New Year’s Eve in the Tri-Cities and Beyond

Balloons will drop and bottles will pop — it’s 2012!

While the Tri-Cities isn’t exactly known for being party central, we most definitely know how to get down and have several fun local events to prove it.

You don’t have to go far to have a good time, and you don’t need to hire a babysitter either. You can ring in the new year with the kids or wine and dine with friends — the choice is yours.

Here’s what’s happening in and outside of our borders.

Keep it local 

• Spice it up this year at the . Held at the Fremont Marriott and starting at 8:30 p.m., the event boasts a night of live music, fire and dance performances, a DJ and hors d’oeuvres. The event also features childcare and a separate teen room for children ages 3-12 and 13-17. Tickets $60 for a single adult ticket or $110 for couples and $25 for children and teens. For more information, call 408-826-8247 or visit www.monakhancompany.com. Purchase tickets online here.

• For locals planning to indulge in libations, the might be your safest bet. The hotel is offering two specials for New Year’s Eve. For $359 a couple, the Gala Package includes dinner for two, a live band, a champagne toast, a midnight balloon drop, dancing, an overnight stay and breakfast in the morning. Priced at $269, the Dinner Dance and Romance Package features many of the same festivities, minus the band and balloon drop. To book a reservation, call 510-490-8390. 

• If you’re looking for , then in Union City is the place to be. Starting at 7:30 p.m., owners, operators and brothers Federico "Kiko" Jesus Rodriguez and Federico "Rico" Jose Rodriguez will delight diners with a five-course menu, with each dish paired with a carefully selected wine (see the menu here). The night will be complete with party hats, drinking and dancing into the wee hours. Seating is limited. For pricing information or to make reservations, call Federicos at (510) 441-0900. 

• Also in Union City, at the PRUMA Center, located at 616 E Street. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., with music provided by Stanley Robley y Los Jibaros Modernos. Tickets cost $20 at the door or $15 in advance. For more information, call 510-489-0513 or e-mail president@pruma.org 

Family-friendly fun

Not all area NYE events involve drinking and dancing as there are plenty of places to take the kids on Dec. 31. 

• The in Oakland (10000 Skyline Blvd.) is hosting its annual kid-friendly . There will be three balloon drops — 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. — taking place for children of all ages. Keeping it eco-friendly, the 1,000 balloons will be turned into compost instead of ending up in a landfill. Space for the event is limited so hurry and call (510) 336-7373 to register.

• The entire family can take part in the New Year's Eve Flag Hill Hike in Sunol from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hosted by East Bay Regional Parks District's Katie Colbert, this daytime event will feature the last sunset of 2011 on the way up Flag Hill and "nature's hoopla" on the way down. Funny hats will be provided, but bring a trail dinner. Call (510) 544-3249 for more information.

• Join Radio Disney and MetroPCS for Radio Disney’s Noon Year’s Eve.  From 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Children’s Discovery Museum at 180 Woz Way in San Jose, kids will enjoy interactive entertainment, prizes, party hat decorating, a countdown across time zones with free phone calls to friends and relatives from MetroPCS, songs from Radio Disney’s “Top 50 Countdown of 2011,” and even a ball drop. The event is free with admission to the museum.

San Francisco

• If you like large crowds — really, really large crowds — then celebrate the new year at San Francisco’s New Year’s Midnight Fireworks show. The free event will be held at Pier 14, with special BART service and free rides on San Francisco transit systems. Find out about the New Year’s Eve transit schedule .

South Bay

• Dance the night away at the ‘Rhythm 2012’ New Year’s Eve Party, held at the Double Tree Hotel at 2050 Gateway Place in San Jose. From 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., four DJs will spin music from house and techno to 80s and Bollywood hits in two rooms. Free champagne will be served at midnight and other giveaways will take place throughout the night. A balloon drop will take place at midnight, and the room will be lit with entertainment on 48-inch screens around the dance floor. Tickets are $42 per person. Call 510-334-7683 for more information.

• Celebrate New Year’s Eve with more than 400 singles from around the Bay Area at the Giant New Year’s Eve Dance Party 2012 at Illusions in Palo Alto. Located at 260 S. California Ave. and held from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., the event will feature food, drinks, games, prizes and DJs spinning dance tunes. Watch a live countdown on the room’s big-screen, and be sure to dress to the 9s – the top 20 “best dressed” men and women will win a surprise gift! A professional photographer will be on hand if you want to memorialize the evening as well. A coat and tie for men and “dressy” attire for women is required. Advance tickets are $60 for the entire evening and $35 for the dance party only, or $40 at the door for the dance party.  

Have fun and be safe. Happy New Year!