You don’t have to go to SF to find a party
Ready or not, here comes 2025! That means it’s time to party—or watch the Times Square Ball drop at home in your pajamas so you can be in bed by 9:30 p.m. Pacific Time. (We don’t judge.) If you’re feeling adventurous and you’d like to rustle up some New Year’s Eve fun, we’ve got a few ideas. Be sure to check early for tickets, as New Year’s Eve events may sell out quickly.
Chabot Space & Science Center is inviting all kids—and parents—who are worried about a late night to join their New Year Balloon Drop celebrations that welcome 2025 in different time zones around the globe. If you’re looking for a luxurious evening experience, get on board with LUXE Cruise’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Dinner Cruise. Big Band music fans are sure to have a ball at the USS Hornet’s New Year’s Eve Gala, featuring a 16-piece band. If you’d like to try your luck with games of chance, check out the AfroGatsby Casino Night at KARIBU Wine Lounge by Wachira’s. And if you’re just hoping to dance the year away, there’s a ticket with your name on it at FLY HIGH NYE 2025 at Quinn’s Lighthouse.
New Year Balloon Drop
Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
This New Year’s event isn’t right here on our island, but we think it’s definitely worth the drive because you can celebrate the beginning of 2025 with little ones without sacrificing bedtime! Chabot Space & Science Center will be celebrating throughout the day—and around the world—with New Year Balloon Drop events marking the New Year in different time zones.
Enjoy a countdown to midnight around the world and experience the magic of hundreds of colorful balloons falling from above. Event times are scheduled as follows (click on event time for more info and/or to purchase tickets):
Space is limited for this special event, so book your tickets in advance. The price per child is $5 for members and $10 for guests, in addition to normal museum ticket prices. Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled event time so you can check in.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Dinner Cruise
LUXE Cruises, 2394 Mariner Square Drive, Alameda
If you’re looking for something luxurious, check out the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Dinner Cruise on San Francisco Bay by LUXE Cruises. Come aboard the Cabernet Sauvignon yacht, and get ready to indulge in a night of fun that includes dinner, drinks, and dancing.
Explore the 124-foot yacht, mingle with guests, and watch fireworks from one of the four decks. The New Year’s Eve dinner buffet includes a variety of celebratory food, from prime rib to chocolate ganache cheesecake. The schedule is as follows:
- 8:30 p.m.: Check in begins.
- 9:00 p.m.: Boarding, bars open.
- 9:30 p.m.: Underway, all buffets open.
- Midnight: Fireworks viewing over the Bay.
- 12:45 a.m.: Bars stop serving alcoholic beverages.
- 1:15 a.m.: Return to dock for disembarking.
Tickets for this luxurious event start at $352.23 and are very limited, so reserve a spot in advance. The dress code is “Semi formal/cocktail.” If you have any questions or need to arrange for dietary restrictions in advance, please email [email protected].
New Year’s Eve Gala
USS Hornet, 707 West Hornet Ave., Alameda
Toast to the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 onboard an historic Aircraft Carrier at the USS Hornet’s New Year’s Eve Gala. This popular annual event is a fundraiser for the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space museum.
The Hornet’s heated Hangar Deck will host headline 3 O’Clock Jump, a 16-piece classic Big Band. Dance the night away, bid in a silent auction, and enjoy a selection of food and drinks available for purchase. The dress code is Black Tie Optional.
Tickets start at $74.47. For accessibility information, visit the USS Hornet website. See the event page to reserve a spot or get more information. If you’d like to tour the ship, save your ticket stub for free museum admission until January 31.
AfroGatsby Casino Night
KARIBU Wine Lounge by Wachira, 1419 Park Street, Alameda
Celebrate in style at KARIBU Wine Lounge by Wachira’s 4th Annual AfroGatsby Casino Night. Enjoy live music, DJs, light bites, and a midnight champagne toast. See if Lady Luck is on your side at multiple casino tables. At the end of the night, the two guests with the most chips will win a prize.
The evening’s dress code is “Dress to Impress, Black Tie.” Book your tickets in advance online, $87.21 per person.
The venue is home to Wachira Wines, the product of Dr. Chris Wachira, the first Kenyan-born California winemaker. KARIBU enthusiastically invites guests to visit the lounge: “It is a place where all are welcome!”
FLY HIGH NYE 2025
Quinn’s Lighthouse, 1951 Embarcadero, Oakland
If you’re looking for a dance party, you’re going to find it at FLY HIGH NYE 2025, where the focus is on music and fun. “We are committed to delivering high-quality events with exciting music, fun vibes, and positive energy,” promises the host, Nightlife Entertainment.
This two-for-one event starts with the Oakland Comedy Show from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The dance party starts at 9:30 p.m. and lasts until 2 a.m. Multiple DJs will be spinning simultaneously, with diverse genres across multiple rooms.
At midnight, celebrate the New Year with a complimentary champagne toast.
Quinn’s Lighthouse is a scenic, two-level indoor restaurant just a mile from the Park Street bridge. Be sure to take a break from dancing to watch the fireworks over the Bay from the top-level patio. Tickets are available online for $39.19.
But wait, there’s more?
All these events and more—in Alameda and beyond—are posted on our online Events Calendar. Be sure to expand the search radius to view events off the island. Happy New Year, Alameda!
Amanda Laird is the Content Manager and Events Editor of the Alameda Post. Reach her at [email protected].
