Happy New Year, San Francisco! Have you thought about how you’re going to ring in 2023? The city is gearing up for an epic New Year’s Eve, and there’s no shortage of things to do. Here are some of our favorite events coming up for this special day. Be sure to check with each event for updates.
1. Watch the fireworks show over the SF Bay
People come out in droves each year to check out an epic fireworks show over the San Francisco Bay! After last year’s show was canceled due to Covid, this year will surely be a big one. The display will kick off right at midnight and last about 15-20 minutes. Be sure to get there early for the best seating, which tends to be along the waterfront between the Ferry Building and the Bay Bridge.
Here are a handful of boat cruises where you can see the fireworks on the water:
2. Watch Kaskade bring the house down at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Kaskade performs his third annual New Year’s Eve show in San Francisco. Get ready for a lively night of electronic music from the six-time Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter. Tickets start at $130.
3. It’s a New Day + Breakfast of Champions Block Party at The Great Northern
The nation’s largest New Year’s Day block party goes down in SF with over 90 DJs across 8 stages. Enjoy fun and engaging attractions like art displays, goat yoga, an interactive playground, aerial performances, food trucks, refreshing cocktails, and more. If you want to start off 2023 with a bang, this party is the place to be. Remaining ticket tiers start at $80 (afterparty tickets available for $30)
4. New Year’s Eve Party at Emporium
SF’s popular arcade bar Emporium will throw an unforgettable pirate-themed NYE party hosted by emcees Afterthought and Ash. Each entry includes 10 free gold coins to play your favorite games, but the party really gets going with epic performances from DJ Baghead, DJ Jenset, and DJ Say. Don’t forget to take part in Pirate’s Booty giveaways, Walk the Plank drink specials, and plenty of NYE swag. Early bird tickets start at $10.
5. Browse even more NYE parties happening around SF
If you’re looking for even more glamorous ways to ring in the new year, these parties at SF bars and restaurants have something for everyone.
- Gatsby’s House at Intercontinental Mark Hopkins
- MOANY at The Regency Ballroom
- Deco & Decadence at Hawthorn
- International Ball at W Hotel
- Fresh Start 2023 at The Midway SF
- NYE 2023 at Redwood Room
- BTS + Blackpink K-Pop NYE Celebration at DNA Lounge
- NYE 2023 at Press Club
- New Bohemia NYE at SF Mint
6. Crawl ‘Til the Ball Falls
Enjoy an unforgettable New Year’s Eve party with tickets to this ultimate SF bar crawl on December 31st. Don your most festive 2023 outfit and enjoy admission-free entry to participating bars, plus drink specials and endless champagne toasts.
7. New Year’s Eve with Seth MacFarlane and SF Symphony
Ring in the New Year with Seth MacFarlane. Show details and program are still TBA, but you can expect classic vocals and plenty of showmanship from the Academy Award and Grammy-nominated singer, actor, and director.
8. Polar Bear Skate at Union Square Ice Rink
Union Square Ice Rink is the place to be all the way through January 16, 2023. They always celebrate the New Year with “Polar Bear Skate,” a popular Canadian tradition, in which skaters don their favorite bathing suit or beach attire to “take the plunge” on the ice! Prizes will be given for best costumes.
9. Kwanzaa and Noon Year’s Eve at Thrive City
Ring in 2023 and celebrate the culture of Kwanzaa with a midday ball drop and countdown, arts and crafts, treats, and music by Fela Kuti from The Rock and Roll Playhouse. The free celebration goes down at Thrive City beneath their 80-foot holiday tree, but make sure you RSVP.
10. New Year’s One Day Race at Crissy Field
In this New Year’s Day race, participants can run as many 1-mile laps as they like around the Presidio’s Crissy Field. The biggest go-getters are known to spend the entire day running upwards of 100 laps, which is a fair motivation for those of us trying to step up our exercise in the new year.
