New Year's revelry doesn't have to cost a fortune

The holidays can be hard on the budget. But even if you maxed out your credit cards for Christmas, you don't have to stay home watching TV on New Year's Eve.

We've tracked down some great cheap-date options for the big night, ranging from free (you can't get any cheaper than that) all the way up to a big-spender's $50.

The prices are per person and do not include food or drinks except as specified; taxes, tips, parking, etc., add on, too.

At press time, places taking reservations still had openings available, but we don't guarantee anything; they could sell out at any time. And general admission at bars and clubs is on a space-available basis, so you might want to call ahead before venturing out at the last minute.

Have a great 2008!

Free

Ring in 2008 with Big Joe. Naperville rings in the new year, literally, with its 72-bell Millennium Carillon in Riverwalk Park. At 11:25 p.m. Monday, Naperville carillonneurs Tim Sleep and Sue Bergen will play popular and classical duets and solo pieces on the grand carillon until it's time to count down the seconds to the new year, complete with a ball drop.

The carillon is one of only four in the world spanning a full six octaves. Its largest bell, called "Big Joe" in honor of Capt. Joseph Naper, weighs almost 6 tons.

The Riverwalk Eatery will serve free hot cider and coffee.

Last year, several hundred celebrants gathered outside the bell tower, according to organizers, ranging from high school students in top hats and tiaras to empty-nesters.

The carillon is located at Rotary Hill, across from Naperville Central High School, one-quarter mile west of Washington Street, off of Aurora Avenue. Parking will be available at the high school.

Admission is free. For more information, call (630) 527-2188 or see www.naperville-carillon.org.

Party on the Plaza in Des Plaines. Des Plaines hosts its fifth annual New Year's Eve on the Plaza, culminating in a countdown with a lighted descending diamond, confetti cannons, electronic fireworks and music until 12:30 a.m. at the Des Plaines Library Plaza, 1501 Ellinwood St. More than 5,000 people are expected to attend.

Events start at 6 p.m. with a special children's show presented by the Radio Disney Party Patrol at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St. Evening entertainment includes Route No. 66, a costumed female quartet who'll present a choreographed musical journey through the decades from swing to rock 'n' roll, complete with costumes, and performances by the winners of the Des Plaines Park District's Idol competition. Appetizers from area restaurants will be served from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the library.

There will also be a juggling act and two screenings of "High School Musical 2" at the theater; free bowling (for 64 bowlers each at two timeslots, 7:45 and 8:45 p.m., on a first-come basis) at Sim's Bowl, 1555 Ellinwood St.; midnight raffles; clowns; karaoke; free horse-drawn carriage rides; crafts for children; bingo for seniors; and free trolley transportation to parking and the various sites.

Find the complete schedule online at www.desplaines.org/newyearseve, or call Jim Wozny at (847) 298-4644, Linda Forman at (847) 922-0556 or Karen Henrikson at (847) 391-5312.

Party on the Pier. This year, Chicago's big New Year's Eve fireworks display takes place at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, with a family show at 7 p.m. and a second show at midnight. In between, celebrate with soul -- a free concert of soul, Motown and R&B hits by Chicago band PowerPlay -- in the Family Pavilion from 8 to 11:30 p.m. For information, call (312) 595-7437 or see www.navypier.com.

$25 or less

Not just for squares. The Fox Valley Mixers Square Dance Club do-si-dohs in 2008 at Baker Community Center, 101 S. Second St., St. Charles, with caller Dave Sutter of Dubuque, Iowa. Events begin at 8 p.m. and include a catered dinner for $32 per couple; advance tickets are required. Call (630) 584-1194, (630) 584-7086 or (847) 464-5131.

Swingers, rejoice! Get out your zoot suit and swing in the new year at the Swing Dance New Year's Eve party in Bunkeris Lounge at the historic Willowbrook Ballroom, 8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. A night of swing dancing with pretzels, popcorn, party hats and favors and a champagne toast costs $25; add another $20 for a dinner buffet with salad, pasta salad, mashed potatoes, vegetables, mostaccioli, wild rice, sirloin of beef, chicken in lemon basil sauce and dessert, starting at 8 p.m. The dancing goes from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Call (708) 839-1000 or see www.willowbrookballroom.com.

Wake up. Chuck's Lounge at Gino's East, 561 W. Main St., Lake Zurich, opens 2008 with music from Insomnia. The party includes a champagne toast and favors, food and drink specials and no cover charge. Although the entertainment is free, regular menu prices apply for food and drinks. Call (847) 438-4800 or see www.ginoseastlakezurich.com.

