open bar beginning at 9 p.m., appetizers, party favors and a midnight champagne toast, this party will be the best homage to the past while simultaneously thrusting you into the future.

Before you get to the boogie, funk it up with The Commodores also at the Tropicana (2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City) as they play one more show in 2014, beginning at 9:30 p.m.

The fun doesn't stop once the clock strikes midnight: Back in Ocean City on Thursday, Jan. 1, sweat it, then dunk it out at the First Day 5K run/walk and ocean plunge. The fun run, whose course is a flat 3.1 miles on the boardwalk, begins at 1 p.m. and icy dip follows at 2 p.m. Registration opens at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Music Pier (825 Boardwalk, Ocean City, N.J.).

A similar affair happens at noon on Thursday, Jan. 1 in Atlantic City. Mayor Don Guardian will count down brave plungers before they take on the chilly waters during this year's Polar Bear Plunge. Bite the bullet and go all out — no wetsuits will be permitted. Meet on the beach in front of Resorts Casino (1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City) at 11 a.m.