Gymkhana Club in Darjeeling, King Thai in Kalimpong, Cochrane Place in Kurseong and Blue Mountain Country Club near Siliguri. Pictures by Suman Tamang, Chinlop Fudong Lepcha, Vivek Singh and The Telegraph

A busy year is drawing to a close and it is time to either pack your bags and head for a short holiday or stay in town and party hard. As you get ready to usher in the New Year, The Telegraph picks the hottest parties in town, along with the best holiday packages on offer.

Gangtok

Venue: Smileland beside Ranikhola

What’s on: TimeOut, the oldest night-club in town, will shift base to Smileland for a New Year’s Eve party that promises to continue till dawn. There will be music blaring out at 25,000 watts, a bonfire, a barbecue and competitions with prizes for winners. The entry fee is Rs 800 for couples, Rs 600 for stags and Rs 200 for ladies.

Added attraction: Vertical passion, a band from Darjeeling, will perform during the first half of the party. Suraj Gurung, a tattoo artist, will be at hand for anyone who wants to get a tattoo done.

Darjeeling

Venue: Code Orange, the night-club of Orange Village Resort at 6th Mile

What’s on: Apocalyptical Ritual 2008, which the organisers say, will be the mother of all parties to welcome the New Year. Bands from Darjeeling (Carnival) and Siliguri (Fire Spitters: Lil Dragons) will perform live. Stags will have to shell out Rs 500 (Rs 750 to include the dinner buffet) and ladies only Rs 250.

Added attraction: Fireworks, psychedelic lights, two dance floors and DJs holding court with retro, hip hop, reggaeton, progressive and trance music.

Darjeeling

Venue: Darjeeling Gymkhana Club

What’s on: A bonfire party at the Rink Hall of the club with Kurseong Musical Band in attendance. For a change, the club has decided to open its gates to tourists and non-members of the town, who can be invited as guests of regular members.

Added attraction: Prizes for the best-dressed and best-dancing couples.

Kalimpong

Venue: Kadambari Rink Mall

What’s on: A carnival. A number of restaurants in town have tied up with the owners of Kadambari Rink Mall to organise the event. There will be good food, delicious sweets, music and surprise gifts for patrons.

Added attraction: The exclusive kebab stall and jalebi counter.

Venue: Hotel Anand Palace

What’s on: A special Leave your Wallet Behind package. A two-night stay, including pick up from Siliguri and neighbouring areas, sight-seeing trips around Darjeeling and food, will come at a price of Rs 9,000 for a couple. Those planning a three-night stay starting from December 29 will have to pay Rs 12,000.

Added attraction: Children below five will not be charged.

Kalimpong

Venue: King Thai, the resto-bar at Thanadara

What’s on: A five-and-a-half-hour-party from 7.30pm to 1am to welcome the New Year with a cocktail of exotic drinks, Thai food and music. Tipplers can go for cocktails like Screwdrivers, Blue Mists and Baileys on the rocks. Non-alcoholic beverages like Shirley Temple and Orange Blossom will also be served. Foodies can look forward special crispy Thai chicken that goes down well with King Thai noodles.

Added attraction: The price. Stags will be charged Rs 300, while couples will have to cough up only Rs 500. And the entry tickets come with a drink and special Thai dinner.

Kurseong

Venue: Cochrane Place

What’s on: The New Year’s party will continue till 3am on January 1 but entry is restricted to the 65 or so in-house guests and a few special invitees. Local bands will play live music and plans are being made to get a magician from Calcutta. The guests can choose from Indian, Chinese and Continental dishes.

Added attraction: The chef’s special for the night — rainbow rice and chicken curry.

Siliguri

Venue: Blue Mountain Country Club, 4km from town

What’s on: Magical Night by the poolside on New Year’s eve, an event media-sponsored by The Telegraph. There will be live music from Smooth Riff, a band from Darjeeling, dance numbers churned out by DJ Ehtesham from Calcutta and a wide spread of Indian food.

Added attraction: The location. The club is surrounded by tea gardens with a stream flowing close by. If it’s a clear night, you can see the lights dotting the Kurseong and Rohini hills.

Dooars

Venue: Sinclairs Chalsa

What’s on: A one-day-one-night stay at the resort that will include two major meals, one breakfast and an opportunity to be at the 31st night party. The price is Rs 4,300 per couple. Guests can either check in before lunch on December 31 and check out after breakfast the next day, or come just before the party and leave after lunch on January 1. The party will have its own DJ, a dance troupe, a barbecue and, to top it all, a multi-cuisine spread.

Added attraction: The bonfire on top of the hillock where the resort is located.

Malda

Venue: Golden Park and Resort, around 10km from Malda town on NH34

What’s on: A party that will start at 8pm and continue well past midnight. Buffet coupons can be bought for Rs 350 per person, though drinks will be charged extra. TV personalities from Calcutta are expected to be present at the bash.

Added attraction: Fireworks at midnight.