1) Metal horns up! Legendary rockers Y&T headline a special NYE show at Ace of Spades with a killer list of openers including Frank Hannon of Tesla, SJ Syndicate and Nova Sutro. Tix start at $28.50 through Aceofspadessac.com. Doors at 6:30 p.m., all ages are welcome.


2) Our friends at Sol Collective are hosting a super chill party on NYE with live music from The Philharmonik, Paul Willis, KARE (pictured) and Darealwordsound. All-ages show, no alcohol allowed, but there will be a Martinelli’s toast at midnight and grub from Buffalo Pizza. Great option for a sober night! $10 with student ID, $15 general admission, $20 for all-you-can-eat pizza, while supplies last. Kicks off at 9 p.m.


3) Darling Productions is teaming up with Blue Lamp to host Spanky’s NYE Electro Swing Soiree with DJ Lady Char headlining, live music from Jessica Michel (pictured), along with flirty flapper girls, a photo booth, balloon drop at midnight and plenty of drinks and dancing. Starts at 9 p.m., $10 in advance, $12 at the door, 21-plus.


4) The folks at Holy Diver have an absolutely stacked concert calendar, including a killer Strange Music New Year’s Eve Party with headliner Krizz Kaliko, longtime collaborator with Tech N9ne. All-ages show, tickets are $25 in advance through Holydiversac.com. Doors open at 7 p.m.


5) Can’t stay up ‘till midnight? A great NYE daytime option is always the Noon Year’s Eve Family Festival that Crocker Art Museum hosts, which is free for everyone and goes down from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and features steel drum performances by Pan United Youth Movement led by Shawn Thwaites Rebel Quartet, folk dancing by Sacramento Turn Verein Alpentänzer Schuhplattler (pictured), festive activities throughout the museum and much more.


6) One of the best and longest standing Sacramento dance nights, Lipstick!, is throwing a Prom-themed NYE rager inside Old Ironsides with choice selections by DJs Shaun Slaughter (pictured), Roderick Mar Carpio (pictured) and Adam Jay, who spin the dopest indie rock and indie dance tunes. Dress up or come as you are! Tix are just $8 in advance at ShopCuffs on J Street, price goes up at the door at Old I. 21-plus, starts at 9 p.m.


7) If you’re not into the whole going out to a loud and crowded nightclub thing on New Years, check out Punch Line’s annual Sacramento’s Last Laughs comedy shows! Both the early show (7:30 p.m.) and the late show (10 p.m.) feature a killer lineup of comics including Kris Tinkle (pictured), Carlos Rodriguez, Jimmy Earll, Ta Vi and others. Tickets start at $23 in advance through Punchlinesac.com. Both shows are 18-plus.


8) Sticking with the comedy theme, Laughs Unlimited is throwing a Laughin’ in the New Year show featuring headliner Eric Blake along with Nick Larson (pictured) and Jason Sohm. Two shows, one at 7 p.m. and one at 10 p.m. Tickets are $30, 17-plus allowed in.


9) Twang it up with local country rockers The Fryed Brothers Band at The Sky Room, located above Country Club Lanes. Balloon drop, prizes, full bar, free coffee and desserts. $20 a head, doors open at 8 p.m.


10) The Emo Night Tour and It’s Relative PR Presents are throwing a big ass New Years F#@%ING Eve party at The Press Club with music spun by Hunter Chollet and Marcus Leonardo. Cover is just $5, making this easily one of the best low-dough options for NYE in Sac. Starts at 9 p.m., 21-plus.



11) At Harlow’s on NYE you can catch one of the region’s top cover bands, Wonder Bread 5, playing everything from Beastie Boys to Bruno Mars, AC/DC to Violent Femmes. Doors open at 9 p.m., tickets are $45 through Harlows.com, 21-plus.


12) Just upstairs from Harlow’s at their sister venue, MOMO, they’re hosting a separate party with DJ JB. Tickets are just $15 through Momosacramento.com, and doors open at 9 p.m. 21-plus only.



13) The insanely awesome local funk/rock band Big Sticky Mess is headlining the sure-to-be epic New Year’s Eve Funktacular at the legendary Torch Club. Party kicks off at 9 p.m., 21-plus.


14) Always a great option, Fox and Goose is once again hosting DJ Larry and MC Ham’s annual New Year’s Eve Dance Party where they spin only the best soul, funk, disco, reggae and more along with a balloon drop at midnight, noise makers and party favors. 9 p.m., 21-plus, $20 cover.


15) If hanging out and partying at one spot just ain’t enough for you, check out the annual Old Sacramento NYE Second Street Bar Crawl (pictured), with stops at River City Saloon, The Other Office, Fanny Ann’s Saloon, O’Mally’s and more. $30 pre-sale, available through Eventbrite.com or any of the participating bars. No tickets sold day of event.


16) If you’re feeling lucky and want to ring in the new year with a little gambling along with your live music and dancing, head up the hill to Red Hawk Casino, where from 5–9 p.m. the band Brewers Grade will get things rocking, followed by the band Fresh from 10 p.m.–2 a.m. Check out Redhawkcasino.com for details.


17) Sticking with the casino theme, Thunder Valley Casino Resort is hosting Creedence Clearwater Revisited on NYE. Two shows, one at 8 p.m. and one at 10:30 p.m. As of press time, there were very few tickets left, so you better get on it! Check Thundervalleyresort.com.


18) If you’re trying to live that healthy life and drinking all night just doesn’t fit into your regimen, check out Solfire Yoga’s New Year’s Eve Candlelit Flow class, starting at 9:30 p.m., to bring in the new year honoring your body, mind and spirit. RAW Yoga Center is also hosting something similar; their Intention: A New Year’s Eve Celebration starts at 10:30 p.m. and is a two-hour Power Vinyasa Workshop designed to release the old year and ring in the new. The fun folks at ZUDA Yoga (pictured) are even throwing a New Year’s Silent YOGA Disco Party starting at 9 p.m., so, you know, there are a lot of quote-unquote healthy options for those not looking to party their faces off on NYE.


19) Last but definitely not least, PowerHouse Pub in Folsom will offer many entertainment options, with the band Take Out playing the main stage, along with DJ Rufio (pictured) at Big Robs Cigar and Hookah Bar and DJ Alazzawi inside Scarlets (all connected to PowerHouse). Tickets are $25, check out Powerhousepub.com. Arrive early, as this one will get packed.

**This piece first appeared in print on page 7 of issue #281 (Dec. 19, 2018 – Jan. 2, 2019)**

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