Families are invited to ring in the new year with the City of St. Catharines.

The City is offering free family activities for Niagara residents on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day that range from swimming to skating and crafts to face painting.

On Monday, Dec. 31, families are invited to celebrate its New Year's Eve Family Celebrations event, hosted by the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre for a free leisure swim and New Year's Eve toast from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the Meridian Centre for free public skating, crafts, inflatable bouncers and face painting from noon to 2 p.m.

Niagara residents are then invited to celebrate New Year's Day Levee at the Lake Street Armoury on Tuesday, Jan. 1, which plays host to Mayor Walter Sendzik and city councillors, members of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment and the 10th Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery.

A new year's toast at 11:45 a.m. will mark the New Year's Day Levee event, followed by the firing of a cannon at noon.

The City is asking those sensitive to noise or wishing to protect themselves from loud noises, bring ear protection.

For more information, visit: stcatharines.ca/nye