11. Host the ultimate at-home celebration
For those of us planning on a low-key celebration amid rising Covid numbers, this one’s for you: Pick up some nice booze from a local wine bar or brewery; round out your charcuterie board with some nice meats and cheeses from Molinari or The Epicurean Trader; and get a new board game at SF’s Gamescape or Game Post. See last year’s roundup of Covid-safe NYE activities for more inspiration.
12. Make a reservation at one of these awesome outdoor brunch spots
Some would argue that brunch is the most important meal of the day. Be sure to get your recommended daily allowance of crispy bacon, fluffy pancakes, mimosas, and egg scrambles at these 10 spectacular brunch spots around the city.
13. Go for a memorable day trip around the Bay Area
We love San Francisco for its countless activities to enjoy everywhere you go. But anytime there’s a long weekend or a free day, we’re quite well-located to check out some neighboring California gems. Be sure to put these day trips on your to-do list for the next time you want to get out of the City and into nature.
14. Get some fresh air on a breathtaking local hike
Whether you’re looking for a quick stroll in the city or a more strenuous day hike in Marin, you’ll love these incredible hikes for a chance to stretch your legs. Take a break from your routine to breathe in some fresh ocean air and admire the city you love.
15. Go for a brisk winter walk around the city
Take this as your friendly reminder to get your steps in! San Francisco is full of endless places to explore, and in a city like this it’s essential to enjoy the little things. Whether you need a new dog walking route for 2023 or just need to clear your head, these places around the city will get the job done.
- Bernal Heights
- Marina Green
- Salesforce Park
- And more
16. Get a new perspective at a Bay Area observatory
When’s the last time you turned your attention skyward? The Bay Area has several public observatories where you can take a break from your earthly qualms and get lost in a galaxy far, far away. Whether you seek to gain some distance from this giant blue marble, or you want to get into a conversation about aliens, these four local observatories have you covered with public telescope viewings and more.
- Lick Observatory at Mount Hamilton (open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day)
- Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland (open on New Year’s Eve, closed on New Year’s Day)
- And more
17. Treat yourself to a spa day at a local sauna
San Francisco is known for its famously chilly weather but is luckily also home to some world-class saunas and spas. Warm yourself up and start 2023 feeling cleansed and refreshed at these essential spots.
18. Enjoy a meal at one of these charming local picnic spots
San Francisco is home to some of the best parks and gardens in the world, so there’s no shortage of awesome picnic spots for you to enjoy a socially distanced meal with friends. Whether you want to support a local cafe and get some amazing food to go, or you prefer to pack your own delicious recipe to enjoy out in the sunshine, you’ll love all of these great options. Some are SF staples, and some are a little less well-known.
- Conservatory of Flowers
- Old Speedway Meadow
- Pine Lake Park
- And more
19. Top up your 2023 bucket list with these hidden gems around NorCal
California is home to some of the most incredible nature spots in the world, from towering mountain ranges, to pristine beaches, to ancient redwood trees. Northern California in particular is beloved for its dramatic rocky beaches and mountainous terrain, making for some magnificent natural spectacles.
- Burney Falls in Shasta County
- Half Dome in Yosemite
- Petrified Forest in Calistoga
- And more
20. Go exploring at a fascinating local tide pool
If you’re a California native lucky enough to live on the coast, then you know that tide pooling is an awesome way to enjoy the beach. We’ve put together a list of great tide pools to visit around the Bay Area, so put on your best waterproof shoes and get ready to explore.
- Duxbury Reef Reserve
- Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
- Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park
- And more
21. Catch the last sunset of the year at these gorgeous viewing spots
There’s truly no shortage of excellent places to see a sunset in the Bay, but we wanted to get to the bottom of where locals love to watch the sky light up. Here are a few tried-and-true spots recommended by locals.
22. Sip on cocktails with a view at a local rooftop bar
Everyone knows that rooftops in San Francisco are few and far between, but we managed to round up some stellar spots to try out when you’re looking to grab dinner or drinks with a view.
23. Have a romantic evening on an outdoor patio
The perfect romantic date spot can take a variety of forms, but a night of upscale dining al fresco is a classic go-to. We rounded up 10 restaurants with magical outdoor patios to enjoy a variety of delicious food options, creative cocktails, and much more.