Get ready! 2019 is ready to make a grand entrance, which means it’s time to celebrate!
Whether you’re into a casual kind of evening or want to make it a formal affair, there are plenty of exciting choices for an evening filled with music, dancing or even bowling. Maybe you just want a quiet evening of food and drink out on the town. Whatever strikes your fancy this New Year’s Eve, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve broken out this year’s Santa Cruz New Year’s Eve events into categories to help you find just what you’re looking for:
The Best Way to Create Your Own Fireworks the Day Before New Year’s Eve
Paint and Sip! New Year Fireworks for ages 21+
When: 12/30 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Where: The Painted Cork
Cost: $35
Make one last fun memory of 2018. Bring a friend and a bottle of wine to the Painted Cork for two hours of professional art instruction for only $35, art supplies included! You will be guided in creating a painting of your own to enjoy forever. The Painted Cork encourages you to bring your own wine or beer and snacks. They provide complimentary plates, napkins, etc. No experience necessary!
The Best Way to Stay Active, Listen to Live Music & Ring in the New Year Without Dancing
New Year’s Eve Bowling at Boardwalk Bowl
When: 9:00 PM to 12:30 AM
Where: Boardwalk Bowl
Cost: $125 per lane (up to 6 per lane)
This event always sells out so make your reservations early! Your lane fee includes Atomic Bowling, shoe rental, party favors and a glass of champagne or apple cider at midnight.
Local band, Lot Lizards, will be playing at Coasters starting at 9:30 PM. Entertainment at Coasters is free but if you plan on bowling then call (831) 426-3324 soon to make reservations.
New Year’s Eve Candlelight Yoga
When: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Pacific Cultural Center
Cost: $25 on/before Dec 24, $30 after Dec 24
If you are in the mood to start your resolutions early, and be more present and mindful in the waning hours of 2018, Dawn Hayes Yoga and Pacific Cultural Center will be hosting a sacred evening of yoga, intention and silent reflection for all levels of yogis. Register and buy tickets in advance, as space is limited.
Best Celebration for Families with Young Children
Happy Noon Year! New Year Kid-Style with MOD!
When: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Where: Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery
Cost: $10 for children with accompanying adult. Free for members.
Who says you have to wait until midnight to celebrate the New Year? If you’ve got little ones that won’t be up at midnight then head to the Children’s Museum of Discovery in the Capitola Mall for a mid-day New Year’s Eve celebration. Space is limited so you’ll want to reserve a spot ahead of time.
Early New Year’s Eve Skate
When: 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Where: Santa Cruz Roller Palladium
Do you love roller skating, want to have a rip-roaring good time, but you just aren’t going to make it to midnight? With music, party favors, a limbo contest and other games, the Roller Palladium is the place to be! The New Year Countdown starts at 10 pm, so you can share in the fun and get home for a decent bedtime.
New Year’s Eve at Noon Party
When: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: Beer Thirty Bottle Shop & Pour House
Countdown to noon with friends, kids, dogs, and beer! There will be root beer too, and a bake sale hosted by Soquel Parent Education Nursery School.
Dress Up, Dine Out & Party in Style
Hippy New Year at Chaminade
When: 7:00 PM to 12:30 AM
Where: Chaminade Hotel & Resort
Cost: Party Only – $160. Overnight packages also available starting at $499.
If you are into fine dining and love to dance, Chamstock 2019 will take you on both of those trips. Appetizers, dinner, dessert, beer, wine and champagne all included in this themed dinner and dance party extravaganza. An extensive menu will be presented in a strolling dinner format from 8-10 pm. Then, you can work off the calories dancing your heart out to ring in the new year.
New Year’s Eve Party and Campfire Benefit
When: 8:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Where: Brookdale Lodge
Cost: $25 Advanced, $30 Door
Want to party in rustic elegance AND raise money for Camp Fire victims? The Brookdale Lodge, the venerated historic hotel has lately reopened and, together with Beneath the Redwoods Events, is hosting a swank soiree. Starting at 8pm, there will be live music, full bar, party favors, and champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight. Book one of their newly renovated hotel rooms so you can party responsibly!
New Year’s Eve Party at Severino’s
When: 6:30 PM – 1:00 AM
Where: Severino’s Bar & Grill at Seacliff Inn
Cost: $109 per person
Severino’s will host a New Year’s Party complete with fine food, dancing and live music. Rock in the new year with music by Live Again from 9pm-1am. Dinner seating times from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Dinner and hotel packages are available. For more information, or to make a reservation, call (831) 688-8987.
