This morning’s inbox included a question about “family-friendly” ways to celebrate the New Year. In other words – what’s up besides the bar (etc.) parties? Here are three things — all outdoors — from the WSB West Seattle Holidays page:

NEW YEAR’S EVE ‘NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT’ PARADE: As previewed here last week, this will be the third annual edition of the cheery noisemaking neighborhood walk, and having covered the first two (our video above is from a year ago), we can tell you it’s an all-ages event, and a whole lot of fun, from the first steps to the Start gathering in the parking lot outside the historic Highland Park Improvement Club HQ (where the “Sage Comet” finale outside and a NYE party inside will follow) at 6:15, 11th/Holden.

NEW YEAR’S EVE/DAY WALKS: You’re invited to join the Emerald City Wanderers on walks providing “a healthy and entertaining way to bid adieu to 2011 and welcome to 2012. And, there’ll be good, hot soup to warm you up afterward.” Both start from St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church at 3050 California SW – time’s flexible; start between 4 and 7 on New Year’s Eve, between 9 am and 1 pm on New Year’s Day. (The full announcement is on the Holidays page, along with e-mail addresses for questions, or see the brochure on the ECW website.)

NEW YEAR’S DAY POLAR-BEAR SWIM: It’s not January 1st without a chance to jump into Puget Sound and symbolically wash away the old year. Last year (photo above), we even found “Elvis”!

Who knows who might turn up this time? As per the announcement published here last week, it’s happening on Sunday morning at 10 am on Alki, across from Duke’s/Christos.

We’re still collecting events – like these, and special restaurant/bar events too – for the Holidays page; let us know what’s up!