San Jose New Year’s Eve Guide

Submitted by the Event Organizer

San Jose has lot going on for New Year’s Eve with lots of free and family friendly options.

There’s Christmas in the Park with over 60 animated displays, Winter Wonderland with amusement park rides and a ferris wheel, $5 off ice skating, free rides on VTA, extended Caltrain service and several bars and clubs hosting free parties.

New Year’s Eve : Family Friendly Fun

FREE Christmas in the Park – Celebrating 31 years of “Joy and Magic” with more than 60 animated displays, thousands of glittering lights and the gigantic Community Giving Tree. Visit with Santa and enjoy nightly entertainment. Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Open until just past midnight on NYE. Free, www.christmasinthepark.com

FREE Winter Wonderland – From the giant gondola towering 10 stories to the classic carousel, families are traditionally attracted to the festive arcade of rides and attractions. Stop by the Bay Area Glass Institute’s holiday ornament boutique and enjoy glass blowing demonstrations. Park Avenue and Paseo de San Antonio.  408-286-1313 or www.winterwonderlandsj.com

$5 Off Hawaiian Ice Skating Day – Dec. 31

• $5 off skating to those wearing Hawaiian attire (noon-3 p.m. on December 31 and noon-10 p.m. Jan. 7 and 14)
• Enjoy other prize giveaways and Hawaiian music while you skate

Downtown Ice is open daily: 11 a.m.-midnight.  New Year’s Eve noon-10 p.m. New Year’s Day: 2 p.m.-midnight.

The rink is produced by the San Jose Downtown Association.  It’s in a familiar spot – the seventh year at Market Street, across from Plaza de Cesar Chavez.  For more info on admission, specials and discounts visit www.sjdowntown.com/downtownice.html

New Year’s Eve Travel Tips

FREE VTA services will be FREE during selected hours – VTA will be offering free service on all light rail and bus lines from 7 p.m. New Year’s Eve until 3:59 a.m. New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. Please check the website for full extended schedules. www.vta.org

FREE Free Caltrain Rides Home From SF: Caltrain offers free rides after 11pm and there is extended service after midnight heading south to San Jose. Four extra trains depart San Francisco southbound – 12:45am, 1:15am, 1:45am, and 2:15am making all local stops to the San Jose Diridon Station.

Southbound From San Francisco train times on New Year’s Eve (FREE after 11pm)
Departing San Francisco Caltrain Depot – Making all local stops to San Jose Diridon
Dep: 12:45am
Dep: 1:15am
Dep: 1:45am
Dep: 2:15am (Last sorthbound train)

Northbound From San Jose train times on New Year’s Eve (Regular Fare Required)
Departing San Jose Diridon; – Arriving at San Francisco Caltrain Depot
Dep: 6pm – Arr: 7:36pm
Dep: 7pm – Arr: 8:36pm
Dep: 8pm – Arr: 9:36pm
Dep: 9pm – Arr: 10:36pm
Dep: 10:30pm – Arr: 12:06am (Last northbound train)

New Year’s Eve : San Jose Nightlife

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in more than 20 venues around downtown San Jose

Plan your NYE celebration downtown.  Plenty of packages offered at various venues. Check out the “New Year’s Eve” section below for a list of the fun events going on in downtown nightclubs, restaurants and hotels as we ring in 2011 and a whole new decade together. Have fun, be safe and don’t drink and drive.  VTA will offer free rides New Year’s Eve after 7 p.m. or take a pedicab.  Happy New Year!  For more info visit www.sjdowntown.com/Night_Life.html

FREE A Perfect Finish Wine and Dessert Bar – NYE Party – Live music by Blue House.  4 pm-2 am.  55 S. First St.  Free, 288-6000 or www.apfwinebar.com

Agenda Lounge – “NYE Explosion: Celebrate the Experience” – Two dance floors, live DJs mixing top 40, hip-hop and R&B, party favors, champagne toasts, and complimentary mini breakfast buffet at 1 a.m. Two packages to choose from either a 3-course dinner or the Hilton Hotel Room Package.  9:30 pm-2 am.  399 S. First St. $25-$229, 287-3991 or http://agendalounge.com

FREE The Brit – New Year’s Eve Party – Live music, dancing and champagne toast at midnight. 10 pm-2 am.  173 W. Santa Clara St.   Free, 278-1400 www.britanniaarmsdowntown.com

Blank Club – NYE 2011 Dance Party – DJ Basura playing Alternative, New Wave and disco electro.  Free Champagne toast at midnight.  9 pm.  44 S. Almaden Ave. $10, 292-5265 or www.theblankclub.com

