Now that the gifts have been opened, the eggnog guzzled, and the holiday ham long gone, it’s time to turn attention to the final—and most festive—celebration of the season. From family-friendly light displays and early-evening bubbles to late-night dance floors, elegant prix-fixe dinners, and over-the-top countdowns, San Diego is ringing in 2026 with flavor, sparkle, and plenty of options for every kind of night out.
Lightscape and Dining at Botanic Garden
Lightscape Fireflies at the San Diego Botanic Garden (Photo courtesy of James Tran)Families can kick off the New Year with Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden, a mile-long illuminated trail featuring tunnels of color, fields of fireflies, and large-scale installations from international artists. Seasonal treats include hot cocoa and mulled cider for kids, alongside adult options like the Mistletoe Martini. Festive bites range from kettle corn and peppermint brownies to chicken pot pie hand pies and a giant Bavarian pretzel. Tickets start at $28 for adults and $18 for children; ages 2 and under are free, with a 10 percent discount for members.
Sip in the New Year – Pali Wine Co., Little Italy
Enjoy fine wine at Pali Wine Co. (Photo courtesy of Pali Wine Co./ReganNorton)Pali Wine Co. welcomes the New Year with sparkling wine flights, curated food pairings, and live music by The Odds from 4 to 10 p.m. Guests can sample Blanc de Blancs, Sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir, and pét-nat selections, paired with artisan cheeses, seafood, and chocolate for an easygoing early celebration.
East Village – Music, Dining & Fun
East Village transforms into a lively New Year’s hub with something for every kind of celebration. Tavern + Bowl offers bowling packages complete with food, drinks, and champagne or cider to toast the New Year. Quartyard hosts an R&B Block Party on Dec. 31 from 5 to 10 p.m., followed by the DAY.ONE Sunset Party on Jan. 1 from 4 to 9 p.m. Punch Bowl Social features Music Bingo, bowling, DJs, dancing, and a midnight toast for $60 per person. Margaritaville Hotel San Diego debuts its pirate-themed “Yo Ho Ho-liday Tavern” pop-up through Jan. 2, while Petco Park hosts PROPER NYE/NYD 2026 with two nights of electronic, house, and techno music. Dining options throughout the neighborhood include Decore, Craft Bar Kamon, and Casa Octavio.
Many restaurants are serving for New Year’s Eve in San Diego’s East Village, including Tavern + Bowl. This is one of the establishment’s plates. (Photo courtesy Olive Public Relations)Let’s Groove – Moonshine Beach, Pacific Beach
MoonshineBeach/DJKikiStage. (Photo courtesy of Moonshine Beach)Moonshine Beach’s annual New Year’s Eve party invites guests to dance into 2026 with DJs Famous Dave and DJ Kiki spinning all night. Doors open at 7 p.m. Online tickets guarantee entry before 10 p.m., with limited tickets available at the door, subject to capacity.
Glitter & Gold – Happy Does, Gaslamp
Happy Does hosts a retro-inspired New Year’s Eve celebration with no cover charge. The night includes free games, karaoke with Almost Famous, DJ Real Hypha, drink specials, hourly discounts, and a complimentary champagne toast with munchies at midnight.
Happy Does with a NYE crowd. (Photo courtesy of Good Time Design)Prix-Fixe Dinners & Elegant Dining
Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails – Hotel Indigo, Gaslamp Quarter
Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktail. (Photo courtesy of Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktail)Guests can toast the sunset with a champagne toast from 4 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 while enjoying panoramic views of downtown San Diego. The full menu will also be available.
Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine – San Diego
Lionfish group dining. (Photo courtesy of Robert Reyes)A four-course prix-fixe dinner crafted by Executive Chef Jose “JoJo” Ruiz is available from 5 to 11 p.m. on Dec. 31 for $170 per person. Highlights include shrimp toast with caviar, lobster rigatoni, duck confit pappardelle, New York strip with black truffle bordelaise, roasted lubina, and Moonlit Pavlova dessert with black sesame mousse and yuzu curd.
Cherryfish – Pacific Beach
Cherryfish has all kinds of plates. (Photo courtesy of Cherryfish)At Cherryfish, Chef Marcus Twilegar brings a modern American izakaya approach to a four-course prix-fixe dinner for $95 per person, with seatings at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Menu highlights include spiny lobster gyoza, kanpachi sashimi, uni Okinawa potato dumplings, bison tartare, toro roll, beef tenderloin, swordfish with blood orange miso glaze, and desserts such as yuzu Japanese cheesecake and lychee crème brûlée. Optional indulgent add-ons include caviar pairings, Australian wagyu strip steak, and spiny lobster.
Serẽa Coastal Cuisine – Hotel del Coronado
Sería Ibérico Gougères. (Photo courtesy of Robert Reyes)A three-course prix-fixe menu from 5 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 is priced at $195 per person at Serẽa Coastal Cuisine. Executive Chef Jose “JoJo” Ruiz presents ibérico gougères, jamón salad or tuna crudo, New York steak with butter-poached lobster or duck leg and breast, and desserts including semifreddo tart or citrus pavlova.
Vistal – Waterfront
At Vistal – Waterfront, a four-course New Year’s Eve dinner priced at $167.30 per person features yellowfin tuna tartare, maple leaf duck duo, U12 diver scallops, and desserts such as chocolate rocher or raspberry mousse. Reservations recommended.
