By Christopher Collette and Sarah Hammond at 13News Now

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — 13News Now’s own Sarah Hammond will once again be emceeing this year’s Last Night on the Town, a New Year’s Eve party in Virginia Beach.

Executive Director of the Central Business District Association Jeanne Evans-Cox said in her 10 years of organizing the event, this is the most buzz she’s ever seen around Last Night on the Town.

“This has been the largest and most active response to a New Year’s Eve event we’ve ever had! I’ve never seen so much enthusiasm,” she said. “I think a lot of it is people are out of COVID, they’re comfortable coming to public events.”

The family-friendly event runs from 6 p.m. to midnight. Evans-Cox said VIP tickets sold out just days after they went on sale, but the main event on Columbus Street remains free and open to the public.

There’s going to be a DJ with a light-up dance floor set up at the Fountain Plaza, LED hoop artists, jugglers, and more. Then, at 8 p.m., the party moves to the main stage on Columbus Street.

This year’s musical celebrations will be headlined by alternative reggae band The Movement. Other performances include The Collection and The Ries Brothers.

Just down the street, Legal Seafood said they’re prepared for the dinner rush before the party gets started.

“We’re pretty much booked for the night,” said Executive Chef Andrew Garrison. “We’re gonna accommodate a full house in here until 9:00, then we’re gonna go enjoy the celebrations ourselves.”

This is the restaurant’s first New Year’s Eve in Town Center and they say they’re expecting their biggest crowd yet.

“I think a lot of the people that are dining are going to be part of the event on the square as soon as the dessert is finished and they’ll be heading over,” said Assistant General Manager Courtney Loving.

Right around the corner, Bravo Italian Kitchen’s General Manager Aaron Decker said based on years past, they’ll get a steady crowd through the night as well.

“We expect to be majority full,” he said. “We do anywhere from like 500 to 600 covers on New Year’s Eve.”

Despite the reservations, both restaurants say they can make some room for walk-ins on Sunday night as well.