10 ways to ring in the New Year in and around Sacramento
Looking for a memorable way to finally kick 2016 to the curb? Sacramento has no shortage of New Year’s Eve celebrations. Whether you’re looking for a dance party, a fireworks show or a wintry fairy wonderland, here are 10 events to welcome in a bright, shiny 2017.
Noon Year’s Eve
The Crocker celebrates the new year 12 hours early at this annual celebration. Kids can decorate a colorful cap, listen to world music and see dance performances from diverse cultural groups, or take pictures in the Crocker courtyard, which will be reconstituted as an enchanted winter landscape. Fairies from Sacramento's Pixie Tribe will appear to usher in the noon hour ball drop with wands and magical entertainments. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Crocker Art Museum. 216 O St. 808-7000. crockerartmuseum.org
Celebrate New Year’s Twice at de Vere’s
Those whose souls possess a touch of the Irish can bend an arm to the New Year twice at de Vere’s Irish Pub. The local restaurant is holding a New Year’s salute to Dublin at 4 p.m., when the blokes over there will be ringing in 2017, and another cheers at midnight. Enjoy a glass of champagne or a pint of beer, or choose from the bar’s extensive list of Irish whiskeys for one or both countdowns, and in between choose from classic meals like Shepherd’s pie or fish and chips to make sure you see in the New Year on a full stomach. Free. 4 p.m. and midnight. 1521 L St. 231-9947. deverespub.com
New Year’s Eve at the Hyatt Regency
The evening at the Hyatt Regency will begin with cocktails in the lobby with an acoustic set from Rocklin-based singer/songwriter Quinn Hedges (who made our 2012 "Best of the City" issue; see third item down here), followed by performances by Sacramento vocalist Ryan Hernandez and guitarist Kazutoshi Haji. Afterward, dance the night away in the Regency Ballroom to music from DJ Rated R and a dance performance from the Sacramento and Bay Area’s dance party group Nunchuck Taylor, with a complimentary photo booth provided for you to preserve your 2016 self for posterity. A champagne toast at midnight is complementary with admission. $75-95. 4 p.m.-2 a.m. 1209 L St. 443-1234. sacramento.regency.hyatt.com
New Year’s Eve Sky Spectacular
Sacramento’s largest fireworks show of the year includes music and entertainment for everyone in the family. The annual Old Sacramento event will feature a pre-fireworks concert by The Hipwaders at 6 p.m. Meanwhile Captain America, Batman, Wonder Woman and friends will be patrolling Front Street, making themselves available for photo-ops and high-fives with the kids, and face painters and balloon artists will be on hand to entertain. Fireworks will light up the sky at 9 p.m., with a 20-minute show that will be the longest in the region. Free. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Old Sacramento Waterfront. 808-7777. nyesacramento.com
Midtown Mountain Get Down
The old year will go out with a bang at This Community, Inc.’s midtown extravaganza, which is sure to be trendier than a pint of triple-hopped IPA. A hill with snow you can actually sled down, a fashion show, spaces that include a lounge area, beer garden and enchanted forest, along with DJ sets from Le Youth, Miami Horror and Dusty Brown will make this the hippest New Year’s party in town. $45-75. 7 p.m.-2 a.m. 1050 20th St. thisnye2016.com
New Year’s Eve Dance Party
Dance all night long at Fox & Goose Public House’s New Year’s Eve bash. The event will fill two of the pub’s rooms for extra dance space and lots of music. Groove to eclectic beats from local DJ Larry “Flower Vato” Rodriguez, and sway to funk and reggae from MC Ham and DJ Wokstar. Rehydrate with drinks from Fox & Goose’s bar, celebrate the New Year with a balloon drop at midnight, then keep dancing until the show ends at 2 a.m. $10. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. 100 R St. 443-8825. foxandgoose.com
Jackie Greene at the Crest
Cameron Park native Jackie Greene, formerly of the Black Crowes, will bring his brand of rootsy Americana to the Crest Theatre for the second year in a row. For locals who remember Greene from way back, the set will likely include original songs from his 2002 album, Gone Wanderin,’ which hometown fans may recognize from Greene’s early days performing in Sacramento coffee shops. The show will also feature singles from his 2015 album Back to Birth, and a midnight countdown to 2017. The San Francisco bluegrass band Mother Hips will open the show. $80. 7:30 p.m. 1013 K St. 476-3356. crestsacramento.com
Stoney’s New Year’s Eve Bash
"Sing" in the New Year at Stoney’s Rockin’ Rodeo 10th annual celebration, where there will be karaoke, line dancing lessons and drinks galore. Learn the “South Side Shake” from a professional line dancing instructor who will teach beginning lessons and lead a dance mixer. VIP patrons will receive a dinner of prime rib, garlic chicken or jumbo prawns, and all attendees will celebrate 2017 with a balloon drop and champagne toast. $10-125. 7 p.m. 1320 Del Paso Blvd. 402-2407. stoneyinn.net
Roller King New Year
Glide into 2017 on a pair of rented skates at Roseville’s Roller King, which will be playing '70's disco all night long. Do the limbo in the center of the rink or dance out the alphabet to “Y.M.C.A.” Bring a canned good and receive a discount on the price of admission; all donations will go to the Placer County Food Bank. Stick around until the end of the night for a countdown and a balloon drop to celebrate the New Year. $10-20. 7 p.m. 889 Riverside Ave. Roseville. 783.0918. rollerkingroseville.com
Last Laughs at Punchline
Laugh off 2016 at Punchline Sacramento, where local comedians Kiry Shabazz, Mary Van Note, Emma Haney, Michael Cella, John Ross and JR De Guzman will spend the evening regaling audience members with a rollicking look back at the year that was. Catch one of two shows, the first hosted by DJ Sandhu at 7:30 p.m., the second by Raj Dutta at 10 p.m., with a countdown to midnight and champagne toast. $20. 7:30 p.m. & $26. 10 p.m. Punch Line Comedy Club. 2100 Arden Way. 925-8500. punchlinesac.com
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