Evanston entertains. Illinois' largest New Year's Eve festival of the arts, the annual First Night Evanston, offers performances from 40 artists across 18 stages from 4 to 11:45 p.m. plus midnight fireworks on the lakefront. Music includes jazz, blues, gospel, Latin, folk and classical, and other shows offer dance, comedy and children's entertainment. Highlights include The Special Consensus bluegrass band; blues man Aaron Moore; cabaret singers Carla Gordon and Michelle Greenberg, Chicago Samba; a family show by Ella Jenkins; improv by The Second City; and an eerie show by mentalist Christopher Carter.

A button for admission costs $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 2-12; children younger than 2 admitted free. Seating at shows is first come, first served. Free trolley service will take patrons from place to place. For a complete schedule, see www.firstnightevanston.org or call (847) 475-6483.

Papa loves mambo. Pete Miller's starts 2008 with a Latin beat. Salsa mambo bands play until 2 a.m. at 1385 Meacham Road, Schaumburg, and 412 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, with no cover (regular menu prices for food and drinks apply). Reservations are recommended. Call (847) 330-5500 for Schaumburg or (847) 243-3700 for Wheeling, or see www.petemillers.com.

Five alive. The Brill Babies bring in 2008 at Ballydoyle Irish Pub, 5157 Main St., Downers Grove, with their bouncy nightclub act. There's a $5 cover. Call (630) 969-0600 or see www.ballydoylepub.com.

Ten-dollar twosome. Famous Freddie's rocks in the new year at two locations. The band 7th Heaven hits the stage at 1799 S. Busse Road, Mount Prospect. A mere $10 gets you party favors, balloon drop and a champagne toast at midnight, plus a DJ and dancing downstairs. At 510 S. Park Ave., Fox Lake, $10 admits you to a party with a DJ, dancing, party favors, balloon drop and video countdown. Call (847) 593-2200 for Mount Prospect or (847) 587-9677 for Fox Lake, or see www.famousfreddiesroadhouse.com.

Boogie with Woogie. Rock cover band Woogie brings in the new year at Cubby Bear, 21661 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire. Admission of $10 gets you a champagne toast at midnight, party favors and all the amenities. Call (847) 541-4700 or see www.cubbybear.com/lincolnshire.

Party pub. Finn McCool's Irish Sports Pub, 72 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, offers dancing all night with a DJ, party favors, a video countdown, balloon drop and a champagne toast at midnight. A $10 admission charge gets it all. Call (815) 356-1155 or see www.finnmccoolschicago.com.

Dig the DJs. DJs Luis and Ondrae entertain at Crystal's Party Bar, 800 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, with party favors, a video countdown, balloon drop and a champagne toast at midnight -- all for $10. Call (815) 356-6000 or see www.crystalspartybar.com.

Graduate 2008. At Alumni Club, 871 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, a DJ presides over a "graduation" party with explosive multimedia countdown and balloon drop at midnight. Reserve ahead for $20 and get party favors and guaranteed admission; the same price applies at the door. Call (847) 397-3100 or see www.alumniclubchicago.com.

$50 or less

Laughing all the way. The Comedy Shrine, 22 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, offers a special New Year's Eve "Whose Line?" improv show with an Italian dinner by Angeli's Catering and a champagne toast at midnight. The evening begins at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $50. Call (630) 355-2844 or see www.comedyshrine.com.

Show time. Chicago stage star Hollis Resnick and friends serenade in the new year with 8 and 10:30 p.m. shows at Davenport's, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Admission is $28 plus a two-drink minimum; reservations are required. Resnick, an eight-time Joseph Jefferson Award winner, has appeared in the national touring company of "Les Miserables" and had lead roles in "Always Patsy Cline," "Evita" and "Mame." Call (773) 278-1830 or see www.davenportspianobar.com.

Big buffets. Bogies Ale House, 303 E. Kensington, Mount Prospect, makes sure you won't start the new year hungry. From 8 to 10:30 p.m., chow down on chicken Vesuvio, mostaccioli, meatballs, pizza, Italian sausage and more, then from 12:30 to 2 a.m., fill up at the breakfast buffet, with scrambled eggs, toast, bacon and other morning favorites. In between, dance to music by the Fairlanes or tunes spun by DJ Steve Hatfield, and greet midnight with a champagne toast and party favors. Go home in a cab, compliments of Bogie's, if you live within 8 miles. The package costs $44.95 per person or buy eight tickets for the price of seven. Call (847) 670-0330 or see www.getloft.com.

Howdy, 2008! Greet the new year country-style at Cadillac Ranch, 1175 W. Lake St., Bartlett, with the Hoosier Highway band, a champagne toast, video countdown and balloon drop at midnight. Buy dinner at Sam Houston's Charhouse next door, and admission is only $8, or drop in for the Ranch's $25 buffet from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission after 9 p.m. is $15. The party lasts until 4 a.m. Call (630) 830-7200 or see www.cadranch.com.

