Cheers to the new year! Celebrate NYE with these local events

Last Updated On Dec. 27, 2022

Image courtesy of SFMTA.

‘Tis the season to celebrate! The past few years have undoubtedly been challenging, but a new year is rising – and that means it’s time to party.

New Year’s Eve is one of the most dangerous times to be on the road so this year, leave your car at home and take BART. For New Year’s Eve, BART is running standard Saturday service with an extended closing time and extra event trains.

1am service at a glance:

Three-line special service (Yellow, Blue and Orange only)
Trains will be waiting at MacArthur, 12th St and Bay Fair for timed transfers.
SFO and OAK airport stations will NOT be served.
Last East Bay bound train running through downtown San Francisco will be at around 1:30am.
Last southbound train heading toward Millbrae will run through downtown San Francisco at 2:10am.
Extra event trains will run during the last hour of service to provide direct service.

Read more about BART’s NYE service on bart.gov.

Get Clipper on your phone before taking BART as clastic pards are low. Read more about Pay by Phone here.

To celebrate the new year, we’ve rounded up some fabulous Bay Area happenings, including activities for the kids – all BARTable. Keep reading.

NYE Fireworks on the Embarcadero | Embarcadero

Walk Time from Station: Eight minutes

On NYE thousands of people flock to the waters on the Embarcadero to watch San Francisco’s fireworks spectacular. Fireworks will be set off from Aquatic Park, the Municipal Pier, and from a barge off Pier 39 so it’s recommended that viewers cluster on the northern waterfront. It can get crowded, and if that’s not your scene, rooftop viewing is recommended.

NYE events roundup Image courtesy of Kids Play Zone.

NYE at Kids Play Zone | 12th St/Oakland

Walk Time: 12 minutes

Address: 900 Market Street, Suite M, Oakland

Kids Play Zone, an indoor play space, invites children to celebrate the new year “KPZ style” with a glow party and balloon drop. The party starts at 11 am and runs until 1 pm. Tickets cost $20 per child and include pizza and apple juice.

New Year’s Eve 2023 Black and White Ball at the Hibernia Bank | Civic Center

Walk Time: One minute

Address: 1 Jones St, San Francisco

NYE gets a dose of opulence at the Hibernia’s annual Black and White Ball. DJs will spin tune and dancing will be plentiful. There are two levels of admission: general and VIP. Purchase tickets here.

NYE events roundup Image courtesy of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

NYE with Kenny Washington Quartet: A Big Easy Event | 19th St/Oakland

Walk Time: 18 minutes

Address: 3022 Broadway, Oakland

The Sound Room, which hosts regular jazz performances, presents the Kenny Washington Quartet on NYE at 7:30 pm. Described as one of the Bay Area’s “best kept musical secrets,” Washington will help you start the new year right with his emotional tunes. Tickets include dinner and a champagne toast at midnight.

New Year’s Eve with Seth MacFarlane | Civic Center

Walk Time: Nine minutes

Address: 201 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco

Starting at 7:30 pm on NYE, acclaimed singer and actor Seth MacFarlane joins the San Francisco Symphony for an evening of "classic, crooning vocals and cool pizzazz.” Tickets start at $69.

NYE events roundup Image courtesy of Club Fugazi.

Dear San Francisco NYE Gala | Montgomery

Walk Time: 21 minutes

Address: 678 Green St, San Francisco

Our friends at Club Fugazi celebrate the new year with acrobatics, shadow play, original music, and more. There are two shows on NYE: one at 6 pm and one at 10 pm. Tickets include a glass of Prosecco.

New Year Bell Ringing and Storytelling Program | Civic Center

Walk Time: Three minutes

Address: 200 Larkin St, San Francisco

Ahead of the 37th Annual Bell Ringing Ceremony at the Asian Art Museum, the organization’s storytellers will recount joyful Japanese folktales to children. Once the stories end, join the museum for the ringing of a 2,100-pound, 16^th-century temple bell. It’s the first in-person bell ringing held at the museum since 2019. The ceremony begins at 9:30 for members and 11:30 for the general public.

Let's chat.

How did you celebrate NYE? Let us know via social media, @SFBARTable #SFBARTable. Keep up with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see all of the best BARTable events, places to eat and have fun.