Allow us to be the first to say goodbye to 2018. With old acquaintances—both forgotten and remembered—we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet, and we’ll start with these New Year’s Eve parties around the North Bay. From delectable dinners to cabaret shows and blowout concerts, here’s a selection of ways to ring in 2019.
SONOMA COUNTY
Charles M. Schulz Museum
Kids and families are invited to join master of ceremonies Snoopy and the gang at the Charles M. Schulz Museum for an afternoon of crafts and games, with a big balloon drop and root beer toasts at noon and 3pm. Hey, it’s New Year’s somewhere.
2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa. 10am to 4pm. $5–$12. 707.579.4452.
Santa Rosa Central Library
Get the New Year’s Eve celebrations rolling early at Santa Rosa’s Central Library on Saturday, Dec. 29. Stop by with your kids for crafts, storytelling and a balloon drop at noon. Festivities begin at 11:30am, and admission is free. Central Library, 211 E St., Santa Rosa. 707.308.3020.
New Year’s Eve
on the Square
Looking for a free and family friendly New Year’s Eve celebration? Santa Rosa’s Courthouse Square is here to provide you with all the entertainment you could wish for this New Year’s. Full of live entertainment, activities for kids and several vendors serving food and drinks, the Square is the hip place to be. Third Street and Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, 5pm. Free admission; catered VIP packages available at $125. 707.701.3620.
Mischief Masquerade
The North Bay Cabaret never fails to raise a few eyebrows, and master of ceremonies Jake Ward is pulling out all the stops for this fourth annual New Year’s Eve spectacular. The lineup for the night includes fire dancers, burlesque performers, magicians, storyteller Jamie DeWolf from NPR’s Snap Judgment, comedian Oliver Gray and vaginal stunt artist Max Madame. If that combination of eclectic performances somehow still leaves you unconvinced, the masquerade additionally features two full bars, dinner and bites, a photo booth and a Champagne toast at midnight. Whiskey Tip, 1910 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa. 7pm. $25–$30; 21 and over. northbaycabaret.com.
Barndiva
The Healdsburg culinary destination once again offers an evening of elegant dining in a festive and fun atmosphere. In the restaurant, a six-course meal of classic favorites serves up Crab Louie and duck confit rigatoni with special wine pairings available. In the relaxed bistro setting, funk and soul music performed by Tory and the Teasers will help you get your groove on as you work off the calories with a dance or two. Reservations are recommended. 231 Center St., Healdsburg. $155 and up. 707.431.0100.
Petaluma Museum’s Gala Concert & A Night in Vienna
Sky Hill Cultural Alliance and the Petaluma Museum Association present their 10th annual New Year’s Eve gala concert full of classical flair and marvelous entertainment from members of the San Francisco Symphony. Enjoy complimentary wine and cheeses while your ears are serenaded by the Bay Area’s finest musicians for a truly snazzy night. After that show, the action moves to nearby Hermann Sons Hall for
“A Night in Vienna,” featuring many traditional Viennese dishes and desserts, and waltzes performed by a live orchestra. This black-tie-optional event toasts the new year in stellar fashion. Gala concert happens at 20 Fourth St., Petaluma, 6pm. $50–$70. “A Night in Vienna” gets continental at 860 Western Ave., Petaluma. 8:30pm. $150. 707.778.4398.
Spinster Sisters & the Astro Motel
Join Santa Rosa’s favorite culinary sisters in the popping South of A arts district for a festive three-course dinner. The Spinster Sisters never disappoint, and are sure to cook up mouthwatering dishes. Need a place to stay so you can have too much fun without worrying about insane Uber prices? Spend the night at the retro Astro Motel, close to downtown Santa Rosa and right by Spinster Sisters. Receive a bottle of Champagne upon check in, head to Spinster Sisters New Year’s Eve dinner, and enjoy a late check out with pastries and coffee for $379!
Astro Motel, 323 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.200.4655.
Spinster Sisters dinner, $65.
401 South A St., Santa Rosa. Call for reservations. 707.528.7100.
Spoonbar
Want to leave 2018 in the dust with an elegant evening full of sparkle? Head to Spoonbar, where you can enjoy oysters and caviar while sipping on Champagne at the Rooftop Harmon Guest House. Next, enjoy a four-course meal boasting filet mignon and lobster risotto. Top it off by busting out your booze inspired dance moves to Spoonbar’s DJ. 219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 6pm, dinner; 10pm, party. $195. 707.433.7222.
Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa Hotel
Get groovy at the Flamingo for a night of funk and glam. The Konsept Party Band will be playing the night away with R&B and soul music, with a guest DJ taking over later on. Full bars and concessions fuel the fun, and the resort hotel is offering special guest room packages with a deluxe breakfast buffet the next morning.
2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 8:30pm.
$55–$75; 21 and over. 707.545.8530.
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dhyana Center
Do you want to get your New Year’s resolutions started early, beginning with some self-care? Look no further than Sebastopol’s wholesome dhyana Center (the lowercase d is so them!), the epicenter of holistic health. Get in touch with your spiritual side and ring in this New Year’s Eve with a night of meditation and emotional transformation to start 2019 off right. Doors open at 9:30pm; prices range from $25 to $35. 186 N. Main St., Sebastopol. 800.796.6863.
Redwood Cafe
Complimentary Champagne, dancing, live music, and all of it supporting a good cause? Being a good person has never been so easy. Spend your night at the Redwood Cafe with the Pulsators, a band producing self-proclaimed “spicy driving blues,” while helping to support the Peace & Justice Center of Sonoma County. Doors open at 8:30pm; tickets $25 and up. 8240 Old Redwood Hwy., Cotati. 707.795.7868.
NAPA COUNTY
Blue Note
Jazz Club
What is better than a night of wine, cocktails and gourmet food set to jazz played by superstar Kenny G? Three nights of wine, cocktails and Kenny G! Since opening in downtown Napa, the Blue Note Jazz Club has brought world-class talent to the North Bay. For the weekend of New Year’s Eve, the Blue Note does not disappoint, just make sure to bring your appetite and dancing shoes! Dec. 28–31. 1030 Main St., Napa. Friday–Saturday, 7pm and 9:30pm; Sunday, 7:30pm and 10:30pm. $55 and up; $69–$99 NYE show. 707.880.2300.
Black & White Affair
The Westin Verasa Napa is seeing double and throwing not one but two parties to ring in 2018. First up, a dinner party at La Toque offers a Champagne reception before a sumptuous six-course dinner with a sommelier wine-pairing option. After the meal, the Black & White Affair kicks off next door at Bank Café and Bar, with dancing, cocktails and small bites leading up to the Champagne toast. Dress to impress! 1314 Mckinstry St., Napa. Dinner at 7:30pm; after-party at 9pm. $75 and up. 888.627.7169.
Silo’s
If formal attire is not your forte, Napa also offers a night of casual cover-band specials, performed by the Bohemian’s very own best cover band of 2018, N2L. Special desserts, party favors, bubbly and down-home fun culminate in two ball drops, one for each coast. Check out their New Year’s Eve three-course menu as well. 530 Main St., Napa. 7:30pm, 10pm. $85–$100. 707.251.5833.
New Year’s Eve Dinner Train
The Napa Wine Train is a popular adventure for North Bay wine and travel enthusiasts, and this New Year’s Eve event boasts a night of culinary delights aboard the train. Sparkling wine and appetizers await you at the station, and a decadent four-course meal is served while the sights of the Napa Valley pass you by during a three-and-a-half-hour ride. 1275 McKinstry St., Napa. Reception at 5pm; train boarding begins at 6pm. $202 and up. 800.427.4124.
Goose & Gander
With a speakeasy theme, the Goose and Gander provides the perfect atmosphere to lose yourself in the days of flappers and dappers. Wine country public house hosts its annual New Year’s Eve bash that includes a five-course dinner, cocktails and authentic ragtime musician Jon Maihack before DJ Rotten Robbie spins vinyl in an after-party perfect for flappers and dappers of any era. 1245 Spring St., St. Helena. Dinner at 6pm; $165 plus wine pairing and dancing. After-party only, 9pm; $40. 707.967.8779.
New Year’s Eve Getaway
Celebrate New Year’s Eve Napa Valley–style as the Meritage Resort offers multiple dinner options. The full-on Getaway package includes annual ballroom celebration with live music by the band Entourage, a midnight sparkling toast and balloon drop. 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa. Tickets starting at $95. 855.318.1768. Visit meritagecollection.com for times and more info.
New Year’s Eve Dinner & Party at Silverado
Champagne lounge, need we say more? The resort makes a whole night of bubbly fun with a New Year’s Eve dinner that features four courses and includes complimentary admission to the big party, with DJs spinning the hits, party favors, a sparkling-wine toast and, of course, the Champagne bar. 1600 Atlas Peak Road, Napa. Dinner, 5–9pm; $40–$90. Party, 9pm; $40. 707.257.5400.
