The weekend-long festivities will begin with a Friday night kick-off party on Dec. 30 at Putnam Place, according to the Saratogian. Then on Saturday, New Year’s Eve, starting at 1:00 pm, free children’s activities will be offered, leading up to a fireworks display that will launch from the City Center parking facility. This spectacle will take place at a new, family-friendly time in the early evening. Post-fireworks, the festival will continue with live entertainment at participating downtown sites until midnight, with reserved seating available for the main stage concerts. Headlining acts The Samples, Cowboy Junkies and the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio will perform on the main stage at the Saratoga Springs City Center. The holiday road race, a tradition for many, will happen on New Year’s Day, also under a new title as the First Day 5K. Other Jan. 1 activities will include games like cornhole, darts, poker and bridge as well as a food festival for what will be a “Sunday Funday” celebration. General admission tickets purchased in advance will be $20 and then $25 as the event gets closer. Kids under 16 can attend for free. There are also VIP packages.