New Years Eve San Diego: NYE Parties, Events & More 2023/24

Check out these fun New Years Events San Diego 

I think we’re all more than ready to give 2023 the proper send-off it truly deserves and welcome 2024!

Thanks to living in San Diego with our almost picture-perfect weather, there are many options for saying goodbye to the old and happily welcoming in the new. From private romantic moments to celebrating with family or friends, here are some of the great ways to ring in the New Year! 

Please note that this article is currently being updated as this year’s event dates are released. Thank you for your understanding.

San Diego New Years Eve Fireworks: CANCELED

Unfortunately, the city of San Diego has not been displaying fireworks on New Year’s Eve for a few years now. But that does not mean you won’t have a blast anyway. Take a look below for the top things to do on New Years Eve in San Diego.

However, there are still some places to watch the sparkly lights explode in the night sky to ring in the new year:

SeaWorld: The amusement park does a special New Years’ Eve fireworks show at a family-friendly time (9 PM).
Hotel Del Coronado: They have a fantastic New Years’ Eve Dinner Gala and attendees and visitors can watch the fireworks on the beach (9:40 PM)

San Diego New Years Eve Cruise

Flagship San Diego New Year’s Eve Cruise

One of Flagship’s most popular cruises of the year just happens to take place on New Year’s Eve. The three-hour tour covering a full north and south bay route includes a gourmet onboard prepared dinner, champagne as you board, a midnight champagne toast, premium bar selections, a DJ, and dancing. Flagship also offers a New Years Day Brunch Cruise.

Cost: New Years Eve Dinner Cruise $150 (extra for the unlimited bar).
For an additional $55 per person, a hosted bar will serve unlimited premium liquor, wine, and beer.

Departures from Broadway Pier, 990 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, 92101. (619)-234-4111.

NYE Hornblower Cruises on the Bay

With a glittering skyline as a backdrop, Hornblower Cruises is offering some spectacular 3-hour yacht cruises around San Diego Bay. 

The New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Cruise features private tables, bottomless champagne or sparkling cider, a decadent gourmet-prepared meal, and DJ entertainment to keep guests dancing the night away. With free onboard WiFi, you can even post photos of the event and surroundings as you cruise the bay. Cocktail attire is recommended. 

Hornblower’s VIP New Year’s Eve Cruise boasts even more perks such as a private reserved table with fine linens, a 5-course seated dinner, a top-end open bar, souvenir champagne flutes, and complimentary truffles. New Year’s Eve hats, horns, and party favors are complimentary as well.

Oh, and if you are more of a brunch person, you can book either their New Years’ Eve Brunch Cruise or the New Years Day Brunch Cruise. Check out all Holiday Cruises here>>

Departures from Pier 1 Hornblower Landing, 1800 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, 92101. (619) 686-8700

San Diego New Years Eve Galas & Parties

Hotel Del Coronado New Years Eve Gala

Ring in the roaring 20s at the Hotel Del’s Speakeasy. This classy event is as posh as the hotel itself, so if you are looking to start 2024 in a fancy way, this is the place to be. Book your tickets here>>

If you spend the night at the Hotel Del, you can also add the New Years Day Brunch to your calendar.

NYE 2023/24 SAN DIEGO BAR CRAWL

8+ NYE parties to celebrate the holiday! You’ll get to ring in the new year while enjoying exclusive drink specials at each participating bar.  If you take part you’ll receive a wristband, drink coupons, and a map of all participating bars in downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.

