Given that it’s already 2016 in New Zealand,  chances are you’ve already made some plans for what to do to say farewell to 2015 and gather around a group of people to link hands and sing a few bars of Auld Lang Syne. But just in case those best-laid plans have fallen apart in spectacular fashion, here’s some last minute events going on around the country to tide you over as you count down from 10...

• In Dublin...

The capital will be hosting its now annual New Year’s Festival, with a multitude of events offering revellers of all ages and tastes the chance to ring in the New Year in style.

From 6.30pm till after midnight, the New Year’s Street Fest will see Le Galazie, Wyvern Lingo, and All Tvvins take to the stage at an over-18s ticketed event, on the southside of Stephen’s Green. Tickets are €7.50 (including the booking fee over on Ticketmaster.ie), and all proceeds will be donated to the National Centre for the Blind of Ireland.

For those with deeper pockets, the 3 Arena will also play host to an evening of music, kicking off at 8pm. The Coronas, Fatboy Slim, Little Hours, Ryan Sheridan, and Kila will have people tapping their feet and rocking out into 2016. Tickets are €34.50, and under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

There’s also going to a record-breaking attempt together the world’s biggest bodhrán session, with 981 drummers invited to descend upon Dublin’s streets at 6.30pm in order to claim the title. The record attempt will be part of the Procession of Light, which sees the dark December night light up by a number of installations around the city centre. The free event also invites attendees to take part – and special lanterns are available until 6pm this evening from the Dublin Town Kiosk at St Stephen’s green.

Anyone wanting to usher in the New Year by splurging on the last day of the old one can make their way to Dublin’s Mansion House, where a five-course meal with live entertainment is being held as part of the masquerade ball. The dinner ends with a late bar and dancing until 2am, but tickets are €95 a go.

• In Cork...

Not to ever be outdone by the capital’s excesses, Cork will play host to a seven-course gourmet dinner with a champagne reception in the Hayfield Manor Hotel, and the southern city is going glam for the night with a number of glitzy galas.

The biggest draw of the evening will surely be Mick Flannery and his band taking to the stage at the Cork Opera House, though the Everyman Theatre also plays host to Jack Lukeman’s Phantasmagorical show.

• In Galway...

Our friends in the west like to think that they know how to throw a party better than anyone else on the island, and the rest of us seems to agree – a survey in 2012 found that most Irish people wanted to spend their night ringing in the New Year surrounded by a bunch of upbeat Tribesmen.

But if Galway’s beloved pub scene isn’t your thing, a novel way to see in 2016 would be to head to Connemara and head for dinner at the Cashel House Hotel.

• In Kilkenny...

As the clock counts down, the Marble City will be rolling back the clock by roughly a century, with a lavish 1920s Mobsters and Molls costume party taking place in the Brewery Corner on Parliament Street. It’s easy entry to this speakeasy, with admission free of charge, but with spot prizes throughout the night for the best dressed, it’s a good reason to go for broke.