New Year's Eve Activities in Oakland, California

If you are in the East Bay, you don't have to cross the bridge in order to have a fantastic New Year's Eve. Here are some New Year's Eve events going on in Oakland:

Chabot Space Center

Oh, those wacky scientists! The Chabot Space & Science Center in the Oakland Hills is holding its 7th Annual New Year's Eve Balloon Drop at the time of the "real" New Year's Eve. That is, midnight Greenwich Mean Time!

That turns out to be 4:00 PM California time. It's a little early, compared to most New Year's Eve parties but - not at all coincidentally - it's a perfect time for a party for kids.

And kids, and their parents, will enjoy the 4:00 balloon drop from the rotunda. Many of the balloons have prizes inside!

This event is free with general admission, but space (no pun intended!) is limited, and advance tickets are required. Call the Space Center Box Office at (510)336-7373 to make reservations.

Jamie Foxx

The hot ticket this year is for comedian Jamie Foxx, who will be performing at the Oakland Arena (or, to use its official name, the Oracle Arena) on New Year's Eve. The show starts at 9:00 PM. Tickets are $87.75, available at the Arena box office or at www.ticketmaster.com.

Sequoyah Country Club

The Rotary Club of Oakland is sponsoring a New Year's Eve Gala at the Sequoyah Country Club in the Oakland hills. This black-tie event will have a red carpet entrance, candlelight dinner, live music and dancing, a "fantasy dessert buffet" (sounds good!), auctions, photographs, and free valet parking.

Tickets are $125 per person, or $1100 per table of ten. Advance reservations are required. Call (510) 828-9376 or get an order form online .

Yoshi's

Yoshi's, the jazz club/Japanese restaurant in Jack London Square, is having a New Year's Eve show with the McCoy Tyner Quartet. Tickets are $100 per person, which includes champagne at midnight, party favors, and live coast-to-coast broadcast of NPR's "Toast Of The Nation." Call Yoshi's box office at (510) 238-9200 or order tickets online through www.ticketweb.com.

Bench and Bar

Bench and Bar, a gay Latin club, is having its 28th annual New Year's Eve Celebration, with complementary champagne and buffet, sexy go-go boys, a $1,000 balloon drop, and DJs spinning Latin pop, house, hip hop, salsa, and more. Located at the corner of 21st and Franklin Streets. Their phone number is (510) 444-2266.

Just Dance Ballroom

Are you sorry that "Dancing With the Stars" is over? Can't get enough of ballroom dancing? Just Dance Ballroom, a brand new dance studio with 10,000 square feet of floating maple floors, is having "An Enchanted New Year's Eve" party. There will be romantic and nostalgic dancing to current and classic music, party favors, a midnight toast, and hors d'oeuvres. Tickets are $40. Located at 2500 Embarcadero, near the 23rd Avenue exit of 880. Their phone number is (510) 436-9888.

Have a happy New Year!