Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts announce Baltimore’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular presented by The Baltimore Sun on Saturday, December 31 from 9pm to 12:30am. The holiday event features live music throughout the evening and the official countdown to 2012 with a multicolored fireworks show at the stroke of midnight, 12am.

Prior to the fireworks, the 8 ohms band performs funk and soul music starting at 9pm at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater, located at Pratt and Light streets. Baltimore’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular is presented by The Baltimore Sun with additional sponsorship provided by Harborplace & The Gallery, Kramon & Graham, P.A. and Amtrak. The media sponsor is WJZ-TV 13. Donations are courtesy of Willard Hackerman of Whiting-Turner, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Hilton Baltimore, Hyatt Regency Baltimore, Waterfront Partnership, Visit Baltimore, Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards and William Berg.

Produced by Pyrotecnico, the fireworks blast from two barges anchored in the waters of the harbor. The display is approximately 18 minutes and choreographed to Top 40 and festive holiday music. Visitors can view the fireworks from downtown attractions, restaurants, hotels, residences and surrounding areas, such as Federal Hill, Fell’s Point and Harbor East.

Additionally, Waterfront Partnership hosts its last Power Plant Holiday Light Show Spectacular of the season on December 31 at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm and 11pm. The holiday light show features an unforgettable display of lights, lasers, fireworks and music. For more information, visit www.itsawaterfrontlife.org.

Certain area businesses are opened during the holiday on Saturday, December 31, 2011 and Sunday, January 1, 2012. Guests are encouraged to call ahead for holiday hours of operation and restaurant reservations.

Ride the MTA to Baltimore’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular presented by The Baltimore Sun. Metro Subway, Light Rail and Bus are the best ways to get to and from holiday festivities downtown. For details on MTA services, please visit www.mtamaryland.com.