Downtown Pleasant Hill

As the holidays are fast approaching, <a href="https://shopdowntownpleasanthill.com/events" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Downtown Pleasant Hill</a> is ushering in the season with FREE festivities that bring the community and families together to celebrate.
Noon Year’s Eve takes place on Wednesday, December 31 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and is designed for those early birds who want to celebrate the new year in a family-friendly environment. The festivities will take place at the Plaza, in front of Jack’s Restaurant &amp; Bar, and will feature a balloon drop, festive face painting, creative balloon art, a kids' craft station, and a themed photo booth to capture the memories. Plus, raise a glass for a special noon toast to ring in the New Year in style!
About Downtown Pleasant Hill Downtown Pleasant Hill delivers the ultimate shopping experience in a distinctive outdoor setting where visitors can immerse their shopping senses with a unique blend of specialty retailers, personal services, and restaurants.

Local Event: Downtown Pleasant Hill "Noon” Year’s Eve Festivities

San Francisco County

San Francisco

California

Downtown Pleasant Hill "Noon” Year’s Eve...

As the holidays are fast approaching, Downtown Pleasant Hill is ushering in the season with FREE festivities that bring the...

Downtown Pleasant Hill "Noon” Year’s Eve Festivities

The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (December 1, 2025) — This New Year’s Eve, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel’s historic Redwood Room once again becomes the stage for an unforgettable celebration as top Bay Area nightlife curators Yuksel Presents, Sol Y Luna, and Vadik Presents bring BLACKTIE NYE to San Francisco on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
Originally opened in 1933 at the end of Prohibition, the Redwood Room has long been a cultural landmark, known for its Art-Deco design, rich redwood interiors, and timeless San Francisco allure. This December, the legendary lounge transforms for one night into a luxe, immersive celebration where social tastemakers, media, and revelers can ring in 2026 in style.
Event Highlights
<ul>
<li>Massive Balloon Drop</li>
<li>DJ Performances + Professional Photographer</li>
<li>Multiple Event Rooms + Music Experiences</li>
<li>Complimentary Party Favors</li>
<li>Red Carpet Entrance</li>
<li>Midnight Countdown Celebration</li>
<li>Live Screening of San Francisco Fireworks on a Large-Scale Projector</li>
</ul>
Event Details
Date &amp; Time: Wednesday, December 31, 2025 
Doors Open: 9:00 PM PDT 
Midnight Countdown: 12:00 AM PDT 
Celebration Runs: 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM PDT 
Venue: The Redwood Room, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel
Reservations &amp; Ticketing
General Admission tickets and premium table and bottle service reservations are available now, with select options for private seating inside the Redwood Room. Please visit <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-tie-new-years-eve-2026-historic-clift-hotel-w-massive-balloon-drop-tickets-1839782311419?aff=cliftsm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> for more information and to RSVP: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-tie-new-years-eve-2026-historic-clift-hotel-w-massive-balloon-drop-tickets-1839782311419?aff=cliftsm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BLACK TIE NEW YEARS EVE 2026 @ HISTORIC CLIFT HOTEL W/ MASSIVE BALLOON DROP Tickets, Wed, Dec 31, 2025 at 9:00 PM | Eventbrite</a>
About the Venue:
 
The Redwood Room at The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel is a San Francisco landmark, renowned for its rich history, art deco design, and vibrant cultural significance. Pairing its iconic atmosphere with the spectacle of a masquerade, the 2025 Halloween event promises to be a hallmark evening for Bay Area nightlife.

Local Event: Blacktie New Years Eve Returns to the Historic Redwood Room at the Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel

Blacktie New Years Eve Returns to the Historic...

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (December 1, 2025) — This New Year’s Eve, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel’s historic Redwood Room once again...

Blacktie New Years Eve Returns to the Historic Redwood Room at the Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel

Featuring Joseph Amster as San Francisco’s Iconic Emperor Norton
Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | The Redwood Room

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — (December 4, 2025) — The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, a San Francisco landmark since 1915, continues its new monthly speaker series, “Making History Fun Again,” designed to honor the city’s legendary past through lively storytelling and unforgettable personalities.

