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Celebrate the start of 2026 with local events on New Year’s Eve

Is it just us, or did December fly by? Somehow, it’s almost time to count down to the start of 2026. If midnight in the Pacific Standard Time zone is too late for your little ones, consider joining Chabot Space & Science Center for their Balloon Drop celebrations throughout the day on December 31 in Oakland. If you’d prefer to dance the night away, check out the USS Hornet’s popular New Year’s Eve Gala. For those craving a touch of luxury and extravagance, grab a ticket for LUXE Cruise’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Dinner Cruise, which launches from Alameda. In the heart of Downtown Alameda, the Alameda Theatre & Cineplex invites Stranger Things fans to showings of the much-anticipated final episode of the series on the big screen on December 31 and January 1. And as a friendly reminder—if you’re planning to dine out this New Year’s Eve, be sure to call ahead (or go online) and grab a reservation ASAP!

Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland

East Bay parents will be pleased to know that Chabot Space & Science Center is planning another festive annual Balloon Drop. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the family- and bedtime-friendly tradition.

Enjoy a countdown to midnight from different time zones around the world before hundreds of colorful balloons fall from above. Event times are scheduled as follows (click on event time for more info and to purchase tickets):

Space is limited for this special event, so book your tickets in advance. The price per child is $5 for members and $10 for guests, in addition to normal museum ticket prices. Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled event time so you can check in.

, 707 West Hornet Ave., Alameda

Wave goodbye to 2025 onboard an historic Aircraft Carrier at the USS Hornet’s New Year’s Eve Gala. This popular annual event is a fundraiser for the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space museum. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., live music starts at 8:30 p.m., and festivities last until 1 a.m. on January 1.

The Hornet’s enclosed, heated Hangar Deck will feature headliner 3 O’Clock Jump, an 18-piece classic Big Band. Special guest Nick Rossi will take the stage as well—accompanied by a live band—for vintage jazz music. Dance the night away, bid in a silent auction, and enjoy a selection of food and drinks available for purchase. The dress code is Black Tie Optional.

Tickets start at $69. For accessibility information, visit the website. See the event page to get more information, choose a ticket tier, and reserve your spot. Please note that children under 12 are not allowed. If you’d like to tour the ship, save your ticket stub for free museum admission until January 31.

LUXE Cruises, 2394 Mariner Square Drive, Alameda

Celebrate the start of 2026 in style with the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Dinner Cruise on San Francisco Bay by LUXE Cruises. Come aboard the Cabernet Sauvignon yacht, and enjoy a night of luxury with dinner, drinks, and dancing.

Explore the 124-foot yacht, mingle with guests, and watch fireworks from one of the four decks. The New Year’s Eve dinner buffet includes a variety of celebratory food, from prime rib to caramel chocolate cake. Cocktails, beer, wine, champagne, soda, and juice are all included in your ticket price.

The schedule for the evening is as follows:

Tickets for this ritzy event start at $352.23 and are very limited, so reserve a spot in advance. The dress code is “Semi formal/Cocktail.” If you have any questions or need to arrange for dietary restrictions in advance, please email hello@luxecruises.com.

Alameda Theatre & Cineplex, 2317 Central Avenue, Alameda

Spend your New Year’s Eve in the Upside Down with the Season 5 Finale and Carnival. Catch the very last episode of the wildly popular Netflix series on the big screen at Alameda Theatre & Cineplex.

Tickets to this event are sure to sell out quickly, so reserve your LUX recliner seat in the historic Alameda theater as soon as possible. The show plays at 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, and 11 a.m., 1:50 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 10:20 p.m. on Thursday, January 1.

On Wednesday, December 31, your ticket will include access to a special carnival with games, activities, and surprises at the theatre. On Thursday, January 1, ticketholders will receive a credit for the Cinema Grill. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids.

It’s loads of fun to get dressed up for a fancy party on New Year’s Eve, but there’s something special about pulling up a chair or barstool at your favorite local spot to toast to the beginning of a new year.

Times are tough for a lot of Alamedans, and our businesses are getting hit hard. Gift shops are struggling during rising economic uncertainty, local eateries are suffering from long-term road construction, and Alameda business owners are concerned about loss of business due to upcoming tunnel closures for the Oakland Alameda Access Project.

So please consider starting 2026 with a vote for our small, local businesses. Whether it’s an elaborate prix fixe menu by candlelight, or a cold beer at your favorite dive bar, you’ll be spending quality time celebrating in this community on our island home. We’ll raise a glass to that.

Check out our online Events Calendar for more New Year’s Eve festivities in Alameda and beyond. Be sure to change the geographical search radius to see events outside of our island. Happy New Year!

Amanda Laird is the Content Manager and Events Editor of the Alameda Post. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Amanda-Laird. Reach her at amanda@alamedapost.com.

Alameda Health System (AHS) in Oakland, California, has announced plans to lay off 296 employees across all departments, with notifications scheduled to begin January 6, 2026.

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The cuts will affect staff across administrative services, clinical care, management, and support roles, creating significant concerns for patient care delivery and workforce stability.

The impending layoffs have sent ripples of anxiety through the community, as AHS is a critical provider of healthcare services in the region, serving a diverse and often underserved population.

The Federal Cuts Behind the Layoffs

The layoffs are tied to federal funding losses from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. In their 2025 financial report, Alameda said it is projected to lose more than $100 million annually as a result.

“Due to these significant external cuts in funding, AHS must take a proactive approach to decreasing its organizational expenses, including labor expense,” a statement from AHS read.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) includes changes to Medicaid eligibility and funding mechanisms that AHS leaders say are expected to significantly reduce future reimbursement and federal support for safety-net hospitals.

For AHS, where about 60% of patients are covered by Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid, this is like pulling the rug out from under an already wobbly table.

To make matters worse, cuts to the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) program are projected to reduce AHS’s funding by up to $60 million annually starting February 2026. State-level cuts may also be on the horizon, Beckers reports.

The cuts are part of a broader trend of decreasing federal and state support for safety-net hospitals, which rely heavily on government funding to provide care to low-income and uninsured patients.

What the Future Will Look Like for Alameda Employees

Alameda said that it is pursuing "multiple strategies" to restore funding and is working with leaders at every level of state, county, and federal government to come up with solutions.

In the meantime, the AHS is offering voluntary resignation programs, retirement incentives, and resume help for those affected. Unionized employees will also receive a severance package.

While Alameda might just be one healthcare system, the financial strain on AHS is indicative of a larger crisis facing many healthcare systems across the country, so 2026 could reveal more cuts as healthcare systems navigate the changes from the OBBA's new laws.