The city’s New Year’s Eve celebration is returning to Old Sacramento. For local businesses, the fireworks show means big crowds and also a chance to welcome new customers.
Foot traffic in the historic neighborhood was already picking up this week before the nearly annual event. The event paused during the pandemic and returned last year in a limited capacity.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the event was canceled, when large public gatherings were off the table. In the years that followed, city officials said the event was harder to bring back, pointing to staffing and cost concerns and challenges launching the fireworks near the Tower Bridge. At the time, the city said it was looking for other ways to make use of the old town area.
This year’s ball drop and fireworks will be at 9 p.m., not midnight. City Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum said the earlier time is meant to keep the celebration family-friendly.
“I think that after nine o’clock it’s not as much of a family crowd, it’s more of an adult crowd, and the police in particular concerned about, you know, the difficulties that might come with that kind of an event,” he said.
At the Old Sacramento bar Last Stop Saloon, bartender Danny Dalfonso said the bar plans to stay open until 2 a.m., with extra staff on hand.
“Cause you know we’re definitely a tourist spot, so you’ll get a lot of new customers, but also we look forward to seeing a lot of our regulars,” Dalfonso said.
A few doors down, Donna Tielschan has owned her gift shop, Visions of Eden, for nearly 30 years. She said the Old Sac area is unlike any other in the region — and that she’s ready to meet new customers.
“You can go into so many towns. None of them have this cute historic area, not like the one Sacramento has. We need to do more to celebrate that,” Tielschan said.
She says she hopes to see more investment in the riverfront in the coming years from the city.
“Anytime they do an event, it brings people down and that’s always good for business,” she added.
Pluckebaum said events like New Year’s Eve are crucial for local shops.
“Having economic events for all the businesses in that space, a lot of businesses rely heavily on that kind of a pulse of activity to make their numbers,” the councilmember noted.
There will be street closures in Old Sacramento to accommodate the pedestrian-heavy event. Attendees are encouraged to share a ride as parking in the area fills up quickly.
Safe Travels
Sacramento Regional Transit will be running its bus and light rail services until about midnight on New Year’s Eve, providing a safe and affordable way to get around the city without getting behind the wheel.
Jessica Gonzalez, spokesperson for Sac RT, said the transit agency will be running on regular service.
Gonzalez said you can visit the agency’s website to plan your trip on how to get to your destination and back.
“The good news is most of our services run to about midnight,” she said. “We have the Old Sacramento fireworks that are earlier than that, so that can help families and people get downtown and back within our service time.”
Sac RT also has customer service representatives that can help plan your trip if you want to give them a call.
“We also have over 20 free park and ride lots that connects directly to our light rail system,” she added. “So that’s always a really great option for people who want to maybe get into downtown to head to Old Sacramento.”
Additional NYE Events
NYE at Topgolf Roseville
If you’re looking for a late-night activity to ring in the new year, Topgolf Roseville is hosting a New Year’s Eve party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The event is pay-to-play, so you will need to purchase a ticket that includes a private golf bay for six people and unlimited golf balls.
Studio 26 New Year’s Eve
Drake’s The Barn in West Sacramento will be hosting a Motown-inspired NYE party. The party starts at 9 p.m. and is just a Tower Bridge cross away from the Old Sacramento fireworks show. There will be live performances and a burlesque show. The event is 21 and up.
NYE Celebration at Casa Lola
The new Mexican-themed restaurant Casa Lola, located on 16th Street in downtown will be ringing in the new year! This free event will include a champagne toast, music, party favors and a midnight confetti.
Noon Year’s Eve Pajama Party
Midnight can be too late for the kids to stay up. For families looking to celebrate early, the Aerospace Museum of California is hosting a “Noon Year’s Eve” Pajama Party. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes a hot cocoa bar and a balloon-drop countdown for children.
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