New Year’s Eve 2018 in the East Bay: Your Guide to Balloons, Bubbly & Bands

 

Don’t have plans to ring in 2019 yet? Don’t worry! Check out our list of New Year’s Eve events in the East Bay that are packed with bubbly, balloons, bands, gourmet eats, comedy, and dancing.

 

Oakland Zoo’s Zoo Lights

Celebrate the last day of 2018 with your family at the Oakland Zoo, which is transformed by a million glowing lights. Soar over the Oakland hills in festively-lit zoo gondolas and see the "Music in Motion" laser light show. OaklandZoo.org

 

Kids' Balloon Drop at Chabot 

Kids who probably won’t last until midnight can still experience a countdown and balloon drop at the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland. Children 12 and under get to celebrate midnight in other countries at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. California time. ChabotSpace.org

 

A Party in Your Mouth 

Abstract Table is offering a unique 5- and 7-course tasting menu at The Gastropig in Uptown Oakland. The mouthwatering dishes  combine Japanese and Scandinavian influences. We’re talking about mussels with bacon dashi, goose with wild mushroom and quince, birch-smoked chocolate profiteroles… Is it art or is it food? See the full menu and make reservations now on Resy.

 

Nomad Hustle

Celebrate with Nomad Hustle, a favorite local band that blends the sounds and styles of soul and rich jazz, at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore. Check out details for the after party, too. Get tickets and details at lvpac.org.

 

Three Local Bands, One NYE

KALX presents New Year's Eve with the indie garage punk quartet Shannon and The Clams, the prog-rock influenced Once and Future Band, and Glitter Wizard at the New Parish in Oakland. thenewparish.com

 

Laugh Your Way into 2019 with Anjelah Johnson

Anjelah Johnson, a onetime Oakland Raiderette now known for her “MADtv” character Bon Qui Qui and the Vietnamese “Nail Lady” viral video, is performing at Tommy T’s in Pleasanton. tommyts.com

 

Lauryn Hill

You still might be able to grab tickets to this very special NYE performance of the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, her defining and Grammy-winning solo album from 1998, at The Fox in Oakland.  TheFoxOakland.com

 

Coalesce

Coalesce is a three-day electronic dance music festival at Craneway Pavilion in Richmond. Headliners include Tipper and Liquid Stranger. Live painting and other visual art, too. Buy festival or daily tickets at Eventbrite.

 

SambaDá  

You don’t have to get on an international flight to party and dance like you’re in Brazil. Check into the La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley for a New Year’s Eve with the Afro-Brazilian band SambaDá, known for their mash up of samba, reggae, and funk. The night also features DJ sets, feathered samba dance performances, a Caipirinha bar, and Brazilian eats. Billed as family-friendly. LaPena.org

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If you have another great idea for a New Year's Eve event or activity in the East Bay, share it with us here. And, happy New Year from our Abio Properties family to yours! We look  forward to connecting with you in 2019. You can contact us at 888-400-ABIO (2246) or [email protected].