Countdown to the Countdown—New Year’s Eve in the North Bay Doesn’t Disappoint

New Year's Eve concerts at Petaluma Museum

Sky Hill Cultural Alliance and the Petaluma Museum Association once again bring the music, welcoming new and longtime classical-music lovers forward into the New Year with two moving, inspiring concerts held in Petaluma's acoustically superior "Carnegie Hall."

Featuring violinist Yun Chu, cellist Shu-Yi Pai, and pianist Elizabeth Walter—who is also the series creator and coordinator—this incredible lineup of deeply moving and impactful shorter pieces was selected to traverse the depth of emotions elicited in this past year. Featured composers include Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Liszt, Saint Saens, Elgar, Kreisler, Lalo and more … this year also features a special surprise guest.

Complimentary wine will be served before each concert, and each concert's audience will be limited to one-half capacity for comfort and safety reasons. Masks are required indoors.

Performances will be held at Petaluma Historical Library and Museum, located at 20 4th St. (corner of 4th and B streets) at 3pm and 5pm. $40–$50. Purchase tickets online at 2021nyeconcert.brownpapertickets.com and in person at the Museum. These concerts are expected to sell out—get your tickets early!

NYE at H2hotel

Renowned restaurant Spoonbar, in the heart of downtown Healdsburg, brings elegant atmosphere and mouth-watering cuisine to its New Year's Eve celebration. Featuring dishes such as Marin Miyago Oysters, Seared Scallop, Australian Wayu Beef Tenderloin and Chocolate Bouchon with Marshmallows and a Golf Leaf Macaroon, this menu is the taste we all want 2021 to leave in our mouths. The meal will be accompanied by dynamic musical duo John Schott and Marc Capelle, on guitar and piano respectively. A lively and danceable mix of soul, pop and jazz will run till midnight, at which point we’ll ring in the New Year!

Three-course ($75 per person) and 5-course ($110 per person) menus are available. Make reservations at spoonbar.com.

The rooftop at Harmon Guest House

Named after Healdsburg's founder Harmon Heald, and offering unparalleled views of Fitch Mountain and a sky full of stars—weather permitting—Harmon Guest House is the right choice when making New Year's Eve plans. This year the annual Bubbles & Bites celebration returns, from 3pm to 8pm. Savor a 4-course meal-and-bubbles pairing, including four sparkling wines paired with dishes such as Dungeness Crab Cakes with Louie Dressing, Short Rib Sope, Chipotle Salad and a Ricotta Donut. Sit by the fire, breathe the fresh air, let the bubbles tickle your nose and say so long to 2021.

Pairings are $49 per person. To view the entire menu and make a reservation, visit harmonguesthouse.com.

Monophonics and Rock & Rye

Mill Valley is serving dinner and a steady groove with lauded Executive Chef Rick Hackett's exquisitely curated South American and New Orleans-inspired menu which includes Crispy Wild Shrimp with a Peruvian black olive sauce, Crabmeat Causa with Yukon gold potatoes, Filet Mignon with a Peruvian black bean sauce and Marinated Sea Bass a la Plancha. Dessert is a Chocolate Quinoa Pudding with aji amarillo sabayon, so yes, this is a dinner everyone wants to eat.

Spirits expert Joshua Fernandez leads the Rock & Rye bar, serving craft cocktails named in tribute to independent music venues nationwide that continue to persevere and reopen after the pandemic. Yes, drinks everyone wants to drink.

After dinner, enjoy the latest from Bay Area–based psychedelic-soul band Monophonics.Often known as a group that is keen to create a heavier version of classic soul, Monophonics are back with their trademark sound while introducing a healthy dose of new and warm textures that will saturate speakers. Bring in 2021 Bay Area style.

Dinner and show $150; 6pm seating. Please note the 8pm seating is SOLD OUT. Show only $95 (doors 8pm, show 9pm). All tickets include: Midnight Countdown with Champagne Toast

Late Night Bar Bites on Patio. This event is 21+. For more info and to buy tickets visit sweetwatermusichall.com.

Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!

Update 12/28: Out of concern for the health and safety of visitors and members, the Schulz Museum has regretfully decided to cancel the New Year's Eve Balloon Drops.

One of Santa Rosa's favorite points of pride, the Charles Schulz Museum, home of all things Peanuts, celebrates New Year's again this year. So, ring in 2022 with the Peanuts Gang! Featuring an Up Down Balloon Drop and Baby Balloon Drop—for children 4 and under, and their families—fun crafts for kids, balloon Snoopies, screenings of Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! and appearances by Snoopy himself!

A limited number of tickets may be available at the door, but this event is expected to sell out. Purchase tickets in advance to reserve a spot and avoid being turned away at the door.

