New Year's Eve Celebrations and Special Offers

This page has all the events that took place in 2011. Bookmark this page and return to get information about 2012’s events!

Monterey's citywide First Night celebration is only one of many taking place on New Year's Eve in the area! If you're looking for a large celebration, or an intimate one, you can find it at one of the following spots. Keep an eye on this page as we update it throughout December!

Big Sur

Ring in the New Year at the Big Sur River Inn. The night will include live Samba music from James Henry and the Hands on Fire Band and special menu items to celebrate. Call 831-667-2700 to reserve.

Pull up a chair and enjoy views of Big Sur's coastline at Rocky Point. The restaurant offers standard menu items during breakfast, lunch and dinner. Call 831-624-2933 to reserve.

Fernwood Resort parties into the night with a special dinner menu and entertainment. Classic American and Mexican cuisine will be paired with a variety of beers for a fabulous New Year's Eve meal. Dinner will be served from 7pm-10pm for $65 per person. Afterwards enjoy live music from Beso Negro and the Dark Town Rounders. Call 831-667-2422 for reservations.

Carmel

Pacific's Edge at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands offers a prix fixe New Year's Eve menu with two seatings. The 5:30-7:30pm seating has a 4-course menu for $195, while the 8-9:30pm menu has a 5-course menu with a champagne toast and party favors for $250. Call 831-622-5445 to reserve.

Celebrate the New Year with Carmel Mission Inn! There will be live music from Cheeky Spanks, party favors, a Champagne toast, appetizer buffet, cocktails and dancing until 1am. Tickets are $85, call for reservations 831-624-1841.

Cantinetta Luca in Carmel-by-the-Sea toasts to the New Year with an extraordinary menu served from 5pm-10pm. Chef Jason Balestrieri will prepare fabulous items on the full menu as well as special offerings for the holiday. Call 831-624-8578 to reserve.

Aubergine at L'Auberge Carmel will have two seatings, with and without wine pairings. The first seating at 5:30pm will include a 4-course tasting menu and the second seating at 8:30pm will include a 6-course grand tasting menu complete with wine pairings and a Champagne toast. Both seatings will offer different dishes including venison, lobster, Dungeness crab and rib eye. Call 831-624-8578 to reserve.

Celebrate New Year's Eve at Mission Ranch with dinner and live music from 5pm-9pm. At 9pm the sing-along piano bar will be in gear until midnight! Call 831-625- 9040 to reserve.

Carmel Valley

Award-winning restaurant, Marinus at Bernardus Lodge hosts a special dinner menu on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. A 4 to 6-course tasting menu will be available with delectable choices for each course. Dinner will be served from 5pm to 10pm. Call 831-658-3400 for more information and reservations.

Indulge before the New Year at Edgar's at Quail. The restaurant will offer a special "Sizzling Steak for Two" where perfectly grilled rib eye will be served table side by the chef. Standard menu items will also be available. Call 831-620-8910 for reservations.

Marina

Kula Ranch is the place to be on New Year's Eve. A five course dinner will be served with a glass of champagne and samples of Ciroc Vodka will be available. The Chicano All Stars will be playing live music all night long and don't miss the balloon drop at midnight! Call 831-883-9479 for reservations.

Monterey

First Night Monterey is a family-friendly celebration of the arts. Over 25 venues in downtown Monterey hold concurrent performances and activities for both children and adults. The Twilight Procession will make its way down Alvarado Street and will include everything from stilt walkers, giant puppets, dancers to marching moms. Performers throughout the night include Blues at Eleven, Grumbling Ginger, James Hurley, the Monterey Bay Lion Dance Team and more. For a full list of performers click here. Tickets are available at a number of local stores or the First Night Monterey website.