Click here for to view New Year’s Eve Menu
New Years Eve at Sanderlings
When: 8:00 pm – 12:15 am
Where: Sanderlings Restaurant at Seascape Resort
Cost: $150 per person
For fine dining and live rock n’ roll from Mike Hadley and the Groove, head to Sanderling’s Lounge. The party starts at 6:30 PM and includes a lavish dinner and dessert buffet, dancing and a midnight champagne toast. Special room rates available.
4th Annual New Years Eve Party with THE LOST BOYS featuring JAMES DURBIN
When: 8:00 PM – 12:30 AM
Where: The Inn at Pasatiempo
Cost: $50
Party hardy with local favorite band The Lost Boys featuring James Durbin. It is happening at the Inn at Pasatiempo. Appetizers, dancing, no-host bar, champagne toast and midnight balloon drop will add to the energy as the band rocks the house.
Bruno’s New Years Eve Party!
When: 7:30 PM – 1:30 AM
Where: Bruno’s Bar and Grill
Cost: Party is free; Dinner package $25 – $50
Dress code: Black, white, or both! Wear a mask or pick one up at the door. Come early for a prime rib dinner or show up for live music from the Hot Fuse Band and dance the night away to classic rock, funk, latin rock and reggae covers.
New Year’s Eve at El Palomar!
When: 8:30 PM – 12:30 AM
Where: El Palomar Restaurant
Say adios to 2018 in style! Dress to impress and get your groove on with DJ Will B Smooth. El Palomar will be serving drink specials all night long, so get ready for a midnight toast.
NYE Bash at Lúpulo
When: 9:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Where: Lúpulo Craft Beer House
Ring in the new year with a dance party at Lúpulo! Celebrate with special beers on tap, a balloon drop countdown, and champagne toasts at midnight.
The China Cats New Year’s Eve Celebration
When: 9:00 PM
Where: Flynn’s Cabaret & Steakhouse
Cost:$30 Advanced, $35 at the door
The China Cats bring their Grateful Dead tribute act back to Flynn’s on New Year’s Eve. This band pays homage to the music of the Grateful Dead while incorporating a sound all of their own. Dinner and champagne packages available.
Beachfront Dance Parties with Local Bands
New Year’s Eve Party with Jive Machine
When: 9:30 PM
Where: The Crow’s Nest
Cost: $15
Rock in the New Year at the Crow’s Nest with local band Jive Machine and dance the night away to old-school funk, progressive rock, blues, and soul. Cover price includes balloons, blowers and good old New Year’s Eve party hats!
Rock in The New Year with The Billy Martini Show!
When: 9:30 pm to 12:30 pm
Where: Paradise Beach Grille
Welcome 2019 with a rocking good show, delicious food and a full service bar. Start the New Year out in style with dinner and dancing along the beachfront in Capitola Village.
Zelda’s NYE Party
When: 10:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Where: Zelda’s on the Beach
Cost: $10
Ring in the new year with a reggae/rock dance party at Zelda’s. Soulwise and The Leftovers kick off a fun night at 10PM.
Club Scene: The Best NYE Shows in Santa Cruz
New Years Eve Dance Party w/ The Get Down, Judo No and a Special DJ Set
When: 9:00 PM
Where: The Crepe Place
Cost: $10 Door, $20.00 VIP (online only)
The Crepe Place is the scene for local music and New Year’s Eve should be exceptional with two groovy and unique bands plus more dancing and grooving with a DJ. VIP tickets include a midnight toast, drink specials and more.
New Years Eve with The Mother Hips plus Special Guests Colonel & The Mermaids
When: 9:00 PM
Where: Moe’s Alley
Cost: $50 in advance, $55 day of show
If you are in the mood for some spellbinding live music, the Mother Hips will provide! With guests Colonel and the Mermaids, this show promises deep vibes, melodies and beats you can get lost in as you dance the night away.
Additional New Year’s Eve Events and Dinners
These restaurants may offer special New Year’s Eve events and dinners. Contact them for more info and reservations.
- Hanloh Thai Food Pop-up @ Sante Adairius (Water St.)
- Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn
- Aquarius at the Dream Inn
- Shadowbrook
- Sotola Bar and Grill
- Chocolate on Pacific
- Ella’s at the Airport
- El Palomar
- La Posta
- Soif Wine Bar & Merchants
- MJA Vineyards
New Year’s Day Activities
California State Parks 8th Annual First Day Hikes
When: January 1, 2019
Where: California State Parks
Cost: There is a $10 vehicle day use fee for most Santa Cruz District parks. First Day Hikes are free.
Fifty California State Parks will host over 60 hikes on New Year’s Day. Spend the first day of the year discovering new hikes and learning more about our beautiful state parks. Day use fee covers entrance into any California State Park for that entire day, so it’s a great opportunity to explore the many parks in our county as well as the adjoining counties.
Get all the details and a list of parks here.
Happy new year and happy trails!
