Lulu the Clown will entertain children during First Night New Bedford.

EAST BAY - It's time to say goodbye to 2005, but don't get too nostalgic. Several nearby cities and towns are ushering in the new year with a bang, with plenty of family fun for those of us with young kids who can't stay up until the ball drops. Here's your guide to the highlights.

First Night Fall River

Party under the stars and snowflakes in the Spindle City from 5:30 p.m. to midnight. All events are free.

All First Night Fall River ceremonies will be held in front of Community Development Recreation (CDREC), 72 Bank St. That includes the procession at 6:30 p.m., fireworks at 7 p.m. and the ball drop at midnight.

Members of the Hills Mills Clown Band will keep the crowds entertained as they stroll the First Night footprint. If you're looking for some "early-bird" fun that's ideal for families, here are some performers that will entertain at 5:30 p.m.:

* Andrey Markov and the Stars of the Moscow Circus at CDREC (also at 7:30 and 10:15 p.m.)

* The Silvertones at South Main Street Senior Center, 114 South Main St.

* Sparky's Puppets at Cantina's, 17 Sullivan Drive

* Storyteller Cindy Killavey at the children's department at Fall River Public Library, 104 North Main St.

* Balloon animal family show in the community room at the library

* Jackson Gillman, the Stand-up Chameleon, at YMCA, 199 North Main St.

* Face painting and body art by Jen at CJ's Gourmet Deli & Pizzeria, 60 North Main St.

There is no admission fee for any events. For questions or for more information call 508/324-CITY.

First Night Newport

The City by the Sea is partying like it's 2006 and there's no shortage of fun stuff for kids.

* The Bowen's Wharf Tent Pavilion on America's Cup Avenue makes is kid central on Dec. 31. From 5 to 8:45 p.m., there will be face painting, balloon creations and visits from Sponge Bob, Gully from the Newport Gulls and Burt the Raccoon. Mifflin Lowe will play children's music at 5 p.m., Danoe the Clown will get you laughing at 6 p.m. and Radio Disney plays music at 7 p.m.

* Thompson Middle School, 55 Broadway, is the setting for an indoor kite-flying demonstration from 5 to 8:45 p.m. While you're there, check out the Inkawaski Pan Pipe Flute Players and Dancers.

* Visit Sparky the Fire Dog and enjoy light refreshments from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Newport Fire Department, 21 West Marlborough St.

* Head over to the Sovereign Bank Family Skating Center on America's Cup Avenue for a free skating exhibition, "Clowns on Ice," from 5 to 8:45 p.m.

* For the older children in the family, there will be teen concerts at Jane Pickens Theatre, 49 Touro St., from 6 to 9 p.m.

* Don't miss the fireworks display over Newport Harbor at 9:15 p.m.

Buttons cost $8 and allow admission to nearly all events (admission for children ages 5 and under is free). Visit www.firstnightnewport.org to find out where buttons can be purchased and for a complete schedule.

Bright Night

In Providence, Bright Night celebrates its third year with some of Rhode Island's best storytellers, musicians, acrobats, magicians, dancers and clowns.

Need to make an early night of it? Here are some good choices:

* Providence Children's Museum, 100 South St., is the setting for fiddle music and stories with Mary King and Melanie Cabell at 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.; and storytelling with Anne Marie Forer at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

* The RISD Museum, 224 Benefit St., hosts Marvellous Marvin and his magic of science at 1 and 3 p.m.; and storyteller Val Tutson at 2 and 4 p.m.

* The bigger-than-life puppet group, Big Nazo, puts on a rock and roll extravaganza at the URI-Shepard Building on Westminster Street at 4:30 and 6 p.m. They will also perform at 7:30 and 9 p.m.

* Members of the American Story Theatre, including Mark Binder, Carolyn Martino and others, spin yarns at 3 and 4 p.m. at the Beneficent Roundtop Center, 300 Weybosset St.

* The First Baptist Church, 75 North Main St., puts the spotlight on two children's singers and storytellers: Keith Munslow, at 5 p.m. and Bill Harley at 6 and 7 p.m.

* The Ocean State Children's Chorus will perform at Grace Church, 175 Mathewson St., at 3 and 4 p.m.

* Mathewson Hall, 134 Mathewson St., has some kid-friendly fare with magicians Lon Cerel at 3 and 4 p.m. and Chris Carbone at 7 and 8 p.m.; as well as Davey the Clown at 5 and 6 p.m.

* The Youth Jazz Orchestra will swing that music at the Beneficent Sanctuary, 300 Weybosset St., at 3 and 4 p.m.

* The Guinness Record Jugglers, featuring a "chainsaw juggling ballet," will dazzle the crowd at the Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St., at 6 and 8 p.m.

Don't forget the fireworks at 5:35 p.m. and the strolling performers, including the Banished Fools and the Snow Queen, who will go around granting wishes.

Wristbands, which cost $10 each in advance or $15 if purchased on Dec. 31, allow you free festival-style admission to all sites. To buy them, call 621-6123. For more information and a complete list of events, visit www.brightnight.org.

First Night New Bedford

This family-oriented festival showcases art and entertainment at many of the fine historic locations in downtown New Bedford such as the Zeiterion Theater, City Hall, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Custom House Square, Times Square Atrium and many others. Here's where the kids might want to head:

* The Toe Jam Kooky Kazoo Band leads a procession at 6 p.m., with free kazoos given to the first 100 children. The parade will march from City Hall to Custom House Square, where the official opening ceremonies take place.

* At New Bedford Public Library, 613 Pleasant St., Hurdy Gurdy and Coco will entertain at 6:30 p.m.; Captain Jack the Pirate enthralls listeners with captivating seafaring tales at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.; and George the Magician Man mystifies audiences at 8 and 9 p.m.

* The Toe Jam Puppet Band livens up Gallery X, 169 William St., at 7:15 and 8:30 p.m.

Throughout the evening, there will be old-fashioned horse and buggy rides and mini-train rides for all ages. In addition, youngsters can bounce and hop on any of five inflatable amusements at the YMCA, 25 South Water St. or laugh to the zany antics of Lulu the Clown.

Attendance buttons, which provide admission to all New Bedford First Night venues, cost $10 (children ages 3 and under admitted free). For more information and where to buy buttons, visit www.firstnightnb.org.