Brix Nightclub – NYE 2011: Don’t be Tardy for the Party – Dancers, live DJ, balloon drop and free champagne toast at midnight.  10 am.  349 S. First St.  $10-$20, 947-1975 www.brixnightclub.com

FREE Dive Bar – NYE Party – 78 E. Santa Clara St. Free, 288-5252 or www.sjdivebar.com

Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge –NYE 2011– Four DJs mixing all night Hip-Hop, Top 40, R&B, and Club Hits.  Open bar, dinner and great entertainment.   8 pm-2 am. Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge, 99 E. San Fernando St. $45-$150, 998-9998 or www.fultralounge.com

Freddie J’s – NYE Party – 97 E. Santa Clara St. 292-2420 or freddiejs.com

Hedley Lounge – NYE Party – Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a special package deal  that includes dinner in La Pastaia and Jack Conway Trio performing live.  8:30 pm-12:30 am.  Hedley Lounge, inside Hotel De Anza, 233 W. Santa St.  286-1000 or www.hoteldeanza.com

The Improv – Comedian Bobby Lee – Bring in the New Year with laughter.  New Year’s Eve show has a dinner package, includes champagne toast. 7 pm and 10 pm.  62 S. Second St. $65, 280-7475 or www.sanjoseimprov.com

FREE Loft Bar and Bistro – NYE Party – The party starts with live Jazz at 7 p.m. and will continue with DJs and dancing.  90 S. Second St.  Free, 291-0677 or www.loftbarandbistro.com

Miami Beach Club – Red and Gold New Year’s Party – Party with live bands, Rocio y Su Sonora and Feugo Latino, complimentary glass of champagne and bottle service available. 8-10 pm.  417 S. First St. $15, 242-9621 www.yourmiamibeachclub.com

Morocco’s Restaurant – NYE – Candle lights, live smooth jazz, belly dancing and the most amazing Moroccan Food.  6-10 pm. 86 N. Market St.www.moroccosrestaurant.com

Motif Ultra Lounge – All that glitters is Gold – Motif offers bottle service, 4-DJs, live performance by Christopher DBSTK CRZZY and dinner packages.  9:30 pm-1:30 am.  189 S. First St.  $15-$30, 279-1888 or www.motiflounge.com

FREE O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub –  NYE – 11 am-2 am.  25 N. San Pedro St.  Free, 947-8007 or www.oflahertyspub.com

Pearl Nightclub – Evolution 2011 – The celebration includes party favors, music, dancing, midnight toast, and live countdown.  8 pm.  8 S. First St.  $35 pre-sale tickets, 279-4444 or www.pearlsj.com

Poor House Bistro – NYE Party Inside the House– Drinks, dinner, dancing and live music featuring Jay and The Po Boy’s, Dave Chavez, Dennis Dove and Lara Price with Velvet Plum.   7 pm-12:30 am.  91 S. Autumn St.  $50, 292-5837 or www.poorhousebistro.com

Sabor Tapas Bar and Lounge – NYE 2011 Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball – Several packages to choose include buffet dinner and cocktails, premium liquor and champagne. 9:30 am.  72 N. Almaden Ave. $35 general admission, 287-1737 or www.saborlounge.net

San Jose Bar and Grill – Red Carpet New Years 2011 – Master mixers DJ Vinyl and Devious Dave on four turntables.  Cover charge includes a chance to win the grand prize, a trip for 2 to Las Vegas.  Plus, complimentary champagne toast at midnight.  85 S. Second St. 286-2397 or www.sanjosebarandgrill.com

South First Billiards – “New Year’s Party – 420 S. First St.  294-7800 or www.sofapool.com

Temple Bar and Lounge – New Year’s Eve 2011– Enjoy a hosted bar from 8-10:30 pm, complimentary hors d’oeuvres feat. Mogo BBQ, Champagne toast and party favors. Plus, a live performance from So Timeless and music provided by DJ Ready Rock video mixing. 8 pm-2 am.  52 S. First St.  $40-$60, www.templebarlounge.com

Toon’s – NYE – 52 E. Santa Clara St.  292-7464 or www.toonsnightclub.com

Tres Gringos – Margaritaville 2011 – Celebrate NYE. 83 S. Second St. 278-9888 tresgringossj.com

Voodoo Lounge – NYE 2011 – Ring in 2011 with the almighty High on Fire: Beerijuana, Mudface and Montra. 8:30 pm-12:30 am. 14 S. Second St.  $20-$30, 286-8636 or www.voodooloungesj.com

WET Nightclub – NYE 2011 – VIP table and bottle service available.  9 pm.  Wet Nightclub, 396 S. First St.  $50-$60, 282-8938 or www.wetsj.com

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.