New Year's Eve Celebrations and Special Offers

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!

Monterey

First Night Monterey is a family-friendly celebration of the arts. Over 30 venues hold concurrent performances and activities for both children and adults, culminating in a convergence on Custom House Plaza to ring in the New Year. Tickets are available at a number of local stores, Monterey County visitors centers, 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 2010 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 $10 and reservations are required. Call 831-649-6444 for tickets.

Ring in the New Year with the Monterey Bay Aquarium at Silver Fishes and New Year's Wishes. There's two live bands and a DJ, a complimentary champagne toast and party favors. VIP tickets include an additional three themed lounges with exclusive cocktails. 9pm—1am. Standard tickets are $75 for Aquarium members and $95 for the general public; VIP tickets are $150 for Aquarium members and $175 for the general public. Buy tickets on the official website.

Attending Silver Fishes and New Year's Wishes? The Spindrift Inn and Monterey Bay Inn both offer a "New Year Wishes" package on December 31 only that includes car service to and from the Aquarium’s party, a sumptuous breakfast delivered on New Year’s Day and a deluxe guest room. Call 800-982-1986 or visit the Inns of Monterey website for more information.

The Hippodrome Nightclub and Lounge is hosting its New Years Eve 2010 Blowout Bash! The Sky Room will be V.I.P central for the night with live music, complimentary appetizers and all-you-can-drink champagne. Early arrival and advance ticket purchase are highly recommended.  Ticket prices are $20 advance/$30 door for general access and $50 advance/$65 door for V.I.P. access. For more information and discounted advanced tickets, call 831-262-2704.

Cibo Ristorante Italiano will be ringing in the New Year with Neal Banks’ soul, funk and R&B. Cover is $20 for non-diners beginning at 8pm. Dinner will be served from 5pm. For more details and reservations call 831-649-8151.

Celebrate New Year's with the Brits at Britannia Arms Pub and Restaurant, where the party begins at 4pm Monterey time — which is midnight, London time! Celebrate England’s New Years at 4pm with live music, drink specials, free party favors, give-a-ways and a midnight toast!

Enjoy a four-course dinner at The C Restaurant at Intercontinental The Clement Monterey. Tickets are $78 per person including an extravagant dessert buffet in the library. 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. Dave Conley will be at the piano, and there will be a classic balloon drop at midnight. $59.95/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 is $289 and includes overnight accommodations, four-course dinner for 2 in TusCA Ristorante, and a New Year’s celebration with the David Morwood Jazz Band. The party will include party favors, a Champagne toast and dancing. Book at their official booking website.

Pebble Beach

Travel back in time to the Roaring Twenties at the "Swing Into a Speakeasy" New Year's Eve extravaganza at The Inn at Spanish Bay! Dine from multiple buffets and enjoy an array of beverages. Live acts include the Bryan Diamond Group, The Trip and Mark Russo and the Classy Cats. There's also a disco DJ and karaoke. Try your luck at the Speakeasy Casino. 8pm-1am, $350 per person. Reserve at (800) 654-9300.

Carmel Valley

Dance away New Year's Eve at Bernardus Lodge. The Martin Headman band plays live. 8:30pm-12:30am. $100 per couple includes chocolate petit fours and the midnight champagne toast.

Carmel

Pacific's Edge at the Highlands Inn offers a prix fixe New Year's Eve menu with two seatings. The 5:30-7:30pm seating has a 3-course menu for $85, while the 8-9:30pm menu has a 4-course menu with a champagne toast, party favors, and a surprise gift bag for $175. From 9-10:30pm, dance to live music by Cocoa Beat. Call 831-622-5445 to reserve.

The Carmel Mission Inn's New Years Eve party includes live music by Cheeky Spanks, dancing, party favors and a champagne toast, as well as an appetizer buffet and a fabulous open bar. 8pm-1am, $54.95/person plus gratuity and tax. Call 831.624.1841 to reserve.

For a wine-centric New Year's Eve, visit La Playa Hotel for their dinner with winemaker Ridge Watson of Joullian Vineyards. DJ John Gregoria spins top hits from the '70s, '80s, 90's and today. Starts at 8pm; $150 per person includes dinner, wine, dancing and a midnight champagne toast. Call 831-624-6476 to reserve.

Jack London's has a New Year's Eve party packed with drink and food specials, a midnight toast, live music, and more! Call 831-624-2336 for more details.

Rock in the new year with the Pacific Repertory Theatre’s Twist and Shout Tribute Concert at the Golden Bough Theatre! This unforgettable show will feature classic gold hits from the 50’s and 60’s with songs from artists including Buddy Holly, The Beatles and much more! This special New Year's Eve showing will be complete with wine, desserts, party favors and dancing on the stage! For tickets and more information please visit the official Pacific Repertory Theater site.

Big Sur

Ring in the New Year at the Big Sur River Inn! Dance all night to live performances by James Henry and the Hands On Fire Band. Enjoy dinner specials and champagne. No cover, but reservations are recommended. A four-course prix fixe dinner is also available for $65 ($95 with chef's wine pairing). Call 831-667-2700 to reserve.

Fernwood Resort will feature live music from the Jim Lewin Band and the Stanimals. Music begins at 9pm.

Marina

Kula Ranch Island Steakhouse hosts a New Year's Eve party with the Chicano All-Stars. The event includes a five course prixe-fixe dinner, a midnight champagne toast and balloon drop, and live music from the Chicano All Stars. Celebrate New Year's Eve next to the outdoor fire pits, looking out at the ocean. $65 per person. Call 831-883-9479 to reserve.

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 $189.95 per person or $379.90 per couple for dinner and dancing; packages including a hotel room are also available. Call 1.800.838.3006 to reserve.

Salinas

Courtyard by Marriot is offering a special package for First Night Monterey.  Package includes one room, two First Night Monterey buttons and program, buffet breakfast, event parking, and bus transportation to the event in Monterey. The package is $139.99 and can be purchased at 1-800-228-9290 by using the promotional code “EVE”.

• Accommodations
• Activities
• Food and Wine
• Golf
• Home
• Shopping
• Weddings