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New Year’s Eve celebrations planned from Santa Cruz to Gilroy

Anew year is upon us, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate the coming of 2023 throughout the Monterey Bay area.

While many will be staying in for a cozy night with family, or hosting their own events at home, local businesses and venues are also opening their doors to celebrate with the community.

Here are just some of the events happening locally this New Year’s holiday. All events take place on Dec. 31.

Stop by Cantine, a winepub in Aptos Village for a New Year’s celebration. Dust off your dancing shoes, grab your friends and ring in the New Year with DJ Stoney. There will be wine, beer, cider and more on tap, and a tapas menu. Event starts at 9pm. For information visit cantinewinepub.com.

Noon Year’s Eve

Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery, 1855 41st Ave., Capitola The Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery is hosting its annual Noon Year's Eve Celebration this year, as a fun way to ring in 2023 with the little ones. A timer will countdown to 12pm on Saturday, complete with a disco ball drop and a blast of paper confetti at the end. Admission is $10 for just the event, and free with admission to the museum. For information, visit sccmod.org.

New Year's Eve Gathering in Gratitude

The 418 Project, 155 River Street South, Santa Cruz

The 418 Project: New Year's Eve Gathering in Gratitude will kick off at 8pm. Enjoy a cocktail, a vegan platter, or sip on a hot cacao elixir while enjoying artwork, performances and more from local artists, poets, musicians and more. Join in on the countdown to midnight, knowing your ticket price benefits local working artists. Tickets start at $36. For information, visit bit.ly/3hXTX16.

New Year's Eve Dance Party

Chaminade Resort at Spa, 1 Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz.

Ring in 2023 at the Chaminade while dancing the night away with live music from The Joint Chiefs (Bay Area Funk and Classic R&B), assorted desserts, a balloon drop and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight (Cash bar for

Johanna Miller/File photo

LIVE TUNES Local band Jive Machine performs at the first Abbott Square Market New Year's Eve Extravaganza in Santa Cruz in 2018.

additional drinks). Party begins at 9pm. Tickets are $25, plus tax and gratuity. Reserve a spot at chaminade.com. For information, call 475.5600.

New Year’s at Gilroy Gardens

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy., Gilroy

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Gilroy Gardens. Bring the whole family out to join a dance party, enjoy specialty food and drinks, go on all your favorite rides at night, and countdown to midnight to ring in the year. Doors open at 4pm. Tickets are $50. Admission is free for Premium Members. For information, visit gilroygardens.org.

New Year’s Eve Bowling

Boardwalk Bowl, 115 Cliff St., Santa Cruz.

The Boardwalk Bowl’s annual New Year's Eve celebration returns. Come by and toast the New Year with a glass of champagne or apple cider. The event includes party favors, shoe rental and Atomic Bowling. Call 426-3324 to make your reservation. For information, visit boardwalkbowl.com.

First Night Monterey

Downtown Monterey (various locations)

The 30th annual First Night Monterey returns this year with family-friendly musical performances, art activities and more fun from 3pm to midnight. The award-winning event is a celebration of the arts, and includes an Opening Ceremony at Colton Lawn stage on Pacific Street. Kids Night Out! begins at 3:30PM with interactive art activities: face artists, puppet art theater, interactive art activities and folk music will entertain children of all ages, and the Twilight Procession begins at 5:30. For information and to preorder your entry button visit firstnightmonterey.org.

China Cats New Year’s Eve Extravaganza

Veterans Memorial Building, 846 Front St., Santa Cruz

Ring in the New Year with the China Cats premier Grateful Dead tribute band at the Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building at 8pm. Tickets are $45 in advance at bit. ly/3C41aDC.

Abbott Square New Year’s Eve Bash

Abbott Square, Abbott Square Market, 725 Front St., Santa Cruz

Abbott Square Market will be hosting free live music starting at 6:30pm with Mak Nova. Phreeborn will follow, with Mokili Wa finishing up the night. The vendors and bars at Abbot Square Market will be staying open late. For information, visit abbottsquaremarket.com.

Los Lobos

Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz

Popular band Los Lobos will help Santa Cruz County ring in 2023 this year with a special New Year's concert. The Los Angeles group, known for their unique fusion of rock, country, latin, folk and many other genres, arrived on the scene in the early 1970s. The show starts at 9:30pm, with openers Mattson 2. Tickets are $85.05 plus fees. For information, visit folkyeah.com.

Courtesy of Gilroy Gardens