Vistal dining (Photo courtesy of Kimberly Motos)Cellar Hand – Hillcrest
A four-course prix-fixe menu priced at $127.50 showcases seasonal, hyper-local ingredients with choices like seared scallop, kohlrabi salad, charcoal duck breast, bouillabaisse, ribeye, and desserts such as crêpes mademoiselle or sticky toffee pudding await at Cellar Hand – Hillcrest. Optional wine and non-alcoholic pairings are available.
Cellar Hand plates. (Photo courtesy of Kimberly Motos)Juniper & Ivy – Little Italy
A four-course prix-fixe dinner for $150 per person from 5 to 9 p.m. features oysters, New York steak tartare, spiny lobster, handmade agnolotti, black cod, Wagyu filet, and desserts like café de olla tart or coconut rum baba, all at Juniper & Ivy – Little Italy.
Oysters for NYE. (Photo courtesy of Juniper & Ivy)Lana – Solana Beach
A $95 four-course menu includes ahi tuna with crispy rice, wood-fired broccoli, braised oxtail gnocchi, red wine–braised short rib, vegan cauliflower steak, and desserts such as dark chocolate hazelnut bar or cherry cinnamon crumble pie at Lana – Solana Beach. Live acoustic music and celebratory cocktails accompany the evening.
Inside Lana in Solana Beach. (Photo courtesy of Lana)Huntress – Gaslamp
Chef-driven New Year’s Eve specials at Huntress – Gaslamp include king crab brown butter risotto, caviar donuts, and other luxurious offerings. Reservations are available from 5 to 11:15 p.m.
Huntress Caviar Donuts. ( Photo courtesy of RMD Group)Lou Lou’s Jungle Room – Lafayette Hotel
Lou Lou’s Jungle Room hosts a New Year’s Eve Supper Club and Ball Drop beginning at 7 p.m., featuring live big band performances, immersive cabaret by the Ladies of Rouge, and a special appearance by acclaimed jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis. Dinner includes a multi-course menu by Chef José Cepeda, followed by a champagne toast and dramatic midnight countdown. The celebration continues late into the night with curated selections from Louis Valenzuela.
Lou Lou’s Jungle seating (Photo courtesy of Kimberly Motos)The Marine Room
A four-course dinner at The Marine Room from 5 to 10 p.m. features seasonal dishes, live entertainment by Roman Palacios, a New York–style countdown at 9 p.m., and a complimentary champagne toast for $195 per person.
Say “Cheers” at The Marine Room. (Photo courtesy of The Marine Room)Roman Wolves – Little Italy
Open Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., guests can choose à la carte or a $60 prix-fixe menu with Roman classics including mozzarella in carrozza, lamb lollipops, pappardelle ragu di Roma, spaghetti carbonara, filetto di manzo, pollo Romana, and cannoli or tiramisu for dessert at the popular Roman Wolves – Little Italy.
Get ready for fun at Roman Wolves. (Photo courtesy of Roman Wolves)Bars, Nightlife & VIP Experiences
El Chingon
El Chingon San Diego interior and bar (Photo courtesy of GBOD Hospitality Group)At El Chingon, two VIP table packages are available: $1,500 for eight guests with three bottles, or $800 for four guests with two bottles. Tables are limited and expected to sell out.
Prohibition – Gaslamp Quarter
VIP tickets at $150 include entry, a gift bag with a bottle of Prohibition Single Barrel Whiskey, and a limited-edition VIP Entrance Coin granting lifetime weekend VIP access for the holder and a guest. The night includes live music and signature cocktails all at Prohibition – Gaslamp Quarter.
Prohibition’s interior with drums. (Photo courtesy of GBOD Hospitality Group)Patrick’s Pub – Gaslamp
Celebrate 2026 with live music from Celina Rescott and The Embers, a midnight toast, drink specials, and a party from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Patrick’s Pub – Gaslamp. Pre-sale tickets are available via Eventbrite.
Patrick’s Gaslamp Bar. (Photo courtesy of Good Time Design)Rustic Root – Gaslamp
A two-floor celebration at Rustic Root – Gaslamp features chef-driven comfort classics downstairs and an exclusive rooftop party upstairs from 8 p.m. through the night. Dinner reservations are available from 6 to 11:30 p.m., with rooftop tables accommodating groups of five to 15. Ball Drop Celebration tickets are $25.
Rustic Root is getting ready for New Year’s Eve. (Photo courtesy of RMD Group )Family & Daytime Celebrations
Temaki Bar – Encinitas
Temaki bar. (Photo courtesy of Clique Hospitality)An all-you-can-drink package at Temaki Bar – Encinitas, including well spirits, beer, and wine, runs from 4 p.m. to midnight on Dec. 31 for $50 per person, with a DJ from 8 p.m. to midnight. On Jan. 1, bottomless mimosas and Aperol spritz are offered from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for $30 per person.
Light Trails, Sweet Treats & At-Home Options
Gelson’s Markets offers premium and budget-friendly New Year spreads, holiday seafood, shrimp towers, caviar pairings, sparkling wines, and more. Stores are open Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
Caviar from Gelson’s Market. (Photo courtesy of Gelson’s Markets)From family-friendly light trails and early-evening bubbly to high-energy dance parties, elegant prix-fixe dinners, and sweet treats for a cause, San Diego offers countless ways to say goodbye to 2025 and welcome 2026 with flavor and flair.
Got any food news? Chef appointments, a new location? Menu? Drop me a line at DebbieS@timesofsandiego.com to possibly be featured in an upcoming Eat Beat column.
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