Say what you will about New Year’s Eve — it’s my favorite holiday. I love an excuse to get dressed up and shiny, to indulge in a delicious dinner (in my family’s case, a Russian spread with caviar), to dance the troubles of the past year away and toast to the successes, ushering in an auspicious future. With so many options for ringing in 2025 in the Bay Area, I’ve rounded up 10 solid choices to help you plan your night — whether your thing is live music, huge raves or intimate dance parties.
New Bohemia NYE
The Mint, San Francisco
This epic soiree within the marbled halls of San Francisco’s historic Mint has a lot of bang for your buck. It promises a lineup of nearly 40 artists and seven dance floors — plus circus performances, a shibari lounge and art galleries. The Bay’s own turntable master DJ QBert headlines along with house music DJs Syd Gris, Amprs&nd and more.
Neon Noir Black Light AfroRave
The New Parish, Oakland
The crew that puts on the wildly popular AfroBeats at the Lake festival in Oakland will party until 5 a.m. at their three-room, black-light rave. Joining residents Koko, Juan G, Tiedye Trippin and Mis Gentes is an eclectic lineup of guests from Tanzania and Texas (Momo and Big Rich), plus local support from Lexapeel, Fibonacci, Cali, Cecil, Align and Veyn. Grounded in Afrobeats and amapiano, this party journeys through the eclectic sounds of the global African diaspora, including soca, dancehall, jersey club and baile funk.
Shannon & The Clams
JaM Cellars Ballroom, Napa
Whether you want a holiday staycation in Wine Country or already live there, Shannon & The Clams’ high-energy rock ‘n’ roll promises to have a crowd jumping at JaM Cellars. The band made waves this year with The Moon is in the Wrong Place, an ode to a magical love and profound grief that topped our playlists.
The Sweet Spot
The White Horse, Oakland
DJs Keezy and LadyRyan will have booties bouncing at the New Year’s Eve edition of the popular, hip-hop–forward queer party, The Sweet Spot. The theme is “Suits & Pearls,” and bold, shiny attire is encouraged. There’ll be a Prince tribute at midnight during the complimentary champagne toast, plus a sexy performance from dancer and gender-bending performer Tyrone.
Bollywood Ballroom
Corinthian Grand Ballroom, San Jose
Bollywood Ballroom is throwing down for the Desi community of the South Bay and beyond. Inside the stately Corinthian Grand Ballroom, DJK and DJRaag will spin Bollywood hits from beloved classic films. Another room will be dedicated to high-energy, percussive Punjabi rhythms, and a third room will pay homage to South India with Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam bangers.
HellaFunny New Year’s Eve Comedy Bash
The Function, San Francisco
San Francisco’s newest — and first Black-owned — comedy club is hosting two back-to-back New Year’s Eve shows. The lineups, to be announced, promise regulars from storied venues like the Punchline and Cobb’s, plus national tours. A Drunk N’ Love R&B Party with a free champagne toast will follow (separate tickets required).
Pete Escovedo & Sons, Mystique
Signia by Hilton, San Jose
Latin jazz royalty Pete Escovedo has played percussion for so many of the greats — Santana, Herbie Hancock, Tito Puente. Not to mention, he’s the father of ’80s hitmaker (and Prince’s drummer) Sheila E. If you want to ring in the new year with jazz, this live show by the 89-year-old legend, with his sons Peter Michael and Juan, will be a rare treat. The band Mystique will also play cumbia, salsa and Latin rock with Malo’s Richie Bean, the original singer of the eternal brown-eyed soul classic “Suavecito.”
NYE2025 @ Zanzi
Zanzi, Oakland
DCIsChillin, formerly of KMEL, is a pro at getting the dance floor hype. At Zanzi, one of the best places to dance in Oakland, he’ll be joined by DJs Blackwoman, Smartmoney and Solo for a hip-hop, R&B and Afrobeats function — with a champagne toast — put on by tried-and-true party crew Trapsoul.
Fresh Start NYE
The Midway, San Francisco
Belgian Techno producer Charlotte De Witte will preside over a packed dance floor at the epic electronic music party Fresh Start. The two-day affair at the Midway also features the funky sounds of DJ Pee Wee (a.k.a. Anderson .Paak) and house music producer The Blessed Madonna on New Year’s Eve. Chris Lake and SF local Zhu — plus many others — will keep the dance floor going on New Year’s Day.
Con Brio
The Rickshaw Stop, San Francisco
San Francisco R&B, soul and funk band Con Brio is known for larger-than-life performances with an energy that sizzles. At the Rickshaw Stop — a truly special, intimate room to see live music — they’ll ring in the New Year with psych-rock band King Dream and mighty-voiced singer Adar, plus DJ TophOne.
