Get ready! 2020 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 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
Play! With live music from Hot Fuse, a champagne/apple cider toast at midnight, party favors and, of course, BOWLING, this is a supercharged way to strike the gong. For $135 per lane and up to 6 players, it’s also a great bargain.
De-Stress Your Way to a New Year
New Year’s Eve Candlelight Yoga
When: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Pacific Cultural Center
Whether you plan to party all night, or turn in early, you can take the time to set your intentions for the coming year. With two hours of all-level yoga and silent meditation, you can head into the New Year with consciousness and tranquility.
Best Celebration for Families with Young Children
Early New Year’s Eve Skate
When: 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Where: Santa Cruz Roller Palladium
The best party on wheels is happening at the Roller Palladium. With games, the perennial limbo contest, prizes and party favors, this is a super fun EARLY way to celebrate.
Farley’s Winter Wonderland – 13th Annual Holiday Lights Walk Through
When: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Farley’s Winter Wonderland, 108 Seaview Avenue, Santa Cruz
The Christmas Spirit is alive and flourishing at this Seabright neighborhood home. Park your car and walk in; fantastical winter scenes await you, including miniature villages, fairy houses and giant nutcrackers. With a forest of 30 evergreen trees and lights throughout, this display has won the hearts of thousands over the years.
Dress Up, Dine Out & Party in Style
New Year’s Eve at Chaminade
When: Dinner 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm; Bubbly & Dessert bar 10:00 pm – Midnight
Where: Chaminade Resort & Spa
The three course, prix fixe menu includes a glass their Mo-zaik wine. Go for the dinner and stay for the Bubbly and Dessert bar. The $25 price includes two glasses of champagne and a buffet of sweet delectables, with a countdown to midnight.
New Year’s Eve at Persephone
When: 5:30 pm & 8:00 pm dinner seatings
Where: Persephone Restaurant, Aptos
If you are in the mood for elegant haute cuisine, Persephone has curated a dining experience for the discerning palate. Two seatings, at 5:30 and 8:00, include a four course menu. Wine pairings, champagne and other beverages will also be available.
New Year’s Eve at VIM – Sold Out
When: 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: VIM Restaurant, 2238 Mission St., Santa Cruz
Ring in the 2020’s harkening back to the roaring 1920’s. Get your outfit, make a reservation and come hungry for this five course new American dining experience. View the prix fixe menu here.
New Year’s Eve at Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge
When: 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge, Dream Inn
Dedicated to local, sustainable cuisine with a Santa Cruz vibe, Jack O’Neill’s is serving up a delicious prix fixe dinner ($85/person, $125 with wine, children’s menu available). Live music and a fantastic view will make the evening unforgettable.
5th Annual New Years Eve Party with THE LOST BOYS featuring JAMES DURBIN
When: 8:00 PM – 12:30 AM
Where: The Inn at Pasatiempo
For the fifth year running, James Durbin performs with the Lost Boys to rock out the old, rock in the new. The bar will be open, along with appetizers and desserts, and of course, dancing the night away. Note that tickets are sold in advance ONLY– no tickets available at the door.
Bruno’s New Years Eve Party!
When: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Where: Bruno’s Bar and Grill
Bruno’s is catering to different tastes this year with a glow-in the dark pyjama dance party downstairs and Bourbon and Burlesque upstairs. Different packages are available which include various combinations of three-course dinner, dancing and the burlesque show.
NYE Bash at Lúpulo
When: 9:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Where: Lúpulo Craft Beer House
All the hip folks will be heading to Lupulo for the craft beers, dance party hosted by @aloexvera, and midnight balloon drop and champagne toast.
New Year’s Eve Party at Severino’s
When: 6:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Where: Severino’s Bar & Grill at Seacliff Inn
Join Alex Lucero & Live Again for fun and hard rocking tunes. Severino’s serves up a 4-course dinner, complete with party favors and champagne toast.
Beachfront Dance Parties with Local Bands
New Year’s Eve Party with FishHook
When: 9:30 pm to 12:30 am
Where: The Crow’s Nest
The band FishHook will rock the house. Celebrate with the right accessories: balloons, blowers and party hats.
Rock in The New Year with Bump “the band”
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: 9:30 pm
Where: Zelda’s on the Beach
Drink specials and party favors all night long while Soulwise provides the reggae grooves. Opening for Soulwise will be Wild Flower and the Bees.
Additional NYE Dining:
- Chocolate on Pacific
- Davenport Roadhouse
- Hindquarter Bar & Grille
- La Posta Italian Cuisine
- Johnny’s Harborside
- The Shadowbrook
Club Scene: The Best NYE Shows in Santa Cruz
New Year’s Eve at the Lab
When: 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: DNA’s Comedy Lab
If you need a good laugh, and who doesn’t, let the funny people at DNA Comedy Lab help you forget your troubles. They are doing NYE East Coast style, so at 9:00 pm sharp, be prepared to ring in the new year.
New Year’s Eve Dance Party w/ The Inciters and Infamous Swanks
When: 9:00 PM
Where: The Crepe Place
New Year’s Eve Party begins at 9:00 pm. $10 Cover charge includes bubbly toast at midnight. The Inciters will rock the house with their big band soul sound. Advance tickets recommended.
(((folkYEAH))) Presents New Years Eve with THE MOTHER HIPS + The Coffis Brothers
When: 9:00 PM
Where: Moe’s Alley
The Mother Hips have been known for their grooving live performances for over two decades now, and are joined by local favorites the Coffis Brothers.
Felton Music Hall presents Marty O’Reilly & The Old Soul Orchestra
When: Doors 7:00 pm; Show 8:00 pm
Where: Felton Music Hall
Marty O’Reilly and the Old Soul Orchestra with special guests the Rainbow Girls play at this classic Felton venue with drinks and plenty of room for dancing.
More NYE Events Coming Soon!
Submit your New Year’s Eve events here and check back often as new events are added throughout the holiday season.
New Year’s Day Activities
California State Parks 8th Annual First Day Hikes
When: January 1, 2020
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!
None of these events sound like pandemic safe events. Are they really happening? Is there anything planned that is Covid conscious?