There have been years when staying home on New Year’s Eve seemed like the best option. Not this one. If you like EDM, classic rock, Indian music or burlesque, Santa Cruz has you covered.
Check out our critics’ suggestions.
ROCK
Ring in the New Year with American Idol finalist and international recording artist James Durbin at the Inn at Pasatiempo’s 1920s-themed celebration, A Night at the Speakeasy. Each ticket includes access to all festivities at the glamorous evening, including a concert by headliner Durbin and the Lost Boys—expect to hear plenty of ’70s and ’80s rock—hors d’oeuvres, party favors, a photo booth and a no-host bar. Dress to impress in 1920s glamour and join in on the fun with hosts James and Heidi Durbin and Santa Cruz’s own Lost Boys. MELISA YURIAR
INFO: 8pm–12:30am, Inn at Pasatiempo, 555 Hwy. 17, Santa Cruz. $87.21, adv. (including fees). 21+. eventbrite.com
SOUL MUSIC
Harry and the Hitmen have dug through crates of classic soul records with names like Motown, Stax, Volt and Chess on the label, finding all the choicest sides and rehearsing until they have them down tight enough to get loose, showing these classics the proper respect when they suit up and present the music that they love to an appreciative and equally well-dressed audience of soul fans. They write their own original tunes as well, taking influence from the masters of the genre and turning out “new soul classics.” Wolf Jett will be on hand Tuesday to kick start the dancing. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN
INFO: 9pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy. 9, Felton. $32.92. (831) 704-7113, feltonmusichall.com/events
BURLESQUE
There is no better place to ring in 2025 than at a sexy and fun burlesque show with friends. Drawing together some of the best performers from up and down the coast, If’n Wendy will host Best Coast Burlesque’s New Years Eve Extravaganza at the Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre. There will be two showings, so those who celebrate early and those who celebrate late can equally enjoy the show to its fullest extent. Each show will include a complimentary toast of champagne or NA sparkling cider, so everyone can clink in the new year together. So relax, unwind and enjoy the best burlesque on the best coast. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: 7pm (doors open at 6:15) or 10pm (doors open 9:15), Actors’ Theatre, 1001 Center St., Santa Cruz. $33.85. 21+. eventbrite.com
RAVING
Break out your galactic gear and celebrate with cosmic lasers, dazzling projections and oversized props like towering robots and massive alien spaceships that will transport you to another galaxy. Dress in your NYE best or go all out in galactic-themed outfits—think astronauts, aliens, or metallic, glittery, or holographic styles. Experience an epic countdown to 2025 with stunning effects that will leave you feeling out of this world as you ring in the new year! Music by local DJs, food and drink specials, fun, fantasy and escapism promised. DJ Nola Cruz warms up the crowd 9-10pm, followed by DJ Robin Applewood from 10-11pm (the Pulse of the Party); DJ Maniakal handles the Countdown from 11pm–1am.
INFO: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz. $69.99. 21+. santacruztickets.com
SITAR POWER
One of Santa Cruz’s most spectacular musicians—and his equally amazing son—will host a night of Indian music to bring in 2025. Called “An Artist-led Gathering in Gratitude,” Ashwin Batish presents his Indian fusion band, Sitar Power, with bands including Mamus, who play folk/soul revival, and the Limina Space Collective, an art experience. It takes place at the 418 Project from 8pm on. There are no-host bars, live music with an open mic, a midnight aerial dance, wandering artists, a photo Casbah and spoken word performers. Sounds like an amazing way to travel the world right here in town.
INFO: 8pm, 418 Project, 155 S. River St., Santa Cruz. $32.95-$211.45. 18+. eventbrite.com
BEATS ANTIQUE AND YAIMA
It’s impossible to describe Beats Antique using just a single genre. One listen to their album, Shadowbox, and their unique hybrid of sound makes perfect sense. Sidecar Tommy, David Satori and Zoe Jakes make up the band. Mostly recorded at their studio in Oakland (which has been around since the ’50s), the Bay Area band also recorded in Russia and Israel, with guest artists from both. The album touches on down-tempo Middle Eastern influences to cinematic orchestral arrangements.
YAIMA is a Cascadian elemental and alchemical electronic music duo based in Seattle.
Members Mas Higasa and Pepper Proud allow the listener to journey through sonic soundscapes traversing sensually stimulating and heart-centered compositions. Their music is reminiscent of groups such as Purity Ring, Massive Attack, Bjork, Portishead, Wildlight, Emancipator and Lulacruza.
INFO: Doors 8pm, show 9pm, Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $64.87–$93.92. catalystclub.com
INTERGALACTIC NYE BASH
WITH SPACE HEATER
Space Heater is a Santa Cruz-based band with one foot planted firmly in the foundations of funk, while the other foot prefers a galaxy far, far away. Blending the funky sounds inspired from Prince and James Brown to Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, the Heat will likewise take you on a delicious journey careening through cosmic jams, landing you squarely on the dance floor with ecstatic revelers. With an expanding roster of sultry originals and the occasional cover song, you won’t have much choice but to shake that thang…
INFO: Doors 8pm, show 9pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $30/adv, $35/day of show. 21+. moesalley.com
MORE OPTIONS
If none of the above fits quite right, try these events on for size:
The Time Travelers Ball: Glamour Through the Decades, presented by Big Queer Events, offers a space for participants to pay tribute to their favorite fashion era, and enjoy a drag and burlesque show with over a dozen performers (8:30–10pm) and music curated by DJ Father Taj. The de rigueur midnight champagne toast will be enhanced by a charcuterie station. Doors open at 7pm at the Courtyard by Marriott, 313 Riverside Ave., Santa Cruz. eventbrite.com
Santa Cruz Art Expressions hosts Lumina, with diversions that include “surreal projections, intriquing art, dance beats and lasers” as well as DJs, hourly ball drop countdowns and immersive projections. 8pm at Santa Cruz Art Expressions, 1545½ Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $28.52. eventbrite.com
China Cats New Years Eve features the Grateful Dead tribute band plus liquid light show, 9pm at Veterans Hall, 846 Front St., Santa Cruz. $50. mountainmusicproductions.com
Fishhook reels in revelers with “good times, dancing and rock & roll,” plus party favors and a champagne toast, 9pm at the Crow’s Nest, 2218 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz. $20. crowsnest-santacruz.com
Bruno’s Bar and Grill throws a NYE Black and White Ball in Scotts Valley, with music by Fire Peach and all the New Year’s necessities: party crowns, noisemakers, and a full bar. 8pm at Bruno’s, 230 Mount Hermon Rd., Suite G, Scotts Valley. $25. brunosbarandgrill.com
The Joint Chiefs convene at Sevy’s for a night of music-filled night with food & drink specials, and happy hour from 8–10pm. Book a reservation on Open Table or take the first-come, first-serve bar seating. 8pm–12:30am, Sevy’s Bar + Kitchen, 7500 Old Dominion Ct., Aptos. sevysbarandkitchen.com
The T. Rollin Trio deliver covers from the ’60s to the ’90s, plus originals. 9:30pm at Joe’s Bar, 13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek. No cover. drinkatjoes.com
