The countdown to the year 2006 — the Year of the Dog, by the way — is under way.

There are options galore.

Fireworks? The biggie will be off Aloha Tower Marketplace at midnight Saturday.

The last hurrah? Harborside, at Kapono's, Henry Kapono will stage his grand finale from 5:30 p.m. His nightclub shuts down with the New Year's Eve hoopla.

Stardust? Only one celeb is among us this year: Natalie Cole at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom.

Along the Waikiki strip, Don Tiki is new to the marquee, appearing at the Pacific Beach Hotel's Grand Ballroom. Pali is at The Royal Hawaiian's Surf Room and The Makaha Sons and Kapena lead the local-faves menu in the Sheraton Waikiki's Hawaii Ballroom. The Krush is poolside at the Sheraton Waikiki. At The Royal Hawaiian's Monarch Room, it's black-tie formal with Nueva Vida.

Across the street at the Moana Surfrider, eight0eight adds Ginai to the fun. And the Society of Seven Las Vegas fronts the party at the Outrigger Waikiki's Main Showroom. Over at the Ala Moana Hotel, Kit Samson assembles Shari Lynn and Alfredo Romero to join his Sound Advice in a show-and-dance outing. Sonya Mendez brings bounce to the Kahala Mandarin's Maile Ballroom.

And the Halekulani again hosts the Honolulu Symphony for symphonic ambience at Orchids.

Lots more haps, big and small, are in our compilation by June Odessa Yago.

Have a happy celebration! But if you drink, don't drive — stay alive.

The 4 indicates admission is $5 or less, or free. Full-price admission is listed; * denotes discounts (or free) for students, seniors, military, members, children and/or advance purchases. Call venue for details.

31|SATURDAY

NEW YEAR'S EVE

FIREWORKS

√ New Year's Eve Fireworks Extravaganza, entertainment, rock climbing wall, bungee ride and fireworks (at midnight), 7 p.m.-midnight, Aloha Tower Marketplace; free. 566-2337.

√ Waikiki New Year's Fireworks Display, 10-minute aerial show, midnight, Waikiki Beach; free. 923-1094.

OUT-OF-TOWNER

Natalie Cole New Year's Eve Celebration, Grammy-winning singer, doors open 9 p.m., pre-show 9-10:15 and show at 10:30, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Coral Ballroom; $90-$200 per person or $450-$650 packages for two. 947-7877.

SHOWROOMS

"Creation — A Polynesian Journey," with dinner buffet, glass of champagne and party favors, doors open 6 p.m., show at 7:30, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani; $125*. 921-4600.

Forbidden World of Don Tiki New Year's Eve Extravaganza, with Don Tiki Dancers, Lopaka Colon, Noel Okimoto, Willow Chang and Sherry Shaoling, dinner buffet and show 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m., cocktails and show 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Pacific Beach Hotel, Grand Ballroom; $150* dinner show, $95* cocktail show. 921-6137.

Society of Seven Las Vegas Celebrates 2006, with split of champagne and party favors, dinner buffet 7:45 p.m., shows at 9 and 11 and dancing at 10:30, Outrigger Waikiki, Main Showroom; 21 and older; $149. 923-7469.

CONCERTS

Kapono's Final Hour at the Tower, with Henry Kapono, Speed Limit, Ledward Ka'apana, Inoa'ole, fireworks, 5:30 p.m., Kapono's; 21 and older; $30* or $50-$100 VIP packages. 536-2161.

9th Annual Ho'omaka Hou, with The Makaha Sons, Robi Kahakalau, Kapena, Herb Ohta Jr. and others, 7 p.m., Sheraton Waikiki hotel, Hawaii Ballroom; $85 cabaret, $225* dinner and show. 921-4600.

Kevin and Kompany, with dinner buffet, party favors, champagne and Mel Cabang, 7 p.m., Coconut Willy's; $50. 923-9454.

Kit Samson and Sound Advice, with Shari Lynn and Alfredo Romero, 7 p.m., Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom; $35* cocktail package, $55* dinner package. 955-4811, ext. 4114.

Ring in the New Year, black-tie dinner and show with Nueva Vida and party favors, 7 p.m., The Royal Hawaiian hotel, Monarch Room; $265*. 921-4600.

eightOeight with Ginai, with party favors, 7:15 p.m.-12:15 a.m., Sheraton Moana Surfrider, Banyan Courtyard; $55 concert only, $95 includes appetizer buffet. 921-4600.

Miles Jackson Jazz Trio, with Yvette Nii, dinner and party favors, 8 p.m.-midnight, Sheraton Moana Surfrider, Ship's Tavern; $250*. 921-4600.

New Year's Eve Celebration Dinner, with the Honolulu Symphony, 8:30 p.m., Halekulani, Orchids; $265. 923-2311.

New Year's Eve Dinner, with Pali and champagne toast, 8:30 p.m., The Royal Hawaiian hotel, Surf Room; $150 (dinner-only seating, 5:30 p.m., $95). 921-4600.

Ring in the New Year, with dinner buffet, John Basebase and Friends, party favors and champagne toast, 8:30 p.m., Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Kona Moku Ballroom; $135*. 922-6611.

Sonya Mendez and The Groove, with champagne toast, party favors and fireworks, doors open 9 p.m., show 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii, Maile Ballroom; $65. 739-8890.

Don Conover Trio, with Rex Nockengust, pupu buffet, party favors and hats, 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Shanghai Bistro; $60. 955-8668.

New Year's Eve Poolside Party, with The Krush and party favors, 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Sheraton Waikiki hotel, poolside; also, free pre-concert show with The Ka'ala Boys, 6-8:30 p.m.; $40*. 921-4600.

