The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

FAMILY
The Night Before New Year's Eve Party

Bundle up the fam and head to this kid-friendly pre-New Year's shindig at the Nokomis Community Center. Enjoy hayrides led by white Percheron horses, marshmallow roasting, fully-loaded hot dogs, and games such as bowling, golf, basketball shoot, cup stacking, and more. Get hands-on with crafts; have your fortune told; see a few magic tricks between dancing and listening to live music. The event caps off with a traditional countdown along with a visit from Father Time himself. C'mon. This is the perfect way to appease your kids' NYE party penchant -- so you won't feel guilty ditching them on Wednesday night for some adult-style fun. Probably good parent-watching, too.

5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Nokomis Park Community Center, 2401 East Minnehaha Pkwy, Minneapolis, Free

BENEFIT EVENT
Hats and Mittens Benefit Ball

For the past 13 years, activist Rebecca Jorgenson Larson has spearheaded this annual event benefiting a different non-profit organization each year. This year's partner is Girls in Action, a program focused on increasing the academic engagement of female students through a structured process. Enjoy a delicious sit-down dinner, silent and live auctions, live music from Dick Whitbeck and Synergy, as well as a piano reception. Donating to a worthy cause is the perfect way to say sayonara to 2008!

6 p.m. to Midnight, Minneapolis Marriot Southwest, Minnetonka, $85 + Hats and mittens.

Extra: Want to do-good and stay in the city? Eve of the Eve at the IDS Center is a New York themed party benefiting the Junior League of Minneapolis.

MUSIC
Late Night Happy Hour feat. Plate Tectonics

If you're looking for a cool late night happy hour, we can recommend one of our stand-bys, the King and I Thai. With different live DJs every night along with happy hour drink specials, this hip Downtown spot is a chilled out place to hang with your friends or even take a date. Enjoy tasty specialty cocktails and deals on Thai snackings such as crispy fried tofu, mock duck eggrolls, and spicy, delicate curry puffs. Tonight take in the electronic sounds of Plate Tectonics on the turntables and warm up for your impending New Year's Eve exploits.

10 p.m. to Midnight, King and I Thai, 1346 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, Free

Other DJ Events tonight: Silver + Gold Singles Night with 2-4-1 Cocktails @ Clubhouse Jager or Triple Double @ The Triple Rock.