On Thursday, January 15, 2026, The Clift welcomes Joseph Amster, historian, journalist, performer, and founder of <a href="https://emperornortontour.com." rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Emperor Norton’s Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine</a>, appearing in character as Emperor Norton, one of San Francisco’s most beloved and eccentric historical figures.

As a historian and performer, Amster has spent more than a decade bringing Emperor Norton to life on the streets of San Francisco, leading immersive walking tours, teaching local history, and championing the city’s colorful past . His portrayal is both historically grounded and theatrically irresistible…making him the perfect guest for the series’ second installment.

About the Speaker: Joseph Amster (as Emperor Norton)

A California native and longtime San Francisco resident, Joseph Amster has worked as a journalist, editor, historian, and performer since the 1970s. His background includes theater studies at San Francisco State University, editorial roles at the Orange County Blade and IN Los Angeles, and leadership positions within San Francisco’s history community, including the San Francisco History Association and the Emperor Norton Legacy League .

In 2011, Amster and his husband Rick Shelton launched Time Machine Tours (<a href="https://emperornortontour.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">emperornortontour.com</a>), offering character-driven historical walking tours that quickly became local favorites. His acclaimed embodiment of Emperor Norton, the self-declared “Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico,” is now a fixture of San Francisco culture and a sought-after presence at events, lectures, weddings, and historical celebrations .



About the Series

The Making History Fun Again series:
<ul>
<li>Celebrates San Francisco’s diverse and vibrant history</li>
<li>Connects generations through lively, accessible storytelling</li>
<li>Showcases authors, historians, performers, and cultural icons</li>
<li>Invites the public into the Redwood Room for conversations that spark curiosity and imagination</li>
</ul>

Signature Speaker Series Cocktails

Guests attending the January 15 event may enjoy themed cocktails honoring San Francisco’s storied past, including:
<ul>
<li>Pisco Punch — A Gold Rush original from 1853</li>
<li>Martini — Born along the trail between San Francisco and Martinez</li>
<li>Night Moves (Buena Vista Tribute Espresso Martini) — A wink to the city’s famed Irish Coffee</li>
<li>Maiden Lane — A nod to one of San Francisco’s most notorious streets</li>
</ul>

Event Details

What: Making History Fun Again — Speaker Series 
Featured Speaker: Joseph Amster as Emperor Norton 
When: Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. 
Where: The Redwood Room, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel 
Admission: Complimentary with RSVP
RSVP: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/making-history-fun-again-speaker-series-at-the-clift-tickets-1976773423523?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Making History Fun Again" Speaker Series at The Clift Tickets, Thursday, Jan 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite</a>

Upcoming Speaker Series Lineup

Thursday, February 19 – Woody LaBounty: History of Carville-by-the-Sea 
Thursday, March 19 – Ray Beldner: History of Art in San Francisco 
Thursday, April 16 – John Martini: 1906 Earthquake &amp; Fire

About The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel

Located at 495 Geary Street, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel blends contemporary design with timeless character. Home to the legendary Redwood Room, the hotel has been a cultural fixture of San Francisco since 1915. Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, The Clift offers 372 stylish guest rooms and suites, a state-of-the-art event space, and an enduring commitment to hospitality that is — and always has been — legendary. Learn more at <a href="https://www.sonesta.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sonesta Press Room / The Clift</a>.

Local Event: The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel Continues Its New Speaker Series: Making History Fun Again

The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel Continues Its New...

Featuring Joseph Amster as San Francisco’s Iconic Emperor Norton
Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | The Redwood Room

SAN...

The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel Continues Its New Speaker Series: Making History Fun Again

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Downtown Pleasant Hill "Noon” Year’s Eve Festivities

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Blacktie New Years Eve Returns to the Historic Redwood Room at the Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel

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The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel Continues Its New Speaker Series: Making History Fun Again

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Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward live in San Francisco, CA!