Sacramento residents can welcome the new year at “Countdown on the Cobblestones,” an event bringing music and festivities to the Old Sacramento Waterfront on New Year’s Eve. The event will feature live music, interactive activities, and a 9 p.m. fireworks light show, providing a family-friendly alternative to midnight festivities.

The celebration will run from 4 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 31, with entertainment and activities stretching across K Street and Front Street. Attendees can enjoy performances by local favorites, including The Philharmonik, DJ Epik, Element Brass Band, and DJ El Indio, alongside Sacramento’s Poet Laureate Andru Defeye, who will serve as the evening’s host.

“Countdown on the Cobblestones is free and open to the public, making it an accessible way for families and friends to come together and celebrate the arrival of 2025,” said City spokesperson Jennifer Singer.

Entertainment and activities – 4 – 10 p.m.

Organizers have lined up a variety of offerings to make the evening special:

• Intention Stations will allow attendees to reflect on their goals for the new year by writing down intentions to take home.
• Selfie booths and lounge areas will be scattered throughout the event, providing opportunities for photo ops and relaxation.
• The Ferris wheel and merry-go-round will be open for a small fee for attendees of all ages.

Countdown and light show – 9 p.m.

The evening will culminate in a 9 p.m. countdown at the intersection of Front and K streets. A light and pyrotechnic show, produced by Pyro Spectaculars, Inc. in collaboration with Stage Nine Exhibits, will illuminate the Holiday Tree and the historic buildings of Old Sacramento. The show will feature fireworks launched from three locations, including the Delta King, reaching up to 250 feet. Live music will follow the display.

Organizers emphasized that there will be no midnight show, with all festivities concluding by 10 p.m.

For more information, visit oldsacramento.com.