As the clock ticks down on 2025, California is preparing to welcome 2026 with fireworks, music, cruises, masquerade balls, and family-friendly celebrations. From San Francisco Bay’s iconic midnight spectacle to mountain-town festivities and historic ships lit up with pyrotechnics, here is where to watch New Year’s Eve fireworks across California and how to make the most of the night.
San Francisco: Midnight fireworks over the bay
Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Time: 11:59 p.m. (right at midnight)
Location: Embarcadero (Mission Street to Folsom Street)
Cost: Free
San Francisco’s annual waterfront fireworks show remains one of the largest and most popular New Year’s Eve celebrations on the West Coast, drawing nearly 200,000 people each year. Fireworks launch from barges positioned about 1,000 feet into the Bay, just south of the Ferry Building near Pier 14, and last approximately 15 minutes. The display is typically synchronized to music, broadcast through speakers along the Embarcadero promenade.
Best places to watch in San Francisco
South of the Ferry Building, along the Embarcadero between Mission and Folsom Streets
Near Pier 14 for the best audio experience
Avoid standing directly in front of the Ferry Building, crowds and the structure itself often block views. Arrive by 11:30 pm to secure a good viewing spot.
Alternative fireworks viewing spots
If you prefer a scenic or elevated view, these locations often offer stunning sightlines (weather permitting):
Elevated & scenic views – Treasure Island / Yerba Buena Island (SF). Incredible skyline shots with the Bay Bridge in frame. The city discourages visits due to traffic and parking restrictions
Telegraph Hill (SF)
Alta Street (off Montgomery)
Calhoun Terrace (off Union)
East & North Bay Viewpoints
Oakland Hills (near the Mormon Temple)
Grizzly Peak, Berkeley
Marina Park Pathway, Emeryville
Marin Headlands, views often include fireworks rising over downtown with the Golden Gate Bridge in the foreground
Fireworks plus music: Mammoth Lakes celebration
Mammoth Lakes New Year’s Eve Fireworks & Concert
Fireworks: 9:00 p.m.
Live DJs: 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Location: The Village, Mammoth Lakes
Cost: Free
Families and snow-lovers can celebrate early with a DJ-led concert and fireworks spectacular in Mammoth Lakes. DJs Fresh Tracks and Zeus keep the energy high as the mountain town rings in 2026 with a festive, family-friendly vibe.
Southern California: Fireworks aboard the Queen Mary
Queen Mary New Year’s Eve 2025 – Long Beach
Theme: Unmask the Night: Masquerade Soirée
Ring in 2026 aboard the historic Queen Mary, where guests can enjoy live music and performances, casino games
Masquerade-themed celebrations
A midnight fireworks display over the harbour. This upscale event blends old-world elegance with modern New Year’s Eve glamour. For those wanting fireworks without the crowds, several Bay Area cruises offer front-row seats on the water:
Speakeasy San Francisco NYE Cruise
Pier 40 | Dec. 31, 9:15 p.m.
Under the Fireworks Cruise
San Francisco Spirit, Pier 3 | Dec. 31, 8:45 p.m.
Gatsby’s Yacht New Year’s Eve Party
San Francisco Belle | Dec. 31, 9 p.m.
Berkeley New Year’s Eve Signature Dinner Cruise
Berkeley Marina | Dec. 31, 7:45 p.m.
Bay Area new year’s eve parties (No fireworks required)
San Francisco
International Ball – W Hotel (9 p.m.)
Black & White Masquerade Ball – The Media Room (8 p.m.)
MOANY NYE Party – Regency Center (9 p.m.)
Comedy Countdown – Cobb’s Comedy Club (7:30 p.m.)
South Bay
Gilroy Gardens NYE Celebration – Family-friendly (4 p.m.)
Noon Year’s Eve – Children’s Discovery Museum, San Jose (ball drop at noon)
Bollywood & Hip-Hop NYE bash – Santa Clara
East Bay
USS Hornet Big Band Gala – Alameda
Lawrence Hall of Science Grand Finale – Berkeley
Chabot Space & Science Center Balloon Drop – Oakland
North Bay & Peninsula
Napa Valley Wine Train: Midnight in Paris
Charles M. Schulz Museum NYE – Santa Rosa
Hiller Aviation Museum Noon Year’s Eve – San Carlos
Whether you are watching fireworks light up San Francisco Bay, dancing on a yacht, celebrating with family before midnight, or counting down amid mountain snow or ocean views, California offers no shortage of ways to welcome 2026. Bundle up, plan ahead, and arrive early, because when the clock strikes midnight, California knows how to put on a show.