⏳ Three (deep breaths)

• Sahaja Yoga Meditation | Dec. 31 | 8:45-9:45 p.m. | Free | Find your center during this evening social + spiritual meditation session.
• Norah’s New Year Walk | Jan. 1 | 1-3:30 p.m. | $25 | Join the Elsmo family on a two-mile walk for a peaceful welcome to the New Year in honor of their daughter, Norah.

🍽️ Two (parts)

• Concourse Hotel | Dec. 31-Jan. 1 | $40-$590 | 3:00 p.m.-1:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (Brunch) | Choose from multiple packages that include dinner + champagne on New Year’s Eve paired with a brunch the following day.
• Wil-Mar Masquerade Ball | Dec. 31 | 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m. | Free | Enjoy a potluck dinner followed by a night of dancing at this community masquerade event.

🍻 One (big party)

• Red Rock NYE | Dec. 31 | 8 p.m.-4 a.m. | $30+ | Pay $70 ahead of time ($80 at the door) for an open bar of beer and rail mixers until 1 a.m.
• Ivory Room Black + Gold Extravaganza | Dec. 31 | 8 p.m.-2 a.m. | $20 | Groove into 2023 with dueling pianos and a free Champagne toast at midnight.

🎊 Happy New Year

• Nerd Nite | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 8-10:30 p.m. | High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave., Madison | Free | Spend the night geeking out over brews, discussions + presentations about anything and everything.

• Holiday Express: Flower and Model Train Show | Thursday, Dec. 15-31 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave., Madison | $8 | Enjoy large-scale model trains chugging through a festive scene overflowing with hundreds of poinsettias and fresh evergreens.
• Trivia Night at Madison’s | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 7-9 p.m. | Madison’s, 119 King St., Madison | Free | Buzz into this general knowledge trivia game with gift cards for winners.

• The Nutcracker | Friday, Dec. 16-24 | 7-6 p.m. | Overture Center, 201 State St., Madison | $19-$95 | Enjoy the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and the Madison Ballet while they put on a classic holiday performance.

• 44º | Cloudy | 82% chance of rain

• Madison’s Plan Commission approved a $140 million development plan where the Lake Street parking garage currently sits. Housing, public parking, and an intercity bus terminal are all on the table for this development. 🏗️ (Madison.com)

• This year’s winter commencement speaker, Charlie Berens, will be hosting a book signing after speaking words of wisdom to UW grads this Sunday. Head over to The University Bookstore on State St. with your copy of “The Midwest Survival Guide” to meet the comedian. (NBC 15)

• 19. Out of all vehicles on WI roads, 19% are pickup trucks, 4% higher than the national average. Unfortunately for local pickup owners, Stellantis is recalling 1.4 million 2019-2022 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickups due to tailgate malfunctions. 🛻 (WKOW)

• Holiday cheer isn’t the only thing spreading this season. The CDC reported “very high” flu activity in our state this season. Find a flu vaccine near you — there may even be a needleless option. 🩺 (Verywell Health)

• What gifts are on the radar this season? City Editor Ally is ready to rock this Hello 608! hoodie. Shop these unique gifts + more at our online shop Six & Main. 🛍️

• How does Scott’s Cheap Flights work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and Scott’s will notify you when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a $300+ round trip to Bermuda). 🌴*

FedEx deadlines:

• Wednesday, Dec. 14 | FedEx Ground
• Tuesday, Dec. 20 | Express Saver
• Wednesday, Dec. 21 | FedEx 2Day
• Friday, Dec. 23 | FedEx SameDay

UPS deadlines:

• Tuesday, Dec. 20 | UPS 3 Day Select
• Wednesday, Dec. 21 | UPS 2nd Day Air
• Thursday, Dec. 22 | UPS Next Day Air

United States Postal Service deadlines:

• Friday, Dec. 16 | USPS Priority Mail Express Military service
• Saturday, Dec. 17 | USPS Retail Ground service, First-Class Mail service, First-Class packages
• Monday, Dec. 19 | Priority Mail service
• Friday, Dec. 23 | Priority Mail Express service