Here's a look at New Year's Eve events happening around the Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- If you don't want to stay home, there are lots of options to ring in the new year in the Bay Area and you don't even need to stay up late.
Looking for a memorable way to ring in 2025?
Maybe it's something fun and festive or perhaps something a little more low-key?
The fireworks show in San Francisco is always a big hit.
The display launches from a barge between The Ferry Building and the Bay Bridge on New Year's Eve.
"We do our best to put on a world class show," said Pat Dyas Show Producer for Pyro Spectacular. "We like the bangs, but we really like the 'oohs' and 'ahs'."
Crews are working quickly to get ready for the fireworks extravaganza.
"It's fired by a computer, so it's perfectly timed to the music," said Dyas.
Along San Francisco's Embarcadero, fencing is already up in preparation for crowds during New Year's Eve festivities.
At Waterbar Restaurant, partygoers will enjoy a festive atmosphere with a spectacular view.
"Seeing the fireworks under the view is pretty amazing," said employee Paige Sutter.
Don't forget the special menu and the wine pairings.
"It's going to be a five-course menu," said Sutter.
Waiting until midnight to ring in the year is a big ask for families. That's why there are so many events with children in mind.
Children-Friendly Events
Beginning at 9:30 a.m. on December 31, Thrive City at San Francisco's Chase Center will hold a Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve celebration.
It includes cultural performances, and a noon countdown to the new year, for families.
In the North Bay, Downtown Novato Business Association will hold its annual Bouncy Ball New Year. 25,000 balls will drop from a ladder truck at noon.
In the East Bay, at Oakland's Chabot Space and Science Center, more colorful celebrations for the young-ins.
Several daytime new year eve balloon drops will celebrate midnights from around the globe.
"Hundreds of balloons fall on you, and you get a chance to listen to music and be festive," said Liz Austerman with Chabot Science and Space Center.
In the South Bay, a ball drop and live entertainment from MC Choo Choo Soul at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose. That gets started at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m.
"I went to a concert at Bill Graham Auditorium. It was amazing. It was a fun way to spend New Year's Eve," said Eric Knapp, a San Francisco resident.
However, you plan to spend New Year's Eve this year, there's plenty to do to make it memorable.
Here's a list of what is happening:
SAN FRANCISCO
9:30 a.m.: Thrive City will hold a Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve celebration. Includes cultural performances, and a noon countdown drop.
Thrive City, 1 Warriors way, San Francisco
11:59 p.m. San Francisco will hold their annual New Year's Eve fireworks show, set off from a barge in the Bay. Traffic delays and crowds expected. Increased traffic and police presence on Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island.
Embarcadero, between Mission and Folsom streets, San Francisco
NORTH BAY
Noon: Downtown Novato Business Association will hold their annual bouncy ball new year, when 25,000 small bouncy balls will be dropped onto the street from a ladder truck 40 feet high in the air. Held rain or shine.
Machin and Sweetser avenues, Downtown Novato
Noon: Charles M. Schulz Museum & Research Center will hold their annual "Noon year's eve" ball drop. Note: Doors open at 10 a.m. Second ball drop at 3 p.m.
2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa
5 p.m. Graton Resort & Casino will hold their annual New Year's Eve series of live performances, DJs, and countdown.
288 Golf Course Drive West, Rohnert Park
PENINSULA
10 a.m.: Hiller Aviation Museum will hold a "Noon year's Eve" balloon drop. Countdown and balloon drop at noon.
601 Skyway Road, San Carlos
11:30 a.m.: Palo Alto will hold a "Noon Year's Eve" event. Countdown and "Bubble drop" at noon.
Rinconada library, Embarcadero Room, 1213 Newell Road, Palo Alto
EAST BAY
10 a.m.: Lawrence Hall of Science will hold its "2024 grand finale" New Year's Eve celebration. Note: Confetti launches every 45 minutes starting at 10:45 a.m.
1 Centennial Drive, Berkeley
7 p.m. USS Hornet will hold their annual New Year's Eve big band gala. Includes performances from 3 o'clock Jump, and Nick Rossi & his Swing Six Band. Party-goers expected to wear black tie or vintage wear.
USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum, 707 West Hornet Ave, Alameda
11 a.m.: Piedmont Rec dept will hold a "Noon Year's Eve" event for kids. Countdown and balloon drop at noon.
Piedmont Veterans' Memorial Building, 401 Highland Ave., Piedmont
11 a.m. Chabot Space & Science Center will hold their annual daytime new year eve balloon drops celebrating midnights from around the globe. Also held at noon, 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
3 p.m. Gurdwara Sahib will hold a New Year's Eve event. Road in front of venue set to close to vehicles.
300 Gurdwara Road, Fremont
SOUTH BAY
9:30 a.m. South Bay, a ball drop and live entertainment from MC Choo Choo Soul at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose.
180 Woz Way, San Jose
3 p.m. First night Monterey will hold its 32nd annual New Year's Eve celebration, which features nine hours of entertainment. Includes kids activities, liver performances for adults, and a Mardi-gras-style twilight procession at 5:30 p.m.
Centered around/procession: Alvarado Street, between Franklin and Pearl streets, Downtown Monterey
Bay City News contributed to this report