For an earlier family-friendly party, attend the MY Museum Noon Year's Eve Party. This Noon Year's Eve Party will include crafts like making silly hats, noisemakers and 2012 calendars, face-painting, tasty goodies, a visit by the Noon Year's Eve Fairy and, finally, the lowering of the MY Museum Noon Year's Eve ball at noon. Tickets are free for members and $10 for non-members. Call 831-649-6444 for tickets and reservations.

Spend the night with the fishes at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The New Year's Eve Sleepover is the perfect way to bring in 2012 with young ones. The entire family will enjoy a Ghirardelli ice cream sundae bar, a sparkling cider toast at 9pm and a full breakfast on New Year's day. For reservations call 831-647-6886.

Enjoy a 4-course dinner at The C Restaurant at Intercontinental The Clement Monterey. Tickets are $85 per person and includes live music and a complimentary glass of Champagne. For reservations call 831-375-4800.

The Sardine Factory will have a special four-course prix fixe New Year's Eve dinner. Dinner begins at 5pm. $65.95 per person for the prix fixe dinner; regular menu also available. For reservations call 831-373-3775.

The Hyatt Regency Monterey is offering a special New Year’s Eve Room & Dinner Package. Package includes overnight accommodations, 4-course dinner for two, and a New Year’s celebration with the Garage Band. The party will include party favors, a champagne toast and dancing. Book at their official booking website. Just want to join in for the dinner and dance? Call 831-657-6543.

The Chart House on Cannery Row celebrates New Year's Eve to serve tasty dishes from their standard menu including prime rib, lobster and King crab. For reservations call 831-372-3362.

The Monterey County Young Professionals Group sponsors a New Year's Eve Venetian Ball at the Portola Hotel & Spa. The MCYPG invites those ages 21-35 for a night full of dancing, appetizers, drinks and more! Tickets are $75 for singles and $125 for couples.

See what all the buzz is about at Restaurant 1833 this New Year's Eve. Tonight they will host two seatings. The first seating, at 5:30pm, will feature a 4-course meal for $75. The second seating begins at 7:30pm and features a 7-course for $125. Call 831-643-1833 for reservations.

Cannery Row Brewing Company will be celebrating "New Beer's Eve" tonight. Enjoy one of their 73 beers on tap and listen to live music all night long.

Pacific Grove

Fandango's in Pacific Grove remains open for New Year’s Eve with dinner served until 10pm. Items from their fantastic standard menu as well special add-ons like Broiled Australian Cold Water Lobster Tail and Duckling a l' Orange will be served. Call 831-372-3456 to reserve.

Pebble Beach

Golf in the New Year at Pebble Beach Golf Links and The Links at Spanish Bay during a 36-hole tournament. The Pebble Beach New Year’s Championship begins December 30, 2011 and ends January 1, 2012. Registration includes tickets to the New Year's Eve Party at The Inn at Spanish Bay. For more information call (877) 853-5864.

Ring in the New Year at The Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach during the Beachside Boardwalk Ball. Guests will enjoy live music from the Papa Doo Run Run dance band, endless buffets, casino games and more throughout the night. Call 800-654-9300 for reservations.

Salinas

Want to ring in the New Year with a few wild animals? Wild Things hosts a black-tie New Year's Eve celebration with dinner, live music, dancing, wine and a no host bar. Tickets are $75. For reservations call 831-455-1901 ext. 3.

Seaside

Silicon Valley cover band The Joe Sharino Band will rock out throughout New Year's Eve at the Embassy Suites Hotel's New Year's Eve ball. The event includes a three-course prix fixe meal, party favors, a midnight champagne toast and balloon drop, and dancing from 9:30pm to 1am. Tickets are $198 per person or $396 per couple for dinner and dancing; packages including a hotel room are also available. Call 831-838-3006 to reserve.

Bayonet and Blackhorse Golf Course in Seaside celebrates the New Year with a special dinner and dancing. Dinner will be served at 8pm and a DJ will keep the crowd dancing into the New Year. $75 per person or $140 per couple. Call 831-899-7271 for reservations.

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