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New Year, New Reason to Celebrate

With New Year’s Day kicking off 2025 and the Lunar New Year following on Jan. 29, California is buzzing with festive celebrations. From special parties to unique events hosted by hotels, restaurants and local businesses, there’s no shortage of ways to welcome the year ahead.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Welcoming 2025 with stunning San Francisco Bay views and fine dining
Celebrate the New Year at Pier 39’s Fog Harbor Fish House with views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge and indulge in 100% sustainable seafood dishes like shellfish platters and cioppino. Signature cocktails like the Alcatraz Escape and Golden Sunset add to the festive spirit. Other Pier 39 favorites, Crab House and Wipeout Bar & Grill, are also open New Year’s Day. 

North Lake Tahoe’s snowy NYE magic
From Northstar’s drone shows to Granlibakken’s sledding under the stars, Tahoe offers family-friendly and festive New Year’s Eve celebrations. Enjoy disco tubing at Palisades Tahoe’s annual “Torchlight Parade,” plus live DJs and laser show. Indulge in a glamorous dinner at Tahoe Donner or dance the night away at Za’s Lakefront. Lake Tahoe transforms into a winter wonderland perfect for all ages to start the year.

Historic elegance: NYE at Granada Theater
Celebrate in downtown Morgan Hill’s iconic Granada Theater, complete with vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers and a grand midnight toast. Enjoy music, dancing and tasty appetizers in this Instagram-worthy venue. This chic, sophisticated event is perfect for creating lasting New Year’s memories.

Healdsburg: Wine Country NYE Elegance
Celebrate amidst the charm of California Wine Country with sparkling tasting menus, live funk music, and midnight champagne toasts. Events like Troubadour’s “Midnight Toast” and Coyote Sonoma’s “Glitter & Grooves Bash” offer something for every taste. Healdsburg combines wine, music, and festive flair for a perfect New Year’s Eve. 

Studio 54 Disco Revival at Flamingo Resort
Experience the glitz of the disco era at Flamingo Resort & Spa’s Studio 54-themed New Year’s Eve party, “Disco Inferno.” Dance to live Bee Gees hits and disco remixes in vintage-inspired settings. Stay overnight in midcentury-modern rooms, complete with champagne and chocolates. This glamorous event is a perfect way to welcome 2025 in style and energy.

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

SLO CAL: Wellness and Fun for the New Year
Celebrate with fine dining, live music, and a Champagne Countdown at The Cliffs Hotel & Spa in Pismo Beach or unwind with yoga and hot tubs at Sagrada Wellness Retreat in Santa Margarita. In Paso Robles, enjoy salsa dancing at Serial Tasting Lounge or dinner with Pink Champagne Cake at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. SLO CAL combines luxury, relaxation, and family-friendly fun to start the year off right.

Monterey County’s Art, Food, and Fun for NYE
Experience First Night Monterey with its vibrant arts scene or enjoy celebrations like the Portola Hotel & Spa’s Wild Wild West New Year’s Eve Party. Michelin-starred Chez Noir in Carmel-by-the-Sea will showcase a special menu for the night with a take on seasonal, coastal-inspired flavors. At the legendary Inn at Spanish Bay, experience the elegance and excitement of Monte Carlo with a casino, dance party, raffle prizes, and a midnight breakfast buffet. 

Copenhagen Countdown: “Solvang Julefest” Family NYE Event
Solvang will launch new experiences for this year’s “Solvang Julefest,” the Santa Ynez Valley wine country town’s annual holiday celebration. The seasonal event, which runs from Nov. 29 through Jan. 5, 2025, will once again include multiple holiday-themed happenings all located within the walkable city. Solvang Julefest has introduced a family-friendly New Year’s Eve event this year, “Copenhagen Countdown,” scheduled for Dec. 31 in Solvang Park. Guests are invited to count down to New Year’s in Denmark (3:00 p.m. PT) with children’s activities and crafts, a live concert by The Molly Ringwald Project, and New Year's-themed food and drinks by Solvang's own Whiskey 'N Rye Smokehouse.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina: A Culinary NYE Delight
Treat yourself to a gourmet New Year’s Eve feast at Marina Kitchen in the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina with highlights like dry-aged tomahawk steak and a chocolate trio dessert. Reservations are highly recommended for this prix fixe dining experience. Savor world-class dishes as you bid farewell to 2024. 

Beverly Hills: Glamorous Hotel NYE Events
Ring in the New Year in style at iconic Beverly Hills hotels. At The Maybourne Beverly Hills indulge in a four-course New Year’s Eve dinner, complete with caviar-topped canapés and champagne. For those craving excitement, Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is hosting an electrifying disco themed party at Espelette, featuring live entertainment and food and drinks. For something different, The Rooftop Beverly Hills’ three-course pre-fixe dinner follows with a vibrant DJ party under the stars. Beverly Hills offers a mix of elegance and excitement to welcome the New Year in style.

Moe’s Mission Beach: A Sophisticated Coastal NYE
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Moe’s, a classic San Diego steakhouse with a modern twist in Mission Beach. For those who prefer an early celebration, Moe’s will show the New York ball drop at 9:00 p.m. PT, offering a festive yet crowd-free experience. Guests can enjoy a meal, a complimentary champagne toast, and special New Year’s offerings in an elegant, beachside setting. Moe’s opens for dinner at 4 PM, and with demand high, reservations are recommended.

New Year on the Queen Mary: Global Celebrations Afloat
This New Year’s Eve, the Queen Mary in Long Beach will embark on a global journey with its "Auld Lang Shine" celebration on Dec. 31. Travel around the world without leaving port to experience salsa and tango, champagne and blackjack, live jazz and cocktails, a party inspired by ancient Egypt, a trip to NYC to see The Rockettes, and dueling pianos in the Verandah Grill. At midnight, see a spectacular fireworks display over Long Beach harbor, with a complimentary champagne toast and festive balloon drops within the salons. 

Night Dive at Aquarium of the Pacific
Ring in the New Year at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. During the “New Year’s Eve Night Dive,” adults can celebrate with music and the fishes. A live band will play in the Aquarium’s Great Hall, and DJs will be spinning in the galleries. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. and there will be a countdown to midnight.  

Ring in 2025 and the Year of the Snake in Irvine
Irvine kicks off 2025 with vibrant New Year’s Eve celebrations and Lunar New Year festivities throughout January. Hotels like the Irvine Marriott and Hyatt Regency host themed parties, brunches, and cultural teas, while Tanaka Farms and Diamond Jamboree offer family activities and special Lunar New Year menus. The Irvine Spectrum Center lights up with lantern displays, lion dances, pop-up markets, and crafts, creating a festive atmosphere for all ages. Highlights include performances, storytelling, and authentic street food at the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, culminating in a city-hosted cultural luncheon.

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