Monkeyshines. The New Year's Eve party at Bungalow Joe's, 406 Jensen Blvd., Hanover Park, includes music by the high-energy 5 Cent Monkey plus an open bar with an appetizer buffet from 9 p.m. to midnight. It's $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Call (630) 830-8899 or see www.bungalowjoes.net.

Be cool. Finn McCool's Irish Sports Pub, 1941 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, greets the new year Irish-style. Events begin at 9 p.m. with a three-hour open bar, a DJ, party favors, balloons and a champagne toast at midnight. It costs $35. Call (847) 303-5100 or see www.finnmccoolschicago.com.

Rock on. The Pimps, Boogotta Fix, Westbury, Deadmans Wake and Dysfunctional Mariachi rock you into 2008 at Penny Road Pub, 28W705 Penny Road, Barrington. The $45 package gets you an open bar from 8 to 11 p.m., a buffet, a champagne toast at midnight, party favors, hats and noisemakers. Call (847) 428-0562 or see www.pennyroadpub.com.

Party on the Fox. At Moretti's, 164 S. Route 12, Fox Lake, the party starts at 9 p.m. with a DJ, party favors, a balloon drop and a champagne toast at midnight. The open-bar package costs $49.95 per person or $89.95 per couple. Reservations are required at (847) 973-1800; see www.morettischicago.com.

Drink with Dick. Rock in 2008 at Dick's River Roadhouse, 702 N. River Road, Mount Prospect, with a VIP package for $45 per person, including an open bar from 9 p.m. to midnight, an appetizer buffet, a DJ, party favors, a balloon drop and a champagne toast; advance tickets are recommended. Or you can drop in for the music and buy your own drinks, with no add-ons, for $10 admission. The party lasts until 4 a.m. Call (847) 298-7200 or see www.dicksriverroadhouse.com.

Wherefore? The Modern Day Romeos rock in 2008 at Chicago City Limits, 1712 Wise Road, Schaumburg, with a buffet from 7 to 9 p.m., open bar from 9 p.m. to midnight, party favors and champagne. Tickets cost $50. Call (847) 524-9910 or see www.chicagocitylimits.net.

More New Year's Eve blowouts:

Walter Payton's Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora, offers several NYE options including a laugh-filled party in the ballroom with comedians Johnny Burnett, The Midnight Swinger and Tim Walkoe.

Doors open at 8 p.m. for the 10 p.m. show. Tickets are $125 per person and include: the show, open bar, appetizers, three-course dinner and admission to the dance party. The Swinger and Walkoe headline a 7 p.m. show in America's Club. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person.

Lastly, doors open at 9 p.m. for the DJ dance party. There's a $10 cover. Dinner seatings begin at 4:30 p.m. in the restaurant. Diners get $5 off the 7 p.m. comedy show and dance party. Call (630) 892-0034.

• The Loop and Q101 team up for the annual New Year's Eve Rock 'n' Roll Ball which moves from Navy Pier to the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont this year.

Everclear headlines a lineup that includes Marty Casey & the Lovehammers; DJs and stand-up group, Chicago Underground Comedy.

Doors open at 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $99 and include a four-hour open bar. VIP tickets are $135 and include the open bar and admission into VIP areas.

Tickets are available by phone (312) 559-1212 or www.ticketmaster.com. Hotel and dinner packages range from $325 to $475 and area available by phone (800) 233-1234 or www.ohare.hyatt.com.

• The folks who program Enclave, Stone Lotus and Climax host a party for 3,500 at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Entertainment includes U2 tribute band Vertigo and Rock Candy and DJs Flipside and Billy the Kid. Doors open at 9 p.m.

Tickets are $190 per person and include: four-hour open bar, buffet, hors d'oeuvres, champagne toast and party favors. They're available through www.ticketweb.com or by phone at (312) 226-6990. See www.newyears08.com for information. Overnight hotel accommodations available.

• WGN radio personality Steve Cochran hosts his fourth annual New Year's Eve Comedy and Music spectacular for People Who Can't Stay Up Past Midnight at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Comedians Tim Clue and Patty Vasquez and singer Megon McDonough join Cochran and special guest Mark DeCarlo of the Discovery Channel for the family-friendly show. Show time is 8 p.m. Call for ticket prices. (847) 931-5900.

New on the scene. Soiree Lounge opened last week at 2438 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. The Lincoln Park nightspot features DJs spinning Top 40 and retro, a rouge palette and a waterfall bar feature. Hours are 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday to Friday and until 3 a.m. Saturday. There's no cover. (773) 477-8880.