San Francisco on New Year’s Eve has action and entertainment to satisfy the hardiest of partiers, including DJ/dance extravaganzas, comedy shows, cabaret acts, and live music of all types. If a glittery bash isn't your style, you can catch a silent flick at Grace Cathedral or the City of San Francisco's free midnight fireworks show along the Embarcadero, near Pier 14.
But first: Get some luck and soul-cleansing at the annual New Year bell ringing ceremony at the Asian Art Museum, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Dec. 31. The museum’s 16th-century Japanese bronze bell will be struck 108 times to erase the wrongs and ills of the past year and greet the new one.
Then, on to the evening revelry:
- Bill Maher New Year’s Eve Political satirist Maher delivers his unflinchingly politically incorrect observations. Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael, 8 p.m.
- A Midnight in Paris Two ballrooms, DJs, and revelers in recommended black-tie attire. Julia Morgan Ballroom, Merchants Exchange Building, 465 California St., 9 p.m.
- New Year's Eve with Greg Proops Proops and comedians Tony Camin and Nato Green do two shows. Punch Line Comedy Club, 444 Battery Street, 7:30 and 10 p.m.
- New Year’s Eve Dance Fiesta Orquesta La Moderna Tradicion, which specializes in Cuban dance music, performs danzon classics, cha-cha-cha, timba and original compositions. La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, 9 p.m.
- New Year's Eve Fireworks by Kayak Paddle out toward the Bay Bridge for an unforgettable NYE trip with incredible views. City Kayak, 9:30 p.m.
- New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball with the San Francisco Symphony A concert of operettas and waltzes, and then more music, masks, champagne, dessert and dancing. Davies Symphony Hall, 9 p.m.
- New Year’s Eve Roller Disco Skate rental included. To break up the disco beat, there's a New Wave dance floor in back. Attire to match the music is encouraged. CellSpace, 2050 Bryant St., 8 p.m.
- New Year's Eve Yoga Celebration & Groove Party Do Vinyasa yoga to world fusion music spun by a DJ. Result? Sweat, and hopefully explusion, release, and deep intention and expansion for the new year. YogaTree Castro Studio, 97 Collingwood St., 10 p.m.
- Not Your Normal New Year’s Eve Brent Weinbach, Moshe Kasher and Jill Bourque do stand-up comedy. Herbst Theatre, 8 p.m.
- Dianne Reeves Four-time Grammy winner Reeves sings in the new year. Yoshi's San Francisco, 1330 Fillmore St., 8 and 10 p.m.
- SF NYE BALL Colette, Mr. V, the Ladies of Desired Temptations, a one-hour open bar, hip-hop, mashups, salsa, Brazilian and other music, all under City Hall's magnificent domed roof. San Francisco City Hall, 8 p.m.
- Silent Film Screening Lon Chaney is the creepy Phantom of the Opera in this 1925 film, accompanied by the cathedral’s organ played by Dorothy Papadakos. Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St., 7 & 10 p.m.
- Streets of San Francisco Steve Aoki and other DJs, an open bar and great views of the fireworks and the Bay, amid a miniature version of San Francisco's cityscape from the Gold Rush era to the future. Fort Mason Festival Pavilion, 9 p.m.
- Supper-Club Style New Year's Eve at 1300 on Fillmore First seating at 6 pm consists of a three-course prix fixe dinner. Second seating starting at 8:15 pm includes five courses and dancing to a live band from 10 pm to 1:30 am. 1300 Fillmore St.
- Surprise Me Mr. Davis and Big Light Café Du Nord, 9:30 p.m.
