Holiday hat trick: 3 days of fun to usher in 2011

Countdown to Noon, Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic. The museum opens at 9 a.m. with a "Noon Year" party with countdowns and confetti at noon and 1 p.m. $15. 215-581-3181, pleasetouchmuseum.org.

Betsy's New Year's Birthday Bash, Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch St. Celebrate the nation's most famous seamstress on her 259th birthday (it's actually Jan. 1) with cake, crafts and audio tours. $3 adults, $2 children, $5 audio tours. 215-629-4026, betsyrosshouse.org.

SugarHouse Casino's Twice the Fireworks! Twice the Fun! Pyrotechnics over the Delaware River along Columbus Boulevard; shows at 6 p.m. and midnight. 215-928-8801, delawareriverevents.com.

New Year's Eve Party on Ice, Blue Cross RiverRink, Columbus Boulevard at Market Street. Two family-friendly parties that coincide with the fireworks displays; 5-7 p.m. and 11 p.m.-1 a.m. $30 for skaters, $20 for spectators. 215-925-RINK, riverrink.com.

New Year's Eve Pre-Party, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Enjoy the art and a live band; 5-8:45 p.m. Free with museum admission: $16, $14 seniors, $12 students. 215-763-8100, philamuseum.org.

Independence Seaport Museum, Columbus Boulevard at Walnut Street. Arrive early to explore the museum, including historic submarine Becuna and cruiser Olympia, then at 6 p.m. watch the fireworks from the museum terrace. $12, $10 seniors, $7 children. 215-413-8655, phillyseaport.org.

Battleship New Jersey, 62 Battleship Place, Camden. Sleep over on the battleship, Navy style, after dinner in the crew's mess hall, a ride in a flight simulator, a tour of the ship and a toast during the midnight fireworks. $60.95. Also available: Tickets for just the fireworks party, which includes prizes, music and bar service, $8. 866-877-6262, battleshipnewjersey.org.

Deep Sea Splash, Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden. View the sea creatures, then enjoy appetizers, food stations and an open bar and watch the fireworks from the aquarium; 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $115 in advance, $120 day of event (event does sell out). 856-365-3399, adventureaquarium.com.

National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St. The center showcases New Year's traditions across the globe. Visit "Art of the American Soldier" before it leaves Philadelphia on Jan. 10. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $12, $11 seniors, $8 children. 215-409-6700, constitutioncenter.org.

Sing-along "Sound of Music," World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. Costume-optional screening of the film classic. Noon, family-friendly version, $12 adults, $10 kids, with family-friendly buffet ($10 adults, $7 kids); 7 p.m. for more mature audiences, $15-$20 in advance, $17-$22 day of show. 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Enchanted Colonial Village, Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic. This village first made its home at the Lit Brothers department store from 1962 to 1975 and depicts a bakery, blacksmith shop, toymaker, tailor, watchmaker and more; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $15. 215-581-3181, pleasetouchmuseum.org.

Cirque du Soliel: Dralion, Liacouras Center, Cecil B. Moore Avenue & Broad Street. All-new spectacle with themes of Eastern and Western philosophy and performances by more than 50 gymnasts, musicians and acrobats; 1 and 5 p.m., $36-$95. 800-298-4200, liacourascenter.com.

Longwood Gardens Christmas, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square. Thousands of lights, plus concerts, sing-alongs and ice-skating performances in addition to the beauty of the gardens' grounds and conservatory; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. $18, $15 seniors, $8 students, under 4 free. 610-388-1000, longwoodgardens.org.

Liberty 360, Peco Theater at the Historic Philadelphia Center, 6th and Chestnut streets. A new 15-minute 3-D film narrated by a larger-than-life Ben Franklin, spotlighting icons of American freedom, shown every 20 minutes; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. $7, $6 seniors and kids. 215-629-4026, historicphiladelphia.org.