Choose from two different Balloon Drop times: Noon (includes Baby Balloon Drop) or 3pm. Ticket holders are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before their selected Balloon Drop time and are welcome to stay following the Balloon Drop to enjoy the museum.

"Mischief Masquerade"

Update 12/30: This event is canceled due to the current Covid situation.

Local event-master Jake Ward and Sonoma County's premiere underground arts troupe, North Bay Cabaret, return this year with the sixth annual "Mischief Masquerade," which promises to blow 2021 out of the water and into history. The night kicks off with a live Variety Show in the outdoor beer garden, featuring North Bay Cabaret's signature brand of jaw-dropping, tingle-inducing "R-rated" live entertainment including burlesque, comedy, circus sideshow acts, pole dancers, drag, hip-hop, crowd-interactive games, live music and performances that defy category. Two dance spaces are available after the show until 1am, including a silent disco in the beer garden.

In addition, enjoy a tarot booth, a photo booth, local food trucks and drinks available from two full bars. Complimentary champagne will be served at the midnight toast. This is perhaps the hottest party in Santa Rosa.

North Bay Cabaret's 6th annual "Mischief Masquerade" kicks off on Friday, Dec. 31, at Whiskey Tip, 1910 Sebastopol Rd., Santa Rosa. Doors, 7pm; Variety Show 8–10pm; bands, DJs and other entertainment 10pm to 2am. 21+ with valid ID. Tickets $75 at door, $65 advance or $55 early bird. Tickets available for in-person purchase at Whiskey Tip or online at northbayevents.com.

Crooked Goat New Year's Eve Party

Is it at all surprising that Crooked Goat Brewing, located in the Barlow, throws a damn good party? Not at all. Lucky for us, they’re doing it again this New Year's Eve, with free admission to a night of great food, good beer and dancing with Sweet Lou from 9:30pm to 12:30am. Stay for the midnight toast and lots of late-night grub. The Barlow is in proximity to all kinds of happening spots, so why not start here and see where the night goes? Get more details at crookedgoatbrewing.com/events.

Blue Ridge Kitchen and Love Light Shine Present

Another great Barlow option for 2022's sign-off can be found at Blue Ridge Kitchen, where a lovely three-course prix fixe menu—featuring shrimp cocktail, braised kobe beef ribs, truffle risotto and desserts like lavender panna cotta and Mississippi mud pie—will be served. Along with a dream menu, expect a night of dance music by DJs Timoteo Gigante + Bank$hot. This is a positive-vibes-all-night type of scene, with fresh beats and great eats. Featuring a fully outfitted bar, an amazing kitchen and a beautifully outfitted dance floor for appropriately distanced dancing, Blue Ridge is a New Year's Eve win.

Dinner 4:30–9pm. $95. Dancing 8pm to 1am. 21+. $40. Vaccination cards or negative Covid test within 72 hours of event required. For more information visit brkitchen.com.

Goose and Gander's New Year's Eve Supper Club and Speakeasy

St. Helena's very own Goose and Gander, famous for its rustic American food and bar bites, is hosting a "speakeasy-style" New Year's Eve party in their inimitable basement bar, with live ragtime music by Jim Maihack at the Supper Club. This five-course dinner features a black angus bone-in ribeye, potato gnocchi, Rockefeller oysters, wild mushroom soup and more. Dessert is a red-velvet compote with a cookie crust. Dine and drink in speakeasy style.

5 Course Dinner at 6pm and 9pm. $195/per person (tax & tip included). Optional wine pairing $95/per person (tax & tip included). For more information visit gooseandgander.com.

HopMonk Tavern presents Petty Theft

A favorite beer tavern in Novato meets a legendary rock and roll cover band. Since 2003, San Francisco–based Petty Theft has toured the Western United States performing Tom Petty's songs true to the originals and in the spirit of the Heartbreaker's live shows. This is rock, people, and it might be just the key for this New Year's Eve. Enjoy an incredible outdoor venue and an amazing variety of beers on tap, special musical guest Black Cat Bone and a champagne midnight toast. This is the ideal 2021 freefall.

Tickets are $55 in advance, $65 day of. Doors open at 8:30pm, show starts at 9:30pm. Full vaccination or a 48-hr negative Covid test is required. For more information visit hopmonk.com.

NYE with the Brothers Comatose

The five-piece bluegrass band, based out of San Francisco, bring a twanging sound and great energy to their live performances, which often include audience participation—chopsticks may be passed around for use as percussion instruments. A foot-stomping good time, the Brothers Comatose play at the Mystic Theater, with opening act the T Sisters, on Friday, Dec. 31. Doors, 8:30pm; show starts at 9:30pm. Tickets are $43. Audience members will be asked to show proof of vaccination, and masks are required indoors. For information and to purchase tickets visit mystictheater.com.

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