• – 8+ different NYE parties
• – Free welcome shot tickets at select venues
• – Exclusive drink specials
• – NYE pub crawl map to all participating bars, lounges, and nightclubs
  Get your Tickets here>>

Big Night San Diego

10 Party Areas – 10 Acts – 5000 Guests

If you are looking for an all-inclusive party bigger than any other San Diego New Year’s Eve party, this is it. Right in the heart of downtown at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, this event will be a night to remember! Get your tickets here>>

NYE Beach Party 2023/24

Check out this all-inclusive New Years Eve Beach Party at the Catamaran Resort! DJs, 4 party rooms, an all-inclusive bar, and hors d’oeuvres in a beautiful setting right on Mission Bay. You can also book an additional Party Boat Cruise for that evening, leaving at the resort. And if you want to spend the night, book your room here>>

New Years Eve Party Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

Pacific Beach NYE Pub Crawl

Pub Crawl in Pacific Beach sounds like an epic way to slide into the new year. Get your tickets here>>

Tower 23 New Years Eve Party

If you prefer a more upscale NYE party in Pacific Beach, maybe this one is for you: Tower23. This boutique beach hotel offers a dinner and party option on its rooftop patio overlooking the ocean. It doesn’t get more gorgeous than that. Don’t forget to book a room, so you can simply slip back to your room, sleep in and enjoy their fantastic Holiday Brunch the next day!

Romantic Dinner Overlooking San Diego Bay

For those into a more private, romantic way to welcome the New Year, we have just the ticket for you! San Diego has some beautiful restaurants with stunning water views that are perfect for a New Year’s Eve candlelight dinner for two.

We recommend getting reservations in ASAP, however, as these fine eateries will likely fill up fast due to limited seating (and of course, holiday demand). You can contact the restaurant directly, or reserve through Open Table. Here are a few to check out:

Rooftop Dining/Drinks with a View

For a birds’ eye perspective on New Year’s Eve in San Diego, these lovely San Diego rooftop bars and restaurants are the perfect way to welcome the New Year with the ones you love. After all, we know America’s eighth-largest city just happens to have some spectacularly breathtaking panoramic views. Many of these rooftop bars are in hotels, so if you want to make it super convenient, book yourself a room for the night and don’t worry about getting home safely.

Book a Suite and Invite a Few Friends 

A few years back, we booked a suite with a balcony on a high floor of the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. Then we invited a few friends in to celebrate the New Year with us. Living in San Diego, we could also pack some of our favorite New Year’s hor d’ourvres and order a few platters from the hotel restaurants.

The views over the Marina were beautiful, we sat outside the tropical grounds and enjoyed some red wine by the warm firepits. Then we headed back to our suite to pop the champagne cork watch the ball drop in New York City and other places around the world. Book your stay here>>

Other hotels and resorts we love with gorgeous views and a special ambiance include:

Catamaran Resort in Pacific Beach

Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa on Coronado Island

Hotel del Coronado on Coronado Island

L’Auberge Del Mar in Del Mar

Build a Bonfire on the Beach for NYE in San Diego

This is perfect for those who love the outdoors but don’t love the crowds. There’s always something fun about building a bonfire —on a beach —feet in the sand-listening to the ocean waves.

We’re fortunate that San Diego has so many beaches that allow bonfires.

So, layer up, pack your food and beverages, beach chairs, beach blankets, and head to one of our suggested beaches for warm bonfires and firepit fun. But arrive early to ensure you get your space as fire pits on San Diego beaches are on a first-come-first-served basis. More information can be found in this beach bonfire guide from California Beaches.

Order in and Celebrate the New Years in PJs

Some folks just prefer a quiet candlelit New Year’s Eve celebration at home where they can curl up next to a fireplace in their favorite pajamas and watch celebrations from around the world on TV.

While keeping it simple, how about ordering out some of your favorite cuisine from one of our awesome San Diego restaurants? We’ve listed some of our favorite restaurants available for delivery on December 31^st (we can vouch for these as we’ve dined there).

 However, options online are impressive, so, you’ll likely find something that suits your palate and the occasion.

We hope some of these suggestions will be helpful on the different ways San Diegans can spend New Year’s Eve. 

However you choose to ring in 2024, stay safe, happy, healthy, and enjoy toasting in the New Year. Whether it’s with a glass of bubbly, or apple cider. 

Cheers!

New Years Eve San Diego: Fireworks, Events & More was written by Noreen Kompanik for San Diego Explorer.

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Last Updated on September 19, 2023 by Maria Haase