DANCE

Happy New Year 2006, dinner menu, 4-8:15 p.m., set menu 8:30-10:30 p.m., Longhi's; followed by dancing until 2 a.m.; $80 set menu. 947-9899.

New Year's Eve Dance, dinner, dancing, exhibitions, skits with Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association, 6 p.m., Radisson Waikiki Prince Kuhio Hotel ballroom; $44. 754-0947, 848-7789.

STAGE

New Year's Eve Celebration, with mystery dinner theater show "Death Plays the Market," party favors and DJ, doors open 7 p.m., dinner show at 8, DJ at 10, Dave and Buster's; $75. 589-2215.

FAMILY TIES

New Year's at Noon, with balloon drop, apple juice toast, crafts, carousel rides, "Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog" traveling exhibit, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Hawaii Children's Discovery Center; $8*. 524-5437.

ON THE WATER

Star of Honolulu New Year's Eve Cruise, with fireworks viewing, party favor, dinner, entertainment, 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Aloha Tower Marketplace, Pier 8; $90-$154 kama'aina. 983-7827.

Starlet New Year's Eve Cruise, with champagne toast, Hawaiian music and DJ, party favors and fireworks viewing, 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Aloha Tower Marketplace, Pier 8; 21 and older; $48.75-$65. 983-7827.

CLUBS

√ Happy New Year's Party, karaoke, 8 p.m., OnStage Drinks and Grinds; no cover. 306-7799.

Anime! tribute to Japanese animation, with balloon drop and champagne toast, 8 p.m.-4 a.m., Fusion Waikiki; $20*. 924-2422.

New Year's Eve Country Hoedown, with champagne toast and party favors, 8 p.m.-4 a.m., Nashville Waikiki; 21 and older; $10. 926-7911.

Phelony — Breakout into 2006, with DJs Spencer from New York City, FLX from Chicago, G-Spot and Second Hand Sin, 8 p.m.-4 a.m., Wave Waikiki; 21 and older; $15 presale. 941-0424, ext. 12.

2006 New Year's Eve Massive, with DJs PSI, Jon Q, K-Smooth, Compose, NiteLite and Schwin, 9 p.m., The O Lounge; 18 and older; $15*. 944-8436.

Reggae New Year's Eve Party, with Irie Souls and DJs Jahson the 45 Revolver and Liloa, 9 p.m., Detox; 18 and older; $10*. 526-0200.

Saturday Night Fever: A Disco Boogie Wonderland, with DJ Hector Fonseca from New York City, 9 p.m., Hula's Bar & Lei Stand; $15*. 923-0669.

√ Celtic New Year's Celebration, with Doolin' Rakes and green champagne toast, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., O'Toole's Irish Pub; no cover. 536-4138.

√ New Year's Celebration, with FreeSound, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Kelley O'Neil's; no cover. 926-1777.

Big Trouble in Little China, with Jennifer Johns and DJs Fort Knox (Jon Horvath) and Thunderball (Steve Raskin), 9 p.m.-2 a.m., NextDoor; 21 and older; $25*. www.whoisnextdoor.com.

New Year's Eve, with DJ Harvey, Michael Koppelman, Gerry Rooney, Hugh Herrera, DJ Mark and Jules Gaytan, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., thirtyninehotel; 21 and older; $10. 599-2552.

New Year's Eve Party, with El Conjunto Tropical and champagne, 9 p.m.2 a.m., Cafe Che Pasta; 18 and older; $10. 524-0029.

New Year's Eve on the Rocks, with members of Sublime, Q Ball and Marshall with DJ Vegas Vibe, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Hard Rock Cafe; 21 and older; $25*. 955-7383.

Royal Ball, with DJ J Rock from the Beat Junkies, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Wonderlounge at the Wonderland, W Hono-lulu; 21 and older; $30. 922-3734.

New Year's Eve Party, 9 p.m.-4 a.m., Zanzabar Night Club; 21 and older; $20 general, $25 table, $150 VIP room. 924-3939.

Rolando Sanchez and Island Salsa, with glass of champagne, 9:30 p.m., Jazz Minds Art & Cafe, 1661 Kapi'olani Blvd.; $25. 945-0800.

New Year's Eve Black and White Party, with Primal Tribe, 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m., Tropics in Kailua; 21 and older; $7. 262-3343.

Running With the Bulls, with Andrew Clyne from Spain, Ms. Angel, Monkey and Jason Silingo, 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m., Indigo Eurasian Cuisine, Opium Den and Green Room; 21 and older; $15. 521-2900.

New Year's Eve Buffet and Fireworks Show, with party favors, 10 p.m., Don Ho's Island Grill; followed by late-night dance party with DJ; $60. 528-0807.

√ Happy New Year 2006, with DJ GabStop and The Main Ingredient, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Kemo'o Farm, The Pub and Lakeside Lanai; 21 and older; $5. 621-1835, 622-5009.

New Year's Eve Wild Out, hip-hop, reggaeton, R&B, hats, horns and favors, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Panama Hattie's; $15. 485-8226.

New Year's Eve Dungeon, fetish-themed dance event, 10 p.m.-3 a.m., Galaxy Nightclub; 18 and older; cover. www.dungeonhawaii.com.

Hallucienda New Year's Eve, with DJ Three from New York City and MC Wildchild from Los Angeles, The Direct Descendants, Akio and Archangel (Ramyt),10 p.m.-4 a.m., The Living Room, Fisherman's Wharf; 21 and older; $20-$25. 538-3808, 479-7622.

New Year's Eve Afterhours, with DJs FLX, Quicksilva, G-Spot, IKON, PSI, Technique and Chronkite, 3-9 a.m., Skybox; 18 and older; $10. 591-3500.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.